Pride of Britain

[topten]

Just watched the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier dock at Portsmouth, and it gave me back my pride in being English.

[Mowgli597]

Just watched the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier dock at Portsmouth, and it gave me back my pride in being English.

Why? It was built in Scotland

[ardstrawray]

Just watched the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier dock at Portsmouth, and it gave me back my pride in being English.

Why? It was built in Scotland

Probably with cheap Chinese steel.

[ttoli]

Just watched the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier dock at Portsmouth, and it gave me back my pride in being English.

Why? It was built in Scotland

Probably with cheap Chinese steel.

By a French multinational company
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Eli ... ft_carrier

[sophie]

Stop pricking toptens bubble - you are a cynical bunch!!!! A bit of pride (providing it isn't over done, does nobody any harm)

[topten]

Stop pricking toptens bubble - you are a cynical bunch!!!! A bit of pride (providing it isn't over done, does nobody any harm)

Thank you for your support Sophie the rest of the sad people out there will probably be more patriotic when in need of hip replacements or in some of the expats over there treatment for alcoholism.

[waddo]

It's a damn good name for a good ship! I hope it's threat is sufficient for it to never have to see action. God bless all who sail in her.

[Mowgli597]

Stop pricking toptens bubble - you are a cynical bunch!!!! A bit of pride (providing it isn't over done, does nobody any harm)

It was the "English" wot done it for me

There are a few people on here for whom the words "British" and "English" are synonymous.

Residents of parts of the Atlantic Isles live in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. And some of them live in that bit called "England"; those born there are "English".

I know

But it is a fine ship and I echo Waddo's wish for all who sail on her.

Just a shame there aren't any aircraft for this "aircraft carrier"! Still, the North Americans will lend a few no doubt!

[waddo]

So what sort of Passport do you carry then? Interesting mind you, did you put "British" on the form for your residency here or did you use "English", "Welsh", "Scottish" or "Irish" I was born in England and I carry a British Passport - that should give you a clue as to why some people will say "English" and others say "British".

[David]

Was it not built by BAE SYSTEMS who are a British company with headquarters in Glasgow

[waddo]

Yep, British Waste of Space and Babcock marine together built her, or sub contracted the sub contractors to sub contract the work out. I think the quote from the film Armageddon is most apt "276000" moving parts, all supplied by the lowest bidder! Just got to hope that they all hold together.

[David]

So its a thumbs up for this ship then ,,, and they say it is good for the next 50 years !!

[jofra]

..."276000 moving parts, all supplied by the lowest bidder! Just got to hope that they all hold together"......
Amusing (?) but also sad (?) that once upon a time, those who built/made things (from boxes to battleships) took pride - and were allowed/encouraged to take pride - in their work - not just in the UK but around the world, and the results showed this. Now, the accountants and penny-pushers rule the roost, and do not care how dangerously inefficient and faulty the end product may be....
No wonder the ordinary engineer, builder and common workman can't be bothered - if they do, they get criticised for increasing costs, and the work will go to whoever cares even less - but is cheaper.....

[topten]

Stop pricking toptens bubble - you are a cynical bunch!!!! A bit of pride (providing it isn't over done, does nobody any harm)

It was the "English" wot done it for me

There are a few people on here for whom the words "British" and "English" are synonymous.

Residents of parts of the Atlantic Isles live in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. And some of them live in that bit called "England"; those born there are "English".

I know

But it is a fine ship and I echo Waddo's wish for all who sail on her.

Just a shame there aren't any aircraft for this "aircraft carrier"! Still, the North Americans will lend a few no doubt!

Yes, too true I said "pride in being English" because first and foremost that is what I am, as the Scots and Welsh no doubt are proud of their Heritage and when speaking with them will mostly refer to their place of birth Scotland or Wales when asked.
The ship does belong and is in the service of Britain that I thought was made clear and on the question of passports, if there was a English passport that is what I would have, but just like God Knows how many from foreign countries hold "British" passports, they still keep their Nationality. So until an English passport I will have to keep a British passport .When asked on any form be it official or not if it asks for my birth origin I write England.

[RAZR63]

They Just need a crew to man it (lean manning!) and some standby for when they don't want to work weekends or when someone upsets them? Perhaps they could get Latvians / Bulgarians to do the weekends?

They could have picked a better name for the ship. Whatever happened to ships that instilled fear just by the name? HMS Fearless, HMS Invincible, HMS Indomitable, HMS Brave...... etc Whatever next HMS Prince Charlie?

ex matelot

[waddo]

HMS Fearless - Decommissioned 18 March 2002 Scrapped Ghent harbour (BE) 2008, HMS Invincible - Decommissioned 3 August 2005, scrapped. HMS Indomitable - Sold for scrap in 1955, HMS Brave - Decommissioned 23 March 1999, Sunk as a target vessel by HMS Sceptre and HMS Argyll & HMS Boris Johnson - just kidding!!!!

The only reason they will hurt to find a crew is that the Government have cut back the number of the Armed Forces to such an extent that only the high up's at the back remain, they would not get their hands dirty so it looks like a sneaky way for the Government to lower the immigration problem? What was the term that used to be used? Oh yes, now I remember - "impressment" or press gang to most people, watch out, it may be coming to a port near you - lol.

[Mowgli597]

I hope it's threat is sufficient for it to never have to see action.

The only reason they will hurt to find a crew is that the Government have cut back the number of the Armed Forces to such an extent that only the high up's at the back remain, they would not get their hands dirty.

So let's see: they've no aircraft and no crew.

