HMS Vengeance, a Colossus class
aircraft carrier, built at Swan Hunter, Wallsend. Shown in naval art print
by Ivan Berryman across HMS Vengeance flight deck with Vought F4U
Corsairs.
HMS
Vengeance. The Carrier was laid down on the 16th November 1942,
launched 23rd February 1944 and completed 15th January 1945 at the Swan
Hunter and Wigham Richardson. at Wallsend.. HMS vengeance was designed
to last for three years as a light Fleet carrier but still in service
today with the Brazilian Navy. HMS vengeance was
commissioned into he Royal Navy at Newcastle on the 15th January
1945 and planned to be part of the British Pacific Fleet. On the 15th
March 1945 went to the Mediterranean with 1850 sqd (flying Corsairs) and
812 squadron. barracuda's) for training. Arrived at Valletta Malta on
the 20th march 1945. Sailed for Australia via the Suez Canal,
passing Port Said on the 28th May 1945. Arriving in Sydney 23rd July
1945. Arrived at Hong Kong September 1945. spent three month at Hong
Kong and again sailed for Sydney for repairs in January 1946. From march
1946 she was used to Ferry aircraft from Singapore to Kure in Japan. and
on the 20th July 1946 sailed for Britain from Colombo. returning the Devonport
for refit 13th August 1946. Refit took four months , after refit HMS
vengeance was used as a training aircraft carrier and based at Rosyth in
|Scotland. On the 5th June 1947 as Flagship of Admiral Sir John
Cunningham The First Sea Lord. Visited Oslo. After Serving aga9in in The
Pacific Fleet she returned to UK for refit at Rosyth Dockyard on 3rdMay
1948.
July
1948 saw HMS vengeance visit The West Indies and South Africa as part of
the Home Fleet on In December 1948 after some modifications she
took part in Operation Rusty in the Arctic, This was to see the
effects of Extreme cold weather on the Service Personnel ships and Aircraft.
Types of aircraft participating were Dragonflies and Sea Vampires.
This series of tests proved to be very successful. After
Operation Rusty which lasted six weeks she returned again to Rosyth for
refit. August 1949 saw Hms vengeance in the Home Fleet and in January
1950 took part in the Home Fleet cruise in the Mediterranean. and on the
9th of January 1951 became Training aircraft carrier taking the responsibility
over from HMS Illustrious. August 1951 saw modifications
made at Portsmouth Dockyard and sailed for Singapore on the 20th January
1952 carrying Men and aircraft. arriving on the 18th February
1952. returning to Portsmouth on the 28th march 1952. Aga9in
sailing laden with Aircraft bound for Malta on 7th June 1952.
Directly after Malta, she returned to Singapore ands returning to
Portsmouth in August 1952. On the 13th November 1952 she was
loaned to Royal Australian navy while HMAS Melbourne was being
completed. and for 6 months in 1955 she was used as a training ship for
the Royal Australian navy. returning in August 1955 to Devonport
and into the reserve Fleet. being bought by Brazil soon after. She was completely
rebuilt in 1957 to 1960 in Rotterdam, Holland and commissioned into the Brazilian
Navy on the 6th December `1960. Where she still remains today.
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