USS Gerald R. Ford Solent

[Chainedtomato]

The Gerald R. Ford US Navy carrier has arrived in the Solent. I’m hopefully heading down this afternoon to check it out. Already seen some photos from locals showing the deck packed full of F18’s and other aircraft.

Does anyone if the F18’s will be flying off the carrier whilst it’s anchored this week?

[hantsxlg]

ChainedTom.. would be good to see some photos, and feedback on whether worth going down to view from the shore, or if you need to book one of the boat trips to get a decent look.

Also 100% they will NOT be flying off any f-18s whilst moored up. They need to be steaming into wind for that... only the F-35s (and Harriers) can fly off when in port, and that has only been done on very rare occasions as noisy and dangerous.

[normalbloke]

I’ve foolishly booked a mini trip tomorrow out to see it on the Gosport ferry. Looks like a fruity front is due to pass through in the morning, so it may be cancelled, or there may be nothing on deck. I’m quietly confident that the front will pass through slightly earlier than predicted. What was I thinking?!

[geeks]

How long is it docked for? I am heading down that way next week

[NM62]

Check out the Ryde WebCam

[ecsrobin]

geeks said:

How long is it docked for? I am heading down that way next week

Only until Thursday.

[geeks]

ecsrobin said:

geeks said:

How long is it docked for? I am heading down that way next week

Only until Thursday.

Oh bugger, never mind then. Been watching the live view, now have Danger Zone rattling around my head

[aeropilot]

Big bugger isn't it.......

[normalbloke]

hantsxlg said:

ChainedTom.. would be good to see some photos, and feedback on whether worth going down to view from the shore, or if you need to book one of the boat trips to get a decent look.

Also 100% they will NOT be flying off any f-18s whilst moored up. They need to be steaming into wind for that... only the F-35s (and Harriers) can fly off when in port, and that has only been done on very rare occasions as noisy and dangerous.

But the one time they( our bunch) let the repaired F35 go in Portsmouth harbour was epic! Apparently during the build up to the Falklands war, most of the Harriers were flown onto deck whilst in harbour. That must have been quite something.

[ecsrobin]

From a friend down at stokes bay said it was quite busy.

[Chainedtomato]

Just got back, my photos aren’t as good so won’t bother posting.

Car park is busy and loads of people with binoculars and the like

Well worth it though

[NM62]

Interesting Twitter Thread Here - Some lucky french chap got a lift in the C2 Greyhound on board ( ETA - 4 goes at Trapping the wire )

Edited by NM62 on Monday 14th November 17:52

[tog]

I'm going to head down there today. My 9-year-old is currently obsessed with warships and aircraft carriers, and his school is closed today so we're at a loose end.

I realise the weather is going to be less than lovely, but is Stokes Bay as mentioned above the best place to view from?

[Shar2]

Yes, Stokes bay is the best spot on the mainland. You could try to get on a boat trip out to it, if they're not already fully booked. The big carriers are normally very popular, but being the first visit of a brand new class it's gone quite mental around Pompey.

[ecsrobin]

tog said:

I'm going to head down there today. My 9-year-old is currently obsessed with warships and aircraft carriers, and his school is closed today so we're at a loose end.

I realise the weather is going to be less than lovely, but is Stokes Bay as mentioned above the best place to view from?

You might struggle with visibility today:

[Krikkit]

NM62 said:

Interesting Twitter Thread Here - Some lucky french chap got a lift in the C2 Greyhound on board ( ETA - 4 goes at Trapping the wire )

What an experience! Very cool indeed.

[NM62]

Krikkit said:

NM62 said:

Interesting Twitter Thread Here - Some lucky french chap got a lift in the C2 Greyhound on board ( ETA - 4 goes at Trapping the wire )

What an experience! Very cool indeed.

Indeed - Although 4th time lucky on the wire would have me sweating.

I did manage to get on a few carriers back in the late 70's / early 80's when they were anchored in Stokes bay (Nimitz, Forrestal, America, JFK) and you could talk your way aboard - sadly I am not in work this week (Portsmouth) as I did get an offer of a tour as the Ford looks a heck of a lot bigger.

[bloomen]

Annoying that the Gosport ferry tours sold out so fast. It's quite a way away for me so I'd love to see it, but getting a seat on that would've guaranteed I was going to show up.

[Tom8]

ecsrobin said:

tog said:

I'm going to head down there today. My 9-year-old is currently obsessed with warships and aircraft carriers, and his school is closed today so we're at a loose end.

I realise the weather is going to be less than lovely, but is Stokes Bay as mentioned above the best place to view from?

You might struggle with visibility today:

What are all those hovercraft on the web cam? Is that a ferry service?

[bloomen]

Tom8 said:

What are all those hovercraft on the web cam? Is that a ferry service?

Yes. Portsmouth to Ryde.

It might be the only scheduled service in the world, dunno.

It's dead cool. You can buy a rail ticket to Ryde from anywhere with the hovercraft included.