Illustrious Class Aircraft Carrier
The Illustrious class was a class of aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy that included some of the most important British warships in World War II. They were laid down in the late 1930s as part of the rearmament of British forces in response to the emerging threats of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan.
Each of these ships played a prominent part in the battles of World War II. Victorious took part in the chase of the German battleship Bismarck, Illustrious and Formidable played prominent parts in the battles in the Mediterranean during 1940 and 1941 and all three took part in the large actions of the British Pacific Fleet in 1945.
The Illustrious class comprised four vessels: HM Ships Illustrious, Formidable and Victorious. Indomitable was built to a slightly modified design with a second half-length hangar deck below the main hangar deck. The following two ships of the Implacable class were also built to modified designs in order that they could carry larger air wings. Implacable and Indefatigable both had two hangar levels, albeit with a limiting 14 feet (4 m) head room.
Read more about Illustrious Class Aircraft Carrier: Design and Concept, Fate of The Class
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