Naval art prints of HMS Illustrious by
leading naval artists Ivan Berryman, Anthony Saunders and Robert Taylor. HMS Illustrious of the Illustrious
class carriers which included HMS Illustrious, HMS Victorious, HMS
Formidable, HMS indomitable, HMS Implacable, HMS Indefatigable. HMS
Illustrious is shown leaving Devonport with HMS Kenya in new naval art
print and painting by Ivan Berryman.
HMS Illustrious by Robert Taylor.
Royal Navy carrier Illustrious in Grand Harbour, Malta.
Item Code : RT0004
HMS Illustrious by Robert Taylor. - Editions Available
HMS Illustrious built by Vickers Armstrong at Barrow and launched 5th April 1939. She served in the Mediterranean from 1940-41, then Eastern Fleet 1942-43, Was part of Force H in 1943, moving to the Eastern Fleet in 1944 then Pacific Fleet in 1945. She was finally scrapped at Faslane on 3rd November 1956.
FAIREY SWORDFISH, Torpedo Bomber and reconnaissance Biplane, crewed by Three, with a top speed of 154mph, reduced to 136mph as a float plane. maximum ceiling 19,000 feet. reduced as a float plane. armed with a .303 Vickers machine gun fixed forward and one in the rear cockpit.. One 1610lb Torpedo or up to 1500lb bomb load
At the outbreak of world war two the Fleet air arm had 13 operational squadrons .The Fairey Swordfish has earned its place in history for major contributions to naval warfare. during the Norwegian campaign, and especially during the raid on Toranto. During November 1940, Twenty Swordfish to off from HMS Illustrious (operation Judgement ) to attack the Italian Fleet in their Harbour of Toranto. At Least nine torpedoes hit their targets. Seven Italian Ships were badly damaged including The Italian battleships, Caio Duillio, Littorio and Conte De Cavour.
HMS Illustrious and HMS Kenya at Devonport by Ivan Berryman HMS Illustrious slips quietly away from the docks at Devonport, Plymouth with the Fiji class cruiser in the middle distance, 1941.
Raid on Taranto by Anthony Saunders The balance of maritime power in the Mediterranean was transformed at a stroke by the British air attack which disabled three Italian battleships in a few minutes. The target was the core of Mussolinis fleet, tucked away in Taranto Harbour, in southern Italy. The attack, codenamed Operation Judgement, took place in bright moonlight by twenty-one Swordfish from the British carrier HMS Illustrious. In the confined space of the harbour, their torpedoes had a devastating impact, at least nine torpedoes struck their targets. In all, seven ships were severely damaged, including the battleship Caio Duilio (left), Littorio (right) and Conte Di Cavour.
HMS Illustrious by Robert Taylor Royal Navy carrier Illustrious in Grand Harbour, Malta. signed by 3 naval fighter aces. Billy Drake DSO, DFC, Mike Crosley DSC, Peter Twiss OBE DSC
