HMS Illustrious visits Greenwich
Aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious was the centre of attention in Greenwich today as the Royal Navy celebrated the centenary of its air arm.
The Royal Navy's largest warship moored in the Thames as crew and invited dignitaries witnessed a fly past of ancient and modern aircraft this afternoon.
On May 7, 1909, the Admiralty set aside money for its first ship designed to carry aircraft and a century later its vessels carry around one third of the UK's air strength, some 250 aircraft and helicopters.
At the forefront of the fleet is HMS Illustrious, which was launched in 1978 and commissioned just after the end of the Falklands War in 1982.
She has seen plenty of action since, notably in the Persian Gulf during the early 1990s.
At 209 metres long, weighing 22,500 tonnes and with 18 decks Illustrious is the Navy's main strike warship, although its days are numbered.
The carrier, which can carry a complement of up to 700, will be decommissioned in 2014 and replaced with two new ships, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales at a cost of almost £4billion.
Older/Newer
« Station closures to hit DLR | Excel hotel given outline approval »
How long is the HMS Illustrious at Greenwich for?
Please can you Email me back today as we would like to visit it.
its there till monday x
She will be leaving Greenwich at around 3pm on Monday.
On Sat and Sun at 2pm there will be helicopter displays over the riverside by the Old Navy College.
There are also static displays of helicopters and aircraft in the grounds along with flight simulators and a host of other goodies.
My friends and I went to Gravesend Marina this afternoon, as we understood (from a phone call to the PLA) that Illustrious would be passing at approx. 5.15. We were there from about 4.00 till about 5.45 - with no sign. Any info on what's going on?
i've been told she couldn't leave due to the weather????? she is supposed to be leaving tuesday at approx 09:00, hope this helps
My dad rung the PLA in Gravesend and they said she would be either leaving at 4am or if not 3pm tomorrow if that helps any :)
I have just spoke to the PLA and she is still there and dosn't look like she will be leaving today due to the wind, they also said they cant give out navy information any due to security reasons. Anyone hear's anything please comment thanks
I saw her passing by the Old Naval College this morning at 5:00am - at high tide and surrounded by lots of pilot boats. It was a majestic sight, the ship sparsely illuminated in the greyish dawn :-)