H.M.S. AVENGER Gallery

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HMS AVENGER gallery

Images and memorabilia from the private collections of Air Mechanic (Engines) Dennis Pearson are marked †. Images marked © IWM, are reproduced under the terms of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence.

Most of these images are sized to fit the screen, however where possible those containing groups of personnel will open large enough to see individuals. Many, but not all, of these images are available in larger, high-res versions and copies can be supplied upon receipt of a photo request. If you have pictures or other memorabilia that you can contribute to this project please contact the Webmaster using the Offer of assistance form.

The Royal Navy Research Archive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License See our terms of use for conditions regarding using these images in other works.

Requisition, conversion and sea trials: May 1941 - March 1942

Three sisters soon to be requisitioned by the U.S. Navy: The Rio Hudson (HMS Avenger), Rio Parana (HMS Biter), and Rio de la Plata (HMS Charger) during fitting out in 1941 at the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Chester, PA, USA. Image: www.hazegray.org

BAVG-2 at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation shipyard, Staten Island, New York where her conversion work into an auxiliary aircraft carrier is nearly complete.Image: NS030100215 www.navsource.org

BAVG-2 as HMS AVENGER underway of New York during her seat trials c. March 1942

Flying trials and her squadrons join: June - July 1942

Ready to receive aircraft: The Deck Landing Control Officer or ‘Bats’ holds up his paddles to guide in a Sea Hurricane. © IWM A 10980

The Deck Landing Control Officer or ‘Bats’ signals to an approaching Sea Hurricane to lower his arrester hook. © IWM A 10971

‘Bats’ signals to an approaching Sea Hurricane that the aircraft is in correct attitude for a touchdown. © IWM A 10979

‘Bats’ signals ‘come down’ © IWM A 10981

Members of the aircraft handling party push a Sea Hurricanes back down the deck. This is probably Sub-Lt E. M. Brown’s 768 DLT squadron Sea Hurricane during deck landing trials on June 27th 1942.. © IWM A 10969

A Sea Hurricane ready for take-off, the pilot is waiting for the Flight Deck Control Officer to lower his flag as the signal to release the brakes. © IWM A 10978

A Sea Hurricane flies over the bow as it takes to air. © IWM A 10972

AVENGER’s Captain, Commander A. P. Colthurst RN, with the Commander (flying), Major N. R. M. Skene DSC, RM. © IWM A 10976

Commander (flying), Major N. R. M. Skene DSC, RM has a conference with somwe of the newly arrived pilots. © IWM A 10973

Members of the aircraft handling party push a Sea Hurricanes back down the deck, either to position it on the lift for lowering into the hangar or to the aft end of the deck for take-off. © IWM A 10969

Other Sea Hurricanes wait their turn to take-off. © IWM A 10983

This is probably Sea Hurricane P3877 which went over the side while landing on July 23rd. The pilot Sub-Lt R. G. Clarke RNVR was OK. †

C. July 1942 Sea Hurricanes of 883 squadron ranged on deck. © IWM A 10974

The lift bringing down a Sea Hurricane into the hangar for maintenance. This aircraft type did not have folding wings so space was tight. Both on the lift and in the hangar. © IWM A 10982

AVENGER at sea with one squadron of 6 Sea Hurricanes secured on deck. © IWM FL 1268

A Swordfish of 825 squadron coming in to land.. †

A Swordfish of 825 squadron coming in to land. †

A Swordfish of 825 squadron coming in to land.. †

Russian Convoys PQ18: September 1942

September 14th 1942: The view from the flight deck catwalk of AVENGER as German torpedo bombers attempt to attack her through the anti-aircraft barrage put up by the escorts. Photo: © IWM A 12018.

September 14th 1942: Another view from the flight deck of AVENGER as the American merchantman MARY LUCKENBACH explodes as her cargo of 1,000 tons of TNT was detonated by a hit from single aerial torpedo. Photo: © IWM A 12017

Training : September 1942

September 1942 HMS VICTORIOUS looking aft - BITER leading AVENGER on passage from Scapa to the Clyde Photo: © IWM (A 12577).

September 1942 HMS VICTORIOUS looking aft - BITER leading AVENGER on passage from Scapa to the Clyde Photo: © IWM A 15956