R12

Length:

686' Waterline
737' Overall

Beam:

90' (Hull), 100' (Flight Deck)

Draught:

22" Mean
27' Deep Load

Displacement:

18,300 Tons Standard
24,500 Deep Load

Armament:

32 x 40mm 

Aircraft:

Machinery:

Parsons geared turbines
4 admiralty 3-drum boilers
2 Shafts
SHP = 80,000

Speed:

29.5 Knots

Complement:

1,390

Built by:

Vickers-Armstrong (Barrow)

Laid down:

21/06/44

Launched:

16/02/53

Commissioned:

18/11/59

Battle Honours:

Crest/Badge:

Messenger of the Gods

Motto:

Altiora peto: I seek higher things

Pennant Number:

Other ships in the class:

CENTAUR, ALBION & BULWARK.

Fate:

1960 Deployed 'East of Suez'.

1960's Subsequently to the Far East and Mediterranean.

1971 She was converted at Devonport to a Commando Carrier and deployed to the Atlantic.

1976 Hermes was again converted, only this time to an ASW Carrier with helicopters onboard, but still retaining her Commando Carrier capabilities.

1978 Sea Harrier trials conducted.

1980 Modified with a with a ramp forward as a Sea Harrier strike carrier.

1982 Flagship of the Falklands Task Force after Argentines invaded the Falkland Islands in the Spring,

1983 November, returned to Devonport for a minor refit before entering reserve.

1984 In Reserve.

1986 Purchased by India for £50,000,000 and had an extensive refit in Devonport costing £15,000,000.

1987 Commissioned into the Indian Navy and renamed VIRAAT (R22).

2002 Still in service.