| Name: | ILLUSTRIOUS |
| Type: | Aircraft Carrier |
| Keel: | 01/10/1976 |
| Launched: | 01/12/1978 |
| Completed: | 20/06/1982 |
| Builder: | Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd |
| Yard: | Wallsend |
| Yard Number: | 102 |
| Dimensions: | 16000disp - 19810disp, 192.63 x 27.43 x 7.32(draft)metres |
| Engines: | 4 x Gas turbines, Olympus TM3B type, 97000hp |
| Engines by: | Rolls Royce Plc |
| Propulsion: | 2 x Screws, 30.0+knots |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Armament: | 1 x 2 & 1 x 1 x Sea Dart SAM; 2 x 1 x 20mm guns; 2 x 1 x 20mm Vulcan-Phalanx CIWS; |
| 22 x aircraft (Sea Harrier and/or Sea King) | |
| (Post refit: 3 x Goalkeeper CIWS guns; 22 x aircraft) | |
| History: | |
| 20/06/1982 | British Royal Navy |
| 2016 | Broken up |
| Comments: | Member of the INVINCIBLE Class and allocated pennant R06 |
| Ordered as a through deck cruiser & reclassified as an aircraft carrier in 1980s | |
| Fitted with a "ski jump" ramp to assist short take off Sea Harrier launches | |
| 2010: Harrier aircraft retired, operated as a helicoper carrier | |
| 2014: Withdrawn from service. Expected to be preserved. | |
| 07/12/2016: Left Portsmouth under tow for breaking up at Aliaga |
Above photo, taken 11/11/1978, is copyright of Dennis Maccoy
Note the anchor pockets in the above photos that were deleted before completion. Photo copyright of Dennis Maccoy
Above photo, taken 11/11/1978, is copyright of Dennis Maccoy
Above photo taken 26/11/1978 copyright of Dennis Maccoy
Above photo courtesy of Dave Wilkinson
Above photo, dated 16/05/1981, is copyright of Mike Ridgard. CLICK to enlarge/BACK to return
Above ILLUSTRIOUS passes ARK ROYAL. Photo is copyright of the Imperial War Museum
Above photo is copyright of Ken Lubi
Above photo is copyright of Ken Lubi
Above photo is courtesy of Photoship
Above: ILLUSTRIOUS heads for breaking up. Photo is copyright of Jeff Morgan
Above: ILLUSTRIOUS being broken up. Photo is copyright of Fatih Takmakli
Profile & Decks plans copyright of Bob Downey. Click HERE to enlarge
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