Penultimate voyage for HMS Invincible ?

Great photos Paul F, yeah shame about the weather. 🙁

Paul F, thanks for the pics. I guess the weather suited the occasion 🙁

I’d feel a lot better if the CVFs were getting built as they begin retiring the Invincible class and Sea Harriers.

Invincible’s Arrival in Portsmouth – More Photos

On deck were a solitary Sea Harrier (ZH900 I think) tied down on the Ski jump, and a single Sea King amidships.

Finally some shots of Illustrious and Invincible together from the harbour itself. Illustrious to left, Invincible to the right.

Paul F

Photos of Invincibles Arrival in Portsmouth Monday 1st August

As promised in post above, some photos…apologies fo rthe quality, they are uneditted, and weather was apalling during the day. As mentioned we were only there by chance, so apologies for misc. obstructions in frames.

Firstly the flypast – three SeaKings (possibly the bad weather prevented any SeaHarrier flypasts?). Also a Chinook, though this may not have been part of the flypast – could perhaps have been in use as a photo-ship?

Secondly some photos of Invincibles arrival – Scots Pipers on the Ski Jump, arrival at her berth, and some top brass aboard.

See also next post

Paul F

Invincible Arrival – Portsmouth

Took the family to Portsmouth Dockyard for a day trip on Monday, without any idea we would see Invincible arrive for the last time. Fortunately we found out, and found a fairly good spot to see her arrive and tie up (or whatever the correct nautical term is – I’m a planes fan rather than ships fan)

Flypast was three Seakings – presumably from her carrier air group. Will post my photos on the thread once I’ve downloaded them. She had a single Sea Harrier parked on the Ski-Jump, and one Sea King left on deck with rotors stowed when she came alongside at Portsmouth. Having seen her arrive from the dockyard side we then took a harbour tour to see her tied up next to Illustrious which is also at Portsmouth at present.

We were told that Illustrious has recently emerged from refit, and Ark Royal should emerge from refit next year, but unfortunately it’s the end for Invincible. She is due to be decomissioned shortly, put into the reserve fleet, then possibly sold to Australia, or even broken up .

In theory RN expects two new carriers in a few years time (to take the JSF), but who knows if they will ever be built/commissioned.

Having been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time I had been wondering whether to post my photos on one of the threads, I think I will. Hope to post photos lunchtime today, on this thread, though may post on Historic too, as Sea Harrier is now almost history too.

Paul F

If, she is not sold? Maybe, they could turn her into a Naval Museum? Her hanger could hold many aircraft. 😀

Great ship Just like its Sea Harriers irreplacable . Now we have to rely on new carrier that has yet to be finalized with a fighter that has yet to take to the skies let alone drop a bomb or fire a missle!

Any photos of the flypast today?

The Invincible class carriers have been extremely effective ships and a real work horse for the Royal Navy, such a sad day. 🙁 At least the RN will have the other two carriers kicking about for a bit longer. 😉
The MoD have kept it very hush hush on what will happen, I for one ain’t got a clue.

So sad, we know this day had to come but so soon? I still wonder what they will do with these when they are retired?