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HMS Ark Royal

In the English Channel off the Isle of Wight, the Invincible-class aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal with families embarked for the day, seen from aboard HMS Boxer, a Type 22 Batch 2 anti-submarine warfare frigate.

 

The carrier class was originally described as "through-deck cruisers" in order to get round an Air Force-inspired ban on the acquisition of aircraft carriers.

 

This photo shows her still fitted with the twin Sea Dart surface-to-air missile launcher on the centre-line forward, something that was later removed, allowing more space for aircraft.

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Uploaded on October 25, 2006
Taken in June 1986