HMS Indomitable (pennant number 92) was a modified Illustrious-class aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy during World War II. Originally planned to be the fourth of the class, she was redesigned to enable her to operate more aircraft, 48 instead of 36. A second hangar was added above the original, raising the flight deck by 14 feet (4.3 m), although the hangar-side armour had to be reduced to compensate. The lower hangar was made shorter than the upper hangar due to the need for extra workshops and accommodation to support the added aircraft.
Indomitable was laid down by Vickers-Armstrong at Barrow-in-Furness, on 10 November 1937. She was launched on 26 March 1940 and commissioned the following year in October.
Following the Japanese entry to the war, HMS Indomitable along with HMS Formidable formed part of the Eastern Fleet. In May 1942, Indomitable supported the invasion of Vichy French controlled Madagascar. Indomitable’s air wing attacked ground targets and defenses.
In July 1942, Indomitable returned to the United Kingdom and participated in Operation Pedestal, a convoy to Malta. During the operation, she suffered two 500kg bomb hits and three near misses.
She sailed to the United States, where repairs were completed in February 1943, after which she immediately returned to the Mediterranean.
She was torpedoed on 16 July 1943 while supporting the buildup for the Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky) and returned again to the United States, where repairs were completed. She commenced sea trials 10 April 1944.
Indomitable returned to the Eastern Fleet in early 1944, where she and Victorious launched bombers against Sumatra in August and September. They later bombed the Nicobar Islands, after which Indomitable joined up with Illustrious to attack Medan and Sumatra again on 20 December. The following year, Indomitable joined the British Pacific Fleet. On 4 January 1945 along with Victorious and Indefatigable attacked Medan. Subsequent actions were taken against Palembang and Sumatra, later in January. On 4 May 1945 she was hit by a kamikaze, but her armoured flight deck saved her from serious damage. In August, with the war ending, Indomitable supported the liberation of Hong Kong.
On 3 February 1953, she was badly damaged by an internal fire and explosion; the damage was later covered in concrete and never repaired. Indomitable returned to the reserve fleet, and in October 1953 she was placed in unmaintained reserve. She was sold for scrap and arrived at Faslane for breaking up on 30 September 1955.
HMS Indomitable Striking Albacore aircraft below, during 1940HMS Indomitable seen in late 1941 or early 1942HMS Indomitable seen in late 1941 or early 1942Seen from the flight deck of HMS Victorious, a Fairey Albacore takes off from HMS Indomitable3 – 10 August 1942 Photograph taken from the after end of Victorious’ flight deck showing HMS Indomitable and Eagle12 August 1942 HMS Indomitable maneuvering astern of HMS Victorious.HMS Indomitable seen with Fairey Albacore’s on the flight deck in early 1943HMS Indomitable seen in April 1943The Royal Marines’ band playing aboard HMS IndomitableHM ships Victorious, Formidable, Unicorn, Indefatigable and Indomitable San Pedro Bay Leyte 1945 Task Force 57HMS Indomitable May 1945 with Vought Corsair and Fairey Barracudas on the flight deckHMS Indomitable in Fremantle Western Australia during World War 2HMS Indomitable in Fremantle Western Australia during World War 2HMS IndomitableHMS Indomitable seen in June 1946HMS Indomitable, sometime during the 1950’sHMS IndomitableHMS IndomitableHMS Indomitable in the Atlantic in choppy seasHMS Indomitable arriving at Devonport, EnglandHMS Indomitable with Hawker Sea Hurricanes on deckH.M. King George VI seen arriving on HMS Indomitable.HMS IndomitableHMS IndomitableHMS Indomitable firing anti-aircraft guns
HMS Indomitable at Norfolk 1941
November 21, 1941 HMS Indomitable at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia for repairsNovember 21, 1941 HMS Indomitable at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia for repairsNovember 21, 1941 HMS Indomitable at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia for repairs
HMS Indomitable 16 July 1942
HMS Indomitable 16 July 1942HMS Indomitable 16 July 1942HMS Indomitable 16 July 1942HMS Indomitable 16 July 1942HMS Indomitable 16 July 1942HMS Indomitable 16 July 1942
Operation Pedestal 12 August 1942
August 12, 1942 HMS Indomitable seen under attack by German aircraft during Operation PedestalAugust 12, 1942 HMS Indomitable seen under attack by German aircraft during Operation PedestalA near miss on HMS IndomitableAugust 12, 1942 HMS Indomitable seen under attack by German aircraft during Operation PedestalHMS Indomitable on fire after being attackedHMS Indomitable on fire after being attackedHMS Indomitable on fire after being attackedAugust 12, 1942 HMS Indomitable seen under attack by German aircraft during Operation PedestalHMS Indomitable listing to port after the attackBomb damage to HMS IndomitableBomb damage to HMS Indomitable’s flight deckDamage to HMS Indomitable’s flight deck
