Aircraft Carrier histories. Royal Navy aircraft carriers of the Eagle Class. Aircraft carrier history of HMS Eagle from its launch 19th March 1946 to its participation in conflicts also notice board for naval enthusiasts & families of ex-crew of the carrier HMS Eagle.

Displacement: 43, 340 tons (1957), 54,100 tons (1964).     Draught: 33ft.     Compliment: 2500.     Length: 804 ft.    Beam: 135 ft.     Speed: 32 Knots.     Armament: Sixteen 4.5 inch guns in pairs with 40mm Bofors in various arrangements.     Aircraft: 65.

Eagle was broken up at Cairnryan. I served on Eagle during 1971 - 1972 during her last commission and on retiring from the Royal Navy shortly afterwards moved to Northern Ireland and took employment with the Shipbuilder Harland and Wolff, which was where Eagle was built.  So there was a good deal of interest by myself and my shipyard colleagues when Eagle was finally towed to Cairnryan, on the Scottish shore just upposite Larne.  I well remember seeing Eagle at various stages of her dismantling on occasions when travelling between Larne and Stranraer and Cairnryan and thinking what a sad site it is to see a ship being broken up. (This information supplied by Tony Sheppey)

HMS Eagle, c.1952.

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  XMP786

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HMS Eagle, May 1959.

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  XMP787

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HMS Eagle, May 1959.

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  XMP788

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HMS Eagle, December 1964.

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  XMP789

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HMS Eagle, August 1972.

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  XMP790

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP790

HMS Eagle, August 1972.

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  XMP791

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP791

HMS Eagle, laid up, August 1974.

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  XMP792

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP792

HMS Eagle, laid up, August 1974.

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  XMP793

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP793

HMS Eagle pictured c. December 1951

Original Post card for sale Priced £20. Order Code  PHA027

HMS Eagle moving at speed in the Mediterranean (photographs courtesy of Neil McHart and FAN Publishing from the book HMS Eagle see bottom of page).

HMS Eagle anchored at Spithead in March 1952. Parked on the after end of the flight deck are three Firebrand torpedo/strike aircraft of 827 squadron, which were phased out of service that year (photographs courtesy of Neil McHart and FAN Publishing from the book HMS Eagle see bottom of page).

HMS Eagle circa 1951

Original Postcard.  Published by J Abrahams & Sons  Price £18.  Click here to order.  Order Code  PHA028

HMS Eagle.

Original Gale & Polden Ltd Postcard.  Price £15.  Click here to order.    Order Code PHA066

A firebrand is caught by HMS Eagle's barrier

With repairs to the funnel completed, the Eagle sailed for the Mediterranean. She is shown here arriving at Gibraltar on Monday 13th June 1955 (photographs courtesy of Neil McHart and FAN Publishing from the book HMS Eagle see bottom of page).

• 1951 - Captain G Willoughby, RN
• 1952 - Captain A N C Bingley OBE, RN
• 1953 - Captain D E Holland-Martin, DSO, DSC, RN
• 1955 - Captain E D G Lewin, CBE, DSO, DSC, RN
• 1956 - Captain H C D MacLean, DSC, RN
• 1957 - Captain M Le Fanu, DSC, RN
• 1958 - Captain J B Frewen, RN
• 1963 - Captain L D Empson, RN
• 1965 - Captain J C Y Roxburgh, DSO, DSC, RN
• 1967 - Captain J E Pope *
• 1968 - Captain J D Treacher, RN
• 1970 - Captain I G W Robertson, DSC, RN

Items marked * contributed by J & S Wilson