HMS Formidable
Survived
| Type | Aircraft carrier |
|---|---|
| Class | Illustrious |
| War | Second World War |
| Main guns | 8 × twin 4.5 in (110 mm) DP guns |
Her Albacores torpedoed Vittorio Veneto and stopped Pola at Matapan. Badly damaged by German dive bombers off Crete.
Armament and specifications
Armament
- 8 × twin 4.5 in (110 mm) DP guns
- 6 × octuple 2 pdr (40 mm (1.6 in)) AA guns
Armour
- Waterline belt: 4.5 in (114 mm)
- Flight deck: 3 in (76 mm)
- Hangar sides and ends: 4.5 in (114 mm)
- Bulkheads: 2.5 in (64 mm)
| Builder | Harland & Wolff |
|---|---|
| Laid down | 17 June 1937 |
| Launched | 17 August 1939 |
| Commissioned | 24 November 1940 |
| Displacement | 23,000 long tons (23,369 t) (standard) |
| Length | 740 ft (225.6 m) (o/a) 710 ft (216.4 m) (waterline) |
| Speed | 30.5 knots (56.5 km/h; 35.1 mph) |
| Complement | 1,299 |
As built, from the ship's Wikipedia article. Figures there may cover later refits too.
Career
Launched
17 August 1939
Battle of Cape Matapan
Survived
27–29 March 1941
Her Albacores torpedoed Vittorio Veneto and Pola
Battle of Crete
Damaged
20 May – 1 June 1941
Hit by two bombs on 26 May
Operation Goodwood
Survived
22–29 August 1944
Fate
Survived
Sold for scrap, January 1953