Audacious, Centaur, Invincible & Ocean Classes.



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Audacious Class
Fleet Carriers (CV)


Due to the various refits undergone by these ships their technical details are listed individually


Three ships of the Audacious class were laid down with the third, Eagle, cancelled when partially built at Swan Hunter. The first ship, Audacious, was then renamed Eagle.
At the end of the Second World War, work was halted for three years. Eagle was then completed to its original axial deck design. Ark Royal was completed to a modified design, being considerably delayed to allow the incorporation of new technologies such as an angled flight deck and steam catapults. Eagle was then refitted to a similar standard to Ark Royal. Both ships underwent a complicated series of refits, each making one ship slightly more advanced than the other.




HMS Eagle (R05)
(ex Audacious)

As built:
Displacement: 41,200 tons standard ; 49,950 tons full load
Dimensions: 803.75 oa x 112.75 x 35.6 feet
Propulsion: 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 4 shafts, Parsons SR geared turbines, 152,000 shp
Speed: 30.5 knots
Range: 7,000 nmiles at 14 knots ; 5,500 tons fuel oil
Complement: 2750 (including air group)
Aviation Facilities: 409 x 67 x 17.5 ft (upper) & 172 x 54 x 17.5 ft (lower) hangars ; 800 x 112 ft axial flight deck ; 16 30,000 lb arrester wires ; 2 BH5 30,000 lb hydraulic catapults at bow ; 2 40,000 lb lifts (35 second cycle), 54ft long x 44ft wide fwd., 54 x 33 feet aft. ; 382,000 gallons aviation fuel (AVCAT & AVGAS)
Aircraft: over 60
Armament: 8 twin 4.5-inch / 45 Mk 6 DP turrets ; 8 sextuple Bofors 40 mm AA ; 2 twin Bofors 40 mm ; 9 single Bofors 40 mm ; 4 single 3 pdr saluting guns
Armour: 4.5 inch belt ; 1.5 inch hangar sides ; 1 to 2.5 inch hangar deck ; 4 inch (above hangar) 1.5 inch (rest) flight deck
Radars: Surveillance - Type 960 ; Fighter Control - Type 982 ; Height-finding - Type 983 ; US Mk 37 gunnery directors


Built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast. Laid down 24 October 1942. Launched 19 March 1946. Completed 1 October 1951. Flight deck recognition letter: J (1951-1958), E (1958-1972)




Years Carrier Air Group Total
1952 - 1953 800 & 803 sqn. 16 Attacker FB
812 & 814 sqn. 16 Firefly FR
827 sqn. 8 Firebrand TF4
809 sqn. 8 Sea Hornet NF21
849 sqn. A flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR 53
1953 800 & 803 sqn. 16 Attacker FB2
825 & 814 sqn. 16 Firefly FR
809 sqn. 8 Sea Hornet NF21
849 sqn. C flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR 45
1954 800 & 803 sqn. 16 Attacker FB2
806 sqn. 8 Sea Hawk FGA6
809 sqn. 8 Sea Hornet NF21
815 sqn. 6 Avenger AS
849 sqn. A & B flt. 8 Skyraider AEW1
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR 47
1955 802 & 804 sqn. 16 Sea Hawk FGA6
813 & 827 sqn. 16 Wyvern S4
826 sqn. 6 Gannett AS4
849 sqn. A flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR 43
1956 897 & 899 sqn. 16 Sea Hawk FGA6
892 & 893 sqn. 14 Sea Venom FAW21
830 sqn. 6 Wyvern S4
812 sqn. 6 Gannett AS4
849 sqn. A flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR 47
1957 - 1959 803 & 806 sqn. 16 Sea Hawk FGA6
894 sqn. 14 Sea Venom FAW21
813 sqn. 6 Wyvern S4
849 sqn. A flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
814 sqn. 4 Gannett AS4
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR 45
1964 - 1966 800 sqn. 14 Buccaneer S1
899 sqn. 16 Sea Vixen FAW2
800 sqn. B flt. 4 Scimitar F1 (Airbourne-refueling)
849 sqn. D flt. 4 Gannet AEW3, 1 Gannet COD4
820 sqn. 5 Wessex HAS1
Ships Flight 1 Whirlind HAR5 45
1967 - 1970 800 sqn. 14 Buccaneer S2
899 sqn. 16 Sea Vixen FAW2
849 sqn. D flt. 4 Gannet AEW3, 1 Gannet COD4
820 sqn. 5 Wessex HAS3
Ships Flight 1 Wessex HAS1 (SAR) 41
1971 800 sqn. 14 Buccaneer S2
899 sqn. 16 Sea Vixen FAW2
849 sqn. D flt. 4 Gannet AEW3, 1 Gannet COD4
826 sqn. 5 Sea King HAS1
Ships Flight 1 Wessex HAS1 (SAR) 41



Refit at Devonport 18 May 1954 to 28 February 1955. Partial (5.5-degree) angled flight deck added.
Repairs at Devonport November 1955 to April 1956.
Refit and repairs at Devonport January to 14 June 1957.

