HMS Ark Royal R09 fitting out at Cammell Laird 1950-1955 18 6 x 4 BW Photos

HMS Ark Royal was laid down in 1943 but not launched until 1950 and only commissioned in 1955, but as the last conventional carrier for the Royal Navy entered legend. We see the port side of the bow during fitting out in the non-tidal 15 acre Wet Basin at Cammell Laird in Birkenhead. Given a white undercoat prior to launch by Queen Elizabeth in 1950, ‘the Ark’s bows towered above the quayside. The starboard bow of the Ark is seen from the far side of the basin, and then a close up of the port name board, with shipyard workers to give an idea of size. Three views from the flight deck show the Aft radar, the stack, and the forr’ard radar. The port side 4.5” turret is seen from the flight deck and we see the starboard search light unit. Both boat cranes are covered and we see a row of life rafts abaft the port side boat crane. We see the barrels of the aft [port bofors mount and look from the quay with Cammell Laird warehouses on the eight. A view forward of the aft Bofors mount shows more life rafts, including oars. We study the port side near the waning board re propellorsa and the port side near the bows. The set concludes with two view of starboard side of The Ark from the fitting out basin. The views were taken to assist model making and should be of great value to a model maker or marine artist, and offer rare detail of this magnificent warship. A copy of these notes accompanies the set. These views are copyright; Reproduction by any means is prohibited without our prior written permission.

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D-Day fighter control, flak and Landing ships 22 6x4 BW Prints

As thoughts moved towards taking war to the enemy, the need for a vast array of specialised assault craft became apparent. Control of air space over the beaches was vital, so HMS Boxer, F121 of 1942 was converted to a Fighter Direction Ship with an array of radar aerials and masts. It had been built by Harland & Wolff in 1942, served off Normandy in 1944 and was placed in reserve in 1956. Another way to protect the beaches was with LCFs or Landing Craft Flak, using the German name for AA guns! LCF32 was fitted with 8 Oerlikons and 4 QF 2pdrs. LST (3) 398 is  Mk 3 Landing Ship Tank of 635-640Ts and was possible lost in the vicinity of Stornoway. We see a head on view with the ramp down on the beach and a broadside view as well. LCI 98 is a small Landing Craft Infantry. LCM 7013 is a Landing Craft Mechanised to deliver lorries and similar equipment to the beach head. The Newport News Shipbuilding Co produced some Landing Ship Dock (LSD) , which were 4032T displacement light and almost twice that when laden. They could carry mechanised vehicles in the well deck including several tanks or complete landing craft if the well deck was flooded. We see a stern view of an LSD, and a broadside view with an LCI alongside. We look from the superstructure across the well deck with the end ramp down as an amphibious vehicle is on the ramp. We look towards the bows with at least 4 vehicles including a jeep on the well deck. Twin funnels were provided one each side of the well deck. A ‘talker’ gave directions to the crane man and we see an army truck slung from one of the ship’s cranes. Two views depict the stern arrangements, one showing the well deck is marked with the depth of water if appropriate, up to 10 feet. Troops would want to visit the ‘head’ prior to assaulting the beachhead so a capacious toilet was provided. We look aft to the twin stacks.and look down on the open bridge and take a closer look at the search light, telegraph, binnacle etc. A copy of these notes accompanies this set of prints.