1959    

UK Improved Centaur class

UK Centaur class

Aircraft Carrier

ships





  Specifications


2100crew
750troops
24900light (tn)
29000full load (tn)
236.14length (m)
27.50beam (m)
9draught (m)
28max speed (knots)
76000power (shp)

2Missile Launcher Sea Cat

5Naval Gun twin 40 mm

1Naval Radar air direction radar Type 984
1Naval Radar carrier controlled approach radar Type 963
1Naval Radar surface and low level air search radar Type 293

helicopter   Aircraft


Typical Max
UK Royal Navy Westland Whirlwind 08
UK Royal Navy Westland Wessex 014
UK Royal Navy Westland Sea King 09
IN Indian Navy Westland Sea King 07







  Shipyards


UK BAE Systems (Vickers) - 1



  List of Ships


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19591984UKRoyal NavyR12HMS Hermes GKZL - H
19872017 IN Indian Navy R22 INS Viraat





1 units



  Events


1944-jun-21Laid downLaid down UK R12 HMS Hermes as HMS Elephant, Yard No. 928
1953-feb-16LaunchedLaunched UK R12 HMS Hermes
1959-nov-25CommissionedCommissioned UK R12 HMS Hermes as HMS Hermes and based at HMNB Portsmouth
1959-nov-26DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes departed HMNB Portsmouth for Gibraltar for work up and returned to home waters to continue.
1960-jul-05AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes until Aug 1961 Whirlwind HAS.7 of 814 NAS embarked
1960-octAircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes temporary assignment of 824 NAS Whirlwinds until 17 Oct
1960-oct-07AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes 814 NAS Whirlwind HAS.7 XN313/282-H w/o Lough Foyle while HMS Hermes was operating in the Irish Sea. (Replaced on unit strength by XN386 as /282-H later in the same month).
1960-nov-07DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes departed HMNB Portsmouth for exercises in Mediterranean with HMS Ark Royal and HMS Victorious, sailed on 3 Dec for Far East station to relieve HMS Albion, returned to UK on 19 Apr 1961
1960-nov-30DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes joint US-UK exercise in Western Mediterranean, including HMS Ark Royal, HMS Victorious, USS Independence, USS Intrepid and USS Saratoga.
1960-dec-03DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes exercising in Mediterranean with HMS Ark Royal and HMS Victorious
1961-feb-03AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes 814 Sq Whirlwind HAS.7 XN312/281-H ditched and sank during recovery approach, S of Hong Kong on 3 Feb 1961
1961-marDeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes relieved of Far East duty by HMS Victorious, towards end of the month
1961-jun-29DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes Ordered to Gibraltar as a precautionary re-inforcement to units engaged in Operation Vantage off Kuwait, until mid Jul.
1961-aug-05Port VisitPort Visit UK R12 HMS Hermes present at Portsmouth Navy Days 1961, with the last public display for her embarked 814 NAS Whirlwinds, before re-equipping with Wessex.
1961-sep-11RefitRefit UK R12 HMS Hermes Major refit in Portsmouth which included arrangements for operating the Wessex, until 20 Apr 1962
1962-aprAircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes allocated Whirlwind HAS.7 XL852 as SAR Flt / 985-H until c Feb 1964
1962-mayAircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes until Aug 1963 Wessex HAS.1 of 814 NAS embarked
1962-may-25DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes departed HMNB Portsmouth for 5 month Mediterranean work-up deployment, returning 5 Oct.
1962-augDeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes operating off Portugal with HMS Centaur, USS Enterprise and USS Forrestal during, Exercise RipTide II.
1962-nov-13DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes Konfrontasi departed HMNB Portsmouth for 10 month Indian Ocean and Far East deployment via the Mediterranean, based from Singapore. Wessex HAS.1 of 814 NAS embarked. Relieved by HMS Ark Royal in Jul 1963 and sailed for the UK. Ordered to remain off Aden, she was replaced there by HMS Victorious in Red Sea, continuing on 21 Jul and returned Aug 1963.
1962-nov-13AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes prior to deployment for Far East later that day while still in the English Channel, the Fairey Swordfish which had been hoisted aboard for the Taranto Day celebrations on 11 Nov, flew off. Last departure of a Swordfish from a carrier.
1962-nov-16AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes SAR Flt Whirlwind XN360/986-H ditched and sank in the Irish Sea, en route Brawdy.
1962-dec-08AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes Whirlwind XK935 SAR Flt/985 since Oct 1962, ditched and sank, 23nm SW of Aden.
