| Name: | HERCULES |
| Type: | Aircraft Carrier |
| Keel: | 14/10/1943 |
| Launched: | 22/09/1945 |
| Completed: | |
| Builder: | Vickers-Armstrong Ltd |
| Yard: | High Walker |
| Yard Number: | 61 |
| Dimensions: | 15700disp - 19500disp, 630.0 x 80.30 x 21.0(draft)ft |
| Engines: | 2 x Steam turbines, SR Geared, 40000shp |
| Engines by: | Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Co Ltd, Wallsend |
| Propulsion: | 2 x Screws, 24.5knots |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Armament: | 6 x 2 x 40mm AA, 20 x 1 x 40mm AA guns, 37 x aircraft, 1 x catapult |
| History: | |
| 07/1946 | British Royal Navy, but never commissioned |
| 01/1957 | Government of India |
| 04/03/1961 | Renamed VIKRANT |
| 31/01/1997 | Decommissioned |
| Comments: | Member of the Majestic Class of Light Fleet Carriers |
| 05/1946: Work suspended when about 75% complete | |
| 18/07/1946: Towed to the Gare Loch and laid up | |
| 1957 to 1961: Completed by Harland & Wolff with angled deck & steam catapults | |
| 1979 to 1982: Modernised, including fitting new engines | |
| 1989: Fitted with a ski jump on the flight deck for improved performance of Sea Harriers | |
| 1997: To be preserved as a museum ship at Mumbai | |
| 08/2013: Announced that she would be broken up | |
| 01/2014: Sold for breaking up, via an online aucton, for US$9.2m | |
| Purchased by a shipbreaker at Darukhana, Mumbai | |
| 22/11/2014: Breaking up commenced |
Above photo as HERCULES is courtesy of Kevin Blair. CLICK to enlarge/BACK to return
Above photo dated 18/07/1946 is copyright of France, Fenwick Tyne & Wear Co Ltd
Above photo as HERCULES laid up in the Gare Loch is copyright of the Imperial War Museum
Above photo as VIKRANT is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo as VIKRANT is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo as VIKRANT is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo as VIKRANT is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo as VIKRANT is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo shows VIKRANT ready for breaking up
Above photo of VIKRANT being broken up is copyright of Adam Cohn