The Portsmouth aircraft carriers which were in a class of their own | Nostalgia

HMS Implacable and her sister ship HMS Indefatigable had mighty names, names which matched their size.
By Deborah Croker
Published 28th Sep 2021, 19:19 BST
The ship's company lines the deck of the Implacable-class aircraft carrier HMS Indefatigable as she returns to Portsmouth after service in the Far East, March 16, 1946. Picture: Central Press/Getty.The ship's company lines the deck of the Implacable-class aircraft carrier HMS Indefatigable as she returns to Portsmouth after service in the Far East, March 16, 1946. Picture: Central Press/Getty.
The ship's company lines the deck of the Implacable-class aircraft carrier HMS Indefatigable as she returns to Portsmouth after service in the Far East, March 16, 1946. Picture: Central Press/Getty.

Like today’s two aircraft carriers Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales, they were beasts which dominated Portsmouth Harbour.

The Implacable-class of aircraft carrier comprised two carriers built during the Second World War.

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Derived from the design of the Illustrious class, they were faster and carried more aircraft than the older ships.

Field Marshal Montgomery, left, and Commander APW Northey on the deck of HMS Implacable, during an exercise, July 7, 1949. Picture: Getty.Field Marshal Montgomery, left, and Commander APW Northey on the deck of HMS Implacable, during an exercise, July 7, 1949. Picture: Getty.
Field Marshal Montgomery, left, and Commander APW Northey on the deck of HMS Implacable, during an exercise, July 7, 1949. Picture: Getty.

They were initially assigned to the Home Fleet when completed in 1944 and attacked targets in Norway as well as the German battleship Tirpitz.

Subsequently, they were assigned to the British Pacific Fleet.

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Related topics:PortsmouthPrince of WalesPortsmouth HarbourNorwayPompey

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