interesting conversation

[VulcanDriver]

Talking to a retired RN guy today. Spoke about our new carriers and he said both will be on temporary loan to the USN for the USMC to practice with their F-35B also British pilots can practice until ours are delivered. He got that from a serving RN officer. Nothing in the press over here.

[swp53]

"Nothing in the press over here"
Because it's old news, I can't remember where I read about it as it was some time ago.

[VulcanDriver]

Never heard it mentioned anywhere.

[clickclickdoh]

Doesn't make any sense to me. There are enough LHDs and simulated LHDs to go around. It makes more sense that they would do cross decking exercises, as have been done before.

[Firebird]

It makes sense for both parties. The USMC get a carrier optimised for F-35 ops to practice on and the RN get to iron out wrinkles in their new equipment before their machines arrive.

[clickclickdoh]

Well yes, but as far as I recall, the QE isn't supposed to start F-35 trials until 2018 with the Prince of Wales following sometime next century. Meanwhile, there are 9 decks already serving in the USN for the F-35B. Eight really, since USS Wasp is following VMFA-121 to Japan when they take their F-35Bs to Iwakuni early next year. It would make more sense to put British pilots in American metal and fly them off American decks, that way when the RN ships come online you have pilots already checked out and ready to start building the RN ops. Like was done with the RC-135Ws.

[VulcanDriver]

And the RAF crews operating USN P.8s

[Firebird]

the QE isn't supposed to start F-35 trials until 2018 with the Prince of Wales following sometime next century

Blimey, that is quite a delivery spread.

[VulcanDriver]

the QE isn't supposed to start F-35 trials until 2018 with the Prince of Wales following sometime next century

Blimey, that is quite a delivery spread.

I'm hoping that's meant to be next decade!!

[clickclickdoh]

Blimey, that is quite a delivery spread.

It's a jobs program