HMS Argus was a British aircraft carrier that served in the Royal Navy from 1918 to 1944. She was converted from an ocean liner that was under construction when the First World War began and became the first example of the standard pattern of aircraft carrier, with a full-length flight deck that allowed wheeled aircraft to take off and land.
During World War Two, she was used for training, aircraft transport and took part in Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa. Argus was scrapped in 1947.
HMS Argus under constructionHMS Argus soon after completionHMS Argus laying a smokescreen during trialsHMS Argus seen in 1918HMS Argus seen in 1918HMS Argus seen in 1918 in the Firth of Forth.HMS Argus 1918HMS Argus 1918Aerial view of ArgusHMS ArgusArgus underway in the early 1920s with a Blackburn Dart flying overheadArgus at anchor in the early 1920sArgus in the early 1920sHMS Argus seen after the 1925-26 refit.HMS Argus 1940HMS Argus with a Supermarine Walrus 1940HMS Argus Sep 1941HMS Argus 30 Jan 1942 and HMS Hermione1942 HMS Argus followed by HMS Eagle and HMS Malaya.HMS Argus 30 January 1942HMS Argus which acted as fighter escort, with HMS Eagle (centre) and the battleship HMS Malaya (right distance) prior to flying off to Malta of the Spitfires 7 Mar 1942HMS Argus which acted as fighter escort, with HMS Eagle and the battleship HMS Malaya prior to flying off Spitfires to Malta Mar 1942HMS Argus seen in 1943HMS Argus seen in 1943HMS Argus seen at Devonport Dockyard.
Argus underway in the early 1920s with a Blackburn Dart flying overhead
Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk. IB
Silhouette of a Sea Hurricane going up by lift to the flight deck from inside the hangar on board HMS Argus Aug 1943Silhouette of a Sea Hurricane going up by lift to the flight deck from inside the hangar on board HMS Argus Aug 1943Silhouette of a Sea Hurricane going up by lift to the flight deck from inside the hangar on board HMS Argus Aug 1943Mechanics working on the planes inside the hangar aboard HMS Argus. Aug 43HMS Argus a Hawker Sea Hurricane fighter landing with the batsman seen on the right Aug 43HMS Argus a Hawker Sea Hurricane fighter landing with the batsman seen on the left Aug 43HMS Argus an aircraft handling party pushing back a Hawker Sea Hurricane which had just landed Aug 43A Hawker Sea Hurricane taking off from HMMS Argus. Aug 43A Hawker Sea Hurricane landing on, note the arrester hook HMS Argus Aug 1943Hawker Sea Hurricane seen caught in the nets by one wheel. (Note the rescue launch in the background). Aug 43Sea Hurricane Mk.IB landing aboard HMS Argus 15-17th Aug 1943Hawker Sea Hurricane IB about to land on HMS Argus.
Supermarine Walrus
A Supermarine Walrus being brought out of the hangar on to the lift 1940A Supermarine Walrus comes up from the hanger and is prepared for flight 1940Supermarine Walrus planes lined up on the flight deck of HMS Argus in 1940A Supermarine Walrus comes up from the hanger and is prepared for flight 1940Ground staff run out of the way as a Supermarine Walrus prepares to take off 1940A Supermarine Walrus takes off at dawn from HMS Argus. The silhouetted figure with the flag on the left is the Flight Deck OfficerSupermarine Walrus taking off from HMS Argus in 1940Bombing up the port wing of a Supermarine Walrus on HMS Argus before she goes on patrol over the Atlantic. She carries anti-submarine bombsThe crew; pilot, observer, and air gunner, report on getting out of their Supermarine Walrus aircraft on HMS ArgusThe crew of a Supermarine Walrus disembarking.Air gunner adjusts the .303 machine gun in the bows of a Supermarine Walrus.Some of the Fleet Air Arm photographed on the flight deck of HMS Argus with a Supermarine Walrus behind.HMS Argus with a Supermarine Walrus 1940
Supermarine Seafire
Looking down the hangar lift aboard HMS Argus as a Seafire is pushed on ready to come up on the fight deck. Aug 43HMS Argus a Supermarine Seafire coming up on the lift from the hangar Aug 1943HMS Argus an aircraft handling party pushing back a Supermarine Seafire which had just landed Aug 43A Supermarine Seafire taking off Aug 1943 HMS Argus
Fairey Fulmar
A Fairey Fulmar about to land on HMS Argus 1942
Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel about to land on Argus
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter
First landing on Argus by a Sopwith One-and-a-Half-Ship-Strutter. Piloted by Richard Bell-DavisSopwith One-and-a-Half-Ship-Strutter taking off from Argus
Crew
100 lbs anti-submarine bombs being carried to the flag deck for fusing before being attached to the aircraft 1940Captain G T Philips, DSO, RN, Commander of HMS ARGUS, on board his ship. 1942Lieut J A Welpy, RN, the DLCO (or Batsman) at work on the flight deck of HMS Argus Aug 1943Right to left Captain H L St J Fancourt, DSO, RN, and Lieut Commander A S McTurk (Cdr Flying) on the bridge of HMS ArgusThe Navigating Officer takes a reading with the sextant 1940Two Royal Marines and a Royal Marine officer hang on to the lifeline as they make their way back from a 4″ gun to the hangar.1940The Signalman peers through cruiser telescope to read message from a destroyer. The dial sticking out in the background is the wind speed gauge
