GSC Forum

HMS ILLUSTRIOUS VISIT TO LIVERPOOL

The weekend of 23 -26th October is scheduled to be a "high profile" visit of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS to LIVERPOOL -all part of this years Centenary of Naval Aviation. She will be berthed at the Cruise Liner Berth in the centre of the city. The following programme is planned.

Friday 23rd October

0900 Aircraft take off in preparation for fly past.
1000-1600 Static park of aircraft open
1400 - Centenary Fly Past along the River Mersey.
1600 - RN Helicopter display team "The Black Cats" flying in front of Albert Dock
1630 - Aircraft land back on ILLUSTRIOUS.

Saturday 24th October

1000 -1600 Static park of aircraft open
1430 -1530 Flying display in front of Albert dock

Sunday 25th October

1000 -1600 Static park of aircraft open
1130 - 1230 Flying Display in front of Albert Dock
1300 -1700 HMS ILLUSTRIOUS Open to the public

Monday 26th October

1000-1600 Static park of aircraft open
1300 -1700 HMS ILLUSTRIOUS Open to the public.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looks interesting.
pj

Illustrious centrepiece of final Fly Navy 100 event

http://navynews.co.uk/news/532-illustri ... event.aspx



HMS Illustrious will take centre stage as the curtain comes down on Fly Navy 100 celebrations next month on the Mersey.

The nation’s flagship visits Liverpool from Thursday October 22 to Tuesday October 27 and will serve as the launchpad for some of the aircraft taking part in the final ‘Balbo’ fly past of this centennial year of naval aviation.

Around 40 current and historic helicopters, jets (including two Harriers from the Naval Strike Wing) and prop-driven aircraft are due to take part in the Balbo formation – named for the pioneering Italian inter-war aviator who flew co-ordinated large groups of aircraft.

The formation, tiered at different heights, will fly along the Mersey from south to north, passing over the carrier, moored at the Cruise Liner Berth, at 2pm on Friday October 23.

The RN Balbo has been a regular sight at airshows over the summer (scooping the ‘best in show’ award at the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford).
If you miss that, you can catch the Black Cats Lynx helicopter display team performing that same afternoon at 4pm at the Albert Dock.

There will also be air displays at the same location on Saturday (2.30-3.30pm) and Sunday (11.30am-12.30pm).

And there’ll be a static display of Naval aircraft between the Mersey ferry terminal and the Liver Building open daily between 10am and 4pm.

Illustrious will be open to the public on Sunday (1pm-5pm) and on Monday (10am-4pm) and she’s also hosting a charity concert by the Band of HM Royal Marines on the Saturday evening.

Weather permitting I am planning to visit the Mersey including seeing QE2 (arrives 20th October with fireworks at 23.00 hrs) also HMS Illustrious when she arrives on 22nd.
Proposed:
18.10.2009 Leave Glasson for Piel (HW 11.55 hrs)
Monday 19th Leave Piel for Liverpool Marina 46 nm (Berths will be available)
Tuesday 20th Optional - visit Western Approaches WW2 bunker + fireworks at 23.00 hrs
Wednesday 21st Optional - visit Nautical museum etc.
Thursday 22nd Move from marina to a mooring at Tranmere (?) HW 14.24 hrs
Friday 23rd Return to Glasson HW 14.36 hrs for Laying up Supper tomorrow.
I will be pleased to let L/P marina know if there are more boats interested in going.
Ken Ducklin (Florence)