Laid down on 7 August 1942 and launched on 30 December 1943, HMS Venerable was a Colossus-class aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy. Commissioned on 7 January 1945, she sailed for the Far-East, but arrived in Sydney as the Japanese surrendered.
Post war, HMS Venerable participated in the re-occupation of Hong Kong and the repatriation of Allied Prisoners of War as well as Indian and Dutch nationals held prisoner by the Japanese. She sailed for the UK in March 1947, being laid up in Portsmouth from May 1947.
In 1948, she was sold to the Netherlands as HNLMS Karel Doorman. She remained in the Royal Netherlands Navy until 1968 when a fire caused extensive damage. She was sold to Argentina later that year, undergoing a major refit. She served the Argentine Navy as ARA Veinticinco de Mayo (V-2) until 1984.
Launching of HMS Venerable 30 December 1943Launching of HMS Venerable 30 December 1943Launching of HMS Venerable 30 December 1943HMS Venerable during acceptance trials.HMS Venerable during acceptance trials.HMS Venerable during acceptance trials.HMS Venerable June 1945HMS Venerable1945HMS Venerable1945HMS Venerable in drydock May 1945HMS Venerable information roomHMS Venerable seen at Hong Kong in 1945-46HMS Venerable June 25, 1947HMS VenerableHMS VenerableHMS VenerableHMS Venerable with Vought Corsair and Fairey Barracuda aircraft on deckHMS Venerable with Vought Corsair fighters on deckHMS Venerable
Aircraft Operations
Fairey Barracuda
Fairey Barracuda II of 814 Sqn over HMS Venerable and an attendant destroyer, the Italian Alfredo OrianiFairey Barracuda Mk.II of 814 Sqn from HMS VenerableSmoke curtain installation of a Fairey Barracuda aircraft on board HMS VenerableBombing up a Fairey Barracuda on the flight deck. The bomb is a 500 pound SAPVice Admiral Sir Louis Keppel Hamilton, KCB, DSO, Vice Admiral, Malta, and Flag Officer, Central Mediterranean, being greeted on the flight deck by Rear Admiral Cecil Harcourt, CB, CBE, and his Flag Lieutenant. Behind is the Fairey Barracuda in which he flew.
Grumman Hellcat
Grumman Hellcat landing aboard HMS Venerable in the Mediterranean Apr 1945
Vought Corsair
Vought Corsair landing accident April 1945 on HMS Venerable while in the MediterraneanVought Corsair on the lift of on HMS VenerableHMS Venerable with Vought Corsair and Fairey Barracuda aircraft on deckHMS Venerable with Vought Corsair fighters on deck
