Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Full Scale Ships => Topic started by: Rob47 on August 26, 2016, 05:25:22 pm

Title: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on August 26, 2016, 05:25:22 pm
August 23 UK Gov announced that the former HMS Illustrious has been sold for £2 million to Turkish scrap yard, same as her sisters.  Due to depart in the Autumn, not exact date given yet.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: morley bill 1 on August 26, 2016, 06:54:16 pm
Hull wanted to put it on the Humber as an attraction but the powers that be obviously preferred to scrap it just like the rest of our past  Bill..
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on August 26, 2016, 07:04:38 pm
As I have previously said, I don't think preservation was a practical option really. Apart from the economics, the ship was not really famous as such although she did have a proud service career.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: adamD98 on September 01, 2016, 10:56:50 am
Rather gutted to hear this, although it was absolutely expected. I will be making the journey to wave her off if dates are given in advance.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: imsinking on September 01, 2016, 11:24:46 am
Quote from: morley bill 1 on August 26, 2016, 06:54:16 pm
Hull wanted to put it on the Humber as an attraction but the powers that be obviously preferred to scrap it just like the rest of our past  Bill..
Politicians of all castes don't want to be reminded of all the lives that have been sacrificed on the altar of political expediency maybe?
NAH , they've no conscience,  it's just MONEYEEE . . .
Bill  :-)) 
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Stu on September 01, 2016, 01:05:22 pm
I have been told she will be getting towed out on the 24th October.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: ellisgarth on September 18, 2016, 09:39:55 pm
Just hope we dont end up with a war with another country we won't have any war ships to fight for us ,the powers at be would have scrapped them all  will be running to America to borow some war ships
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on September 18, 2016, 10:42:16 pm
Stu
How definite is that date? as I want to book leave to be there to say good by
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on September 18, 2016, 10:44:18 pm
ellisgarth don't quite understand the post, Lusty has not been part of the fleet for over two years, and would not be able to be brought back except at great cost.  Some exciting new ships on the way and May the 9th QE comes to her home port.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: imsinking on September 18, 2016, 11:50:28 pm
Quote from: Rob47 on September 18, 2016, 10:44:18 pm
ellisgarth don't quite understand the post, Lusty has not been part of the fleet for over two years, and would not be able to be brought back except at great cost.  Some exciting new ships on the way and May the 9th QE comes to her home port.


Does anyone understand what's going on ? reasonably good war canoes have being 'decommisioned' the latest type 45's are tied up in pompy next to each other , Birkenhead docks are home to RFA's that are going for scrap (after expensive refits) new River class RFA's are being built in Korea . . . rumours abound the crews on the new flat tops will be mostly foreign nationals . . . the advert on TV "born in Carlisle , made in the Navy" has a hollow ring to it . . .  as an Island nation we MUST be able to defend ourselves surely ? ?
Bill  <:(
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Shipmate60 on September 19, 2016, 07:47:24 am
Saving money and relying on NATO to defend our shores.
Absolute madness.


Bob
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on September 19, 2016, 03:21:23 pm
Latest T45 some in Portsmouth having returned from deployment one just setoff for long deployment plus refit for one to me does not equate to tied up alongside, only one is being used for other purposes as she is the worst of the fleet with the generator problems
RFA built in Korea simply as although offered the chance no UK yard tendered with most saying to busy, once built they will come to Uk to be fitted out to UK standard.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Netleyned on September 19, 2016, 03:28:51 pm
Whats the use of shiny ships if we don't have enough
Crews to operate them >>:-(


Ned
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Stu on September 29, 2016, 11:27:42 am
Quote from: Rob47 on September 18, 2016, 10:42:16 pm
Stu
How definite is that date? as I want to book leave to be there to say good by


I believe it is dependant on the tug but that is the date they are aiming for
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on September 29, 2016, 12:24:22 pm
Keep an eye on the HMS Illustrious Association website:

http://hmsillustriousassociation.com/hmsillustrious_news.html

As they will post any information when they know it. Note that the date could be as early as the 17th. Also look out for the tug (not sure what its name will be) on AIS as they won't want to keep it stooging around for any length of time. Queen's Harbourmaster Portsmouth will have planned shipping movements one day ahead:

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsmouth

It appears that high tides on 24th (around which it is most likely the tow will leave) are very early morning and around 6pm. Not sure if they will want to leave in the dark though.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on September 29, 2016, 01:19:59 pm
They are not averse to towing out redundant ships on a low tide also. I think the slack water conditions at low tide last a bit longer than those at high tide.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on September 29, 2016, 01:48:53 pm
Perhaps, but the Illustrious class are quite deep draught, when in service they had to steer a very careful route in and out of Portsmouth although Illustrious will be in light condition and possibly may be able to take advantage of the dredged channel for the new carriers.

Looking back I think they towed Ark Royal out at about HW+2.5 which would suggest a breakfast time departure for Illustrious on the ebb.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on September 29, 2016, 10:24:39 pm
Getting CO of HMS Bristol to let me know when :)
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on September 29, 2016, 10:32:12 pm
Share it with us!
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: derekwarner on September 29, 2016, 10:41:38 pm
For stability during the tow, certain F/W, F/O & A/G tanks will pressed up with sea water as the ship will not have any functioning ballast pumping

So essentially this dictates her needed draft when departing Portsmouth for the last time

I walked upon her flight deck 30 years ago when she was in Sydney for our 75th Naval Centenary.................

Whilst not discussed in the video......one of Lustys pilots used the chopper blade thrust to skate a few neuc protesters away from the bow of BB63 as she berthed just by my office............  Derek

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj9ltuRxrXPAhUBnJQKHURrBlYQtwIIHjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DQ05ErsQv9h8&usg=AFQjCNHx4_XGK4ubWnUoH8fq9-T07kJhhA
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on September 29, 2016, 10:45:03 pm
Quote from: Colin Bishop on September 29, 2016, 10:32:12 pm
Share it with us!
Most certainly will do, hope its not to early as an early morning drive will be a pain
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on September 29, 2016, 10:50:35 pm
I have been aboard her a couple of times too but had a rather closer encounter back in 1994 when we had a mishap in our boat and drifted into her path as she was returning to Portsmouth from Bosnia. The bow wave pushed us away and we went all the way down her port side until the phalanx sponson brought down our mast. It was rather traumatic.  :o

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Mobidick on September 30, 2016, 07:29:34 am
Interesting thread here but having just joined Model Mayhem, I am slightly concerned about the moderator comments on "unbuiltnautilus" response. He is quite correct and added a sensible remark. Why then would this be seen as contentious, have I joined and old boys club of retired Navy types who still think they know whats going on?
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on September 30, 2016, 11:49:15 am
No, don't worry about me, having been on this illustrious ( :-)) ) site since 2010, working with my fellow modellers in the Portsmouth Display Team, plus selling model products to the great unwashed for over 25 years, I have developed the hide of a Great White Whale...also pretty windswept from many fruitless days at the Round Tower waiting for the arrival or departure of some mythical vessel, promised by QHM, but often undelivered. So look for me with the thick white whale skin and windswept appearance, in the next few weeks, no doubt at low water (!), waiting for the last of those great, but ugly as a whales posterior, Invincible Class ships to depart.

Anyway, you will know when you have felt the wrath of the moderators, now get on with that nice 71' MTB I flogged you last night...............troublemaker %)
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Mobidick on September 30, 2016, 01:56:29 pm
Yes... I suppose I am, still "it's good to talk"  :-))
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Arrow5 on September 30, 2016, 06:48:41 pm
Well I don't suppose that a Turkish scrappie would give me a couple of million but if anybody interested in the last remaining Invincible class vessel in UK waters wants to cross my palm with a few dubloons then they can have the ex RN recruiting 31ft version, on road trailer, needs 4 new tyres, buyer collects .
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on October 01, 2016, 07:36:25 pm
Dam right out of doubloons though lol, would be fun at the lakeside though
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Arrow5 on October 01, 2016, 09:13:27 pm
Lake ? lake never... well maybe Windermere :} but a calm sea is all I ask %)   Lakeside can be a problem, see picture >:-o
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on October 21, 2016, 01:21:26 pm
Well ship movements for 24th are posted and no mention of "Lusty" she is hanging on  :o
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on October 21, 2016, 01:39:51 pm
The two tugs used previously, Christos  XXIII and Izmir Bull are still recorded as being in Greece and Turkey respectively.