Paid off for modernisation and major refit at Devonport Dockyard 11 May 1959. Refit commenced 30 October 1959. (Increase in angled flight deck, forward 4.5-inch removed, all 40 mm removed, Sea Cat added)

After 1959-1964 refit (as above except) :
Displacement: 43,000 tons standard ; 50,536 tons full load
Dimensions: 813.5 oa x 171 x 34.5 feet
Range: 7,000 nmiles at 14 knots ; 3,200 tons fuel oil
Aviation Facilities: 409 x 67 x 17.5 ft (upper) & 172 x 54 x 17.5 ft (lower) hangars ; 800 x 160 ft 8-degree angled flight deck ; 4 35,000 lb arrester wires ; 2 BS5 50,000 lb steam catapults, 1 port bow and 1 waist ; 2 40,000 lb lifts (35 second cycle), 54ft long x 44ft wide fwd., 54 x 33 feet aft. ; 487,480 gallons aviation fuel (AVCAT)
Aircraft: 44
Armament: 4 twin 4.5-inch / 45 Mk 6 DP turrets ; 6 GWS22 Sea Cat point-defence SAM quad launchers ; 4 single 3 pdr saluting guns
Radars: 3D Fighter Control - Type 984 ; Air Search - Type 965 ; Carrier Approach - Type 963

Recommissioned at Devonport 14 May 1964.
Repairs at Devonport 24 May to August 1965.
Returned to Devonport for refit 28 August 1966. Refit commenced 3 November 1966 and completed 6 April 1967.
Refit at Devonport 4 October 1968 to 5 March 1969. Improvements to steam catapults and arrester wires to allow trials of Phantom aircraft.
Docking and essential defect repair at Devonport April to September 1970.

Paid off 26 January 1972. De-stored and de-equipped February 1972. Towed to Plymouth 6 August 1972 and used for spares to support Ark Royal over the next six years. Stricken October 1978 and broken up at Cairn Ryan, Wigtownshire.





HMS Ark Royal (R09)
As built:
Displacement: 43,060 tons standard ; 49,950 tons full load
Dimensions: 808.25 oa x 158.4 x 35.6 feet
Propulsion: 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 4 shafts, Parsons SR geared turbines, 152,000 shp
Speed: 30.5 knots
Range: 7,000 nmiles at 14 knots ; 5,500 tons fuel oil
Complement: 2756 (including air group)
Aviation Facilities: 409 x 67 x 17.5 ft (upper) & 172 x 53 x 17.5 ft (lower) hangars ; 790 x 120 ft 5-degree angled flight deck ; 6 35,000 lb arrester wires ; 2 BS4 50,000 lb steam catapults at bow ; 3 40,000 lb lifts (35 second cycle), 54ft long x 44ft wide fwd., 54 x 33 feet aft., 54 x 35 portside deck-edge ; 537,700 gallons aviation fuel (AVCAT & AVGAS)
Aircraft: up to 50
Armament: 8 twin 4.5-inch / 45 Mk 6 DP turrets ; 5 sextuple Bofors 40 mm AA ; 2 twin Bofors 40 mm ; 6 single Bofors 40 mm ; 4 single 3 pdr saluting guns
Armour: 4.5 inch belt ; 1.5 inch hangar sides ; 1 to 2.5 inch hangar deck ; 4 inch (above hangar) 1.5 inch (rest) flight deck
Radars: Air/Surface Search - Type 293Q ; Fighter Control - Type 982 ; Height-finding - Type 983 ; US Mk 37 gunnery directors


Built by Cammell Laird. Laid down 3 May 1943. Launched 3 March 1950. Completed 25 February 1955. Flight deck recognition letter: O (1955-1958), R (1958-1979)




