Preserving the Nation’s Naval Aviation Heritage

Preserving the Nation’s Naval Aviation Heritage

The remarkable story of the nation’s naval aviation heritage and the ground-breaking endeavours that shaped it, is brought to life by the work of the charity Navy Wings. The charity restores, maintains and flies an important collection of historic naval aircraft that display to millions of people annually at air shows up and down the country. Commander (Air) HMS Prince of Wales, Commander Phil Richardson OBE said, ‘We are immensely proud of our heritage and of the work of Navy Wings keeping our historic aircraft flying. The aircraft are a dynamic link with the past, helping younger generations understand the decisive part played by naval aircraft in the history of our nation. They are also an enduring tribute to all those who gave their lives in the service of naval flying, my grandfather, among them’. To find out more about Navy Wings and to become a supporter visit www.navywings.org.uk

21 Fairey Swordfish biplanes attacked the Italian Battle Fleet at Taranto, ending the era of the big-gun battleship. Pictured here is Fairey Swordfish II LS326, one of the last remaining Swordfish flying in the world.

The Royal Navy’s first aircraft carrier, HMS Argus was launched in December 1917, marking the beginning of more than 100 years of British carrier aviation.

HMS Eagle was the first carrier to have a purpose-built island on the deck to help with aircraft operations.

When HMS Ark Royal was decommissioned in 1979, she became the last RN carrier to use catapults and arrester gear. Opposite page: The Royal Navy has once again pioneered Carrier Strike design philosophy with the twin islands of the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.

STOVL capability enabled the Harrier force to launch and recover in appalling weather and far higher sea states than would have been possible in Phantoms and Buccaneers. 100 years after HMS Argus was commissioned, HM Ships Prince of Wales and Queen Elizabeth not only reflect this unrivalled tradition of pioneering naval engineering, but with their revolutionary F-35B jets, they will be two of the most modern and powerful aircraft carriers in the world, providing the UK with a formidable and highly versatile defence capability to meet the uncer- tain demands of another century. Air power remains the predom- inant medium used to most effectively inflict a decisive blow on an enemy. The challenges and threats faced by our globalised world have never been greater, and it will be carrier-borne aircraft, able to operate at sea for long periods, fully worked-up in the two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, that will be critical to the UK and our allies in the decades ahead. With the arrival of HMS Prince of Wales, the UK can now play her full part, showing again that our arm is long, with fist at the end of it capable of striking with decisive force. With their great mobility and flexibility, Britain’s two aircraft carriers and their embarked aircraft will unequivocally prove that our defence capability will depend as never before on our ability to find, fix and finish whatever threatens us by sea.