Might be worth looking for tugs in the Channel approaches.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Bob K on October 21, 2016, 04:13:59 pm
Lusty is currently in the centre of the Russian fleet in the English Channel, heading for the Med'. 
Strength in numbers, plus the Russian carrier usually needs a standby tug so logistics are being shared.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on October 22, 2016, 10:13:30 am
Monday's movements have been removed from QHM Portsmouth website.

I can't see any tugs around the area or out to Biscay.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on October 22, 2016, 10:35:28 am
On Friday, QHM lists the weekends movements through till Monday. Saturday and onwards, just that day and one ahead.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on October 22, 2016, 11:13:09 am
Thanks for the info.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: adamD98 on October 24, 2016, 01:35:02 pm
Any news chaps?
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on October 24, 2016, 01:43:56 pm

Not as yet Adam, 24th has come and nearly gone so its a case of hanging in there

Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on October 24, 2016, 01:52:52 pm
Nothing for 25th either and I still can't see any likely tugs on AIS.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on October 27, 2016, 12:11:21 pm
From HMS Illustrious Association Website posted 27th October:

The Latest News concerning the departure of HMS Illustrious, is that she will bemoved from her current location in 3 Basin in HM Naval Dockyard into tidal waters.It is understood that she will depart the UK for the last time sometime in November 2016 however an exact date has not been confirmed as this is subject to the Tugs that will be towing herarriving on-time and of course it is subject to weather conditions not only inUK waters but through the Bay of Biscay. 
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on October 27, 2016, 03:06:03 pm
Cheers Colin, glad they have gone firm on a date "sometime in November"  {-) {-) {-) .
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on October 31, 2016, 06:25:05 pm
May not mean anything but one of the tugs that was previously used, Izmir Bull/Reg Eagle, is currently en route from Turkey to Malta.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on November 02, 2016, 08:51:00 pm
Update on HMS Illustrious Association website:

HM Naval Base PRESS OFFICEThe departure of Illustrious on the 9th November 2016 'Looks Unlikely'

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on November 03, 2016, 04:53:35 pm

beat me to it Colin, saw it on Lusty web site, first time seen a date mentioned.

Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on November 20, 2016, 12:37:49 pm
There is a report in today's Sunday Times (20 Nov) which confirms a rumour I had read previously that a business consortium have offered £3m for the ship with a further £12m to be spent on refitting her as a museum/leisure/hotel facility to be moored on the Thames, preferably near Greenwich.

It appears that the MOD are not very receptive saying that the ship has already been sold (for about £2.1m I think). The consortium have offered to buy it from the shipbreakers but there is a clause in the sale contract which says the ship cannot be sold on although no doubt the MOD could waive this. Presumably the shipbreakers will also want the profit they would have got from breaking up the vessel.

All this may explain why there have been no signs of movement at Portsmouth and why the shipbreaker's tug used to move one of the other carriers and previously berthed at their yard, has been anchored off Malta for the last ten days.

I think the MOD have always been determined to see her scrapped though.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on November 20, 2016, 06:34:49 pm

 Wheeling and dealing, maybe Colin  {:-{ {:-{
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: dodes on November 23, 2016, 07:13:04 pm

 Shame she could not be listed as a heritage work of art!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Arrow5 on November 23, 2016, 10:09:35 pm
.... or a royal residence , the country needs the income from tourism I tell you  >>:-(
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on November 29, 2016, 03:07:45 pm
Illustrious is being moved into tidal waters tomorrow  Wednesday 30th November.

