The bulk of the HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier strike group today returned to their respective homes after three months in the USA. Following HMS Dragon’s return to Portsmouth earlier this week, the aircraft carrier made her way into Portsmouth – where she was greeted by sister ship HMS Prince of Wales. At the same time two of her escorts, HMS Northumberland and … [Read more...]
Full throttle from HMS Prince of Wales as carrier hits top speed
Britain's newest aircraft carrier has hit top speed as she tested her engines to the max in the North Sea. HMS Prince of Wales thundered through the sea at 25 knots as her diesel generators and gas turbines were pushed to full throttle during only her second week of trials. It took almost all the 109 Megawatts of power – enough to meet the needs of a city the size of the … [Read more...]
First aircraft touch down on the deck of HMS Prince of Wales
Not 24 hours after the second of the UK’s new aircraft carriers sailed into open waters for the first time, a Merlin helicopter was guided safely into land on the expansive deck. For the first time in 50 years the announcement: “Hands to Flying Stations” echoed throughout the 280-metre-long warship and specialist aircraft handlers, who’ve spent the past year practising for … [Read more...]
UK’s new carrier HMS Prince of Wales debuts at sea
The second of the UK’s new aircraft carriers, HMS Prince of Wales, has left the dockyard and is ready for sea. Eight years after she was laid down – and two after her sister HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed from the very same yard at Rosyth, near Edinburgh – the 65,000-tonne warship was manoeuvred into the Firth of Forth this afternoon, ready to begin sea trials. When she … [Read more...]
Tavistock man’s pride as aircraft carrier named
A Royal Navy Captain from Tavistock is ready for the naming of his ship HMS Prince of Wales, one of the largest navy ships ever built. Captain Ian Groom, from Tavistock, is the first captain appointed to HMS Prince of Wales, the second of the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. Originally hailing from Portsmouth, he attended school in Sherborne and … [Read more...]
