Naval Air Power for the 21st Century

...the Carrier Story Continues.

A new Exhibition at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

On 24 November 2010 the last fixed-wing aircraft took off from HMS Ark Royal and the ship herself was decommissioned in March 2011. Although new carriers were included in Ministry of Defence future planning, for the first time being at least, it seemed the only aircraft the Fleet Air Arm would operate at sea would be helicopters from ships such as HMS Ocean and HMS Bulwark. In spite of economic difficulties and constraints, construction of two new carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales will be operational by 2020.

This new gallery tells the next chapter in the proud and honourable history of aircraft carriers, naval aviation and the Fleet Air Arm. Using audio visuals, interactives, models, words and images it explains how these ships were built, how they will operate and what aircraft will be flown from them. There is a regularly updated diary from the pilots and ground crews currently training on the new, F35B strike aircraft and an opportunity to try your hand at landing on the flight deck and other activities.