HMS Ocean pre Olympic Exercises on the River Thames, London

[MacksAviation]

More for the record than anything else but thought I'd share anyway.

7 Lynx visible on deck today, 3 Army and 4 Navy.

By the looks of things the Navy ones were all from 702 Sqn with one of the Black Cats special marked aircraft embarked as well.

Whilst I was there only one Army Lynx took off but 4 others were crewed up but I had to leave before they left the deck.

HMS Ocean


XZ697/330


ZD???/329


XZ722/645


ZF563/303


XZ679/W


XZ609


XZ211


Thanks for looking

[Freehand]

Looking at the size of HMS Ocean and the width of the Thames where it's moored, I would like to see how they plan to get the ship out of the river. I'm not a sailor, but are they planning to drive the ship out backwards?

[Obi Wan Russell]

Looking at the size of HMS Ocean and the width of the Thames where it's moored, I would like to see how they plan to get the ship out of the river. I'm not a sailor, but are they planning to drive the ship out backwards?

She'll be 'towed' out, not driven, but yes backwards. The Invincibles always did this, they'd either enter forwards and be towed out backwards, or enter London being towed stern first and leave facing forwards. As the ships transit the river under tow in both directions it doesn't matter too much really.

[Freehand]

I still don't get the point of placing the ship in the river. What are the advantages outside on invading West London? A show of force?

[invictus_slo]

What's the point of having aircraft carrier in the middle of London?

Looks like easy target.

Or is it only there as a tourist attraction?

[redreidy]

rotor wing aircraft with snipers on board will petrol London during the games and ocean is the base of operation. and 9 assault sq. royal marines will be on board. I’m sure I also read somewhere that it was going to be used as the base for SF during the games but I might have imagined that bit

[haavarla]

Easy target?
How is it an easy target.. lol. You wanna spear it with your car or boat?

Seriously, the upcomeing OL. There will be great need for security.
Having a heli fleet on standby near by is one good security measure.

Its not only for Snipers.
It will be for medical care and traffic surveilance, etc etc its a long list.

[~Alan~]

rotor wing aircraft with snipers on board will petrol London during the games

They'll be hell to pay if they do

[redreidy]

Easy target?
How is it an easy target.. lol. You wanna spear it with your car or boat?

Seriously, the upcomeing OL. There will be great need for security.
Having a heli fleet on standby near by is one good security measure.

Its not only for Snipers.
It will be for medical care and traffic surveilance, etc etc its a long list.

They'll be hell to pay if they do

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and...lympicExercise

its what i read!!

[~Alan~]

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and...lympicExercise

its what i read!!

I was referring more to the spelling in your post "...snipers on board will petrol London..."


There was a lot of helicopter activity on Wednesday night, with an exercise in
the Thames Estuary

[ppp]

What's the point of having aircraft carrier in the middle of London?

Looks like easy target.

Or is it only there as a tourist attraction?

Good place to land helicopters. Airports will be busy with fixed wing aircraft. It would be good for special forces, but I'd guess its more to do with helping casualties in the event anything does go wrong!

[Gary West]

Anyone know if Oceans still in the Thames and if so when she's leaving?

[Thunderbird167]

Anyone know if Oceans still in the Thames and if so when she's leaving?

Due to leave on Tuesday 15th

[giganick1]

An ex-cadet on our Sqn came round last night, he is AAC - He told me it is Army blokes not RAF Reg blokes who will be on the Lynx