1963-jan-15AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes lost 814Sq Wessex HAS.1 XM924/344-H when ditched and sank 15 Jan 1963, while operating off Philippines.
1963-julAircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes Disembarked 814 NAS and replaced them in her air group by 819 NAS Wessex from Hal Far, until Feb 1964.
1963-aug-12AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes Lost 814Sq Wessex XM922/344-H when ditched and sank, 12 Aug 1963 while operating off Aden
1963-oct-04AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes lost 819 Sq Wessex HAS.1 XP145/323-H, when ditched and sank while operating S of Crete.
1964-febRefitRefit UK R12 HMS Hermes refit at HMD Devonport for c 2 years, emerging Spring 1966, able to host ASW Helicopters
1964-aug-01 UK R12 HMS Hermes present at Plymouth Navy Days 1964, in refit
1965-aug UK R12 HMS Hermes present at Plymouth Navy Days 1965, in refit
1966-marAircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes assigned Whirlwind HAR.9 XN258 to SAR Flt/336-H until c Nov 1966.
1966-sepAircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes until Feb 1968 Wessex HAS.1 of 826 NAS embarked and 2 SAR Flt Whirlwinds
1966-sep-21DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes departed HMNB Portsmouth for North Sea work-up, returning 18 Nov
1967-jan-16DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes departed HMNB Portsmouth for 9 month Indian Ocean and Far East deployment. Relieved HMS Victorious off Aden in Apr. Ordered back to Aden from Gan on 3 Jun as the Middle East six day war broke out. Reached Far East base at Singapore on 22 Jun. Departed Singapore on 4 Sep for the UK via Cape Town and arrived in Portsmouth on 2 Oct.
1967-jan-23AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes en route Malta from Gibraltar, 892Sq Sea Vixen ditched immediately following launch by catapult. 826 NAS Planeguard Wessex HAS.1 XS883/346-H on scene, was struck by the ship and lost.
1967-aprDeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes Eastern Mediterranean, after Greek military coup in Athens
1967-junDeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes assigned to Eastern Task Force off Aden, guarding interests during Middle East Six Day War.
1967-jun-22Port VisitPort Visit UK R12 HMS Hermes mid-deployment maintenance in Singapore, until 17 Jul.
1967-augDeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes following Cultural Revolution in China, reinforced Hong Kong after rioting continued.
1967-aug-09AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes 826Sq Wessex HAS.1 XS879/342-H ditched and sank while HMS Hermes operating off Subic Bay, Philippines
1967-aug-28Port VisitPort Visit UK R12 HMS Hermes 7 day visit to Fremantle, departing 4 Sep for UK via Cape of Good Hope.
1967-oct-31DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes departed HMNB Portsmouth for Middle East deployment, via Cape of Good Hope. After operating with HMS Bulwark and HMS Devonshire, she returned to Portsmouth on 19 Feb 1968.
1968-marRefitRefit UK R12 HMS Hermes short refit at HMD Portsmouth. Recommissioning on 17 May with many of the Ships Company from HMS Victorious.
1968-may-31AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes until Jun 1970 Wessex HAS.3 of 814 NAS embarked
1968-julDeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes departed UK for 9 month Indian Ocean and Far East deployment. Arrived Singapore on 31 Aug and returned to Portsmouth on 1 Apr 1969.
1968-sep-30DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes Exercise Coral Sands participated in Exercise Coral Sands (after joining with Amphibious Task Force in the Celebes Sea, earlier), until 13 Oct
1968-oct-14Port VisitPort Visit UK R12 HMS Hermes extended visit to Sydney, departed 31 Oct and re-embarked her Air Group from RANAS Nowra, in Jervis Bay.
1969-octDeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes departed UK for Mediterranean deployment; returned to HMNB Portsmouth on 22 Jun 1970
1970-oct UK R12 HMS Hermes towed from HMNB Portsmouth to HMNB Devonport, to await refit.
1971-mar-01RefitRefit UK R12 HMS Hermes air search radar Type 965 until 17 Aug 1973 at HMD Devonport to convert to Commando Carrier. Include removal of her Type 984 3D radar.
1971-aug-28 UK R12 HMS Hermes present (in refit) at Plymouth Navy Days 1971.
1973-augAircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes until Oct 1979 Sea King of 814 NAS embarked
1973-augAircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes until 1977 Wessex HU.5 from various detachments of 845 NAS embarked
1973-sep-22AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes 824 NAS Sea Kings assigned to HMS Hermes until Apr 1974
1974 UK R12 HMS Hermes In Gibraltar
1974-febDeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes departed UK for Western Atlantic deployment to Caribbean and Canada with Wessex HU.5 of 845 NAS embarked.
