Russian aircraft carrier in the channel

I served for 25 years in the Royal Navy and am very proud to have done so, reading some of the comments in the press regarding the RN makes me quite angry, we may not have the number of ships now but contrary to some opinion they are still the best there is and the men and women serving carry on the tradition and pride us old sailors have, making black smoke was a definite no no !

There is no criticism of the comments on this forum

Up Spirits and stand fast the Holy Ghost

Well said. As for the black exhaust, what would be the cause of that? Poor maintenance?

Fuel to air mix?

Mick

Just for interest-- what would be the normal/ best route for the Russians to take to the Med. ?

If they had to escort a fleet from russia to the med it would normally start out in the black sea and make its way through the turkish straits.

Michael W

Well they did take the same route when a Russian fleet went to take on the Japs at beginning of the 20th century but they were just about all sunk when Admiral Togo met them, I believe they ran over fishing vessels in the North sea, I suppose going through Channel is shorter than going the way the Armada went

Mick

ME had a few small training lathes to sell years ago. If I remember correctly they were Russian. I was very tempted but thought they were a little on the small size for long term ownership. Assuming they did sell them they might still be around. It's a pity similar isn't for sale now really but they would probably be more costly. Russia still do export in some areas such as astro telescopes but there are signs that the quality isn't what it was.

I know Geoff. I went on a course once and there were some people from GCHQ about. Software types that couldn't talk about what they did other than they made a lot of use of 68000 processors. It's pretty obvious what they would use them for.

John

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It is the galley crew taking part in "The Great Britisch Bake off ". Niko.

Maybe they burn crap coal oil or something so that no one will know it''s nuclear. I have no idea but would have thought that conversion might be possible. I've only seen the oil burners used in ships under test but the tanks etc must take up a lot of space. One of Lucas's aerospace sites used to develop the burners Also batteries and bits and pieces for torpedoes. I heard mention of missile casings too.

John

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Reason for not showing smoke would be to use "Stealth" techniques to creep up on the enemy. With a lump of steel so big, why bother. And why cruise down the English channel? Because they can.

Regards Ian.

It's just a smoke screen

I have heard they were the originals on which the 7 x 10/12/14/16 mini-lathes are based but i haven't been able to track down the original ad.

Neil

As mentioned the black smoke is because the poor old girl is knackered and really really needs a refit, even merchant ships rarely make as much mess, (usually only when they switch from diesel to heavy fuel when going into or leaving port)

The russkies have had a lot of problems with their carrier based planes as well, only about 35 of one type got made before they finally gave up on it and the other has had serious issues.

I suppose this trip is to show solidarity with Assads Syria in the Med and produce some feelgood propaganda at home. The russkies aren't really sailors IMO but they're a tough bunch and will work hard to make everything work.

That tug is a good idea, a handy emergency boat plus an insurance policy if your engines go tits up, as was happening to the newest Royal Navy types in the Gulf last year.

If they get any serious issues then she can always limp into the Black sea

I might be able to find it. My recollection was that it wouldn't look out of place in a toolroom other than size. I'll have a quick look.

I did before posting. No luck or at least not mentioned in the index or on the front cover. It will very probably be between 1987 and 1992. Probably late 80's.

Interesting to look though - 918 lathe with screw cutting gearbox £1250. The early one. I think the slightly stretched one was a bit heftier. Emco - some k but not many.

John

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In peace time the Channel is International waters. They have every right to be there whatever the British press suggest (OK, I don't think the media has actually said they should not be there). I guess the fleet obeyed the sea lane rules impeccably and even gave their details to the Dover coastguards as requested.

Still, I like the smoke.

JA

Wikipedia says she went for a refit in 2012.

My 'smokescreen' comment was only partly in jest, I agree this could be to distract attention if she had a nuclear refit.

Neil

I don't agree with what's going on but do notice in Syria that civilians are killed where as others have collateral damage estimated being from 165,000 to circa 180,000 civilians, Just done rather quickly. Russian planes also always have Russian pilots.

Pass but I suspect we are on the end of a lot of propaganda.

Neil might edit this out and it wouldn't be wise to discuss all of this area in detail. In real terms international politics often stink.

John

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"Since early 2015, unconfirmed rumors reported that Russian pilots were flying many combat operations for the Syrian Arab Airforce. No independent source confirmed the claim and no Russian pilots were reported among the downed crews in the following months."

But let's shy away from the politics, there are forums dedicated to that.

Neil

Think you'll find they're based on the Emco range. Seem to recall the Russian lathes came in a packing case complete with accessories, Early to mid seventies seems to jangle and they were advertised in ME. So was the milling head for the Emco V10/P 4 speed being "Sold off" for £200 as opposed to £1000 when Emco moved out of Watford.

 My reference "Cos they can" alluded to International waters.

Regards Ian.

Edited By Circlip on 23/10/2016 16:55:26