QE2 and the Falklands War

[cunardqueen]

and some more

[Rob Lightbody]

The BBC are looking for crew members who were on board QE2 when she sailed for the Falklands Conflict for a programme they are making .

Can any crew members who were on board, and who want to talk to the BBC, please contact me for further information.

Thanks,

- Rob

[riskygizmo]

A recording of a presentation given by a chap from 2nd Scots Guards, found on Youtube. QE2 shows up about 25 mins in.

[riskygizmo]

Another Youtube find

[Twynkle]

A link to the website for HMS Coventry with photos of guests at the special lunch on board QE2 given for the remaining crew who lost so many colleagues when the ship sank - 25th May 1982.


http://www.hmscoventry.co.uk/viewalbum.php?id=17

[CAP]

Stumbled across this short film of QE2 being prepared and leaving for the Falklands.  Haven't seen it anywhere else in this topic so hopefully it may provide some new footage.

QE2 Leaves For The Falklands

Unfortunately no accompanying sound...

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Very interesting pictures, they make her departure on this mission very real.

And they made me wonder : Were there any women on board QE2 on her Falklands expedition?

Also, presumably, this was the voyage during which she had the highest numbers on board, counting passengers and crew combined.

[riskygizmo]

Great find, Cap. Rather wonderful to see the Guards Officers embarked in Service Dress. They were going to war, but they were doing it in style. And who's the fleet footed Engineer at 1.05 in ?

[Rod]

Very interesting pictures, they make her departure on this mission very real.

And they made me wonder : Were there any women on board QE2 on her Falklands expedition?

Also, presumably, this was the voyage during which she had the highest numbers on board, counting passengers and crew combined.

Yes there women on board, some of the laundry staff stayed, at that time in the QE2's life most, if not all of the laundry staff were women, and yes, the total amount of "souls " carried was probably the greatest.

[Rob Lightbody]

Stumbled across this short film of QE2 being prepared and leaving for the Falklands.  Haven't seen it anywhere else in this topic so hopefully it may provide some new footage.

QE2 Leaves For The Falklands

http://www.movietone.com/N_POPUP_Player.cfm?action=playVideo&assetno=73581

Unfortunately no accompanying sound...

Amazing footage.  I'm always amazed to see how they 'sliced the back off her' to create the helicopter decks etc.  Must have seemed radical at the time, and yet a neat engineering solution.  It almost looks like it was meant to be adapted that way.

[Michael Gallagher]

Jacqui Hodgson, currently Hotel Manager on Queen Elizabeth, went down to the Falklands on QE2.

[Rob Lightbody]

Jacqui Hodgson, currently Hotel Manager on Queen Elizabeth, went down to the Falklands on QE2.

That's fantastic to hear that there is still that sort of link 30 years later. It would be great to hear more of her story. Do you think she'd share it with us?

[CAP]

Was Cunard paid for QE2's time out of commercial service during the conversion, active service and subsequent decommissioning for the campaign? If so, on what basis?

[Michael Gallagher]

Cunard received a daily pre-agareed rate for each day she was a STUFT and a different daily rate for the period she was being converted back to passenger service. The Government covered the costs of returning structures to their origianl condition (ie removal of helipads) but did not cover soft furnishings or things like Cunard turning the Spa into the Golden Door, the first phase of the Club Lido  and any other 'changes' along those lines.

[CAP]

Presumably, like earlier requisitions, the rate was calculated from a combination of the vessels speed and GWT.  Therefore, the rules being consistent and applicable to all commercial vessels called up?