Carrier Collection (#5)

HMS Hermes R12
Royal Navy - HMS Hermes R12, a Centaur-class aircraft carrier, modified as an ASW - Commando - Air Defence carrier, seen entering Devonport after returning from the Falklands conflict, in 1982

ARA Independencia
Argentine Navy - ARA Independencia, a Colossus-class light aircraft carrier, (ex HMS Warrior R31), seen in December 1958, during work-up before commissioning in 1959. Date: 1958

HMS Eagle R05
Royal Navy - HMS Eagle R05, an Audacious-class aircraft carrier, seen before being fitted with an angled flight deck, in June 1953. Date: 1953

HMAS Sydney R17
Royal Australian Navy - HMAS Sydney R17, was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier, seen in May 1953. Date: 1953

HMS Theseus R64
Royal Navy - HMS Theseus R64, a Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier, in July 1954 Date: 1954

INS Vikrant
Indian Navy - INS Vikrant, a Majestic-class light fleet aircraft carrier, laid down as HMS Hercules but not completed till 1961, after purchase by the Indian Navy

HMS Vengeance R71
Royal Navy - HMS Vengeance R71, a Colossus-class light aircraft carrier in August 1947. Date: 1947

HMS Victorious R38
Royal Navy - HMS Victorious R38, the third Illustrious-class aircraft carrier, in November 1946 Date: 1946

HMS Bulwark R08
Royal Navy - HMS Bulwark R08, a Centaur-class light fleet aircraft carrier in August 1967. Date: 1967

The Triple Model Cut-Out Aeroplane, Tank & Aircraft Carrier
An illustrated cover for a WW2 children's model cut-out book, containing instructions to make models of an aeroplane, tank and an aircraft carrier. Date: circa 1940s

WW2 - Fleet Wings
An illustrated front cover of a WW2 children's book, Fleet Wings, written by Guy Dempster. The image shows a British Coastal Command aircraft flying above an aircraft carrier. Date: 1941

WW2 - Biplanes Flying Over Aircraft Carrier
A photograph of some British WW2 biplanes flying over an aircraft carrier. Date: circa 1940s

WW2 - HMS Hermes Aircraft Carrier
An illustration of HMS Hermes, a British Centaur class aircraft carrier, with biplanes flying above. Date: circa 1940s

HMS Furious
Royal Navy - HMS Furious, Fleet Aircraft Carrier, a modified Courageous-class battlecruiser, in July 1932. Date: 1932

HMS Eagle
Royal Navy - HMS Eagle, an Audacious-class aircraft carrier, seen before being fitted with an angled flight deck, in June 1951. Date: 1951

HMS Theseus
Royal Navy - HMS Theseus, a Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier, in September 1951. Date: 1951

HMS Ark Royal (91)
Royal Navy - HMS Ark Royal (91), fleet aircraft carrier, seen in November 1938 during sea trials. Ark Royal was commissioned on 16 December 1938 and sunk by U-81 on 14 November 1941. Date: 1938

HMS Courageous
Royal Navy - HMS Courageous (pennant number 50'), in August 1938. HMS Courageous was the lead ship of her class of three battlecruisers built for the Royal Navy during the First World War

HMS Hermes 95, aircraft carrier
Royal Navy - HMS Hermes 95, a British aircraft carrier, the world's first ship to be designed as an aircraft carrier. Date: circa 1938

HMS Pegasus (ex HMS Ark Royal)
Royal Navy - HMS Pegasus (ex HMS Ark Royal) at A Spithead re in 1938. HMS Pegasus was re-named from the 1914 HMS Ark Royal seaplane carrier

WW2 Fleet Air Arm
This illustration portrays the head of a man from the Fleet Air Arm, the background consists of a British aircraft carrier. Date: 1941

Hero Of The Air
A front cover illustration for Hero Of The Air showing a WW2 fighter plane crashing onto an aircraft carrier in the middle of an ocean. Date: circa 1944

A Fokker F. XXXVI ('Arend') and a Fokker F. XVIII ('Pelikaan')
Fokker F.XXXVI Arend (in front) and a Fokker F.XVIII Pelikaan (behind) - Commercial Aircraft of KLM - only one F.XXXVI was ever built (first flight June 22, 1934), the aircraft had all-wood wings

A Fokker F. XXXVI ('Arend') - Commercial Aircraft of KLM
Fokker F.XXXVI Arend - Commercial Aircraft of KLM - only one F.XXXVI was ever built (first flight June 22, 1934), the aircraft had all-wood wings. Date: circa 1910s

Char B1 heavy tank with a Renault UE Chenillette
Captured Char B1 heavy tank and Renault UE Chenillette light tracked armoured carrier / prime mover, abandoned by German forces and being inspected by French civilians. Date: 1940

HMS Implacable R86
Royal Navy ?? HMS Implacable R86, an Implacable-class aircraft carrier, in June 1953. Date: 1953

HMS Albion R07
Royal Navy ?? HMS Albion R07, a Centaur-class aircraft carrier, in September 1954. Date: 1954

Water Carrier, Jerusalem, Israel
Goatskin Water Carrier, Jerusalem, Israel Date: circa 1905

