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R12 Hermes (Centaur Class)


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Laid down 21st June 1944
Launched 16th February 1953
Completed N/A
Commissioned 18th November 1959
Fate Sold:
19th April 1986
Builders Vickers Armstrong, Barrow
United Kingdom
Complement 1834
Dimensions
Displacement 23000 tons std
27800 tons max
Dimensions 744' 3" x 90' x 27'
224.6m x 27.4m x 8.2m
Armament
Guns 10 x 40mm Bofors
Torpedo tubes None
Other weapons As built:
None
1977:
8 x GWS22 SeaCat (2 x 4)
Countermeasures N/A
Armour Machinery spaces : 1"
Magazine : 2"
Aircraft Facilities
Aircraft As built:
20 various
1971:
16 x Wessex helicopters
Flightdeck 710' x 144' 6"
2 x steam catapults
Hangar N/A
Aviation fuel N/A
Electronics Fit
Radar Type 984 3D air search
Type 293Q target indicator
Type 963 CCA
Sonar None
Other N/A
Machinery
Engines 4 x Admiralty boilers
2 x Parsons steam turbines
Power output 76000shp
Speed 29.5kts
Shafts 2
Range 6000NM @ 20kts
Fuel 4064 tons

Hermes was originally to have been named Elephant, but was renamed after the cancellation of the four other carriers. She was completely redesigned and was the most advanced of the class. The original aircraft complement was Scimitars, Sea Vixens, Gannetts and anti-submarine helicopters.

Between 1964 and 1966, she was refitted to operate Buccaneers as well as Sea Vixens. In 1971 she was converted to an assault ship to replace Albion. The catapults and arrestor gear were removed, and facilities for 750 commandos was added. In anticipation of Harrier operations, the flight deck was strengthened, but trials with the Sea Harrier did not take place until 1978. The conversion was completed in August 1973.

Due to delays in the Invincible programme, she was given another refit between 1976 and 1977. Facilities were added for SeaKing anti-submarine helicopters, and a ski-jump was added for Sea Harriers to take off fully loaded. For defence, 2 quad SeaCat launchers were added.

Hermes was flagship of the British task force during the Falklands war in 1982. In November 1983 she was given a maintainance refit at Devonport, and placed in reserve in early 1984. She was sold to India in 1986 and renamed R12 Viraat.