U.K. AIRCRAFT CARRIERS of World War II
Fleet Carriers
| Pennant |
Name |
Commission |
Tons |
Feet |
Lost |
|
| I49 |
Argus 18 a/c |
6Sept 1918 |
14,450 |
560 |
training ship, 1943 |
|
| 95 |
Hermes 20 a/c |
1923 |
10,800 |
598 |
naval air 9Apr1942 |
|
| 94 |
Eagle 21 a/c |
1923 |
22,600 |
667'x100' |
U-73 on 11Aug42 |
|
| 47 |
Furious 22-40 ac |
1923 |
19,100 |
786 700x80 |
reserve Sept 1944 |
|
| 50 |
Courageous 48 a/c |
March1928 |
18,600 |
786 |
U-29 on 17Sept1939 |
|
| 77 |
Glorious 48 a/c |
January1930 |
18,600 |
786 |
Scharnhorst June1940 |
|
| 91 |
Ark Royal 60 a/c |
March1928 |
22,000 |
800 |
U-81 in 14Nov1941 |
|
| R87 |
Illustrious 38-57 a/c |
21May1940 |
23,000 |
753 |
8 * |
|
| R38 |
Victorous |
15May1941 |
23,000 |
753 |
|
|
| R67 |
Formidable |
24Nov1940 |
23,000 |
753 |
|
|
| R92 |
Indomitable |
10Jan1941 |
23,000 |
753 |
5 * |
|
| R86 |
Implacable 81 a/c |
28Aug1944 |
32,000 |
766 |
|
|
| R10 |
Indefatigable 73 a/c |
3May1944 |
32,000 |
766 |
|
|
| Light Fleet Aircraft Carriers |
|---|
| R15 |
Colossus |
16Dec1944 |
13,600 |
695x80 |
|
|
| R62 |
Glory |
2April1945 |
13,200 |
695x80 |
|
|
| R63 |
Venerable |
17Jan1945 |
13,200 |
695x80 |
|
|
| R71 |
Vengeance |
15Jan1945 |
13,200 |
695x80 |
|
|
| R16 |
Triumph |
9April 1945 |
13,350 |
695x80 |
|
|
| R68 |
Ocean |
20June1945 |
13,200 |
695x80 |
|
|
| R64 |
Theseus |
9Jan1946 |
13,350 |
695x80 |
|
|
British Aircraft Carriers undergoing Refit or Repair in the United States (incomplete)
Bold date is before US entry to the war.
Illustrious (CV.87)
In Februray 1941 she sailed to Virginia for permanent repairs at the safer Norfolk Navy Yard. One propeller shaft had to be cut away and her speed fell to 23 knots.
She returned to service in May 1942, and was immediately dispatched to the Indian Ocean.
Furious (CV.47)
After refitting in the United States in the Fall of 1942, Furious took part in Operation Torch, the landings in North Africa, in November 1942
Victorious (CV.38)
After taking part in the North Africa landings, she refitted at Norfolk Navy Yard, USA, Winter 1942-43, after which she was loaned to the United States Navy for a brief period in 1943, as the USS Robin for the New Georgia campaign.
Indomintable (CV.92)
During the convoy to Malta Indomitable was hit by two bombs. She sailed to the United States, where repairs were completed in February 1943, after which she immediately returned to the Mediterranean. She was torpedoed by a Ju-88 bomber on 15 June while supporting the buildup for the Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky), and returned again to the USA where repairs were completed by February 1944.
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UK Fleet aircraft carriers in World War II.
Last updated: 25 October 2009 - 1st draft
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