Fleet Air Arm Collection (#4)

HMS Hermes, the Royal Navys first purpose built aircraft carrier, seen here at a fleet review. 28th July 1928

Royal Indian Navy hunts Japanese off Arakan Coast. (Picture) As towns along the Kaladan river Arakan are liberated villagers row out to greet our ships flying the Burma flag. 30th January 1945

British Naval Factory a Float. Typical young E. R. A at work in the light machine
British Naval Factory a Float. Typical young E.R.A at work in the light machine shop of destroyer depot ship. The type of man whose constant work helps keep the British Fleet at sea

Might be a workshop in any big factory ashore, but it is the list machine shop of a British destroyer depot ship. These men make a variety of small requirements for destroyers

(Picture shows) The four pilots of a section of a Hellcat fighter squadron serving with the East Indies Fleet. This picture was taken just after they landed

(Picture shows) This sub-flight of a fighter Squadron in the Royal Navy were photographed immediately after landing on their carrier rolling a kill

Oldham seaman John Higgins, top, on HMS Ocean, December 1956. For MEN Media Titles

Sea trials of the Blackburn Shark fitted with floats off the Yorkshire coast close to the Blackburn works at Brough. April 1935

British Naval Parseval airship later known as Naval Airship No 4 seen here on the 30th June 1913. HM Airship No 4 was the first British aircraft to fly an operational patrol of the First World War

A big range of aircraft parked at the forward end of the flight deck of HMS Illustrious after landing on completion of an exercise in the Indian Ocean

Fairey Swordfish armed with eight "60 lb"RP-3 rockets
Fairey Swordfish armed with eight " 60 lb" RP-3 rockets

HMS Eagle seen here on exercise in the Mediterranean launching her Skyraider AEW 1 aircraft. 2nd May 1954

A Royal Navy Fairey Firefly carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm at the Sunderland International Airshow. 04/08/1996

Six Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, Westland Wessex MK5 helicopters of 700v Squadron. May, 1964

A Royal Navy Westland Wessex helicopter lands on the sportsfield of the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle. 22/09/1972

Two variants of the De Havilland Vampire in RAF colours. Circa: 01 / 08 / 1998
Two variants of the De Havilland Vampire in RAF colours. Circa: 01/08/1998

A Royal Navy Westland Wasp anti-submarine helicopter takes off from the frigate, HMS Gurkha, at the Newcastle quayside. 29/03/1971

A Royal Navy Westland Lynx helicopter carrying the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Len Harper, lands on the deck of HMS Arrow. 12/03/1980

A Royal Navy Westland Sea King helicopter which landed at Kenton School so the crew could give careers advice to pupils. 27/09/1995

A Royal Navy Westland Wessex helicopter gives a demonstration to the pupils of Monkseaton Grammar School. 17/09/1974

Four Royal Navy Sea King helicopters and three Sea Harriers in flight. Circa: 1992

A Royal Navy Westland Sea King helicopter, one of two based at Newcastle to protect North fishermen from poachers. Every day the Sea Kings - normally used for anti-submarine work - relentlessly

Two Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, de Havilland Sea Vixens display air to air refuelling at the 1962 Farnborough Airshow preview day. 3rd September 1962

Canal Zone 1952 The Aircraft Carrier HMS Vengence passes through the Suez Canal on route to the Far East with British troops guarding the banks

Suez Crisis 1956 Friends and relatives wave goodbye as the aircraft carrier HMS Bulwark sails for the Medeteranean

Ships Aircraft Carrier HMS Eagle at anchor in Plymouth Sound. November 1951
Ships Aircraft Carrier HMS Eagle at anchor in Plymouth Sound.November 1951

Children aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable during the 1952 Navy Day

HMS Ark Royal steaming in the English Channel taking on her Phantom aircraft September 1970

Ships Aircraft Carrier New Angled Deck Trials July 1953 A US Navy Grumman G-79 F9F Panther takes off from the flight deck during trials of a new concept angled deck

Ships Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Eagle March 1952 Fleet Air Arm Supermarine Attacker F1 pilots in flight gear stand in front of one of their aircraft on the flight deck of the Aircraft Carrier

Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious August 1959 steams through the Solent with Fleet Air Arm de Havilland Sea Venom and Supermarine Scimitar Aircraft on board the flight deck

The Cunard liner QEII cruises through the fleet of Royal Navy ships gather at Spithead for the Queens silver jubilee review In the foreground the Aircraft Carriers HMS Ark Royal and HMS Hermes

Royal Navy 1957 The Royal Navy welcome home the Royal Yacht Britannia.Aircraft Carrier shown is " Audacious Class"

The Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious arrives at Portsmouth 1961

Royal Navy Ships HMS Invincible Aircraft Carrier sailing in the Northern Atlantic October 1985

Pipers on board the Aircraft Carrier HMS Illustrious 1950

HMS Eagle is launched at the Harland and Wolf dockyard Belfast by Princess Elizabeth

Suez Crisis 1956 The Aircraft Carrier HMS Theseus sails for the Mediterranean from Portsmouth cheared on by the relatives of the soldiers and sailors

Canal Zone 1952 The Aircraft Carrier HMS Vengence passes through the Suez Canal on route to the Far East with British troops guarding the banks

Ships Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Campania comes in to dock at Portsmouth naval dockyard December 1952

HMS Eagle gets up steam whilst at anchor in Plymouth sound. November 1951

Royal Navy Ships Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious August 1959. A member of the Launch Flight Deck Crew standing over the steam catapult calls in an aircraft to line up for take off

Smoke from flares welcomes HMS Invincible return to Portsmouth from the Falklands. September 1982

HMS Ark Royal Aircraft Carrier March 1965 Fleet Air Arm Supermarine Scimitar aircraft parked on the flight deck of the Royal Navy Aircraft carrier The Ark Royal

Suez Crisis 1956 The Aircraft Carrier HMS Ocean adds Port Said to the roll of Battle Honours displayed on its flight deck. The ship has just docked in Devonport after returning from Suez

Aircraft Carrier HMS Implacable July 1949 during the Western union Exercises follows in convoy behind a Royal Navy Destroyer

Ships Aircraft Carrier HMS Eagle at anchor in Plymouth Sound November 1951

HMS Invincible Aircraft Carrier

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The Fleet Air Arm has a rich history, with iconic ships like HMS Bulwark and HMS Eagle serving as the backbone of its operations. In February 1950, HMS Implacable joined the fleet, further strengthening its capabilities. One of the notable aircraft deployed on HMS Bulwark were the Westland Whirlwinds, which showcased their agility and versatility in various missions. These helicopters played a crucial role in enhancing the fleet's reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. HMS Indomitable holds a special place in Fleet Air Arm's legacy, having served during World War II in 1943. It witnessed intense battles and launched numerous sorties against enemy targets. The Fairey Swordfish I planes operated from this ship proved to be instrumental in several successful naval operations. Another remarkable aircraft associated with the Armstrong Whitworth Argosy C. 1, known for its cargo transportation capabilities. This versatile plane facilitated logistics support for various naval operations. The historic voyage of HMS Glorious in 1936 also deserves mention when discussing Fleet Air Arm's achievements. During this expedition, it became evident that aircraft carriers could significantly enhance maritime power projection. The Fairey Barracuda II was another key asset employed by Fleet Air Arm during World War II. This torpedo bomber played an essential role in anti-shipping strikes and contributed to significant victories at sea. In later years, De Havilland Sea Vixen FAW. 1 emerged as one of the most advanced fighter jets used by Fleet Air Arm. Its speed and firepower made it a formidable force capable of engaging both air and surface targets effectively.