FLEET AIR ARM

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1937, Page 12

FLEET AIR ARM

CONSTRUCTION OF CARRIERS

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, April 17.

The Ark Royal, first of the new air-1 craft carriers laid down for the Royal | Navy, was launched at Birkenhead this week, and is expected to be ready for j service next year. Her tonnage is ] 22,500, and her aircraft armament will I show a considerable increase on that of any previous British carrier. Her detail design will embody many improvements, making for augmented efficiency .of flying operations and of stowage of aircraft. Her defensive armament will, consist in a number of 4.5 in guns. Construction has begun nf two other carriers, the Illustrious and Victorious, which are scheduled for completion in 1939. These three ships will add greatly to the aerial fighting and reconnaissance resources of the Navy. In addition, many more cruisers and other ships are being fitted with catapults.for aeroplane launching. . Present plans envisage doubling the numerical strength of the Fleet Air Arm, while the, substitution of modern aeroplanes for the older craft now in service will mean a much more than proportionate increase in power and efficiency. Present establishment of first-line aircraft in British warships. is 217, of which about 160 are borne in aircraft carriers, 32 in catapultequipped battleships and cruisers, and lhe remainder at shore stations. Ex- j ' eluding the Argus,, which is used for training and artillery practice with radio-controlled target planes, the five I British carriers now in service have a j total capacity of 165 aeroplanes. ■ f