1974-julDeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes Partition of Cyprus Disembarked 41 Commando RM (from Malta) on Cyprus during the emergency, while Sea Kings from 814 NAS assisted evacuation of civilians from a beach near Kyrenia
1974-decRefitRefit UK R12 HMS Hermes alongside at HMD Devonport for an extended period of maintenance, until Feb 1975
1975-sep-01DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes departed HMNB Devonport for Mediterranean & North Sea deployment, until Dec.
1975-nov-17AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes Sea King XV695 accident, North Sea
1976RefitRefit UK R12 HMS Hermes to convert for Anti-Submarine helicopter operations
1976-aug-28Port VisitPort Visit UK R12 HMS Hermes present at Plymouth Navy Days 1976.
1977-junAircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes until Jul 1977 Wessex HU.5 of 846 NAS embarked
1977-jun-25DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes Fleet Review: Silver Jubilee of HM The Queen Present at Silver Jubilee Fleet Review, off Ryde Sand
1977-aug-27DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes present at Plymouth Navy Days 1977
1979-may-31AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes operated HMS Aurora Flight Wasp XT420 on loan for a month.
1980-janAircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes until Mar 1980 Sea King HAS.2 of 820 NAS embarked
1980-mar-20RefitRefit UK R12 HMS Hermes to convert for Sea Harrier operations with ski-jump deck, until May 1981
1981AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes until 1983 Sea King HC.4 from various detatchments of 846 NAS embarked
1981AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes until 1984 Wessex HU.5 from various detatchments of 845 NAS embarked
1981-mayAircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes until Jul 1982 Sea King HAS.5 of 826 NAS embarked
1981-aug-29DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes present at Portsmouth Navy Days 1981, Sea King HAS.5 XZ919 / 141-H on deck.
1981-sep-02DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes departed HMNB Portsmouth for N Atlantic and eastern USA deployment, returned Dec.
1982-aprDeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes Admiral Woodward s flagship for Operation Corporate in South Atlantic
1982-apr-05DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes Operation Corporate Flag ship for the large UK task force (Carrier Battle Group was designated Task Force 317.8) despatched to retake the Falklands. Departed HMNB Portsmouth on 5 Apr with nine of 846 NAS Sea King HC.4 on deck. Her air group was maximised with as many RN Sea Harriers as could be mustered.
1982-apr-23AircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes Sea King HC.4 ZA311 of 846 NAS/VP ditched and sank in poor visibility inside the Falkands Total Exclusion Zone.
1982-may-17DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes Operation Corporate Detached Sea King HC.4 ZA290 / VC of 846 NAS to HMS Invincible to take part in Operation Plum Duff.
1982-jul-03DeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes in Port William Sound to launch and recover aircraft for Port Stanley flypast
1982-augRefitRefit UK R12 HMS Hermes alongside maintenance at HMD Portsmouth, which was extended to include South Atlantic repairs, until Nov 1982.
1983-janAircraftAircraft UK R12 HMS Hermes embarked Sea Kings of 814 NAS as part of her Air Group until c Jun 1983
1983-sepDeploymentDeployment UK R12 HMS Hermes departed HMNB Portsmouth for Mediterranean deployment with mixed aviation assets of 845 NAS (Wessex) and 846 NAS (Sea King) embarked. Returned to UK on 22 Nov for the last time, to pay off.
1984-aprDecommissionedDecommissioned UK R12 HMS Hermes
1985Fate: transferedFate: transfered UK R12 HMS Hermes to India
1986RefitRefit IN R22 INS Viraat at HMD Devonport (UK) for Indian Navy service
1986-aprFate: transferedFate: transfered IN R22 INS Viraat bought by Indian Navy from RN (ex HMS Hermes)
1987-may-12CommissionedCommissioned IN R22 INS Viraat
1987-aug-21 IN R22 INS Viraat arrived Mumbai on 21 Aug with INAS 330 Sea Kings as part of her Air Group.
1993-sep IN R22 INS Viraat engine room flooded.
1999-julRefitRefit IN R22 INS Viraat until Apr 2001, included improvements to communications, weapons, hanger facilities and radars
2007-sep-04DeploymentDeployment IN R22 INS Viraat Exercise Malabar 07-2 Participated in multi-national exercise in Bay of Bengal, until 9 Sep.
2017-mar-06DecommissionedDecommissioned IN R22 INS Viraat
2020-sep-19Fate: scrappedFate: scrapped IN R22 INS Viraat towed from Mumbai for scrapping.









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