Years Carrier Air Group Total
1955-1956 800 & 898 sqn. 16 Sea Hawk FGA6
891 sqn. 14 Sea Venom FAW21
824 sqn. 6 Gannet AS4
849 sqn. B flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 41
1957 802, 804 & 898 sqn. 22 Sea Hawk FGA6
831 sqn. 6 Wyvern S4
815 sqn. 6 Gannet AS4
849 sqn. B flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 39
1957 - 1958 800 sqn. 14 Sea Hawk FGA6
893 sqn. 14 Sea Venom FAW22
849 sqn. B flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 33
1960 800 & 807 sqn. 6 & 8 Scimitar F1
892 sqn. 8 Sea Vixen FAW1
849 sqn. A flt. 4 Gannet AEW3
820 & 824 sqn. 6 & 8 Whirlwind HAS7
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 41
1962 - 1963 800 sqn. 12 Scimitar F1
890 sqn. 14 Sea Vixen FAW1
849 sqn. C flt. 4 Gannet AEW3
815 sqn. 8 Wessex HAS1
Ships Flight 1 Whirlwind HAR5 39
1965 - 1966 803 sqn. 12 Scimitar F1
890 sqn. 14 Sea Vixen FAW1
849 sqn. C flt. 4 Gannet AEW3, 1 Gannet COD4
819 sqn. 8 Wessex HAS1
Ships Flight 1 Whirlind HAR5 40
1970 - 1978 809 sqn. 12 Buccaneer S2
892 sqn. 14 Phantom FG1
849 sqn. B flt. 4 Gannet AEW3, 1 Gannet COD4
824 sqn. 7 Sea King HAS1
Ships Flight 1 Wessex HAS1 (SAR) 39



Refit at Devonport 30 April 1956 to November 1956. Portside fwd. 4.5-inch removed due to interference with air operations.
Turbine repairs at Devonport February to May 1957.
Refit at Devonport 21 July 1958 to 28 December 1959 (completion delayed due to fire damage in April 1959). Deck-edge lift removed due to interference with air operations.
Docking and essential defect repair at Devonport March to September 1961.
Refit at Devonport 4 January to 13 November 1964. All 40 mm and 4.5-inch guns removed, sponsons added for GWS22 Sea Cat, Type 965 Air Search radar added.

Paid off for modernisation and major refit at Devonport Dockyard 4 October 1966. (Increase in angled flight deck, facilities for Phantom aircraft)

After 1967-1970 refit (as above except) :
Displacement: 43,060 tons standard ; 49,950 tons full load
Dimensions: 845 oa x 171 x 34.5 feet
Range: 7,000 nmiles at 14 knots ; 3,200 tons fuel oil
Aviation Facilities: 409 x 67 x 17.5 ft (upper) & 172 x 53 x 17.5 ft (lower) hangars ; 808 x 160.5 ft 8-degree angled flight deck ; 4 35,000 lb arrester wires ; 2 BS5 50,000 lb steam catapults with bridle catchers, 1 port bow and 1 waist ; 2 40,000 lb lifts (35 second cycle), 54ft long x 44ft wide fwd., 54 x 33 feet aft. ; 537,700 gallons aviation fuel (AVCAT)
Aircraft: up to 40
Armament: fittings for 4 GWS22 Sea Cat (not carried) ; 4 single 3 pdr saluting guns
Radars: Air Search - Type 965 ; Fighter Control - Type 982 ; Height-finding - Type 983

Recommissioned at Devonport 24 February 1970.

Refit at Devonport 26 July 1973 to 10 April 1974.
Refit at Devonport 21 October 1976 to May 1977.

Returned to Devonport to pay off for last time 4 December 1978. Stricken 1980 and broken up at Cairn Ryan, Wigtownshire from 22 September 1980.





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Centaur Class
Light Fleet Carriers (CVL)


Due to differences in completion and refits, the technical details for Centaur and Hermes are listed individually.

Albion and Bulwark, as built:
Displacement: 22,00 tons standard ; 27,800 tons full load
Dimensions: 737.75 oa x 123 x 27.8 feet
Propulsion: 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 2 shafts, Parsons geared turbines, 78,000 shp
Speed: 28 knots
Range: 6,000 nmiles at 20 knots ; 4,083 tons fuel oil
Complement: 1596 (including air group)
Aviation Facilities: 329 x 62 x 17.5 ft hangar ; 732 x 84 ft 5.75-degree angled flight deck ; 6 30,000 lb arrester wires ; 2 BH5 30,000 lb hydraulic catapults at bow ; 2 35,000 lb lifts, 54ft long x 44ft wide fwd. and aft. ; 309,750 gallons aviation fuel (AVCAT)
Aircraft: up to 42
Armament: 2 sextuple Bofors 40 mm AA ; 8 twin Bofors 40 mm ; 4 single Bofors 40 mm ; 4 single 3 pdr saluting guns
Armour: 1 to 2 inch flight deck
Radars: Surveillance - Type 960 ; Fighter Control - Type 982 ; Fighter Direction - Type 277Q ; Height-finding - Type 983

