Implacable-class aircraft carrier
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (May 2008) |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators |  Royal Navy |
| Preceded by | Illustrious class |
| Succeeded by | Audacious class |
| Completed | Two |
| Retired | Two |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | list error: <br /> list (help) 26,000 tons standard 31,100 tons full load |
| Length | 765 ft 9 in (233.40 m) |
| Beam | 95 ft 9 in (29.18 m) |
| Draught | 26 ft (7.9 m) |
| Propulsion | geared steam turbines delivering 110,000 shp (82,000 kW) to four shafts |
| Speed | 32.5 knots (60 km/h) |
| Complement | 1,800 including aircrew |
| Armament | list error: <br /> list (help) eight twin QF 4.5-inch (113-mm) dual-purpose guns six octuple 2-pdr AA |
| Armour | list error: <br /> list (help) Belt: 4.5 inches (114 mm) Hanger sides: 1.5 inches (38 mm) Deck: 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Aircraft carried | Up to 81 in service, with a permanent deck park |
The Implacable class was a class of aircraft carrier employed by the Royal Navy in the second half of World War II. The class design was derived from the Illustrious class.
Design
The Implacable-class ships were built some 30 months after the Illustrious-class aircraft carriers. The Implacables were more closely related to HMS Ark Royal with hangar walls slimmed down which allowed a better weight distribution. A lower hangar was also introduced in the class. The class also had a fourth set of propulsion machinery which gave them extra speed similar to the American Essex class. By adopting a permanent deck park, these ships operated up to 81 aircraft while serving with the British Pacific Fleet in 1944 and 1945. These ships used the Fuze Keeping Clock AA fire control system and featured 4 Mk V High Angle Director Towers. The 8 twin turret 4.5" guns on these ships also featured Remote Power Control.
History
Both ships of the class were laid down in 1939 and launched in December 1942 and were completed in August and May 1944. The delayed build time was due to altered shipyard priorities. Upon completion, the class had a short career.
Indefatigable was a relatively new ship when she achieved the first landing by a twin engined aeroplane, a de Havilland Mosquito. She then joined the British Pacific Fleet. She also took part in air raids against the German battleship Tirpitz.
After the end of the Second World War, both ships were employed in the training role before being scrapped in 1955 and 1956 after hardly a decade of service. The decision to scrap the ships was due to the vast expense of modernising them along the lines of HMS Victorious.
See also
Media related to Implacable class aircraft carrier at Wikimedia Commons
Ships
- HMS Implacable, built by Fairfields in Govan
- HMS Indefatigable, built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Brown,D K. Nelson to Vanguard, 2000, Chatham Publishing
- Bishop, Chris & Chant, Chris. Aircraft Carriers, The World's Greatest Naval Vessels And Their Aircraft.
- Preston, Antony (2002). The World’s Worst Warships. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-754-6.
- Ireland, Bernard. The Illustrated Guide to Aircraft Carriers of the World. Hermes House, London, 2005. ISBN 1-84477-747-2