H.M.S. Vindictive
1919
(Spider Navy SN-1-05)
- Class: Vindictive - 1 aircraft carrier of 1917
- Displacement: 9,750 tons normal / 12,190 tons deep load
- Dimensions: 605.25 (oa) x 19 x 19.25 ft.
- Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 60,000shp = 30 knots
- Armor: Main belt 3-1.5in, deck 1.5-1in, CT 3in
- Armament: 4-7.5in/45 cal Mk VI, 4-3in, 4-12pdr AA guns; 6-21in TT (2 sub)
- Aircraft: 6
- Complement: 560
- Builder: Harland & Wolff
- Laid Down: 29 Jun 1916
- Launched: 17 Jan 1918
- Commissioned: Oct 1918
- Service: Begun as Cavendish, lead ship of a new class of heavy cruisers (7-7.5in). Converted to aircraft carrier on the stocks with a flying-off deck forward and landing platform aft, she was renamed Vindictive in Jun 1918. Two hangars were built on the main deck, one forward with a hatch and derricks for lifting, and one aft served by a lift. A narrow platform to port connected the two flight decks. A crash barrier was installed between the aft funnel and landing deck. The four 12pdr AA were concentrated on a platform between the two funnels. On service, she ran aground in the Baltic in summer 1919, requiring extensive repairs; she rejoined the fleet in 1921. With a preference for flush deck carrier design emerging, the decision was made to reconvert her to a cruiser, done in 1923-25, but with the forward hangar retained and a catapult installed on top. She became a training ship in 1937 and a repair ship during World War II. Sold for scrap in 1946.
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