BBC1 Shipmates

[Flat in Fifth]

Anybody watching this? Another fly-on-the-wall documentary, dpends upon whether you love em or hate em, but a look at the modern life in the Andrew.

Got last nights on tape.

The scooter riding chaplain on HMS Ocean is a ringer for Dick Emery's vicar character though....

[Eric Mc]

Very good - I thought.

Pity it wasn't set on one of the carriers though.

[tonyvid]

I've been watching it. A couple of my guys were on board last month for some trials of its "defensive systems" so it is near to home. Really good to see the lads getting stuck in on the Sri Lankan stuff last night it just shows how versatile these boys can be, nothing like their day jobs but making a real difference. I liked the hosing down of the hospital - no messing about just get the fire pumps out!

[wanty1974]

I've been watching it only becuase I toyed with the idea of joining the Fleet Air Arm when I was in CCF at school. Top blokes; although I can't imagine being away from your young family for such a long period of time.

[Flat in Fifth]

Eric Mc said:

Very good - I thought. Pity it wasn't set on one of the carriers though.

I guess they did carriers years ago, nearest you are going to get is on HMS Ocean, assault fleet, helicopter carrier.

Plus the Lynx on Chatham of course.

[Eric Mc]

Ocean would do - and they still have Incvincible, Illustrious and Ark Royal. Of course, the series "Sailor" which was made back in 1976 was set on the old "full size" Ark Royal - lots of Buccaneers, Phantoms and Gannets (drooooooool).

[Flat in Fifth]

Eric Mc said:

Ocean would do(

During the series they will cover HMS Ocean taking part in the "Thursday War" exercise out in the channel off Plymouth.

Flag Officer Sea Training sets up a war game every week.

The one to be shown, (sorry don't know which week) will have Ocean under simulated air and sub attack. So there will be lots of fast jet and chopper activity I bet.

Also for the benefit of Silverback Mike et al it will show the field gun competition at Collingwood.

>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Wednesday 30th November 14:04

[mel]

Flat in Fifth said:

Also for the benefit of Silverback Mike et al it will show the field gun competition at Collingwood.

It's Brickwoods and they let girls play now days so doesn't count

But all in all it looks like paning out to be a good series

[eccles]

its nice to see a series about the armed forces concentrate a fair bit on the "other" ranks, so often you get documetaries about the forces, and its from the officers point of view, with just a few salt of the earth comments about the other ranks.

[Pigeon]

Flat in Fifth said:

Anybody watching this? Another fly-on-the-wall documentary, dpends upon whether you love em or hate em, but a look at the modern life in the Andrew. Got last nights on tape. The scooter riding chaplain on HMS Ocean is a ringer for Dick Emery's vicar character though....

Saw some of it last night, thought it was pretty good.

Was most impressed by the natural faith of the nurses in charge on shore.

BTW why is the Navy called the Andrew? It's puzzled me for some time.

[Flat in Fifth]

[quote=PigeonBTW why is the Navy called the Andrew? It's puzzled me for some time.
[/quote]
Refers to the name of an old press gang leader, Andrew Miller. Hence joining Andrew.

That is how it was told to me anyway.

[williamp]

Love the humour of the ratings as well.

Inerviewer:

"so a fire is pretty serious, is it?"
reply: "Yes. Vey serious"
Other rating in the background; "sinking's quite bad, as well..."

[mojocvh]

williamp said:

Love the humour of the ratings as well. Inerviewer: "so a fire is pretty serious, is it?" reply: "Yes. Vey serious" Other rating in the background; "sinking's quite bad, as well..."

Yep, it got the message across and not even a swear word used either!!

Mojo.

[Pigeon]

Flat in Fifth said:

Pigeon said: BTW why is the Navy called the Andrew? It's puzzled me for some time. Refers to the name of an old press gang leader, Andrew Miller. Hence joining Andrew. That is how it was told to me anyway.

Oh, right. Thanks for that - scratched an old itch.

[fid]

williamp said:

..."so a fire is pretty serious, is it?" reply: "Yes. Vey serious" Other rating in the background; "sinking's quite bad, as well..."

No no, it was more like...

Interviwer: 'I'd imagine a fire is the worse thing that could happen out here?'

Reply: 'Yes, pretty much'

Chap in the background: 'Although sinking would be quite bad, too'

[rich1231]

Pigeon said:

Flat in Fifth said: Anybody watching this? Another fly-on-the-wall documentary, dpends upon whether you love em or hate em, but a look at the modern life in the Andrew. Got last nights on tape. The scooter riding chaplain on HMS Ocean is a ringer for Dick Emery's vicar character though.... Saw some of it last night, thought it was pretty good. Was most impressed by the natural faith of the nurses in charge on shore. BTW why is the Navy called the Andrew? It's puzzled me for some time.

They were Doctors I believe

[Pigeon]

Mea culpa, I just automatically think nurse <=> blue, doctor <=> white...

[rich1231]

Pigeon said:

Mea culpa, I just automatically think nurse <=> blue, doctor <=> white...

Perve :-)

[KITT]

Anyone else watch this last night?

I'm sure I've seen them on TV a few years ago doing the field gun challenge at Earls Court, but it was much harder than the one shown last night (not that it's easy by any stretch of the imagination!). I'm sure I've seen it where they've had to carry the gun in pieces suspended below ropes across imaginary voids etc. Or is that a different challenge?

[eccles]

thats at the royal tournament isn't it?....and they have to get the bits over a wall as well i think.