Aircraft Carrier histories. Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. Aircraft carrier history of HMS Hermes from its launch to its participation in major wars also notice board for families of ex-crew of the carrier HMS Hermes.

HMS Hermes was the first Aircraft Carrier to be designed and built for the Royal Navy. compared to its predecessors which has been converted form other ships.  HMS Hermes was ordered in July 1917 and laid down on the 15th January 1918. Hermes was built by Armstrong Whitworth (Parsons). and was launched ion the 11th September 1919 and commissioned into the royal navy in July 1923. HMS Furious would remain the only designed carrier in the Royal navy for 15 years until the construction of HMS Ark Royal.  She was built to the standards of a cruiser of the day with armour and armament and size making her a small carrier at the time of the outbreak of world war two.  She served most of her 1930's service life based at Wei-Hai-Wei (China station) until the outbreak of war when she was transferred to the east Indies station  to combat the threat from German surface raiders.  (Her Flag superior was changed to D)   In 1940   she was involved in a collision with the  Armed Merchant Cruiser Corfu. Hermes was badly damaged in the collision and had to be repaired in South Africa. After her repairs were done she was involved in attacks against German positions and shipping of the coast of east Africa.  She was transferred in 1942 to the Eastern Fleet and on the 9th April 1942. she was attacked and sunk by aircraft form the Japanese carriers Soryu, Akagi and Hiryu off the coast of Ceylon

The incomplete hull of HMS Hermes, 1920.

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HMS Hermes, 1924.

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HMS Hermes, October 1937.

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HMS Hermes, May 1937.

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HMS Hermes, October 1934.

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HMS Hermes, October 1934.

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  XMP722

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HMS Hermes, May 1936.

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  XMP723

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HMS Hermes, May 1937.

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  XMP724

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HMS Hermes, May 1937.

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  XMP725

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HMS Hermes c.1927

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HMS Hermes pictured c.1930.

Original book photo plate available, image size 7" x 4". Printed in 1930. Price £10 including post. Order code HAR75.

Displacement: 10, 850 tons.     Draught: 18ft 6ins.     Compliment: 700.     Length: 598 ft.    Beam: 70ft 3ins.     Speed: 25 Knots.     Armament: Three 5.5 inch guns, three single 4 inch AA guns and two sets of 0.5 inch AA guns in fours.     Aircraft: Initially 15 (Fairey III and Flycatcher) then 12 (Fairey Swordfish).

HMS Hermes moored at Honk Kong Harbour in the 1920's (photograph courtesy of Neil McHart and FAN Publications from the book HMS Hermes see bottom of page).

Hermes undergoes her trials in 1923 (photograph courtesy of Neil McHart and FAN Publications from the book HMS Hermes see bottom of page).

Having made a successful landing, Fairey Seal is taken in hand by flight deck handlers (photograph courtesy of Neil McHart and FAN Publications from the book HMS Hermes see bottom of page).

Hoisting a Fairey Flycatcher onto the flight deck

HMS Hermes circa 1920  

Original Post card for sale price £25. Order Code  PHA014

An aerial view taken by a Japanese pilot of Hermes on fire and listing to port shortly before she sank after an onslaught by Japanese naval bombers (photograph courtesy of Neil McHart and FAN Publications from the book HMS Hermes see bottom of page).

A Hawker Osprey is prepared for take-off (photograph courtesy of Neil McHart and FAN Publications from the book HMS Hermes see bottom of page).

HMS Hermes, Malta, 1920's.

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHA015

HMS Hermes from the air.  1934 - 36.  Sent in by Ira James.  

HMS Hermes China Station Sports Trophies, 1930 - 1933.

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The flight deck of HMS Hermes.

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• 1923 - Captain The Hon A Stopford CMG, RN
• 1925 - Captain C P Talbot DSO, RN
• 1927 - Captain R Elliot CBE, RN
• 1927 - Captain G Hopwood CBE, RN
• 1929 - Captain J D Campbell MVO, CBE, RN
• 1930 - Captain E J G Mackinnon RN
• 1932 - Captain W B Mackenzie RN
• 1934 - Captain The Hon G Fraser DSO, RN
• 1939 - Captain F E P Hutton RN
• 1940 - Captain R J F Onslow MVO, DSC, RN

HMS Hermes was built by Armstrong: Parsons, and launched 11th September 1919, HMS Hermes was the first Royal Navy aircraft carrier designed as an aircraft carrier. HMS Hermes served in the home fleet in 1939, East Indies 1939 - 1942. She was sunk by the Japanese aircraft off Ceylon on the 9th April 1942.

Displacement 10,850 tons, top speed of 25 knots and carried 15 aircraft HMS Hermes had a compliment of 664 excluding aircrew.