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Dates: 1978 - MS Ark Royal (R07), the last Invincible-class light aircraft carrier to be completed, is the fifth ship of the Royal Navy named in honour of the flagship of the English fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada. Ark Royal is slightly larger than her sister ships and during construction she was fitted with a steeper ski-jump ramp, (twelve degrees, as opposed to seven degrees of the Invincible) to improve STOVL take-off performance for the Harrier aircraft. She is currently the flagship of the active fleet. Her keel was laid by Swan Hunter at Wallsend on 7 December 1978. She was launched on 20 June 1981 sponsored by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and commissioned on 1 November 1985. Originally intended as Indomitable in line with her sister ships (HMS Invincible and HMS Illustrious), public resentment at the scrapping of the previous Ark Royal (Britain’s last large aircraft carrier) in 1980, led the Royal Navy to announce that the name would be revived on the new ship.
Memories of HMS Ark Royal
HMS Ark Royal 1964 - 67 in 1964Written by Jim Bryce Contact this person >>  "The Ark was my first draft and I joined it at Devonport whilst she was undergoing a minor refit, following return from the Far East.
My part of ship was the after electrical workshop, under EA1 "Buck" Taylor and Ch El Danny Legg. My first job was Conversion Machinery, then Boats and Batteries. I then did a stint as PO's Messman before moving to the Internal Broadcast section with ElMech Mick Weaver. Other people in the after electrical workshop were LEM's Jan Luger and Buck Ryan. My first mess was 3J3, then I moved to the forward bunk space (below the NAFFI shop), and I ended up in 3DO mess - half greenies and half seamen on communal duties.
Enjoyed three great years on the Ark with a great bunch of mates. During this time EM's became either CEM's or OEM's, I was the latter.
I left it in 1967, to return to Collingwood for my LOEM's course." HMS ARK ROYAL in 1965Written by CRAIG REA Contact this person >> "DO ANY OF THE ELECT/BRNCH REMEMBER THE BOILER ROOM FIRE IN 65? WE WHERE SUPPOSED TO DO AN EXERCISE WITH THE YANKS AND THEN HEAD FOR AUS. FOR THREE WEEKS.UNLUCKLY FOR US THE ARK DECIDED NOT TO DO THE TRIP. I CAN REMEMBER FIGHTING THE FIRE AND THEN HAVING TO PULL MOST OF THE AXIAL FLOWS OUT FOR REPAIR.ANDY ANDERSON,GINGE RUDDAL,BOB ROGERS ARE JUST A FEW NAMES I CAN REMEMBER WORKING FLAT OUT AT THAT TIME. WE STILL GOT TO AUS. BUT ONLY FOR SEVEN DAYS IN FREEMANTLE. BUT WHAT A TIME WAS HAD BY ALL . JACKY REA." HMS Ark Royal, in 1965Written by Barry Smith Contact this person >> "Getting into the Ark Royal's Squash 1st Team as a lower decker. Mainly through the help and encouragement of the Navy No 1 player Lt Robin Bawtree an officer and a true gentleman." 5 HMS Ark Royal, sembawang dockyard singapore in 1965Written by keith (nobby) nobes Contact this person >> "Never forget the night of B boiler room fire,we were up on the flightdeck watching a movie on the side of the island and we got lumbered to spray hoses onto the island to keep it cool." HMS Ark Royal in 1963Written by TERRY CROSSLEY Contact this person >> "HMS Arkroyal Mombasa
I was the coxswain of the 36ft cutter (the canopy had been removed) and was detailed to pick up guest for the welcome cocktail party ,most of the guest were ladies.As I brought the boat alongside and put the boat in reverse nothing happend and the boat carried on and went right under the after heads outlets giving all the ladies a good soaking . Captain Gibson was not amused ."
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Ark Royal
" I am looking for some of my Dad’s old shipmates. Does anyone know him? Here are his details: Name: John Stevenson NickName: Jock or Stevo Service Number: P/K 050455 Service: Navy Base/Ship: HMS Ark Royal HMS Naiad HMS Devonshire Rank: Petty Officer (POME) Year Signed Up: 1959 Year ..."
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" Looking for Bob Le Valliant joined with him at JTR Rhyl he was in the RAOC brought up by foster parents? the father was an officer in the RMPlived in Chichester at the time. I was Bobs best man. He served on HMS Ark Royal in the map departmentlate 60’s early 70’s.Last met probably as long ago as 1970? Any help would be appreciated. Barry (Spout) Doughty "
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" Hms ark royal 1963-66 all young cooks from those years where are you, Iam still looking, I have found 2 cooks Harty plews, ken davies.Where are you,buster brown,Don Grant,please get in touch. "
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" Christian, have you tried navy news web site, for your friend from hms ark royal.They have a ARK ROYAL WEB PAGE. Go to the links page, Regards slinger wood, ex Ark royal 1963 66. "
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" Searching for BRIAN WATKINS on behalf of his daughter Hillary. HMS Ark Royal - Leading Airman Royal Navy - L/FX917690. Married Ethel Hutchinson Christmas Eve 1957. Daughter Hillary Margaret born 26th November 1960. Parents names: Hilda and Harold from Dewsbury, Nth.Yorkshire. Your ..."
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