Calling all Spanish Juan Carlos I (LHD) landing helicopter dock/aircraft carrier fans

[Bill Davidson]

The first of the RAN's LHDs, HMAS CANBERRA, was launched yesterday (17 Feb) by Mrs Vicki Coates, the wife of the late RADM Nigel Coates who commanded the last HMAS CANBERRA. The launching was 2 months ahead of schedule and the hull is due in Australia mid 2012 for final fitting out and handover in early 2014. ADELAIDE will follow 15-18 months later.

So after 26 years the RAN once again has a carrier, all we need is for the RAAF to buy the carrier version of the F35 and they will be able to provide maritime air superiority no matter where the fleet goes.

http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/s ... b/0218.htm

[Dave from Downunder]

Wouldn'tlet the RAAF land on it. ( they would want it operatioanl only between 9-5 mon - fri)
Let teh RAN gat a full Fleet air arm again and but teh F35 for themselves.

But i wouldn't call it a aircraft carrier its more and amphib. But we need more than 2!

[Bill Davidson]

Some excellent shots of Juan Carlos I both external and internal including the bridge, flight deck, vehicle and well dock areas.

Gives an idea what the RAN's LHD's will look like to a large extent, 'cept no fixed wing cause RAAF don't like sharing

http://www.fotosdebarcos.org/viewtopic. ... sc&start=0

cheers,

Bill

[Geoff B]

Nice looking ship and good to see the proper flight deck markings rather than the red primer. Not sure about the Pennant No looks a little silly in that size somehow.

As for the RAN versions, i have noticed a trend of some Aussie posters on other forums to defend the F-35 progam and were rather critical of the the UKs switch from the F-35B STOVL aircraft to the F-35C CATOBAR variant which seemed a little odd as the RAAF were getting the F-35A CTOL version. So perhaps the ADF may consider the F-35B for the Canberra class at a later date when the variant has matured into production.

[Geoff B]

And now Orange Hobby are doing 1/700 resin kit

[Guest]

NUSHIP Canberra currently doing sea trials around Melbourne and soon off to Sydney for a dry docking and final coat of paint top to bottom. Commissioning later this year, so it's almost time to start a model.

NUSHIP Adelaide is currently docked alongside (unless Canberra is beetling about Port Phillip Bay) awaiting the addition of her island.

Shane

[NelstoneB]

The F-35 series is a very expensive one!

I read an article in the U.S. Naval Institute PROCEEDINGS recently, suggesting that, for the money, it would cost less to obtain the B STOVL variant for all carriers and forget about the C variant. Even though they started out very similar in shape, they have developed into separate aircraft for most support considerations. It is a true shame that they cost so much.

[Guest]

NUSHIP Canberra currently doing sea trials around Melbourne and soon off to Sydney for a dry docking and final coat of paint top to bottom. Commissioning later this year, so it's almost time to start a model.

NUSHIP Adelaide is currently docked alongside (unless Canberra is beetling about Port Phillip Bay) awaiting the addition of her island.

Shane

Update for those interested. HMAS Canberra commissioned on 28 November 2014 and is now based at Fleet Base East in Sydney. She'll now have the long haul of working up to full efficiency in cooperation with Army and Air Force as well as other RAN assets for her primary amphibious ready element (ARE) role and secondary DR and HA tasks.

NSHIP Adelaide has her island externally complete and continues fitting out with commissioning anticipated in 2016

Shane