Albion and Bulwark, after conversion to amphibious-assault helicopter carriers (as above except) :
Dimensions: 737 oa x 123.5 x 28.25 feet
Complement: 1800 (including air group & 800 troops and their equipment)
Aviation Facilities: 329 x 62 x 17.5 ft hangar ; 733 x 84 ft axial flight deck ; 2 35,000 lb lifts, 54ft long x 44ft wide fwd. and aft. ; 349,000 gallons aviation fuel (AVCAT & AVGAS/MOGAS)
Aircraft: 30 helicopters
Armament: 4 twin Bofors 40 mm ; 4 single 3 pdr saluting guns


Eight ships of the Centaur class were ordered during the second world war as enlarged follow-ons to the Majestics, with more powerful machinery allowing fleet speeds. Four ships (Hermes, Monmouth, Arrogant & Polyphemus) were cancelled in October 1945, the first two of which had been laid down and were broken up on the slipway. To maintain the famous carrier name, one of the ships to be completed, Elephant, was renamed Hermes.

Of the four ships completed only the first, Centaur, was completed to the original design with an axial flight deck although a small extension was soon added to allow an angled landing area.
Albion and Bulwark were completed with the small extension to the port side of the flight deck to form a 5.75-degree angled landing area.
Hermes was completed later to a revised design better suited to larger jet aircraft. This included an 8-degree angled deck, enlarged island, and a mirror landing sight.
After a short period of service with fixed wing aircraft, Albion and Bulwark were converted to Commando (Amphibious-Assault Helicopter) carriers, embarking 16 helicopters and 750 men but with all fixed wing capability removed. Hermes underwent several refits converting her to a Commando carrier to replace Albion and finally to a STOVL carrier due to the delay in building the Invincible class.




HMS Centaur (R06)
Displacement: 20,260 tons standard ; 26,200 tons full load
Dimensions: 737.75 oa x 120.5 x 27.8 feet
Propulsion: 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 2 shafts, Parsons geared turbines, 76,000 shp
Speed: 28 knots
Range: 5,040 nmiles at 20 knots ; 3,500 tons fuel oil
Complement: 1390 (including air group)
Aviation Facilities: 329 x 62 x 17.5 ft hangar ; 733 x 120 ft axial flight deck ; 6 30,000 lb arrester wires ; 2 BH5 30,000 lb hydraulic catapults at bow ; 2 35,000 lb lifts, 54ft long x 44ft wide fwd. and aft. ; 349,000 gallons aviation fuel (AVCAT & AVGAS)
Aircraft: up to 42
Armament: 2 sextuple Bofors 40 mm AA ; 8 twin Bofors 40 mm ; 4 single Bofors 40 mm ; 4 single 3 pdr saluting guns
Armour: 1 to 2 inch flight deck
Radars: Surveillance - Type 960 ; Fighter Control - Type 982 ; Fighter Direction - Type 277Q ; Height-finding - Type 983


Built by Harland & Wolff. Laid down 30 May 1944. Launched 22 April 1947. Completed 1 September 1953. Flight deck recognition letter: L (1953), C (1954-1966)




Years Carrier Air Group Total
1954 - 1956 806 sqn. 9 Sea Hawk FGA6
810 sqn 9 Sea Fury FB11
820 sqn. 6 Avenger AS
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 25
1956 803 & 806 sqn. 18 Sea Hawk FGA6
814 sqn. 6 Gannet AS4
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 25
1958 - 1960 801 sqn. 14 Sea Hawk FGA6
891 sqn. 8 Sea Venom FAW22
810 sqn. 6 Gannet AS4
849 sqn. D flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 33
1961 - 1963 807 sqn. 8 Scimitar F1
893 sqn. 9 Sea Vixen FAW1
849 sqn. A flt. 4 Gannet AEW3
824 sqn. 8 Whirlwind HAS7 29
1963 - 1965 892 sqn. 9 Sea Vixen FAW1
849 sqn. A flt. 4 Gannet AEW3
815 sqn. 5 Wessex HAS1 21



Docking and essential defect repair at Portsmouth 7 June 1955 to 10 January 1956.
Refit and modernisation at Devonport 15 May 1956 to 3 September 1958. Hydraulic catapults replaced with 2 BS4 40,000 lb steam catapults. Small extension to portside deck edge to allow a 6-degree angled landing area across the deck. 2 sextuple, 4 dual and 2 single Bofors 40 mm removed. Beam increased to 127 ft and full load displacement to 27,800 tons.
Refit at Portsmouth 29 August 1960 to 3 March 1961. Arrester wires upgraded to 35,000 lb. Aircraft capacity reduced to 22.
Docking and essential defect repair at Portsmouth 21 November 1962 to February 1963.
Refit at Portsmouth May to November 1963. Type 965 Air Search radar added.

Paid off December 1965. Used as an accommodation ship at Devonport and Portsmouth until 1971. Stricken early 1971. Sold for scrapping to Shipbreaking (Queenborough), Kent, 11 August 1972. Broken up from 8 September 1972.