HMS Indomitable at Norfolk 1944
March 30, 1944 HMS Indomitable at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VirginiaMarch 30, 1944 HMS Indomitable at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VirginiaMarch 30, 1944 HMS Indomitable at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VirginiaMarch 30, 1944 HMS Indomitable at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VirginiaMarch 30, 1944 HMS Indomitable at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia
HMS Indomitable in Rosyth May 1944
HMS Indomitable in Rosyth May 1944HMS Indomitable in Rosyth May 1944HMS Indomitable in Rosyth May 1944HMS Indomitable in Rosyth May 1944HMS Indomitable in Rosyth May 1944
Kamikaze Attack
April 1945 kamikaze attack on HMS Indomitable near missApril 1945 kamikaze attack on HMS IndomitableApril 1945 kamikaze attack on HMS Indomitable
HMS Indomitable Post-War
HMS Indomitable 1945. The war has just ended and the ship is being given a thorough painting and cleaning before returning home.HMS Indomitable, possibly at Colombo, Ceylon in April 1946HMS Indomitable, possibly at Colombo, Ceylon in April 1946HMS Indomitable seen in 1952 departing PlymouthHMS Indomitable, at sea, during home fleet maneuvers, 1951de Havilland Sea Hornet takes off from HMS Indomitable June 1952HMS Indomitable seen at Casablanca, Morocco in March 1953 during her last Mediterranean CruiseHMS Indomitable seen at Casablanca, Morocco in March 1953 during her last Mediterranean CruiseHMS Indomitable seen at Casablanca, Morocco in March 1953 during her last Mediterranean Cruise
Fire 3 February 1953
Major fire on 3 February 1953 on HMS IndomitableMajor fire on 3 February 1953 on HMS IndomitableMajor fire on 3 February 1953 on HMS IndomitableMajor fire on 3 February 1953 on HMS IndomitableMajor fire on 3 February 1953 on HMS Indomitable
Aircraft Operations
de Havilland Sea Hornet
de Havilland Sea Hornet takes off from HMS Indomitable June 1952HMS Indomitable with a Sea Hornet on her flight deck
Fairey Albacore
Hawker Sea Hurricanes and Fairey Albacores on the flight deck of HMS Indomitable during a Malta convoyHMS Indomitable Striking Fairey Albacore aircraft below, during 1940.Fairey Albacore on the elevator of HMS IndomitableHMS Indomitable seen with Fairey Albacore’s on the flight deck in early 1943.Fairey Albacore bombing and torpedo carrying aircraft assembled on the flight deck of HMS Indomitable 16 June 1942Capt T Trowbridge, Capt of HMS Indomitable on his bridge (pointing skywards) watching operations. On the flight deck are Fairey AlbacoresFairey Albacore landing on the flight deck of HMS Indomitable 16 June 1942Fairey Albacore’s seen on the flight deck of HMS Indomitable.
Fairey Barracuda
Fairey Barracuda with bombs loaded, taking off from HMS Indomitable for Padang 24 August 1944Fairey Barracuda on HMS Indomitable August 1944Fairey Barracuda on HMS Indomitable August 1944Fairey Barracuda being armed 23 – 24 August 1944 HMS Indomitable. For a raid on the west coast of SumatraFairey Barracuda of 812 Sqn HMS Indomitable in the Far EastLooking down on the Vought Corsair and Fairey Barracuda aircraft on HMS Indomitable May 1945Fairey Barracuda is being ditched overboard after a crashFairey Barracuda is being winched over the side after a crash
Fairey Swordfish
A Fairey Swordfish flies low over the HMS Indomitable to drop a sleeve target. Immediately below, a game of hockey in progress on the flight deck.
Grumman Avenger
Avenger of 857NAS returning from a strike against the Sakishima Islands lands with only one wheel downAvenger of 857NAS returning from a strike against the Sakishima Islands lands with only one wheel downRear Admiral Harcourt Commander-in-Chief Hong Kong, and Guard of Honour on the flight deck of HMS Indomitable. Grumman Avengers are on the flight deckHMS Indomitable in April 1944 carrying Avengers.HMS Indomitable in April 1944 carrying Avengers.
Grumman Wildcat
Grumman Wildcat of 806 NAS, landing on HMS Indomitable (92) during the convoy battles to supply Malta in August 1942.
Hawker Sea hurricane fighters on HMS IndomitableHawker Sea Hurricanes and Fairey Albacores on the flight deck of HMS Indomitable during a Malta convoyArming a Hawker Sea Hurricane fighter on board HMS Indomitable 12 August 1942A Hawker Sea Hurricane fighter taking off from HMS Indomitable 12 August 1942Sea Hurricanes return to the flight deck of HMS Indomitable after a patrolSea Hurricane Mk.IB 6J P5206 of 800 NAS HMS Indomitable Mediterranean 1941
Supermarine Seafire landing on HMS IndomitableSupermarine Seafire landing on HMS IndomitableSupermarine Seafire IICs in HMS Indomitable’s hanger 1943Supermarine Seafire F Mk.II fighters on HMS Indomitable, Mediterranean Sea.
Vought Corsair
Looking down on the Vought Corsair and Fairey Barracuda packed flight deck of HMS Indomitable
