The British 'Cold War Carrier' - HMS Eagle R05

HMS Eagle was laid down during WW2 but served the UK and NATO into The Cold War and the jet age.
In the final years of World War Two, the British Royal Navy had begun construction of the Audacious Class of aircraft carriers. The 4 ships were HMS Audacious, HMS Irresistible, HMS Africa and HMS Eagle.
The were designed to help win the war but also to accommodate the larger, next generation of aircraft that were in development.
They were not completed by the end of world war 2 and due to financial restraints, HMS Africa and HMS Eagle were cancelled.
HMS Irresistible and HMS Audacious would continue however and were renamed Ark Royal and Eagle, after previous lost carriers.
These aircraft carriers would help develop the British Royal Navy and their carrier fleet technology and see large changes to aviation at sea. From propeller driven aircraft and into the jet age with the McDonnel Douglas F4 Phantom.
She would see action in the Suez Crisis as well as playing her part in major NATO exercises as the cold war intensified.
Several refits and rebuilds would see the evolution of the angled flight deck as well as optical landing systems.

HMS Eagle was a formidable aircraft carrier that helped develop military aviation at sea and moved most definitely into the jet age.

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Credits & Attributions

[Sh_rib]

Nice to see a video of HMS Eagle, often playing second fiddle to HMS Ark Royal.

[mattrandle]

My late father John (Brian) Randle served on Eagle during suez, as a young boy i went out to the Eagle in 1976 moored in the Tamar and me and a friend climbed on the pontoons surrounding her and climbed the staircase attached to the side, I took some of the deck badges off her with a knife, we couldn't access the flight deck or any other part of the ship, just the area where the stairs were attached. When i got home and showed my dad, amazingly it was the deck and section where he was stationed, during his time on board.

[adrianhutchings]

Great video.
In 1959, as a 7-year-old, I went to lunch on board HMS Eagle when she was anchored in Grand Harbour, Malta. My father was a Lt Comm based in HMS Phoenicia, Manoel Island. Somehow, he wangled a trip for us out to the carrier in the Admiral's launch (from Fort St Angelo). A memorable day out for a 7-yr old!

[MegaDadH]

I was lucky enough to have seen HMS Eagle as it was moored in the Tamar in 1977, it was an imposing yet sad sight to see a once magnificent ship, slowly decomposing . Great Vid!

[mashbury]

I remember Eagle sitting for years in the Hamoze in the Tamar waiting for her end.. was a very sad sight for a great ship ..

[calibrazxr]

My father was serving on the Eagle in 1969, which enabled my parents to have me christened on it by the padre. Something I only discovered years later when i found my christening certificate while going through some old papers and photos.

[raypitts]

i remember hms eagle
also had the only comic dad would let me have
as it was modern and helped with my technical learning
THE "EAGLE" 1952 still have few copies

[markchip]

With both of my parents serving in the Royal Navy and mum's connection therein to the Fleet Air Arm, combined with a fascination with the sheer concept of aircraft flying from and landing on a ship, I always maintained an emotional link with aircraft carriers. I even remember as a small child going aboard Ark Royal and Fearless (during "Navy Days") and then in my teens as a CCF cadet spending a (horribly seasick!) week on a frigate in the North Sea!

It was that last nauseous venture that ultimately convinced me that I should abandon any idea of joining the RN to follow in my parents' footsteps!!

But I'll still avidly watch ANY video about carriers to this day!!

[montyzumazoom]

My late father in law was on the Implacable as part of the British Pacific fleet in WW2
He was a fleet air arm observer, rising to the rank of Lieutenant commander.

[richardthornton]

Another great video thank you mate, I always enjoy them👍

[kiwifruit]

Excellent work although I believe HMNZS Otago was a Frigate shown next to an aircraft carrier in the photo

[lanselithgow]

Had Eagle been upgraded n kept in service with Ark Royal, there would not have been the Falklands War.

[davidb]

So good to see a video on this ship Hms Eagle it’s always hms Ark Royal etc etc
So many people have confirmed she was a better ship than Ark Royal
There is a great book by Neil McCarthy on Eagle as well
Well done for this video

[deborahhall]

My father in law was the cook on this carrier as well as the Ark Royal in the 50s

[eyesofisabeloriginal]

HMNZS Otago (F111) was a Type 12 AS Frigate, certainly not an aircraft carrier.
She is seen escorting the Essex class carrier USS Bennington (CV 20).

[peterm]

Good job . Good footage good pace and good information .

[markbaker]

My dad served on the eagle, I believe in 65 as we have family pictures from Singapore and Aden, would be greatful for more info from this period as dad has sadly passed and I’d like to learn more x

[trevorelliott]

My Dad worked on Eagle between 44 and 46 as a marker boy, his first ever job

[ronaldnolan]

I remember seeing her in Weymouth Bay, Dorset many, many years ago as Portland naval base was open for navy day.

[nodannyboy]

My uncle Richard Brown was on Eagle. It was his first ship and he took part in the withdrawal from Aden