HMS Albion (R07)
Built by Swan Hunter. Laid down 23 March 1944. Launched 6 May 1947. Completed 26 May 1954. Flight deck recognition letter: Z (1954-1958), A (1958-1973)




Years Carrier Air Group Total
1954-1956 898 sqn. 8 Sea Hawk FGA6
890 sqn. 12 Sea Venom FAW21
813 sqn. 6 Wyvern S4
815 sqn. 6 Avenger AS
849 sqn. C flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 37
1956-1957 800 & 802 sqn. 16 Sea Hawk FGA6
809 sqn. 12 Sea Venom FAW21
849 sqn. C flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 33
1957-1959 800 & 802 sqn. 16 Sea Hawk FGA6
809 sqn. 12 Sea Venom FAW21
824 sqn. 6 Gannet AS4
849 sqn. C flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 39
1959 804 sqn. 8 Sea Hawk FGA6
809 sqn. 12 Sea Venom FAW21
849 sqn. C flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
820 sqn. 8 Whirlwind HAS
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 33
1959-1960 806 sqn. 8 Sea Hawk FGA6
894 sqn. 12 Sea Venom FAW21
849 sqn. D flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
815 sqn. 8 Whirlwind HAS
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 33
1962-1964 845 sqn. 12 Wessex HAS1
846 sqn. 7 Whirlwind HAS7 19
1965-1972 848 sqn. 16 Wessex HU5 & 1 Wasp HAS1 17
1972-1973 845 sqn. 16 Wessex HU5 & 1 Wasp HAS1 17



Refit January to May 1958.
Refit at Portsmouth 18 August to 14 December 1959.

Paid off for conversion to amphibious-assault helicopter carrier at Portsmouth Dockyard 17 December 1960.
Recommissioned at Portsmouth August 1962.

Refit at Portsmouth 8 September 1966 to 14 September 1967.
Refit at Portsmouth July 1969 to 20 March 1970.
Arrived at Portsmouth to de-store 10 October 1972.

Paid off 2 March 1973. Sold for conversion to heavy lift ship 22 October 1973, conversion cancelled. Broken up at Faslane from 16 November 1973.





HMS Bulwark (R08)
Built by Harland & Wolff. Laid down 10 May 1945. Launched 22 June 1948. Completed 4 November 1954. Flight deck recognition letter: B




Years Carrier Air Group Total
1955 800 & 811 sqn. 16 Sea Hawk FGA6
751 sqn. 6 Avenger AS
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 23
1956 804, 810 & 897 sqn. 24 Sea Hawk FGA6
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 25
1957 801 & 898 sqn. 16 Sea Hawk FGA6
891 sqn. 8 Sea Venom FAW21
820 sqn. 6 Gannet AS4
849 sqn. D flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
845 sqn. 5 Whirlwind HAS7
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 40
1957 - 1958 801 & 898 sqn. 16 Sea Hawk FGA6
891 sqn. 8 Sea Venom FAW21
849 sqn. D flt. 4 Skyraider AEW1
845 sqn. 5 Whirlwind HAS7
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 34
1960 - 1964 848 sqn. 13 Whirlwind HAS7 13
1964 - 1966 845 sqn. 13 Whirlwind HAS7 13
1966 - 1970 845 sqn. 16 Wessex HU5, 1 Wasp HAS1 17
1970 848 sqn. 10 Wessex HU5, 1 Wasp HAS1 11
1970 - 1972 845 sqn. 16 Wessex HU5, 1 Wasp HAS1 17
1972 - 1976 848 sqn. 16 Wessex HU5, 1 Wasp HAS1 17
1979 846 sqn. 9 Sea King HC4
826 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS5 18
1979 - 1980 846 sqn. 9 Sea King HC4
820 & 826 sqn. 18 Sea King HAS5 27
1980 - 1981 846 sqn. 6 Sea King HC4
820 & 814 sqn. 18 Sea King HAS5 24



Refit at Portsmouth 18 December 1956 to May 1957.

Paid off for conversion to amphibious-assault helicopter carrier at Portsmouth Dockyard 5 November 1958. Conversion commenced January 1959.
Recommissioned at Portsmouth 23 January 1960.

Refit at Devonport 17 December 1962 to 3 December 1963.
Refit at Plymouth 3 September 1965 to 22 April 1966.
Major refit at Portsmouth August 1968 to 17 April 1969.
Refit at Devonport 8 March 1974 to 7 February 1975.

Reduced to maintained reserve May 1976. Designated as reserve ASW carrier.
Refit at Portsmouth from 20 March 1978. Conversion to full ASW carrier due to delays in the Invincible class.
Recommissioned at Portsmouth 23 February 1979.

