Top Guns Still Train – there are still a chosen few flying with their American naval counterparts in the US for four years, to ensure some continuity in maritime flying skills until the new British aircraft carriers and the aircraft are ready for service.   With the UK government’s decision to revert to a series of F-35B "jump jets", the “Top Guns” might be needed sooner than expected.   The aircraft carrier QUEEN ELIZABETH could ready for sea trials in 2017, with the F-35s flying from them in 2018.    Sending British pilots to train in the US had already begun - nine (9) are currently in the US - the majority flying F-18s - with another four due to join them.