HMS Eagle and HMS Albion by Ivan Berryman HMS Eagle steams past the commando carrier HMS Albion during the withdrawal from Aden in November 1967. Gathered on Eagles flightdeck are an assortment of contemporary types including Sea Vixens, Scimitars, a Buccaneer and a Fairey Gannet. One of Albions Westland Wessex helicopters is passing overhead and RFA Stromness is at anchor in the distance.
HMS Eagle and HMS Albion by Ivan Berryman The carriers HMS Eagle and HMS Albion are pictured together during the withdrawal from Aden in 1967. A Sea Vixen FAW Mk2 (XP957) of 899 Sqn, based on HMS Eagle, banks past the two ships while in the background HMS Stromness lies at anchor.Up and Over by Randall Wilson Westland Wyverns go vertical over HMS Eagle during the Suez Crises of 1956. Moment of Truth by Robert Tomlin One of de Havillands big cats, the mighty Sea Vixen XP924 of 899 Squadron, is flung from the waist catapult of HMS Eagle in 1969 shortly before retirement. In July 1970, the aircraft was transferred to NASU at Yeovilton where it was modified for target tug and drone duties. It served at RAE Llanbedr until 1991. In 1996, it was bought by de Havilland Aviation Ltd for restoration to full flying condition. Still flying, the aircraft forms part of de Havilland Aviation's fleet of Historic Aircraft.
Fleet Carrier HMS Eagle Built 1951. Basically a improved version of the Implacable design. HMS Eagle. Built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast the ship was laid down in October 1942, being launched on the 19th March 1946 and finally completed on the 1st October 1951. In March 1952 she was excepted into the Royal navy. In August 1952 HMS Eagle replaced HMS Indomitable as the flagship of the Heavy Squadron of the Home Fleet. On the 13th of September 1952 to part in the Nato exercise Mainbrace, which was the largest peacetime naval exercise. 20th January 1953 she sailed for the Home Fleet spring cruise and took on board 809 squadron (sea Hornets NF21) and 849A (skyraider AEW). proceeded to the Mediterranean for joint exercise between the Home Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet. 9th of September 1953 took part in the Coronation review at Spithead. 22nd September 1953 along with over 300 ships and 100 aircraft took part in Exercise Mariner. 8th April 1954. Joined other ships to search for the wreckage of a crashed BOAC Comet. which had crashed 60 miles north of the Straits of Messina, recovered five bodies. On the 23rd August 1955, HMS eagles, air group flew a total of 201 sorties which still remains today as a RN record. 21st September 1955 joined a fleet of another 4 aircraft Carriers, 26 surface ships and 6 submarines from the Royal navy, joined other fleets from the US, Canada, and Norway for exercise Sea Enterprise. In October 1955 Eagle took part in exercise Phoenix I which was to test the air defence systems against High flying jet Bombers. In June 1956, took part in Exercise Maltex, took test the air defences of Malta. 31st October 1956 saw HMS eagle take part in Operation Musketeer The Anglo French landings in Suez. 1st November 1956 Eagle's aircraft struck at Egyptian targets in support of landings. aircraft from Sea hawks 898 squadron. Sky Raiders from 849A sqd, Wyverns from 830 squadron and sea venoms from 892 and 893 squadrons. July 1958 Took part in operations to land British troops in Jordan following a Coup in Iraq. on the 4th September 1958 took part in Exercise Petrel I a combined amphibious exercise with Libyan Army. 11th May 1959 HMS Eagle was paid of for modernization. 14th May 1964. re commissioned at Devonport and started refit trials. On the 1st December 1964 sailed for the far eastern fleet with Buccaneers of 800 squadron, Scimitar of 800b, Wessex AS of 820 squadron, Gannets AEW of 849D sqd. and Sea Vixens of 899 squadron. 8th December passed through Suez Canal, Took part in Exercise FOTEX 65 around Singapore in march 1965, arrived back at Devonport for repairs on the 24th May 1965. August 1965 sailed again for the far eastern Fleet and Singapore.. January 1966 Sailed for the Middle east to relieve HMS Ark Royal on Beira Patrol, (This was to stop supplies reaching Rhodesia which had declared UDI from Britain. Aircraft from HMS Eagle covered an area of 350 milers and had helped to identify 770 ships including 116 tankers in the area. Arrived back at Singapore on the 10th May 1966 having achieved a RN peacetime record for a carrier of 71 days at sea traveling 30,000 miles and who's aircraft flew 1880 sorties. 22nd August 1966 arrived at Devonport Dockyard for refit. 16th September 1968 took part in Nato Exercise Silver Tower. 2nd September 1969 First arrested landing of a Royal naval Phantom 3rd September first catapult launch of a Royal naval Phantom. March 1970 carried out flying exercises with Harrier aircraft from A and AEE Boscombe Down. 7th February 1971 Assisted a Burning Cypriot merchant ship The Byantium in Gibraltar. May 1971 sailed for Far eastern Fleet. arrived at Singapore on 8th July 1971. August 1971 responded to a distress call from SS Steel Vendor which had ran aground and was breaking up of Loatia Island West of the Philippines after Typhoon Elaine. Four sea Kings from Eagle winched to safety the crew of 40 in appalling conditions. November exercised off Malaysia before sailing home for the last time. February 1972 de stored and de equipped. August 1972 moored for the next 6 years off Plymouth being stripped for spares for HMS Ark Royal. Finally being towed to the breakers yard on the Clyde. in October 1978