Shipbucket

Yes, I am aware that navalizing a fighter isn't easy (so perhaps I should write, that development of that version should begin from the start), but isn't impossible, esp. considering that Tornado (IDS) being a low-level strike aircraft has probably already quite strong airframe which should make things slightly easier (yeah, I know that it doesn't has to be equally strong in the same places, but still).
I'm not saying that Sea Tornado would be highly succesful etc. Just that it is at least theoretically plausible and that if I had a choice, I'd like to see it more than FAA F-14.

Well boys you will just have to wait and see what Hood and me come up with

Can't wait to see a 1980s/90s CVA-01.

To add my two cents into the pit about the Phantom/Bucc replacement. Remember the CVA-01 isn't just constrained by the size of the elevators but also the Alaskan Highway which is an important part of how it moves aircraft around. Also the RNs Buccs will be much older than the RAF's which were new built in the 1970s. They had a major aero structure issue in the early 1980s that could see them pulled from service like the S.1s.

Also if the UK builds the CVA-01 then how does this effect other programs? One would imagine such a UK would have also built the TSR.2. So there is no Tornado. I've done some Alternate History plotting about this in the past and identified a key turning point as being the Profumo Affair. If this never happens (or is never made public) then Harold Macmillain wouldn't have resigned as PM for ill health and the British Labour Party wouldn't win the 1964 General Election. The events from this are significant. I don't think anything could save the RN's P.1154 they clearly did not want it but the CVA-01, TSR.2 and RAF P.1154 all go into production. The next big project would be a new fighter in the 1970s in place of Tornado. What that is I have no idea. But the RAF would want a Lightning replacement and the RN a Bucc replacement. Something like a British F-15 could fit this need.

Turrethead

In my guise as UK 75 I have been a great fan of this timeline and like your style. I have used a similar point of diversion in the early 60s.
It was planned that TSR2s, Phantoms, 1154s would be replaced in part by a type known as the
"Fighter/attacker". This would be a swing wing development of TSR2 but smaller and with fighter
capability. BAC developed the 583 design, with and without VSTOL option, for this job, to be in service in the late 70s. It looks quite a lot like Tornado, as did the abortive AFVG plane of 1967, designed to do
a similar job. As I have concentrated on the year 1975, this programme is still being developed. I imagine that a BAC 583 Tornado would fit the job well

Here is HMS Prince of Wales as seen in the Persian Gulf supporting Operation Desert Storm with a mixture of F/A-18C fighters and F/A-18D two-seat strike aircraft backed up by modernised P.139 AEW aircraft and EH101 Merlins. Due to the Falklands conflict two Phalanx were added along with two BMARC GAM-BO1 20mm cannon. In 1991 she received two four-round lightweight Sea Wolf launchers aft replacing the Sea Dart system.


This joint effort is brought to you by Messers Hood and Bombhead.

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English Electric Canberra FD
Interwar RN Capital Ships
Super-Darings
Never-Were British Aircraft

guys, this is like an gift from heaven! apart from the fact that this is an awesome drawing, you also deliver me the deck equipment I needed for my camelot

the only thing I have is that I can't find the abovementioned 20mm guns anywhere.(but that might be me)

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Drawings are credited with J.Scholtens
I ask of you to prove me wrong. Not say I am wrong, but prove it, because then I will have learned something new.
Shipbucket Wiki admin

Ah,that's coz I substituted them for 2 extra R2D2s.Originally they where on the island just forward of the aeriels.

Now that is just plain awesome in the literal sense of the word. The Hornets look gorgeous!

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AU Projects: | Banbha et al. | New England: The Divided States
Blood and Fire

I love it! I can just picture her and her escorts steaming forth to take on Saddam.

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Impressive But I can't see the F/A-18 in RN service; either it would have to be bought 'off the shelf', or, under licence. And where does that leave the British aerospace industry? If we are assuming more than one CVA-01 we are also assuming a pretty big defence budget, and in that case there would be funding to develop a 'home grown; alternative (or in partnership)