What sort of a threat is that

Oh sorry. That'll upset the "Rule Brittania" brigade no end

[waddo]

The Battle of Britain flight is still around, grounded for now but could be put back in the air and there are a few of those Red painted planes about that scare kids and delight the crowds at air shows, also Richard Branson could lend them some of his so aircraft there are! As for crew, well if the UK is ever threatened I have no doubt at all that the public would throng to the recruiting office wouldn't they? And it's Tommy this and Tommy that........

[Mowgli597]

As for crew, well if the UK is ever threatened I have no doubt at all that the public would throng to the recruiting office wouldn't they? And it's Tommy this and Tommy that........

Now there's a good topic for discussion. But not in this thread - and probably not on this Forum.

But I've done my bit as have several on here (and one of the fruit of my lions!) so I'll pass next time

[jimm]

The crew is already on board the vessel, they were there for the sea trials

[waddo]

Mowgli597, dead right. It is only a topic for a Military Thread, the only people who would understand it anyway. My fruit also tried it but it did not take, it takes all kinds I guess but giving it up to be a copper is beyond my understanding - lol.

[Mowgli597]

Mowgli597, dead right. It is only a topic for a Military Thread, the only people who would understand it anyway. My fruit also tried it but it did not take, it takes all kinds I guess but giving it up to be a copper is beyond my understanding - lol.

Know what you mean. As I said in the topic which someone started about Service service I'm a ex-Scaley Fairy. Could well have worked DCN to you in the Comcen from GFH. My eldest joined the Wonky Donkeys - REME. What can you do with them?
Mind you he did a tour in Afghanistan which made my little shindig in Dhofar look like a walk in the park!
But enough lamp-swinging - no room to pull up a sandbag in here

[Deniz1]

English please Mowgli

[Mowgli597]

English please Mowgli

My apologies, Deniz1. As Waddo said:

Mowgli597, dead right. It is only a topic for a Military Thread, the only people who would understand it anyway.

Totally and utterly
Mea maxima culpa

[pc4854]

Mind you it did get you going and that can't be too bad.

[PoshinDevon]

Mowgli597, dead right. It is only a topic for a Military Thread, the only people who would understand it anyway. My fruit also tried it but it did not take, it takes all kinds I guess but giving it up to be a copper is beyond my understanding - lol.

Know what you mean. As I said in the topic which someone started about Service service I'm a ex-Scaley Fairy. Could well have worked DCN to you in the Comcen from GFH. My eldest joined the Wonky Donkeys - REME. What can you do with them?
Mind you he did a tour in Afghanistan which made my little shindig in Dhofar look like a walk in the park!
But enough lamp-swinging - no room to pull up a sandbag in here

Understood.

Over and out.

[Mowgli597]

Understood.
Over and out.

Tsk tsk PiD Basic radio procedure.
Over AND out???????
Shirley you mean: "Roger. Out"

[Keithcaley]

Why did you call him 'Shirley'? -

It's not Sunday, is it?

[Mowgli597]

Why did you call him 'Shirley'? -
It's not Sunday, is it?

Because if I had written "Surely..." some smart-bottom would say, "Don't call me/him Shirley!"

[PoshinDevon]

Understood.
Over and out.

Tsk tsk PiD Basic radio procedure.
Over AND out???????
Shirley you mean: "Roger. Out"

I was a technician so we just did our own thing.

[PoshinDevon]

Understood.
Over and out.

Tsk tsk PiD Basic radio procedure.
Over AND out???????
Shirley you mean: "Roger. Out"

Shirley may have meant Roger. Out.......but I was a RR Technician so we just did our own thing and made it up as we went along.

[waddo]

Ah! A "nail bender" then, not a "Peanut" - lol. And here I thought you were just a "Listener" working at that place, sorry I ran you down!

[Mowgli597]

..but I was a RR Technician so we just did our own thing and made it up as we went along.

Another fairy so. Ex Brat?
TE tech here: working in the secret squirrel cage in the Comcen which was brilliant because none of the GD wallahs could get in (e.g. SSMs and the like). Followed up by the Cypher School on Whinny Hill: ditto!
But did you not have to do the basic signallers course? They introduced that early/mid 70s because it was getting embarrassing when some senior REMF saw a Jimmy on the cap badge and assumed that, as communicators, we knew how to communicate. So basic radio procedure, telephone exchange operation ("Have you finished?"), gene maintenance etc. None of which was of any use at all at all (except to look smart in fora like these!)

[PoshinDevon]

..but I was a RR Technician so we just did our own thing and made it up as we went along.

Another fairy so. Ex Brat?
TE tech here: working in the secret squirrel cage in the Comcen which was brilliant because none of the GD wallahs could get in (e.g. SSMs and the like). Followed up by the Cypher School on Whinny Hill: ditto!
But did you not have to do the basic signallers course? They introduced that early/mid 70s because it was getting embarrassing when some senior REMF saw a Jimmy on the cap badge and assumed that, as communicators, we knew how to communicate. So basic radio procedure, telephone exchange operation ("Have you finished?"), gene maintenance etc. None of which was of any use at all at all (except to look smart in fora like these!)

TE Tech - never mind.

Yes ex Harrogate (1973) and as a tech I did a signalling course, but tbh it's been a while so forgotten more than I ever knew.

Had many great postings 22SR and 28SR Germany, Ace High UK, Couple of TA, SATCOM plus the two at 9SR....which were the best. Worked inside the wire at 9SR, visited the COMCEN many times and yes agree with your comments.