According to the Illustrious Association Website:
The Latest News concerning the departure of HMS Illustrious, is that she will removed from her current location in 3 Basin in HM Naval Dockyard into tidal waters on the 30th November 2016 and this has been confirmed by Queens Harbour Master Shipping movements where she will be moved to Lock D. Her departure date is likely to be 9th or 10th December although this has not been confirmed by any official source.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on November 29, 2016, 03:54:45 pm
Looks like she is going then Colin, did not think they would accept that offer, although it was left a tad late >>:-(
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on November 29, 2016, 04:09:32 pm
It does indeed. Having been aboard USS Intrepid at New York I really don't think they could have done the same thing with Illustrious. Intrepid is much bigger with a larger hangar and stuffed full of US historic warplanes. Plus there is a Concorde on the quay alongside and the ship is moored bang in the centre of Manhattan.  Conversion of Illustrious for public access and hotel accommodation would be very expensive and it is hard to believe that the ship could ever have paid her way even if berthed near Greenwich which could also have posed problems as a berth with direct shore access would be essential.

I expect to be down at Portsmouth tomorrow with some friends although it might be difficult to see very much depending on exactly what they do with the ship.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on November 29, 2016, 05:07:05 pm
Just found this quite interesting document specifying the condition the vessel will be in ready for towage.

Heads are all flushed apparently!

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/546816/20160208-LUST_SALES_General_Part_Feb_16_archived18august2016.pdf

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on November 29, 2016, 05:23:28 pm

Lol glad to hear it. If she goes on the 9th I will be there, but10th is start of a course so will miss it. If you get any decent images could you let me know.


Bob
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on November 29, 2016, 05:31:31 pm
Neither day is convenient for me either at the moment. I will play it by ear.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on November 30, 2016, 02:02:55 pm
Confirmed date 0930 7th December, unless the weather is poor.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on November 30, 2016, 02:49:50 pm
Yes, just seen that.


Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Capt Jack on December 02, 2016, 06:32:05 pm
Just to add a twist, there maybe a possibility that she may come to Portland for a few weeks while the Tristram is in dry dock.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: rnli12 on December 02, 2016, 06:47:35 pm
Quote from: Capt Jack on December 02, 2016, 06:32:05 pm
Just to add a twist, there maybe a possibility that she may come to Portland for a few weeks while the Tristram is in dry dock.

Interesting twist, I take it there is some relevance with Portland and Tristram?
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 02, 2016, 06:49:44 pm
What is the Tristram? I thought it was a straightforward case of towing Illustrious to Turkey. She has been sitting in Portsmouth for a while so why would she stop off at Portland?

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Capt Jack on December 02, 2016, 06:55:10 pm
Ex Sir Tristram, longtime resident on moorings in Portland harbour, use by the SAS,SBS for training,she was towed to Middlesbrough for docking last month. We had an enquiry today about mooring her in the Tristram's place for 4 weeks or so.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 02, 2016, 07:00:47 pm
Interesting. So a tug would take her to Portland and then what? Are the breakers not ready to take her? In which case why not just leave her in Portsmouth, it's not as if the place is crowded these days, it was pretty much empty when I was there on Wednesday.

Maybe they are still arguing about her long term future then? All very odd.

Colin

Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Capt Jack on December 02, 2016, 07:04:05 pm
Only had the enquiry this afternoon, we were asked to use own tugs to go and get it, the other thing that was said was the Navy want it out of the harbour asap ???
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on December 02, 2016, 07:07:12 pm
Maybe the 'sneaky beakies' want to spend a few weeks blowing all her internal doors off! The scrappers probably wouldn't be too bothered by a few soot marks around the place :-)
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 02, 2016, 07:29:12 pm
The shipbreaker's tug is still anchored off Malta.

I suppose it is correct that the Navy might want it out of the way as it was originally due to be towed away back in October.