Deployed to USA for ASW exercises 4 January 1980. Only carrier in commission in the RN.
Major boiler room fire 15 March 1980. Damage not repaired.
Major fire while alongside at Portsmouth. Damage to forward hangar and several messdecks.
Deployed to Norway early 1981. Returned to Portsmouth to pay off 27 March 1981.

De-stored and prepared for disposal April 1981. Plans were made for reactivation during 1982 due to the Falklands war but were later abandoned. Scrapped at Cairn Ryan from 17 April 1984.





HMS Hermes (R12)
(Modified Centaur Class, ex Elephant)

Displacement: 23,000 tons standard ; 27,800 tons full load
Dimensions: 774.75 oa x 147.9 x 27.8 feet
Propulsion: 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 2 shafts, Parsons geared turbines, 76,000 shp
Speed: 28 knots
Range: 5,040 nmiles at 20 knots ; 3,500 tons fuel oil
Complement: 2100 (including air group)
Aviation Facilities: 365 x 62 x 17.5 ft hangar ; 744.5 x 144.5 ft 8-degree angled flight deck ; 5 35,000 lb arrester wires ; 2 BS4 50,000 lb steam catapults at bow ; 2 35,000 lb lifts, 54ft long x 44ft wide aft. (25 second cycle) and 54 x 35 ft portside deck-edge (30 second cycle) ; 332,000 gallons aviation fuel (AVCAT)
Aircraft: 28
Armament: 5 twin Bofors 40 mm ; 4 single 3 pdr saluting guns
Armour: 1 to 2 inch flight deck
Radars: 3D Fighter-control - Type 984 ; Air/Surface Search - Type 293Q ; Carrier Approach - Type 963


Built by Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness. Laid down 21 June 1944. Launched 16 February 1953. Laid up awaiting completion until 1957. Completed 18 November 1959. Flight deck recognition letter: H




Years Carrier Air Group Total
1960-1962 804 sqn. 8 Scimitar F1
890 sqn. 12 Sea Vixen FAW1
849 sqn. C flt. 4 Gannet AEW3
814 sqn. 5 Whirlwind HAS7
Ships Flight 1 Dragonfly HR5 30
1962-1964 803 sqn. 8 Scimitar F1
892 sqn. 12 Sea Vixen FAW1
849 sqn. B flt. 4 Gannet AEW3
814 sqn. 5 Wessex HAS1
Ships Flight 1 Whirlwind HAR5 30
1966-1967 809 sqn. 7 Buccaneer S2
892 sqn. 12 Sea Vixen FAW2
849 sqn. B flt. 4 Gannet AEW3, 1 Gannet COD4
826 sqn. 5 Wessex HAS3
Ships Flight 1 Wessex HAS1 (SAR) 30
1968-1970 801 sqn. 7 Buccaneer S2
893 sqn. 12 Sea Vixen FAW2
849 sqn. A flt. 4 Gannet AEW3, 1 Gannet COD4
814 sqn. 5 Wessex HAS3
Ships Flight 1 Wessex HAS1 (SAR) 30
1973-1979 845 sqn. 9 Wessex HU5
814 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS1 18
1981 800 sqn. 8 Sea Harrier FRS1
826 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS5 17
1982 800 & 899 sqn. 16 Sea Harrier FRS1
826 & 846 sqn. 18 Sea King HAS5 34



Major refit at Devonport 24 February 1964 to May 1966. Facilities added to operate Sea Vixen and Buccaneer aircraft. Flight deck widened to a maximum of 160ft starboard of the island. All 40 mm guns removed, 2 GWS22 Sea Cat point-defence SAM quad launchers added. Standard displacement increased to 24,900 tons.

Paid off for conversion to amphibious-assault helicopter carrier at Devonport Dockyard 14 July 1970. Conversion commenced 1 March 1971. Conversion similar to Albion and Bulwark, all fixed wing facilities removed and flight deck strengthened. Provisions made for the carrying of 750 troops and their equipment.
Recommissioned at Devonport 18 August 1973, replacing Albion.

Refit at Devonport 10 May to 10 December 1976. Conversion to ASW carrier due to delays in the Invincible class, although retaining amphibious capability.
Trials with Harrier aircraft January 1977. Further trials with prototype Sea Harriers December 1979.
Refit at Devonport 1980 to June 1981. 12-degree ski-jump and facilities for operating Sea Harriers added.
Served in Falklands 5 April to 21 July 1982, with Lynx and RAF Harriers added to air group.
Refit at Portsmouth December 1983 to March 1984.

