until Mar 1959 the grounded Whirlwind HAS.7 of 824 NAS lightered aboard from HMS Victorious in the Mediterranean, for transport back to UK for rectification.
1959-may-16
Port Visit
Ship Open to Visitors at HMNB Devonport for Navy Days 1959.
1959-oct-30
Refit
SLEP Refitair direction radar Type 984 at HMD Devonport until May 1964, major refit to have flight deck angle increased to 8.5 degrees, 2 new steam catapults, a Type 984 radar installed and her guns replaced with 6 (not 4) Seacat missiles. 1st Carrier to fire a Seacat in 1964.
departed HMNB Devonport for 13 month Far East deployment, leaving Far East on 20 Apr 1966 and returning on 22 Aug 1966
1965-sep
Deployment
Aden Harbour Departed Malta to assist with deteriorating security situation in Aden, in company with HMS Lowestoft, RFA Tidesurge and RFA Reliant, arriving off Aden on 1 Oct.
1965-nov-25
Deployment
Mozambique Channel stood off Mozambique from mid Nov to discourage Rhodesian AF and provide initial air defence following Rhodesian UDI. Wessex of 820 Sq embarked. Relieved by HMS Ark Royal in Jan 1966.
1966-mar-15
Deployment
Mozambique ChannelBeiraBeira Patrol Beira Patrol, off Mozambique to enforce UN sanctions against Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Relieved HMS Ark Royal and in turn was relieved by HMS Ark Royal on 4 May.
1966-aug-27
Deployment
HMD DevonportNavy Days 1966 present at Plymouth Navy Days 1966
1966-sep
Refit
until Aug 1967, added a waist catapult and DAX II arrestor wires, suitable for the F-4 Phantom (which never happened operationally, although 3 weeks trials were held c Jun 1969) and full squadron helicopter operations
1967-aug-15
Deployment
departed HMNB Devonport for 10 month Indian Ocean and Far East deployment, returning via Cape of Good Hope (Suez Canal closed) on18 Jun 1968
1967-aug-17
Aircraft
Accident embarked 820 NAS Wessex HAS.1 XS869/064-E ditched, and was recovered same day.
1967-nov
Deployment
off AdenTF 945 until 28 Nov 1967, part of Task Force 318 to cover the British withdrawal from Aden during Operation Magister.
HMD DevonportNavy Days 1970 present at Plymouth Navy Days 1970.
1971-aug
Deployment
Rescue from ss Steel Vendor received distress call from ss Steel Vendor which was breaking up after running aground, west of the Philippines following Typhoon Elaine. Four 826 NAS Sea Kings winched the crew of 40 in high sea state and strong winds.