R09 Ark Royal (Eagle Class)


Click for full picture Click for full picture Click for full picture


Laid down 3rd May 1943
Launched 3rd March 1950
Completed N/A
Commissioned 25th February 1955
Fate Decommissioned:
February 1979
Builders Cammel Laird, Birkenhead
United Kingdom
Complement 2688
Dimensions
Displacement As built:
33000 tons std
42390 tons max
1964:
43340 tons std
53340 tons max
Dimensions As built:
803' 9" x 112' 9"
1964:
808' 8" x 112' 9"
1970:
845' x 112' 9"
Draught As built:
25' 6"
1964:
36'
Armament
Main guns As built:
16 x MkV 4.5" (8 x 2)
1956:
12 x MkV 4.5" (6 x 2)
1959:
8 x MkV 4.5" (4 x 2)
1964:
18 x 20mm (18 x 1)
Secondary guns As built:
20 x 40mm Bofors (20 x 1)
1964:
None
Torpedo tubes None
Other weapons As built:
18 x 20mm (18 x 1)
1964:
None
Countermeasures None
Armour Deck: 4"
Hangar: 1.5" - 4.5"
Belt: 4"
Aircraft Facilities
Aircraft As built:
78 various
1970:
41 various
Flightdeck As built:
800' x 112'
1964:
800' x 160' 6"
Hangar N/A
Catapults As built:
2
1967:
3
Arrestor system Cross deck wires
Aviation fuel 103300 gallons
Electronics Fit
Radar As built:
Type 293Q surveillance
2 x Type 982 aircraft direction
2 x Type 983 air search
1964:
Type 965 air search
Type 293Q surveillance
2 x Type 982 aircraft direction
2 x Type 983 air search
1970:
Type 965 air search
2 x Type 982 aircraft direction
2 x Type 983 air search
Sonar None
ECM N/A
Other 12 x Mk5 gun directors
Machinery
Engines 8 x Admiralty boilers
4 x Parsons steam turbines
Power output 152000shp
Speed 31.5kts
Shafts 4
Range 6000NM @ 24kts
Fuel 6096 tons oil

Ark Royal was completed with an angled deck set at 5.5 degrees. She also featured a mirror landing aid. Her first air group was made up of Sea Hawks, Gannets, Skyraiders and helicopters.

She had her 2 x 4.5" turrets forward of the island removed in 1956 as they were interfering in aircraft operations. In 1959, the other 2 forward turrets were also removed along with the deck edge lift.

In 1962 she was fitted to operate Buccaneers. In 1963 she carried out trials with the Hawker P1127, later to become the Harrier. In 1964 all remaining 4.5" and 40mm guns were removed. Type 965 radar was added, and mountings for SeaCat missiles were added, although the missile launchers themselves were never fitted.

Between March 1967 and February 1970 she was refitted to operate F4 Phantoms. The angled deck was increased to 8.5 degrees and a third catapult was added, along with bridle catchers. New radar was also added. Only 30 fixed wing aircraft could now be accomodated, along with SeaKing helicopters.

It had been planned to scrap Ark Royal in the mid-1970s, but delays in the Invincible programme meant that the government decided to run her for as long as possible, and by the time of decommissioning, she was in poor condition. Scrapping began in 1980.

Back Back