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
