In these austere times where miltary cutbacks are common place and we don’t have an aircraft carrier in the Royal Navy, or aircraft to put on the new one which is under construction, it’s hard to imagine a time when we had not one but a host of fleet carriers and assault carriers all capable of fixed wing operations.
Lest not forget that Britain led the way in carrier development with armoured steel decks, when everyone else used wood, the steam catapult invented in Scotland and the angled deck which allowed take off and landing at the same time, a huge advantage.
Around the globe the Royal Navy had a carrier in most seas, the Illustrious, the Eagle and the mighty Ark Royal to name but a few. I am under no illusions we will never see these days again and will be lucky to keep our place at the top table of navies.
Enough doom and gloom and time to view the aircraft that flew off the mighty flat tops.
Full Steam ahead into the wind. Ready to launch.
Pilots eye view of final approach in perfect conditions
Last of an era the awesome Sea Fury which fought Migs (and won) in Korea
Mock flight deck at RNAS Lee for practice aircraft handling
Deck landing practice on Illustrious. Aircraft Boulton Paul Bailliol trainer
A flight of Anti Submarine Warfare Gannets of the coast of Northen Ireland
Blackburn Buccaneers and a Phantom at Lossiemouth
Supermarine Sea Hawk flying over HMS Eagle
Phantom, with longer nose wheel, ready to lauch off Ark Royal
Westland Wyvern fleet bomber, unusual in that its a turboprop.
The twin boomed Sea Vixen which had a distinctive howl when it flew past.
Finally – Massed aircraft of the Fllet Air Arm and a band from the Royal Marines at an open day. A fraction of the force at the time, many times what will be available in the future
Newbattle at war 