Below are some great shots of everyday operations on two Royal Navy carriers- H.M Ships Ark Royal and Eagle. They were kindly provided by John Eacott of the Helicopter Service Australia, who served aboard Eagle, Ark Royal, Hermes, Albion and Bulwark. Pictures remain copyright of Helicopter Service Australia.
Above: Aircraft carrier in action- A Vixen is recovered by H.M.S Eagle while two Wessex helicopters standby. © Helicopter Service Australia.
Above: A Wessex helicopter in Search and Rescue colours lands on no.3 spot on Ark Royal's flight deck.© Helicopter Service Australia
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Above: An unusual cross sectional view of Ark Royal taken from the aircraft lift well showing the flight deck with the upper hanger below. © Helicopter Service Australia
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Above: (left) A view of aircraft arranged on flight deck of Ark Royal and (right) sister ship Eagle refuels the British Leander Class Frigate Arethusa during the Bangladesh relief operation. © Helicopter Service Australia
Above: RFA tanker Olna as seen from H.M.S Eagle. The vessels are pictured operating off New Zealand's South Island in heavy seas in 1970. © Helicopter Service Australia.
Above: Phantom aircraft arranged on the flight deck of Ark Royal. Notice the folded nose of the aircraft closest to the camera. © Helicopter Service Australia
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Above: Two views of Ark Royal at sea. © Helicopter Service Australia.
Above: H.M.S Eagle is pictured off Penzance in Cornwall as 826 Squadron disembark. Notice the large red 'E' painted on the carrier flight deck. This deck code allows pilots to easily identify their ship whilst in flight. © Helicopter Service Australia.
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© Written and researched by Jeremy Olver. First uploaded 3rd September 2000. Disclaimer.