February 2010

Shipyard completes key stage in aircraft carrier project

 

A huge bulbous bow, which weighs more than 33 double decker buses, has been completed at Appledore Shipyard, and is prepared to be sailed to Rosyth the following month.

It may look like the beginning of a submarine, but this is infact the piece of the hull that will rip through the water as the 65,000 tonne carrier travels at speeds up to 25-30 knots.

  Construction begins at HMNB Portsmouth 

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth pushed the button to start the laser cutter. One of 3 blocks that will be made at this base by BAE Systems. At 70m long and 40m wide, it will use 6,000 tonnes of steel. It will house space for machinery and supplies as well as switchboards and some accommodation. BAE Systems’ role in the Carrier build programme at Portsmouth is in the order of £800M

Work begins in HMNB Portsmouth

 Giant propeller is delivered by Rolls-Royce

Two giant propellers, each with a diameter of 6.7m, are ready to be delivered by Rolls Royce. The swedish workshops, based in Kristinehamn, have finished these giant propellers and are expected to deliver them shortly. Each weigh in at 33 tonne and are made from nickel aluminum bronze.

Work starts on carrier at A&P Tyne

Workers at the A&P Tyne yard in South Tyneside have started creating a flight deck for the new HMS Queen Elizabeth. When complete the flight deck will cover four acres – roughly the size of five football pitches.