Clash of Steel
for Military History & Aviation enthusiasts

Translate this Page

Search :

Images of Aircraft Carriers


Click on the entry for a larger image and details, or click to go back to the previous index

The cable locker, and anchor chains on board the Ark Royal
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

The Raytheon Systems, Phalanx Close In Weapons System was first developed in 1977, and began to be deployed in the US Navy from 1980. It fires 20mm shells and can be operated fully automatically using both radar and Forward-looking Infra-Red (FLIR) t...
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

A view from below decks, looking up through one of the aircraft lifts
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

Taken from the 'ski-jump' the view of the flight-deck and stern gives some impression of the ship's size.
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

This view of Ark Royal's flight deck clearly shows the take-off route for the ship's complement of Sea Harrier FA.2 aircraft. The 'ski-jump' at the end provides a boost of much-needed lift at the last moment.
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

The stern and white ensign of the Ark Royal, with the older Type 23 'Duke' class frigate, HMS Westminster moored astern, and the harbour entrance in the background.
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

The superstructure, bridge and masts of the Ark Royal.
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

One of the chaff dispensers on board the Ark Royal, designed to eject huge quantities of aluminium foil in a cloud to confuse a radar-guided missile attack.
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

An Augusta Westland EH101, in service with the Royal Naval Air Service as a Merlin HM.1 No. R269. It's primary roles are anti-submarine and Anti-surface warfare, but can also be used in the Airborne early warning, Search and Rescue, Medevac and trans...
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

The airborne early warning radar aircraft used by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm during the 1960's. It's highly distinctive shape includes novel coaxial contra-rotating propellers, double folding wings and the bulbous radar housing on the underside.
Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum, August 2010

Based on the Oerlikon 20mm cannon, the GAM BO1 is fitted to most ships of the Royal Navy for smaller-caliber gunnery duties. It has a range of 2km and a rate of fire up to 900 rounds per minute.
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

The carrier Ark Royal during a visit to Malta (courtesy of J. Williamson)
Valeta harbour, Malta. October 2002.

Several views of the Carrier HMS Ark Royal, moored in Portsmouth harbour, photographed from the regular fleet boat tours run from the Historic Docks.
Portsmouth harbour, August 2002.

Ark Royal, moored alongside the Portsmouth dockyard.
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

One of Great Britain's last big carriers, the previous Ark Royal was laid down in May 1943, launched May 1950 but was not completed until 1956 to revised/modernised plans. Displacement 45,000 tons, Dimensions 804 feet x 135 feet x 33 feet, Speed 31 k...
Photographed Plymouth 1980.

The carrier Illustrious returning from Middle East deployment
the Solent. 25th March 2002.

HMS Invincible moored alongside the Portsmouth quayside. The first of the Invincible class light carriers, she saw service as the flagship in the Falklands war 1982.
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

HMS Invincible moored alongside the Portsmouth quayside. The first of the Invincible class light carriers, she saw service as the flagship in the Falklands war 1982.
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

The latest British assault carrier HMS Ocean (L12) in dock
Portsmouth harbour, August 2002.

The only fixed-wing, carrier-borne aircraft left in service with the Royal Navy. The Sea Harrier, built by BAe Systems provides fleet defence and strike capabilities.
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003

After the Falklands War it became clear that the Royal Navy lacked and Airborne Early Warning radar capability. This version of the trusty Sea King helicopter is the result, note the radar dome slung amidships, which pivots rearward for landing.
Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, July 2003