China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is operating
conventional Shenyang J-15 fighters (developed from the Russian Sukhoi
Su33 naval fighter) from its ski-jump equipped deck.
Originally named Varyag the ship was built in the 1980s for the
Soviet navy but was never completed. When the Soviet Union collapsed in
1991 the hull sat in a Ukrainian dockyard but was bought by a Chinese
company intending to convert it into a floating casino in Macao. It was
towed to China in 2001 and in 2011 it was announced that the ship would
be refitted to serve as China's first carrier. Sea trials were
completed in early 2014.
The traditional Summer Barbecue was held on the 11th June, as usual at the YMCA Hawker Centre, and was well attended. Good summer weather added to the enjoyment of the diners who were able to enjoy their hamburgers, sausages, chicken, and salads, as well as the delicious deserts, in comfort outside.
The food was of good quality and cooked well, albeit in the kitchen
rather than on an outdoor grill! Many thanks to Ken Batstone for
organising the event and to the Hawker Centre staff for the food.