'Mike'
2012-03-07 12:47:24 UTC
The biting March wind cutting across the 197 Acres of The Maritime Warfare
School H.M.S.Collingwood, failed to chill the party of ex Royal Navy
Electrical Branch Members and their wives, on a visit to see today's
training. Directed to the Wardroom on arrival, for both tea and coffee and a
brief of the department changes since our time in the Royal Navy by Cdr
Giles RN.
The party of 21 were then taken to the Missile outside Atlantic Building for
a photo call of the President Mike Crowe presenting a plaque of the Royal
Naval Electrical Branch Association to Commodore Mike Mansergh RN. Who in
turn presented a copy of 'The Greenie', the history of the Electrical Branch
to The President.
The party was then split into two groups and one group under the direction
of Lt Greg Bartrum RN proceeded to various classrooms where Instructors
explained the stages and methods of the 'hands on' instruction. A
demonstration of the Phalanx Gun then took place. Based on the old Gatlin
Gun, this 6 barreled model fires 47 projectiles per second. The ability of
it lock on to a target was shown in the training room. The other group
viewing the same programme, but in a different order.
A visit to the Bridge of a Type 23 Destroyer was then arranged. We joined
the ship as we left Plymouth Sound passing other shipping, both Naval and
Commercial. A quick transfer to a Harrier Jet for take off from the Deck of
an Aircraft Carrier, gave us the experience of low level flying before
returning to the Carrier for a soft vertical landing. This was of course in
a very lifelike simulator. So lifelike in fact, that the Instructor had us
turn around and look at a doorway behind us, to prove that the deck did NOT
heave and bank as we turned!
A leisurely lunch was served in the Wardroom before we made a visit to the
magnificent H.M.S.Collingwood Museum followed by tea and coffee back in the
Wardroom before departure.
The party was very pleased to see that the very high standard of teaching
and training, whilst done in a different manner than that carried out years
ago, has not dropped back in any way, in fact, we are pleased to see that it
has improved and that the latest technology is incorporated wherever
possible.
Further visits will it is hope, be arranged, taking in other parts of this
massive training establishment. There might even be the opportunity to get
our boots polished and join one of the parades!!!
As a footnote, it must be noted that H.M.S.Collingwood is for Weapons
Engineering and Control covering Radio and Radar as well. The old
'Electrical' side of things, the generation and distribution of Electricity
and its use in motors, lighting and Fans etc., is now carried out at
H.M.S.Sultan where a similar visit is planned.
School H.M.S.Collingwood, failed to chill the party of ex Royal Navy
Electrical Branch Members and their wives, on a visit to see today's
training. Directed to the Wardroom on arrival, for both tea and coffee and a
brief of the department changes since our time in the Royal Navy by Cdr
Giles RN.
The party of 21 were then taken to the Missile outside Atlantic Building for
a photo call of the President Mike Crowe presenting a plaque of the Royal
Naval Electrical Branch Association to Commodore Mike Mansergh RN. Who in
turn presented a copy of 'The Greenie', the history of the Electrical Branch
to The President.
The party was then split into two groups and one group under the direction
of Lt Greg Bartrum RN proceeded to various classrooms where Instructors
explained the stages and methods of the 'hands on' instruction. A
demonstration of the Phalanx Gun then took place. Based on the old Gatlin
Gun, this 6 barreled model fires 47 projectiles per second. The ability of
it lock on to a target was shown in the training room. The other group
viewing the same programme, but in a different order.
A visit to the Bridge of a Type 23 Destroyer was then arranged. We joined
the ship as we left Plymouth Sound passing other shipping, both Naval and
Commercial. A quick transfer to a Harrier Jet for take off from the Deck of
an Aircraft Carrier, gave us the experience of low level flying before
returning to the Carrier for a soft vertical landing. This was of course in
a very lifelike simulator. So lifelike in fact, that the Instructor had us
turn around and look at a doorway behind us, to prove that the deck did NOT
heave and bank as we turned!
A leisurely lunch was served in the Wardroom before we made a visit to the
magnificent H.M.S.Collingwood Museum followed by tea and coffee back in the
Wardroom before departure.
The party was very pleased to see that the very high standard of teaching
and training, whilst done in a different manner than that carried out years
ago, has not dropped back in any way, in fact, we are pleased to see that it
has improved and that the latest technology is incorporated wherever
possible.
Further visits will it is hope, be arranged, taking in other parts of this
massive training establishment. There might even be the opportunity to get
our boots polished and join one of the parades!!!
As a footnote, it must be noted that H.M.S.Collingwood is for Weapons
Engineering and Control covering Radio and Radar as well. The old
'Electrical' side of things, the generation and distribution of Electricity
and its use in motors, lighting and Fans etc., is now carried out at
H.M.S.Sultan where a similar visit is planned.
--
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I'm an Angel, honest ! The horns are there just to keep the halo straight.
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I'm an Angel, honest ! The horns are there just to keep the halo straight.
...................................