28 June 1977 - International Fleet Review in the Solent

[Bob C.]

Working on scanning some pix of the rehearsal run that QE2 conducted of the International Fleet Review in the Solent on 28 June 1977.  I was 14 and took several 35mm photos (prints) of the event and I know my dad took many more (slides).  At the time I did not really understand what it was all about but I eventually joined the US Navy and gained a better understanding.  Looking back I am glad to experience the event as I did.

[hollihedge]

Looking forward to seeing these Bob.

[Andy F]

Likewise.  Although sadly unable to attend due to other commitments, I remember it and would certainly be interested re-visiting those memories

[hollihedge]

I was on board for the Trafalgar celebration in 2005 and thoroughly enjoyed it, despite some on board kicking up a fuss at how far she was in the end outside the actual fleet review by the Queen.  We still had an excellent view.  Sailing down the Solent on a grey afternoon, being escorted through all the dark hulks of the international naval ships that had gathered a day or so prior to the actual event was wonderful and actually slightly foreboding, with naval dinghies with Marines etc dotting about around us as we all waved at them and shouted down to them (with a glass of champagne in hand, of course was terrific!

[Bob C.]

My sincere apologies for the 16 month delay in posting these pictures.  Regardless, I just uploaded the slides from the 1977 Silver Jubilee QE2 International Fleet Review on my Flickr account.  Click here to see them - https://www.flickr.com/photos/33120597@N03/sets/72157624098080404/.

Enjoy!

(If you look very carefully at the last picture (taken by the heli) up by the mast you'll see two people.  My dad is taking a picture of the heli and I am on the port side)

[Jem]

Really enjoy those photo's Bob. The days when we had a real RN fleet.

[Twynkle]

Thank you, Bob
Superb images - specially the ones taken of and from the bridge of QE2!
With Ark Royal - it's a bit like Beauty and the Beast!

[Bob C.]

My apologies.  The date mentioned above is a day off of the actual date.  Recently acquired information (https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,2800.0.html) shows that the QE2's review was on the 27th of June 1977 and the Royal review was on the 28th.

I had forgotten that this trans-Atlantic voyage (27 June - 02 July 1977) was bookended by two significant events.  I will add my "Operation Liner" photos to my 1977 Fleet review photos in Flickr soon.

[Bob C.]

The above mentioned photos can be found here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/33120597@N03/sets/72157624098080404/

Enjoy

[Rob Lightbody]

Bob your photos are STUNNING and so is your story of this voyage, and the combination with the topic i started yesterday is just amazing!!

[Bob C.]

Thanks Rob.  Like you I want to keep the old girl's memory alive.

OBTW - I just realized this is my 736th post on this forum!!!  Can I stop counting?

[richc1977]

Bob, brilliant photos.  So nice to see the Ocean Terminal in the first few pictures.

[Rob Lightbody]

There is a really tremendous photo of QE2 at this event on Flickr here

https://flic.kr/p/ajooNz

[pete cain]

Rob, I'm ashamed, to admit, that once again this is yet another topic I hadn't visited until today.
Brilliant, it just goes to show this forum just gives & gives. Talk about keeping the legend alive, well it's here.....

[Thomas Hypher]

Talk about keeping the legend alive, well it's here.....

Couldn't agree more, as QE2's fans, passengers and particularly her crew made her what she was when in Cunard service and a good number of us are here.