The Fake F-35s Helping Train Royal Navy Sailors

Royal Navy deck handlers have been training for the introduction of the F-35 onto Britain's new carrier - using life-size replica aircraft.

They're helping teach them how to safely move the stealth jets, at RNAS Culdrose's dummy deck.

The government has ordered 138 F-35s, with the MoD expecting them to begin flying from HMS Queen Elizabeth from autumn next year.

It comes after the 65,000-tonne warship set sail for her sea trials earlier this week.

The fibreglass models, which were made locally in Newquay, have been designed to the exact same dimensions as the real thing.

While they have no engines, sensors or weapons, the four replica F-35s - dubbed the 'faux fighters' by the team at Culdrose - will allow handlers to get used to the size and weight of the real thing, without the danger of damaging a multi-million-pound stealth fighter.

Two are fitted with water tanks which simulate fuel and weapons loads between 16 and 24 tonnes, while two have opening cockpits to practise rescuing injured pilots in a crash.