Paid off 12 April 1984. Stricken 1 July 1985. Sold to India and renamed Viraat (R22), 19 April 1986. Refit at Devonport before transfer. Commissioned into Indian Navy 12 May 1987, formally commissioned 15 February 1989.





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Invincible Class
Anti-Submarine Fleet Carriers (CVSG)


As built:
Displacement: 16,000 tons standard ; 19,500 tons full load (20,000 tons Ark Royal)
Dimensions: 632 pp, 677.75 oa x 104.5 x 29 feet
Propulsion: 4 Rolls-Royce Olympus TMB3 Gas Turbines, 2 shafts, 94,000 shp (112,000 shp temporary maximum)
Speed: 28 knots
Range: 5,000 nmiles at 18 knots ; 3,000 tons fuel oil
Complement: 1100 (including air group) (Invincible & Illustrious), 1318 (Ark Royal)
Aviation Facilities: 7-degree ski-jump (Invincible & Illustrious), 12-degree ski-jump (Ark Royal) ; 500 x 40 to 74 x 20 ft hangar ; 550 x 65 ft axial flight deck ; 2 35,000 lb lifts, 54.75ft long x 31.75ft wide fwd. and aft. ; 250,000 gallons aviation fuel (AVCAT)
Aircraft: up to 20 (22 Ark Royal)
Armament: 1 GWS30 Sea Dart medium range SAM twin launcher, 36 missile magazine ; 3 20 mm Vulcan Phalanx Mk 15 CIWS (Ark Royal only), 2 20 mm Vulcan Phalanx Mk 15 CIWS (Illustrious only) ; 2 20 mm GAM-B01 AA (Ark Royal only)
Radars: Air Search - Type 1022 ; Surface Search - Type 992R ; Navigation - 2 Type 1006 ; Fire Control - 2 Type 909

After first refit and modernisation (as above except) :
Displacement: 16,500 tons standard ; 20,600 tons full load
Complement: 1400 (including air group)
Aviation Facilities: 12-degree ski-jump ; 500 x 40 to 74 x 20 ft hangar ; 600 x 65 ft axial flight deck ; 2 35,000 lb lifts, 54.75ft long x 31.75ft wide fwd. and aft. ; 250,000 gallons aviation fuel (AVCAT)
Aircraft: up to 26
Armament: 1 GWS30 Sea Dart medium range SAM twin launcher, 36 missile magazine (to be removed) ; 3 30 mm Goalkeeper CIWS ; 2 20 mm GAM-B01 AA


The Invincible class were originally intended as 'through-deck cruiser' ASW platforms to replace the ageing helicopter cruisers Tiger and Blake. Their design was then changed to include the ability to operate V/STOL aircraft and finally to the current STOVL aircraft carrier.
The Invincibles have a slightly angled, almost full length, flight deck and a large starboard island running over half the length of the ship. A 'ski-jump' is fitted at the bow to allow the use of Sea Harrier aircraft with full fuel and weapons loads (with which they are too heavy for VTOL operation).

Ark Royal (which was laid down as Indomitable but renamed when Ark Royal (R09) decommissioned) was completed to a slightly modified design with more command facilities and a 12 rather than 7 degree ski-jump placed 40 ft. further forward than on the other two ships. This created more deck space allowing a slightly larger air group. Invincible and Illustrious have been refitted to a similar standard as well as improved CIWS guns and a further increase in deck space and command facilities.

Further recent refits have seen the removal of the Sea Dart launcher and magazine allowing a considerable deck extension in place of the launcher and a weapon magazine dedicated to Harrier GR7 armaments in place of the Sea Dart missiles. This allows the operation (when required) of an 11 aircraft fixed wing air group (8 FA2, 3 GR7) instead of the previous 9.

Only two of these three ships are in service at any one time with the third in refit or reserve.




HMS Invincible (R05)
Built by Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness. Laid down 20 July 1973. Launched 3 May 1977. Completed 11 July 1980. Flight deck recognition letter: N




Years Carrier Air Group Total
1980 - 1985 801 sqn. 8 Sea Harrier FRS1
820 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS5 17
1989 - 1990 800 sqn. 9 Sea Harrier FRS1
814 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS5
849 sqn. A flt. 3 Sea King AEW2 21
1990 - 1995 800 sqn. 9 Sea Harrier FRS1
814 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS6
849 sqn. A flt. 3 Sea King AEW2 21
1995 - 800 sqn. 9 Sea Harrier FA2
814 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS6
849 sqn. A flt. 3 Sea King AEW2 21



Served in Falklands 5 April to 17 September 1982.
Refit 18 September 1982 to February 1983. 2 20 mm Vulcan Phalanx Mk 15 CIWS guns and 2 20 mm GAM-B01 guns added.
Disembarked air group for transfer to Ark Royal 4 December 1985. Training carrier with 3 Wessex of 845 sqn. during early 1986.

