Aircraft Carrier histories. Royal Navy Illustrious Class aircraft carriers. Aircraft carrier website dedicated to the history of HMS Illustrious, HMS Victorious, HMS Formidable, HMS Indomitable, HMS Implacable and HMS Indefatigable from their launch to their participation in major wars also notice board for families of ex-crew of Illustrious class carriers.

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.

HMS Victorious built by Vickers Armstrong on the Tyne laid down 4th of May 1937 Launched 14 Sept 1939 and completed 15th May 1941 Served in the Home Fleet 1941 - 43  moved to the South Pacific in 1943 and in 1944 to Home and Eastern Fleets and rejoined the Pacific fleet in 1945.  While in the Pacific was twice hit by KAMIKAZES.  Finally scraped in June 1969 at Faslane on the Clyde.

HMS Illustrious, October 1954.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP764

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP764

HMS Illustrious, Portsmouth, June 1951.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP763

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP763

HMS Illustirous, October 1954.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP765

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP765

HMS Illustrious, June 1951.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP761

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP671

HMS Illustrious, June 1951.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP762

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP762

HMS Illustrious, October 1947.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP759

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP759

HMS Illustrious, October 1947.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP760

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP760

HMS Illustrious, 1944.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP757

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP757

HMS Illustrious, 1944.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP758

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP758

HMS Illustrious, c.1940.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP755

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP755

HMS Illustrious, Malta, September 1943.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP756

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP756

The Chapel HMS Illustrious

Original postcard for sale Price £20 Order Code  PHA021

HMS Illustrious pictured July 1946

Original Wright & Logan Postcard 1946 approx.  Price £20.  Click here to order.    Order Code  PHA022

HMS  ILLUSTRIOUS BEING ATTACKED FROM THE AIR OFF STRAITS PANTELLERIA JAN.10TH 1941 Thanks to Syd Millen

HMS Illustrious.

Original Post Card for d sale price £20. Order Code  PHA023

HMS  ILLUSTRIOUS BEING BOMBED IN GRAND HARBOUR VALLETTA, JAN  1941 Thanks to Syd Millen

A Crash Landed plane on HMS Illustrious.

A Crash Landing on HMS Illustrious.  February 1946.  This crash killed pilot Lt Hutton, 887 Sqdn.

On HMS Illustrious.

Plane VR941.  1949.  The pilot escaped from this crash on Illustrious.

VR952 of 736 Sqdn on HMS Illustrious

VX651 52 TAG, 12-7-50.   Lt Boweman.

CW129 on Illustrious.

SW808 15-9-50, Lt Davison.  HMS Illustrious.

MB718 Ships Flt,   HMS Illustrious

VX650, 767 Sqdn, Dec 1949, HMS Illustrious

Aircraft landing on Illustrious, 1951

After a crash on Illustrious, 1951.

After a crash on Illustrious, 1951.

A landing on Illustrious, 1951.

HMS Victorious in Hong Kong c.1961. 

Original Post card for sale price £25 Order Code  PHA024

HMS Victorious in Hong Kong c 1961.

Original Postcard for sale Price £25. Order Code  PHA025

HMS Victorious, October 1945.

Original Wright & Logan Postcard.  Price £25.  Click here to order.    Order Code PHA064

HMS Victorious.

Original Gale & Polden Ltd Postcard.  Price £15.  Click here to order.    Order Code PHA069

HMS Formidable and HMS Implacable.

Contributed by Sandra Meacock.