Keep us up to date if you can Capt. Jack.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Capt Jack on December 02, 2016, 07:32:22 pm
Possibly, we had a MCA annual inspection on one of our tugs yesterday and the surveyor had been on the ship to issue a towing certificate and he said some of the doors had already been blown off !, they had to be replaced or plates welded over them.  So seems the boys had already been in there playing
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Capt Jack on December 02, 2016, 07:33:56 pm
Yes will do, might have some more info on Monday, I'll be driving one of the tugs if she does come in.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: John W E on December 03, 2016, 07:32:22 pm
hi there

This is her leaving the Tyne when she had been accepted.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 04, 2016, 07:09:31 pm
The tug Eraclea is due to reach Portsmouth tomorrow morning - Monday 5th. Looks like a good candidate for towing Illustrious.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Capt Jack on December 04, 2016, 08:21:10 pm
Yes, just seen that, although going slow. Can't imagine it's towing something, might just be slow steaming for morning arrival. Hope to find out more tomorrow at work
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on December 04, 2016, 08:30:55 pm
Docking at North West Wall South tomorrow at 8:15am. I believe Illustrious is currently on North West Wall North, facing out of harbour, so looks likely.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Capt Jack on December 05, 2016, 10:54:14 pm
Looks like we're not going to get her, the ex Sir Tristram is back the end of the week. And the enquiry asked if she could go alongside for a couple of months but the harbour master said no as he didn't won't a dead ship of that size on a jetty.  Guess its Turkey then.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 06, 2016, 10:07:27 am
QHM Portsmouth movements for Wednesday just published make no mention of moving Illustrious.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 06, 2016, 12:21:18 pm
Now updated to include Illustrious departure:

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsmouth/shipping-movements/daily-movements?date=07/12/2016

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rottweiler on December 06, 2016, 01:12:17 pm
Hope there are plenty of photos that people will hopefully share to will help in completing my model of her.
Its going to be a sad day.
Mick F
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 06, 2016, 01:31:58 pm
I hope to get there, traffic permitting. However the ship will have been stripped of most of her equipment. I do have a lot of close up and on board photos taken back in 2008.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rottweiler on December 06, 2016, 01:36:44 pm
They would be great to have Colin, so I may be asking you nicely to let me have some of those photos please?
It wont be for a while yet,as you know,I have to get the Ramillies finished,which is almost there,and then the Caronia.
Should keep me out of mischief for a while!
Mick F
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 06, 2016, 01:46:48 pm
PM me your address when you want them Mick and I will put them on a CD. Too many to email.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rottweiler on December 06, 2016, 04:53:49 pm
Thanks Colin,will do
Mick F
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on December 06, 2016, 10:20:28 pm

got some taken onboard decommission day, also been promised some from her move from no3 basin and also be there tomorrow


bob
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Bob K on December 07, 2016, 03:59:24 am
It's official now.  See BBC News feature

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-38224115 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-38224115)
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Bob K on December 07, 2016, 09:39:18 am
Live updates on BBC as HMS Illustrious leaves Portsmouth for the last time.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-hampshire-38224118  (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-hampshire-38224118)
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 07, 2016, 11:16:10 am
I have got some good photos. Will post later on when I get home. Having second breakfast at Langstone at the moment!


Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on December 07, 2016, 11:47:53 am
Mayhem must have been quiet, I believe a few of us were there to see Illustrious go. It is always a good idea to grab a good spot..The Round Tower was a media circus, so I found somewhere else.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on December 07, 2016, 11:50:48 am
The tug was first out. Not attached to the carrier as they left the harbour. All that work is currently taking place in the Solent.
The crowds had gathered at every vantage point, the BBC were using up the licence fee :-))
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on December 07, 2016, 11:54:11 am
Then the old girl hove into view. Only the sound of camera shutters, waves on the beach and three cheers from the former sailors on the Round Tower, broke the silence.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on December 07, 2016, 11:57:18 am
And with that, another twenty thousand tons of crown estate was off to become razor blades <:(
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: radiojoe on December 07, 2016, 01:05:10 pm
Is it just me or is this country starting to feel very vulnerable with our Navy at an all time low, there's never been a better time for a would be attacker, granted those ships we do have and the new carriers are state of the art but they can't be every where, unless they also have a secret time warp capability.  {:-{
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Hellboy Paul on December 07, 2016, 01:19:21 pm
Shhhh, you will give Argentina ideas....
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: radiojoe on December 07, 2016, 01:32:09 pm
Well it wouldn't be the first time would it.  >:-o
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Paul Swainson on December 07, 2016, 03:11:52 pm
You sometime wonder if we ever learn from history.  The clouds are there but know one seems to see what is over the horizon. 1931 to 1936 springs to mind.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Bob K on December 07, 2016, 03:27:27 pm
As Unionist MP George Wyndham said around 1912: “We want eight and we won’t wait!”

