RN Aircraft Carriers: Invincible Class 1980

[jbryce1437]

The three ships of the Invincible Class were a replacement of the Eagle Class - Eagle and Ark Royal.
They were laid down between 1973 and 1978 and were named Invincible, Illustrious and Ark Royal. Invincible was the first to commission in 1980, followed by Illustrious in 1982 and Ark Royal in 1985.
During their service they served in many places, including the South Atlantic for the Falklands War in 1982, the Adriatic for the Bosnian War 1992-5 and in the Middle East during the invasion of Iran in 2003.
Although they were equipped to carry Sea Harriers, the Harriers were retired from service in 2006.
Invincible was the first to be withdrawn from service in 2005 and the withdrawal of Ark Royal was brought forward from 2016 to 2010 following a Strategic Defence Review.
Illustrious was the last of the class in commission until 2014 and was scrapped in 2016.

Invincible

17777[2].jpg

Ark Royal

ARK ROYAL Leaving the Tyne June 28 1985 (1).jpg

Illustrious

142857[1].jpg

illustrious-and-invincible-.jpg

ark top ill bot[1].jpg

[Brian James]

Cross decking McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier of Marine Attack Squadron 542 takes off from HMS Ark Royal...2010.

[Brian James]

HMS Ark Royal pictured whilst participating in an Amphibious Exercise off the Eastern coast of the United States in 2008.

[designeraccd]

Several photos of ARK ROYAL's final homecoming.... DFO

[Little h]

'Lusty' sails into Portsmouth for the last time 22-7-2014

.... so; where did her foretop disappear to????

, Invincible arrives in Portsmouth last time youtube.jpg

It's gone again (compare the 1st & 3rd images with the 2nd)...see:-

z4 Illustrious under Forth Bridges.jpg

and this also, whilst drydocked alongside the QE R08 - at Rosyth:-

z4 Illustrious NE140083_005 MOD(N).jpg

[ivorthediver]

Come on.... own up... or else


Beats me Harry ..

[Brian James]

HMS Invincible pictured departing Portsmouth for the final time on her way to the Turkish Breakers Yard,March 25th 2011.

[ivorthediver]

Gone Aye ...forgotten ...never eh lads

[Brian James]

HMS Ark Royal pictured operating off Northern Norway during Exercise Armatura Borealis, 2008.

[ivorthediver]

Nice shot Brian , dam it looks cold there , but beautiful scenery .....