H.M.S. Hermes
R.12
2003
(Albatros ALK-98)
- Class: Hermes - 1 Aircraft Carrier of 1943
- Displacement: 23,900 tons standard / 28,700 tons full load
- Dimensions: 650 (pp) 744 (oa) x 160 x 29 ft.
- Machinery: 2 shaft geared steam turbines, 76,000 shp = 28 knots
- Guns: 2 Seacat GWS22 SAM (2x4)
- Aircraft: 12 Sea Harrier; 18 Sea King helicopters
- Complement: 1830 navy + 270 airwing
- Builder: Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow
- Keel Laid: 21 Jun 1944
- Launched: 16 Feb 1953
- Commissioned: 18 Nov 1959
- Notes: Originally ordered during WWII as Elephant, a member of the Centaur class. Work not very far along when the war ended, she was renamed Hermes, radically redesigned, and leisurely completed. Given a 6 deg angled deck, deck edge lift, large type 984 radar, and 40mm AA battery. Refitted in 1964-66, Seacat missiles replaced the 40mm. Originally operating Sea Vixen, Scimitar, and Buccaneer aircraft, she was not large enough to carry the later F-4K Phantom so she was converted to a commando carrier carrying Wessex helicopters in 1971-73, losing her arrester wires, catapults, and 3D radar. In 1977 she was rerated an ASW carrier, carrying Sea Kings instead, but also with the capability of operating the new Sea Harrier. Although slated for scrapping, she survived long enough to serve as flagship during the Falklands conflict, Apr-Jun 1982. Paid off in 1984, but refitted at Devonport in 1986 and transferred to India 12 May 1987 being renamed Vikrant.
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