HMS Formidable 67
Royal Navy - HMS Formidable 67, an Illustrious-class aircraft carrier entering Valletta harbour in June 1946. Date: 1946

HMS Indomitable 92
Royal Navy - HMS Indomitable 92, a modified Illustrious-class aircraft carrier, being towed into Valletta harbour in March 1952. Date: 1952

HMS Colossus 15
Royal Navy - HMS Colossus 15, a Colossus-class Light Fleet Carrier. Colossus is seen flying her paying off pennant in July 1946

HMS Unicorn 172
Royal Navy - HMS Unicorn 172, an aircraft repair ship and light aircraft carrier, laid up in reserve on 10 September 1956. Date: 1956

HMS Invincible R05
Royal Navy - HMS Invincible R05, an Invincible-class aircraft carrier. Date: 1981

HMS Eagle 94
Royal Navy - HMS Eagle 94, an aircraft carrier converted from the Almirante Latorre-class battleship Almirante Cochrane, ordered by Chile, but never delivered. Date: 1929

HMS Furious 47
Royal Navy - HMS Furious 47, an aircraft carrier converted from a Courageous-class battlecruiser, in March 1930. Date: 1930

Aircraft carrier HMS Furious
Royal Navy - Aircraft carrier HMS Furious, at a time when she had a flush deck with no island and an unusual side funnel, which proved unsuitable due to excessive heating. Date: 1925

The Wine Carrier
An oil painting of a dwarf, named Grigorio, a wine skin maker who is carrying some large animal carcasses over his shoulder, with a wine container in the other hand. Date: circa 1908

Royal Navy typewritten message, WW2
Original Royal Navy typewritten message, dated 23 May 1941 regarding the movements of the German battleship Bismarck and a Cruiser as they left the port of Bergen to take part in the massive naval

RAF plane taking off from deck of aircraft carrier, WW2
RAF plane taking off from the deck of an aircraft carrier Date: circa 1941

RAF lookout on flight deck of aircraft carrier, WW2
RAF lookout on flight deck of aircraft carrier Date: circa 1941

Elizabeth Arden dinner dress
A wool dinner dress from Elizabeth Arden, here accessorised with a gas-mask carrier. Date: 1940

Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk 158490
United States Navy (USN) - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk 158490 (MSN 14295, base code B, call-sign 141'), of Training Wing-1, used for carrier qualification training on USS Forrestal. Date: circa 1990

Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk 158712
United States Navy (USN) - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk 158712 (msn 14333, base code C, call-sign 484'), of TW-3, for carrier operations training, operating from USS Lexington. Date: circa 1990

Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk 153672
United States Navy (USN) - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk 153672 (MSN 13610, base code A, call-sign 731'), of Carrier Training Wing-1, used for carrier qualification training on USS Lexington

Rockwell T-2C Buckeye 156730
United States Navy (USN) - Rockwell T-2C Buckeye 156730 (msn 318-45), of VT-4, the carrier operations training squadron, operating from USS Lexington. Date: circa 1990

Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk 158078
United States Navy (USN) - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk 158078 (msn 14115), of VT-4, the carrier operations training squadron, operating from USS Lexington. Date: circa 1990

Fairchild C-119F-FA Flying Boxcar O-18037 (msn 10915, 51-8037), at Wright Field, Wright-Patterson AFB, for display at the Air Force Museum, with Boeing KB-50J 49-0389

McDonnell Douglas-British Aerospace T-45A Goshawk 163606
United States Navy - McDonnell Douglas-British Aerospace T-45A Goshawk 163606 (msn A008, base code B, call-sign 206'), of TW-2, attached to USS Forrestal for carrier operations training

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"Unyielding and Majestic: A Legacy of Carriers in Naval History" From the Royal Navy's illustrious HMS Illustrious returning to Portsmouth after a remarkable refit, to the mighty HMAS Melbourne proudly sailing as Australia's naval flagship, carriers have played an indomitable role in maritime warfare. The name "carrier" evokes images of power and strength, epitomized by the legendary HMS Indefatigable and its British counterparts like HMS Albion after conversion. These floating fortresses symbolize the unwavering determination of nations to protect their interests at sea. Dating back to 1937 with the grand launch of HMS Ark Royal in Birkenhead, carriers have continuously evolved alongside technological advancements. The roar of Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S2 landing on deck echoes through time, reminding us of their pivotal role during critical moments. During World War II, amidst turbulent waters, it was vessels like HMS Indomitable that stood tall against enemy forces. Their presence instilled hope and resilience among Allied troops fighting for victory. Carriers were not limited to air superiority alone; they adapted for various purposes. Take for instance HMS Albion's transformation into a Commando Carrier or USS Coral Sea entering Pearl Harbour as an attack carrier - these versatile platforms showcased their adaptability in ever-changing military landscapes. In this rich tapestry of naval history, we must not forget the unsung heroes who flew from these decks. Fairey Swordfish Torpedo-Bombers soaring through skies during World War II exemplify courage and sacrifice beyond measure. As we marvel at these magnificent vessels throughout history - be it witnessing them return home or embarking on daring missions - one cannot help but feel awe-inspired by their immense contribution towards safeguarding our seas. Carriers stand as testaments to human ingenuity and perseverance; forever etched in our collective memory as symbols of naval might and unity.