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[dodes]

Hi Colin, yes the marquees seemed to be erected every time these vessels are in so i have noticed, could be the down thrust jet burning of the paint? But I do know the P.o.W limped into Pompey from new with the inter shaft coupling on one shaft on the point of complete failure. Expect like most MoD vessels since the Leander's have been built with major problems of one thing or the other. But I know one thing they will never do shock trials on this class as the type 45's they do not have resilient mountings for their equipment.

[Circlip]

£25 million repair bill after a few days operation hardly seems good value to the ratepayers. Sadly another exercise in the British shi_building industry.


  Regards  Ian.

[Colin Bishop]

Sadly another exercise in the British shi_building industry.

It was reported that the main contractor for the failed shaft units was French, the sub contractor that made them Norwegian!

Details here:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/french-firm-thales-is-focus-of-inquiry-into-faulty-aircraft-carrier-hms-prince-of-wales-jnws7c2lz

Colin

[dodes]

Part of the problem is overseeing contract branch and a lack of trained qualified overseer's plus the MoD keep altering the specs for the build as the vessels are being built. Like the type 45's it was agreed after build that the gas turbines for the generators were not suitable for hot areas, but the contractors got away with it because the MoD did not specify in the contract that the vessels would have to go into hot area's!

[Colin Bishop]

Perhaps in this instance the contract didn't specify that the propellers needed to revolve...

Colin

[Baldrick]

  I wonder if the new incumbent to the Princedom would wish a name change for the strife stricken bucket.?  Suggestions ??    HMS Haemorroid

[derekwarner]

Materials Investigations [into failed mechanical components] should be able to determine if the root cause of failure was a mechanical defect in manufacture, or a component failure due to environment [the physical installation]?


However the respective quality assurance documents for all of the as manufactured components for the vessel also should be able to represent and defend themselves individually as to  the suitability of use for an as installed components


Unfortunately, the British News of the World suggests I subscribe and pay one British Pound just to read the News paper story 


Derek

[Circlip]

The Times link CB has posted needs a log in too.  After more than fifty year in manufacturing industries, Mods are the bane of production. In the UK we seem to be constantly trying to polish the same old t_ _ _, Classic example the Nimrods scrapped before they were finished. At least we're not unique, Microsloth work under the same blanket.  Regards  Ian.

[Colin Bishop]

Navy Lookout has just posted a more informative report which incorporates the material in th Times article.

https://www.navylookout.com/repairs-to-hms-prince-of-wales-will-not-prevent-return-to-operations-this-summer/

Colin

[Baldrick]

  I do like the inclusion :- one of the aircraft lifts failed, probably due to exposure to the harsh marine environment (or not being adequately matelot proof!) Thats what comes of allowing sailors on board.

[Rob47]

The Times link CB has posted needs a log in too.  After more than fifty year in manufacturing industries, Mods are the bane of production. In the UK we seem to be constantly trying to polish the same old t_ _ _, Classic example the Nimrods scrapped before they were finished. At least we're not unique, Microsloth work under the same blanket.  Regards  Ian.

Scrapped because they had major issues with leaks, were over budget and had many other problems, so a good move


Bob

[Circlip]

No, the unfinished airframes in the back yard. Can't have a refuelling leak unless the engines are fitted.


 Regards  Ian

[kinmel]

Don't worry about newspaper subscriptions, simply open a paywall bypass https://12ft.io/ in a browser and add the URL you want to visit. 

[PJM]

It was in the Naval paper, made a great thing of how they replaced the gearbox etc at the time, as they said it was such a big and difficult job, even had photos of the new one being brought in board.

Only just read this thread and I’m sorry but the comment above is absolute tosh. Invincible may have had a plummer block fitted, I really have no idea, but the only carrier to have a total gearbox rebuild was HMS Illustrious, after her fire which was caused by a gearbox malfunction and oil vapour explosion. It took 3 months to rebuild and was undertaken in Portsmouth dockyard in 1986.

[/size][size=78%]I know because I had just come off watch as the Engineer Officer of the watch.[/size]

[littoralcombat]

Only just read this thread and I’m sorry but the comment above is absolute tosh. Invincible may have had a plummer block fitted, I really have no idea, but the only carrier to have a total gearbox rebuild was HMS Illustrious, after her fire which was caused by a gearbox malfunction and oil vapour explosion. It took 3 months to rebuild and was undertaken in Portsmouth dockyard in 1986.

