HMS Ark Royal R09-The Royal Navy's 'Top Gun' era

HMS Ark Royal R09 has been voted by people as Britains greatest warship.
Built in 1955, Not like the Invincible class ,It was designed to carry real aircraft such as Sea Vixens, Scimitars, Bucaneers and the FG1 Spey Phantoms. Sadly it was scrapped to saucepans in 1980

Just think if it was in service for at least 5 years longer, it would have fought the Falklands ,but on the other hand would have been a nice target for those Argentinean Exocet missiles.

I wish we still had it in service and im not the only one who thinks that. The good news is we should be getting two new CVFs by next decade.

Here are some sites about the Fleet Air Arms good old glory days!

www.atidswell.co.uk...

www.btinternet.com...

www.f4phantoms.co.uk...

www.deltaweb.co.uk...

www.ukexpert.co.uk...

I also remember having a Royal Navy FG1 Phantom model kit back when i was a young kid back in 1994.

Any other stuff related to this topic?



[edit on 4-5-2006 by Browno]

And some other stuff i forgot to list down.

www.airsceneuk.org.uk...

lionels.orpheusweb.co.uk...

www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk...

www.ipmsstockholm.org...

Also the base of the R09 was build at Cammel Laird Shipbuilders at Birkenhead which is just over the water from Liverpool where i live! It was actually made at Merseyside!.

I heard there were preservation efforts and funds to save the R09 but all that failed thanks to the M.O.D.

If it was a museum, It should be based at the shores by Hale Village at the south of Liverpool, It would also have looked like the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point.

www.gallerychuma.com...

Although not British, Here is a site about the USS Midway.

www.midway.org...

I came across this post accidentally - or by fate
I served aboard H.M.S. Ark Royal R09 twice in the 70`s.
The first time being with 892 Squadron (F4K Phantom) which based in Yeovilton later R.A.F. Leuchars (Scotland).
The second time as part of the ships crew.

I will always have fond memories of this Lady, it was a sad day when she was towed to the scrapyard in 1980.

I had forgotten that this class carrier used the bridle launch system ...hence the long tooth gadget at the end of the catapult going out beyond the flight deck.

Not many American Carriers have this anymore. Enterprise and one or two of the Nimitz class still have it. It was actually removed on some of the carriers brought in for overhaul. The long tooth extension I mean.

The jump ramp is the way to go for many navy's. It removes the complexity/expense of maintaining a steam catapult system.

Not exactly sure what the limitations are on the jump system verses steam catapults.. Perhaps other readers can fill us in on this.

I think in the future...a lot of tasks are going to be done by UAVs in the navy. UAVs even refueled mid air by other UAVs.
I know they have been landed and taken off from carrier decks as trial runs. Also mock ups brought on board Nimitz class...to check out the deck handling and storage featured below decks. Same with the mock ups for the F35 fighters.

Do any of you know if this technology is going to be integrated into the new carriers designed for the Royal Navy?? UAV's ?? Curious about this.

Nice photos.

I've had to crawl out on those sponsons and remove those tall whip type HF antennas in the photo to the left of the flight deck. Kinda spooky up that high when it is only you and a safety belt. You have to suck up your nervousness to get it done.

Thanks,
Orangetom

The new CVF`s will be fitted with a ski-ramp , but hwill have a mag-cat back fit for `quick` availability of CATOBAR aircraft types if/when the UK fields them

Although I am ex-RAF and have fond memouries of the JP, Strikemaster and Phantom, my God!

Those piccies of the greatest maritime nuclear strike aircraft ever produced, are magnificent! Great to see Buccaneers as they were intended.