Fleet Air Arm Collection (#5)

Leading Seaman Philip Benjamin climbs down a rope ladder from HMS Eagle to an awaiting launch in Plymouth sound. November 1951

Suez Crisis 1956 Junior Seaman John Higgins, 17, of Oldham gives a thumbs up as The Aircraft Carrier HMS Ocean adds Port Said to the roll of Battle Honours displayed on its flight deck

Suez Crisis 1956 Soldiers embarking on the Aircraft Carrier HMS Theseus as it prepares to sail for the Mediterranean from Portsmouth

Ships Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Eagle March 1952 Fleet Air Arm Supermarine Attacker F1 aircraft launches with the assistance of the steam catapult from the flight deck of the Aircraft Carrier

Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious August 1959 at anchor in Portsmouth sound with de Havilland Sea Venoms and Westland Whirlwind helicopters on board the flight deck

Ships Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious August 1959 at anchor in the Solent with de Havilland Sea Venom aircraft and Westland Dragonfly helicopters on board the flight deck

HMS Ark Royal steaming in the English Channel. September 1970

NATO Exercise March 1965 A Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier is followed by the rest of the NATO fleet in convoy. Two members of the carrier crew walk down the deck past a parked Westland wessex helicopter

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Fleet Review: a formation of Sea Fury aircraft fly up between the moored ships of the Royal Navy fleet. 1953

A Royal Navy Westland Sea King hovers over the deck as a Buccaneer with folded wings sits on board the Aircaft Carrier HMS Ark Royal. 1971

McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG1s (F-4K)of the Royal Navys Fleet Air Arm 892 Sqd on board the Aircaft Carrier HMS Ark Royal during a naval excercise. 1971

The deck crew on board HMS Ark Royal protect their ears as a McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG1 (F-4K) of 892 Sqd Fa thunders off with full afterburners on take off

A Sea Vixen swoops over soldiers seen here on exercise on Salisbury Plain. July 1966 P001038

Farnborough Airshow. Fairy Gannet. September 1952 C4316a-023

Farnborough Airshow. D. H. 110 September 1952 C4316a-005
Farnborough Airshow. D.H. 110 September 1952 C4316a-005

Farnborough Airshow. Westland Wyvern 4. September 1952 C4316a-007

Hellcats fly off on their offensive misssion. Aircraft on the after part of the flight deck. October 1972 P000055

Royal Navy Fairey Firefly aircraft passing over the fleet during the fly past at Spithead by 300 Naval planes after the Queen had reviewed the ships as part of the Coronation celebrations

A "Swordfish"taking off from the deck of H. M. S
A " Swordfish" taking off from the deck of H.M.S. ARK Royal, the flying commander is watching from flight. May 1939 P000108

British sailors on the deck of an aircraft carrier, Second World War, c1943. Creator: Unknown
British sailors on the deck of an aircraft carrier, Second World War, c1943. The white ensign, which comprises a red St Georges Cross on a white field with the Union Flag at top left

Fighter planes on board an aircraft carrier, Second World War, c1943. Creator: Unknown
Fighter planes on board an aircraft carrier, Second World War, c1943. A Martlet [Grumman F4F Wildcat] of the Fleet Air Arm, bearing American markings

Old Hands Now - pilots of the Fleet Air Arm, c1943. Creator: Unknown
Old Hands Now - pilots of the Fleet Air Arm, c1943. British pilots wearing Mae West life jackets during the Second World War

Machine-gun instruction, Fleet Air Arm, c1943. Creator: Unknown
Machine gun instruction, Fleet Air Arm, c1943. British sailors learning how to use a machine gun during the Second World War

Men of the Royal Navy, c1943. Creator: Unknown
Men of the Royal Navy, c1943. Pipe-smoking British sailors during the Second World War. From " Fleet Air Arm". [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1943]

Loom of life (testing parachutes for the Fleet Air Arm, 1941. Artist: Cecil Beaton
Loom of life (testing parachutes for the Fleet Air Arm), 1941. From Air of Glory, by Cecil Beaton. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1941]

All her eggs in one basket, 1940 (1943)
All her eggs in one basket. All six of italys battleships are shown safely at anchor in the outer harbour at Taranto, 1940 (1943)

The enemys hide-out, 1940 (1943)
The enemys hide-out. Taranto, where the Fleet Air Arm sought out the Italian fleet in their own anchorage, 1940 (1943). In November 1940 the British launched an air attack on the Regia Marina naval

Supermarine Attacker FB. 2
Supermarine Attacker FB.2 of 803 Squadron on the flight deck of HMS Eagle 1954

Fairey Barracuda III aircraft of 815 Squadron

Hiller HT. 1
Hiller HT.1 (XB481) hovering near the ground, 1953

Sikorsky Whirlwind HAS. 22
Sikorsky Whirlwind HAS.22 (WV192) flying over HMS Perseus which is loaded with vehicles and aircraft for overseas, 1953. The helicopter still displays part of its US Navy markings

Grumman Wildcat V aircraft of 882 Squadron Fa on the deck of HMS Searcher, 1944

Westland Whirlwind HAR. 10 prototype
Westland Whirlwind HAS.7 of 848 Squadron from HMS Bulwark, with Royal Marine Commandos in the snow at Worthy Down, December 1959

HMS Eagle The Royal Navy

Squadron of Fairey Swordfish planes on board HMS Ark Royal prepare to launch from the flight deck during WW2. The Ark Royal that served in WW2 was in fact the Ark Royal III

Richard Dimbleby descends from a Westland Dragonfly helicopter on to the deck of HMS Gambia A Royal Navy cruiser at sea off of Malta in the Mediterranean. Circa 1950

Ships Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious August 1959. A Fleet Air Arm Supermarine Scimitar lands on the deck in front of de Havilland Sea Venom aircraft

Ships Western Union Exercises July 1949 A Royal Navy Destroyer during the Western Union Exercises is flown by at low level by a Fleet Air Arm Hawker Sea Fury

Ships Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Glory July 1953 Crowds gather on the quayside to welcome HMS Glory back to Portsmouth after returning from Korean waters

A Fairey Swordfish of the Fleet Air Arm comes into land on the flight deck of HMS Ark Royal Circa 1938

Fairey Firefly at Chino Airport, California

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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.