[size=78%]I know because I had just come off watch as the Engineer Officer of the watch.[/size]

Thanks very much for your input PJM, I withdrew from this thread when I realised I was not going to get anywhere.
As stated before, (and you will of course be aware of this, I'm relating the following info for other Members) these David Brown Boxes were the biggest of their kind when installed in the Invincibles. Weighing in at approximately 170 tons, they each had a total of 19 Gears, 55 White-Metal Journal Bearings, four Hydraulic Couplings and two of the brilliant S.S.S Clutches.
To give some idea of their size see attached images. If I can figure out how to add them.
Nigel

[derekwarner]

The large gearbox images are here thankyou Nigel........


Is this one of two speed reducers for the drive lines on the Invincible Class?...or is this a combined speed reducer for both power lines?

In a previous life I supervised 'work' on 5" gun mounts and Missile Launchers for our RAN...so have an understanding of Naval life & protocol during Dockyard goings on ....

[image below] ....is this an Officer inspecting proceedings?

I remember RO6 [Illustrious] attending our RAN 75th Anniversary here in Sydney ...years ago

Derek


[apologies if I have drifted to far from the HMS Prince of Wales progress]

[littoralcombat]

Hi Derek,
The Invincible Class had two shafts with fixed-pitch Propellors (incidentally, these were at the time, the largest ever made for the RN, only surpassed in size by those fitted to the QE Class now). Each independent shaft-line was driven by two Rolls Royce Olympus TM-3B Gas Turbines via one of these reversing gearboxes........so yes, two separate sets of gearing.
As to the person you have highlighted in Ark Royal image, it could be the Queen Mother for all I know .
Nigel

[PJM]

I remember RO6 [Illustrious] attending our RAN 75th Anniversary here in Sydney ...years ago

Derek


[apologies if I have drifted to far from the HMS Prince of Wales progress]

I was on Illustrious when she visited Sydney in 1986 for the RAN birthday. What a show you guys organised.


I spent 3 years on her the first 18 months I was in charge of the flight deck section, aircraft lifts, hydraulics, stabilisers, hp air, flight deck and hangar power supplies, liquid oxygen plant and countless other items if kit. Then 18 months in charge of the propulsion systems, GT’s, gearboxes, shafts etc. An interesting time.

[derekwarner]

So PJM says......."What a show you guys organised"......

From where we stood underneath the Hammerhead Crane...the show was on the other foot on the day the BB63 berthed

Do you remember?.........Greenie Anti Neucs in a Rubber Duckie attempted to place themselves [side to side like a black Dolphin] at the bow of USS Missouri as she made her way to the berth

Illustrious was moored just down at Woolloomooloo, and promptly dispatched an embarked Chopper up toward the now 2 x Rubber Duckies..... the Chopper Pilot altered  rotor blades somehow & blasted the Greenies up toward the Harbour Bridge .....to the great applause of many.

Well done Illustrious

[PJM]

Illustrious had some wind surfer dude hanging onto the bow as we came in. Loved seeing the Aussie harbour police beating his hands with a baton to make him let go.


There is a video on you tube for those interested [size=78%]https://youtu.be/hzB_oYQ1fb0[/size]

[littoralcombat]

Nice video link PJM, thanks for sharing.
Nige

[Colin Bishop]

An interesting speculative video about upgrading the QE class carriers. (you'll need to skip over the initial advert though)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM7xTL65quo

Further information on Navy Lookout togehter with an article on the poor condition of several Type 23 Frigates which might lead to early retirement.

https://www.navylookout.com/the-royal-navy-has-ambitious-plans-for-its-future-maritime-aviation-force/

Colin

[dodes]

Hi Colin, i think most people have been saying for some time now, that the carriers should have built with angle decks and catapults from new. Perhaps they may in time catch up with the old proper carriers.

[Colin Bishop]

Yes, but they weren't to save money. Could have been very expensive given the problems the USN have had with their electromagnetic catapults.

However I do recall reading that the two QE's were built with future upgrades in mind, These articles confirm that there is space under the flight deck for equipment to be fitted.

Colin

[SailorGreg]

Yes, the QE carriers were built with space for upgrades to launch and recovery. But the ambitious list of capability upgrades given in the video (by 2030!) sounds to me like a wish list too far. 

Greg