Re: Ideal chinese carrier thread
Whilst I certainly agree that it is easier to start with a 'blank page' in carrier design, the Chinese will gain immense experience in carrier design and construction from refitting Varyag, she is where their engineers will learn the practicalities of getting such a large warship ready for service. Better they do it on her than learn the hard way with their firat purpose built design. Similarly, the Russians are doing the same thing with the Vikramaditya, using her refit as a training program for the shipyard workers to prepare them for the future Russian Carrier program (remember all previous Russian carriers were built in the Ukraine, so Russia has lost all that experience). In this respect Varyag already is a training carrier, ie she is training engineers in the dos and don'ts of carrier construction. There will be plenty for them to do below decks away from prying eyes for the next year or two whilst attention is elsewhere.
Whilst I certainly agree that it is easier to start with a 'blank page' in carrier design, the Chinese will gain immense experience in carrier design and construction from refitting Varyag, she is where their engineers will learn the practicalities of getting such a large warship ready for service. Better they do it on her than learn the hard way with their firat purpose built design. Similarly, the Russians are doing the same thing with the Vikramaditya, using her refit as a training program for the shipyard workers to prepare them for the future Russian Carrier program (remember all previous Russian carriers were built in the Ukraine, so Russia has lost all that experience). In this respect Varyag already is a training carrier, ie she is training engineers in the dos and don'ts of carrier construction. There will be plenty for them to do below decks away from prying eyes for the next year or two whilst attention is elsewhere.