Description

Pictured during her final call to duty, the majestic Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal sailed into wind to recover Phantoms returning from a CAP mission. In operational service the Phantom provided immense additional capability to the Fleet Air Arm. Mach 2 performance, impressive range, all weather, strike and air defence.

In the 1970s HMS Ark Royal had a complement of 2250 crew (2640 including air staff) operating 39 aircraft comprising 892 Sqn. Phantoms, 809 Sqn. Buccaneers, 849 Sqn. Gannets and 824 Sqn. Sea Kings as well as two Ship’s Flight Wessex helicopters and one Gannet for carrier on-board deliveries. She entered HMNB Devonport for the last time on 4 December 1978 and was decommissioned on 14 February 1979 when the White Ensign was lowered for the last time. So ended the outstanding career of ‘R09’. A much loved and respected ship.