HMS Ark Royal under construction at Swan Hunters Shipyards

HMS Ark Royal was the former flagship of the Royal Navy. One of three Invincible class aircraft carriers she was affectionately known as The Mighty Ark. Her keel was laid by Swan Hunter at Wallsend on 7th December 1978, she was launched on 20th June 1981 and completed in 1985. Major deployments included the Bosnian war (1993) and the invasion of Iraq (2003). More recently, she assisted in the repatriation of air travellers stranded by the 2010 volcanic eruption.

Most photographs in this set are taken from the Swan Hunter Collection held by Tyne and Wear Archives Service.





13th April 1985



HMS Ark Royals Final sea trial .

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





16th March 1985



HMS Ark Royal.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





19th October 1984



HMS Ark Royal 1st Sea Trials.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





27th April 1984



HMS Ark Royal.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





30th January 1984



HMS Ark Royal.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





27th September 1983



HMS Ark Royal Fitting out.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





20th June 1981



HMS Ark Royal Launch.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





6th May 1981



HMS Ark Royal construction.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





10th March 1981



HMS Ark Royal construction.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





20th October 1980



HMS Ark Royal construction.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





7th July 1980



HMS Ark Royal construction.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





13th March 1979



HMS Ark Royal construction.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





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