Aircraft carriers are the modern Dreadnoughts.  Well, we have zero (even without fighter planes) for the foreseeable future.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Shipmate60 on December 07, 2016, 03:38:50 pm
My lad was on one of the tugs that took her from 3 basin to North West Wall.
He was on SD Powerful today guiding her out.


Bob
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 07, 2016, 04:04:20 pm
Yes, the Round Tower was useless for taking photos as the media were out in force. We walked up harbour a little way to the open space next to the Spice Island Inn which was not crowded and gave an excellent view as Illustrious came into view. We managed to catch her again from the ramparts after she had passed through the entrance.

A very sad and dignified exit for a ship which has given over 30 year's excellent service.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 07, 2016, 04:05:47 pm
Part 2
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 07, 2016, 04:07:29 pm
Part 3
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 07, 2016, 04:09:59 pm
Part 4
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: TheLongBuild on December 07, 2016, 04:27:01 pm

Great set of photos those Colin..


Take it She was given a lick of paint before departure as She looks very clean, almost New !!
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: radiojoe on December 07, 2016, 04:38:00 pm
Yes I second that Colin, depicting the final departure of a graceful old lady, sad but dignified comes to mind.  {:-{

Joe.
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Capt Jack on December 07, 2016, 05:15:11 pm
As said she looks quite clean but what do they do to the superstructure ?, looks like it been sanded down, seen it before on other navy ships going for scrap
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on December 07, 2016, 05:17:21 pm
'Special coatings' have been removed...nope, me neither?
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 07, 2016, 05:17:37 pm
There was a reference in the sale spec to the 'removal of coatings'. Maybe it was radar absorbing paint or something similar.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Capt Jack on December 07, 2016, 05:23:33 pm
Maybe, seems strange thing to do
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 07, 2016, 05:29:44 pm
Probably don't want them analysed, especially as Turkey is becoming best buddies with Putin.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Capt Jack on December 07, 2016, 05:52:07 pm
Fair point, don't know what the covering is, may well be some secret stuff !!
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: TheLongBuild on December 07, 2016, 06:16:43 pm

Quote from: Capt Jack on December 07, 2016, 05:52:07 pm
Fair point, don't know what the covering is, may well be some secret stuff !!


Humbrol's Best, all we can afford..
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Capt Jack on December 07, 2016, 06:38:02 pm
Ha ha  :}
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: John W E on December 07, 2016, 06:59:16 pm
http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/update/2016-12-07/hms-illustrious-tyne-tees-footage-of-her-1983-homecoming/

sad  :(( <:( <:( <:( <:(
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Rob47 on December 07, 2016, 10:17:22 pm
Radar reflecting/absorbing paint, seen it on all the recent scrap ships, paint removed to base primer
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Nemo on December 09, 2016, 08:45:00 pm
Hmmm, 'Radar reflecting/absorbing paint' eh? Wonder if it's any good for cars? {-)
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Seacommander on December 15, 2016, 04:29:56 pm

Just check position, She's well into the Med now, reported making 8.2Knotts, give it a few days and she'll be at destination at that rate. 
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Colin Bishop on December 27, 2016, 11:14:51 am
Marine Traffic shows that she has now reached the breakers in Turkey. The tug appears to be anchored offshore.

Colin
Title: Re: HMS Illustrious farewell
Post by: Nemo on December 27, 2016, 04:34:25 pm
Her final berth.  <:(

The yard entrance gate - want to buy a lifeboat?