Paid off for refit and modernisation at Portsmouth 29 April 1986.
Recommissioned 18 May 1989.

Amphibious operations with 845 & 846 sqn. Sea King HC4 replacing air group during spring 1990. Took turns to enforce Bosnia no-fly-zone 1993-1996 (with Ark Royal 1993-1995, Illustrious 1995-1996).

Sea Dart missile system removed late 1999.





HMS Illustrious (R06)
Built by Swan Hunter, Wallsend. Laid down 7 October 1976. Launched 1 December 1978. Completed 20 June 1982. Flight deck recognition letter: L




Years Carrier Air Group Total
1982 809 sqn. 8 Sea Harrier FRS1
814 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS5
824 sqn. D flt. 3 Sea King AEW2 20
1983 - 1987 800 sqn. 8 Sea Harrier FRS1
820 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS5 17
1987 - 1989 800 sqn. 8 Sea Harrier FRS1
814 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS5
849 sqn. A flt. 3 Sea King AEW2 20
1994 - 801 sqn. 9 Sea Harrier FA2
820 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS6
849 sqn. B flt. 3 Sea King AEW2 21



Added Sea Harriers from 899 sqn. and Sea King from 810 sqn. to air group for operations with USS Independence in eastern Atlantic March 1984. Embarked 846 sqn. Sea King HC4 in place of 814 sqn. for amphibious operations November 1984.
Gearbox repairs at Portsmouth 18 December 1986 to 27 April 1987.
Amphibious operations with 845 & 846 sqn. Sea King HC4 replacing air group during November 1987.

Paid off into reserve 30 June 1989. Refit and modernisation at Portsmouth 1 July 1991 to May 1994.
Recommissioned June 1994.

Took turns to enforce Bosnia no-fly-zone 1995-1996 with Invincible.

Sea Dart missile system removed early 1999.





HMS Ark Royal (R07)
(ex Indomitable)

Built by Swan Hunter, Wallsend. Laid down 14 December 1978. Launched 2 June 1981. Completed 1 November 1985. Flight deck recognition letter: R




Years Carrier Air Group Total
1985 - 1986 801 sqn. 9 Sea Harrier FRS1
820 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS5 18
1986 - 1991 801 sqn. 9 Sea Harrier FRS1
820 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS5
849 sqn. B flt. 3 Sea King AEW2 21
1991 - 1994 801 sqn. 9 Sea Harrier FRS1
820 sqn. 9 Sea King HAS6
849 sqn. B flt. 3 Sea King AEW2 21



Embarked 845 sqn. Sea King HC4 in place of 820 sqn. for amphibious operations November 1986. Added RAF Harrier GR3 to air group for exercises 3 November 1987. Suffered port turbine failure 8 November 1987, disembarked RAF Harriers. Amphibious operations with 845 & 846 sqn. Sea King HC4 replacing air group during February 1989. Took turns to enforce Bosnia no-fly-zone from April 1993 to mid 1995 with Invincible.

Paid off into reserve November 1994. Refit and modernisation originally planned to commence 1997 finally started 1999.





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Ocean Class
Amphibious-Assault Helicopter Carrier (LPH)


Displacement: 20,500 tons full load
Dimensions: 660 oa x 107 x 21.3 feet
Propulsion: 2 Crossley-Pielstick PC2 Mk 6 series diesels, 2 shafts, 24,000 shp
Speed: 19 knots
Range: unknown
Complement: 258 ship, 180 air group and 800 Marines
Aviation Facilities: 400 x 60 x 20 ft hangar ; 650 x 80 ft axial flight deck ; 2 lifts (fwd. and aft.) plus vehicle ramp ; approx. 250,000 gallons aviation fuel (AVCAT)
Aircraft: 18 helicopters
Armament: 3 20 mm Vulcan Phalanx Mk 15 Block 1A CIWS ; 4 30 mm DS-30B/GCM-A01 AA
Radars: Air/Surface Search - Type 996 ; Navigation - Type 1007


Based on an Invincible class hull but with no ski-jump, full length flight deck and a smaller island. Although intended as a Commando carrier, Ocean is capable of operating Harriers (both Sea Harrier FA2 and Harrier GR7) in a limited capacity, in addition to transport and attack helicopters. 4 landing craft are also carried.




HMS Ocean (L12)
Built by VSEL, Barrow-in-Furness (hull subcontracted to Kvaerner, Govan). Laid down June 1994. Launched 11 October 1995. Completed 30 September 1998. Flight deck recognition letter: O


Evaluation and trials October 1998 to mid 1999. Fully operational mid-1999 onwards.