Feb 22
Starboard bow view of llustrious-class aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable at anchor off Norfolk, Virginia, on November 21, 1941.
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Starboard bow view of llustrious-class aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable at anchor off Norfolk, Virginia, on November 21, 1941.
@WW2facts via X
Illustrious
The Fairey Swordfish. Affectionately called the "Stringbag" by pilots was the last operational biplane in history. A carrier launched torpedo plane, the Swordfish carried out a few very important operations, including the attack on the Italian Mediterranean fleet and in crippling the mighty Bismarck's rudder, allowing HMS King George V to finish her for good. Finally avenging the HMS Hood's terrible loss.
Ship cat of HMS Illustrious, 1953
One of the more inexplicable decisions of the 19th century Royal Navy is... that time they stopped caring about having an educational institution for properly educating midshipmen to be competent and knowledgeable officers? During the Pax Britannica, when Britain ruled the waves with a growing empire, and there was no need to cut corners this way??
Standards weren’t relaxed, and young gentlemen still had to pass their exam for lieutenant with six years of sea service, but the Royal Naval College to train them was abolished in 1837.
By 1838 educational provisions for young gentlemen had regressed to pre-1733 levels; circumstances that did not bode well for the academic (and professional) future of the officer corps. No significant improvements to the system took place until 1857, when Captain Robert Harris offered up his own son as a test case in order to experiment with officer training aboard HMS Illustrious. The success of Harris’s efforts saw ‘naval cadets’ (the new title for aspirants which superseded that of ‘1st-class volunteer’ in 1843) presented with the first programme of standardized education and training offered since the closure of the College.
— S.A. Cavell, Midshipmen and Quarterdeck Boys in the British Navy, 1771-1831
HMS Illustrious (1803) heading out of Table Bay in choppy conditions and a stiff breeze, by Thomas Whitcombe c. 1811 (detail) (Wikimedia Commons)
The Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Illustrious.
Sea Fury about land on the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious
This week in Azur Lane Figures: Livestream News
From the latest event livestream come a few unexpected figures and a highly anticipated one!
New manufacturer Thousand announces two 1/6 scales of Roon and Illustrious Muse. A pretty rare scale these days.
FREEing is now competing with ALTER for the most expensive schoolgirl Baltimore. She's 1/4 scale this time.
And Mimeyoi's 1/4 scale Shoukaku has been officially unveiled!