FALKLANDS 2

[Melvin Loh]

Any u guys read this novel about a 2nd Falklands War ? Came out back in 1997, written by an Aussie guy IIRC. From my basic understanding of the story 9which I haven't read for awhile), in the late 1990s the Argies get bold enough to try again and initially manage to seize the islands, including by taking out the very poorly-guarded RAF Tornado-equipped airfields with commando raids, then the RN and USN taskforce steams into battle, and the Brits take pretty heavy casualties.

[Kadyet]

If they've got a Nimitz sailing alongside the RN taskforce, how're the Brits going to take heavy casualties? Interesting tidbit is that during the actual Falkland's campaign, we offered to give the Brits a Nimitz-class carrier. They declined, not having the ability to crew it.

[Tony Williams]

Originally Posted by Kadyet

Interesting tidbit is that during the actual Falkland's campaign, we offered to give the Brits a Nimitz-class carrier. They declined, not having the ability to crew it.

I read a thread on this elsewhere. It seems that it was a throw-away remark by the US Sec of State, made some time later to show how much the US supported the UK; it was never a realistic prospect.

In any case, it would only have worked if it remained crewed by the USN. It would have taken the RN many months (if not years) to learn how to operate a US carrier and its planes. And they'd have to strip the rest of the RN to find enough crewmen.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and discussion
forum

[Dave Howery]

That's a neat WI though... WI the US decided to sell a Nimitz-class carrier to either Britain or France back in the late '80's or so, maybe as a way to both expand NATO sea power and to keep US dockyards working. The big question, I guess, is if either nation would want one....

[Matt]

We could have sold CN's in the late 70s as well, the Forrestal class I think. They were being retired from our service just as the Brits were starting to use their baby flattops.