HMS Ark Royal farewell to the Tyne

HMS Ark Royal made a final visit to the River Tyne before being decommissioned after 25 years in service. Work began on the fleet flagship of the Royal Navy at the Swan Hunter shipyard in 1978. The vessel was launched three years later. The carrier is being retired early as part of cost-cutting measures announced by the UK government.

HMS Ark Royal's final visit to the Tyne - News - Videos & Photos - ChronicleLive

It is the fifth vessel to bear the proud name. Ark Royal was built by Swan Hunters Ship Builders' yard at Wallsend in December 1978 and launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. HMS Ark Royal was accepted into service on 1 July 1985 and finally Commissioned, again by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on 1 November 1985.
HMS Ark Royal is.4 metres (693 feet) long, has a maximum beam of 35 metres (114.7 feet) and a displacement of 20,235 tonnes. She is powered by 4 Olympus gas turbine engines (like Concorde's), which give a maximum speed in excess of 30 knots. A steeper ski jump than in the other ships of this class is fitted at the forward end of the flight deck.

HMS Ark Royal

The Royal Navy's last aircraft on a carrier until 2020 !