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• Introduction

• New carriers

• HMS Ark Royal

HMS Ark Royal

HMS Ark Royal was the final carrier launched by the Navy before the war; it embodied all the advances made in the inter-war years. Commissioned in November 1938, HMS Ark Royal became a symbol of what was possible in naval aviation at a time when the Fleet Air Arm was coming back under Admiralty control. The ship possessed two hangars one above the other which could accommodate 70 aircraft, serviced with three lifts. Engineers installed hydraulically controlled, transverse arrester wires previously perfected on board HMS Courageous in 1933. Her flight deck also had two hydraulic catapults. Later, designers fitted a mechanical barrier in 1940.

The ship had living quarters for 1600 officers and men and a wardroom for 140.It had running hot and cold water, a bookstall, barber’s saloon, a soda fountain, and wireless installation on all the mess decks. HMS Ark Royal above all was what an aircraft carrier should look like, it looked sleek and powerful and was admired by the Navy and general public alike.