The Bilge Pumps

#Bilgepumps this week is the regular crew at least in part, Jamie leaves us after we finish discussing the Australian Submarine announcement, yes someone must have been listening to us - because they finally realised you couldn't square the circle, so they've bit the bullet and decided to go SSN. Not only that, it will be a trialateral program that is the cornerstone of the new American, Australian, British defence agreement. Which then leads us into discusing the announcements of the Future RN at DSEI 2021 and various other flights of discussion, before getting to the Philippine navy and the reason it hasn't been able to deploy as much as it would like in recent years - despite really putting the effort in.

We would also very much like any comments, topic suggestions or ideas for artwork to be tweeted to us, the #Bilgepump crew (with #Bilgepumps), at Alex (@AC_NavalHistory), Drach (@Drachinifel), and Jamie (@Armouredcarrier). Or you can comment on our YouTube channels (listed down below).

#Bilgepumps this week is not the regular crew,whilst Alex & Drach are here, Jamie was ill (not Covid, thankfully, but a very bad head cold, so we wish him a speedy and full recovery), however we are joined by guests, Trent Telenko & at this rate Alex's future boss, Sal Mercogliano. To continue a discussion they started on twitter, that intrigued all three of the Bilgepumps crew... so here we are a discussion, that goes awry quickly without the presence of Jamie, but somehow keeps broadly to topic.

So Bilgepumps is now well past the year mark, and honestly, we apologise for the recent technical snafus - we didn't have them when we began, but as we're transitioning software they seem to be creeping in. We are though as said, getting the impression it's liked, so we will be going as long as it is.

We would also very much like any comments, topic suggestions or ideas for artwork to be tweeted to us, the #Bilgepump crew (with #Bilgepumps), at Alex (@AC_NavalHistory), Drach (@Drachinifel), and Jamie (@Armouredcarrier). Or you can comment on our YouTube channels (listed down below).

#Bilgepumps this week is the regular crew, Alex, Drach and Jamie, but we are inspired by both the recent news of the Yara Birkeland and continuing the discussion started by William Owen in last weeks episode as we look at the current state of navies.

So Bilgepumps is now well past the year mark, and honestly, we apologise for the recent technical snafus - we didn't have them when we began, but as we're transitioning software they seem to be creeping in. We are though as said, getting the impression it's liked, so we will be going as long as it is.

We would also very much like any comments, topic suggestions or ideas for artwork to be tweeted to us, the #Bilgepump crew (with #Bilgepumps), at Alex (@AC_NavalHistory), Drach (@Drachinifel), and Jamie (@Armouredcarrier). Or you can comment on our YouTube channels (listed down below).

#Bilgepumps this week is joined by William F Owen who has come to see the regular crew, Alex, Drach and Jamie with a question – which has bearing to day. At what point was it known that the Battleship was no longer the queen of the sea?

So Bilgepumps is now well past the year mark, and honestly, we apologise for the recent technical snafus - we didn't have them when we began, but as we're transitioning software they seem to be creeping in. We are though as said, getting the impression it's liked, so we will be going as long as it is.

We would also very much like any comments, topic suggestions or ideas for artwork to be tweeted to us, the #Bilgepump crew (with #Bilgepumps), at Alex (@AC_NavalHistory), Drach (@Drachinifel), and Jamie (@Armouredcarrier). Or you can comment on our YouTube channels (listed down below).

#Bilgepumps has always wondered if it could end up getting ahead of the news, and this time we seem to have done as the original episode 60 was completely out of date (and terrible sound) almost as soon as it was recorded... The Take 2 has weathered better but still it is worth noting, this was recorded on 14th of August 2021. As usual it is Dr Alex Clarke, Drachinifel & Jamie Siedel.

So Bilgepumps is now well past the year mark, and honestly we appologies for the recent technical snafus - we didn't have them when we began, but as we're transitioning software they seem to be creaping. We are though as said, getting the impression it's liked, so we will be going as long as it is. We would also very much like any comments, topic suggestions or ideas for artwork to be tweeted to us, the #Bilgepump crew (with #Bilgepumps), at Alex (@AC_NavalHistory), Drach (@Drachinifel), and Jamie (@Armouredcarrier). Or you can comment on our Youtube channels (listed down below).

