Audacious class aircraft carrier
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The Audacious class aircraft carrier was a class of ship proposed by the British government in the 1930s - 1940s. The Audacious class was originally designed as an expansion of the Implacable class with double storied hangars. However, it was realised that the hangar height would not be sufficient for the new aircraft that were expected to enter service, so the design was considerably enlarged.
Four ships of were laid down between 1942 and 1943 during World War II as part of the British naval buildup - HMS Africa (D.06), HMS Ark Royal, HMS Audacious (D.29) and HMS Eagle (94). At the end of hostilities Africa and Eagle were cancelled. Work on the remaining two was suspended.
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[edit] Eagle (94)
Ordered from Swan Hunter, Wallsend-on-Tyne in August 1942. Transferred to Vickers-Armstrong in December that year. Cancelled
[edit] Africa (D.06)
Ordered from Fairfield, Govan on 12 July 1943. Re-ordered as Malta class in 1944. Cancelled 15 October 1945
[edit] Audacious (D.29)
Laid down in 1942 at Harland and Wolff, Belfast. Renamed at the start of 1946 as HMS Eagle after the carrier sunk in 1942. Launched in March 1946 and commissioned in October 1951.
[edit] Ark Royal (91)
Named after the earlier Ark Royal lost in 1942. Work on Ark Royal started in 1943 at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead. Launched in 1950 launch and commissioned in 1955.
As the builds of Eagle and Ark Royal progressed they differed so much that they became the lead (and sole) ships of each of their own classes. They formed the backbone of the postwar carrier fleet, and were much modified.
| Audacious-class aircraft carrier |
| Eagle | Ark Royal |
List of aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy |
