Britain’s newest and biggest aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), is approaching the end of a first phase of sea trials. Tim Ripley visited her in Rosyth dockyard and reports on the UK’s return to the aircraft carrier business.
HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH
WALKING UP to the top of HMS Queen Elizabeth’s ski-jump and looking back at her vast flight deck is the best way to appreciate that the UK’s new super-carrier is purpose designed and built to launch and recover aircraft in the most efficient and effective way. The carrier’s 919ft (280m) flight deck stretches into the distance. In the carrier’s aft island, the flying control (Flyco) is up and running to oversee air operations on the ship with her team of aircraft controllers at work and visible through the island’s large windows.