#Bilgepumps has reached year of podcasts and the series is still going... and today we are discussing eighty years of experience, WWII, Falklands and all the rest... But we're getting the impression it's liked, so we’d very much like any comments, topic suggestions or ideas for artwork to be tweeted to us, the #Bilgepump crew (with #Bilgepumps), at Alex (@AC_NavalHistory), Drach (@Drachinifel), and Jamie (@Armouredcarrier). Or you can comment on our Youtube channels (listed down below).

Episode 58, and we are starting with a discussion of Stupidity, before segwaying into a debate about whether new designs are copies or simply seeking solutions, finally ending by discussing the 'Hump Back Virginias'... it's the regular three, Dr Alex Clark, Drachinifel and Jamie Siedel from Armoured Carriers... so buckle up for a lot of naval history infused discussion of modern topics.

#Bilgepumps has reached year of podcasts and the series is still going... and we definitely smell more like our pets, poodles, gerbils and a corgi than the sea... But we're getting the impression it's liked, so we’d very much like any comments, topic suggestions or ideas for artwork to be tweeted to us, the #Bilgepump crew (with #Bilgepumps), at Alex (@AC_NavalHistory), Drach (@Drachinifel), and Jamie (@Armouredcarrier). Or you can comment on our Youtube channels (listed down below).

Episode 57, take 2... last week's episode just wasn't good, it's now the "forbidden episode" ... we are now back at full bilgepumps, it's Dr Alex Clarke, Drachinifel and Jamie Siedel... discussing things from around the world Type 45s, Hunter Class Frigates and so so much more... come along for a listen.

#Bilgepumps has reached year of podcasts and the series is still going... and we definitely smell more like our pets, poodles, gerbils and a corgi than the sea... But we're getting the impression it's liked, so we’d very much like any comments, topic suggestions or ideas for artwork to be tweeted to us, the #Bilgepump crew (with #Bilgepumps), at Alex (@AC_NavalHistory), Drach (@Drachinifel), and Jamie (@Armouredcarrier). Or you can comment on our Youtube channels (listed down below).

Episode 56, it's a Jersey Island special - and whilst unfortunately no Jamie due to logisticis and time, it was the first Bilgepumps ever recorded where all the participants were in the same room!

So come listen as Alex & Drach have a nice chat about the Atlantic Wall and why spending 12% of the money on Jersey was not a good idea; followed by news that the Type 45s are to gain a mushroom farm!

Yes, it may not be Mk41 VLS, and they may only be getting 24 Sea Ceptors - but the British government have been listening to Bilgepumps and will be raising the Type 45s from (depending on whether you include Harpoon) 4th or 5th rate to solid 3rd rate ships.

72 Surface to Air Missiles, comprising 48 upgraded Aster 30 and 24 Sea Ceptors is going to make them solidly capable into the 2030s, when hopefully the even better Type 83s will enter service.

#Bilgepumps has reached year of podcasts and the series is still going... and we definitely smell more like our pets, poodles, gerbils and a corgi than the sea... But we're getting the impression it's liked, so we’d very much like any comments, topic suggestions or ideas for artwork to be tweeted to us, the #Bilgepump crew (with #Bilgepumps), at Alex (@AC_NavalHistory), Drach (@Drachinifel), and Jamie (@Armouredcarrier). Or you can comment on our Youtube channels (listed down below).

Episode 55, so it's not the regular crew, Alex & Jamie are joined by Cyclic not Drach... no fluffy research assistants, but it's time for another entry into the Long War theme - although it is a return to a regular entry in that. Carriers, specificaly what to build if you want to build something other than large nuclear carrier. From there we off shoot into all the subsidary discussions, considering both the future and the past - especially the legacy of the Light Fleet Carriers.

#Bilgepumps has reached year of podcasts and the series is still going... and we definitely smell more like our pets, poodles, gerbils and a corgi than the sea... But we're getting the impression it's liked, so we’d very much like any comments, topic suggestions or ideas for artwork to be tweeted to us, the #Bilgepump crew (with #Bilgepumps), at Alex (@AC_NavalHistory), Drach (@Drachinifel), and Jamie (@Armouredcarrier). Or you can comment on our Youtube channels (listed down below).