H.M.S. SHAH Gllery

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HMS SHAH gallery

Images marked Ω are from the albums of FX 78676 Aircraft Artificer (Electrical) Peter Eric Howard, kindly supplied by his widow Mrs Betty Howard. Images marked ‡ were donated by the Lawrence House Museum. Additional 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.

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Modification period at Vancouver: October – December 1943

The removal of the original rounddown in preparation for fitting the flight deck extension. (1) Image: e000762191 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

The removal of the original rounddown in preparation for fitting the flight deck extension. (2) Image: e000762192 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

The removal of the original rounddown in preparation for fitting the flight deck extension. (3) Image: e000762195 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

The removal of the original rounddown in preparation for fitting the flight deck extension. (4) Image: ee000762194 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

The first section of the longer rounddown is in place for the flight deck extension. Image: e000762205 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

Aft starboard quarter view showing the first section of the longer rounddown is in place for the flight deck extension. Image: e000762204 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

Stern view showing the first section of the longer rounddown is in place for the flight deck extension. Image: e000762207 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

High and dry in the floating dock at Burrard’s North Yard, Vancouver. SHAH spent three days in dock for remedial work before returning to No 7 berth where her alterations were completed. Photo courtesy CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum m Neg: VR995.30.22

High and dry in the floating dock at Burrard’s Nor th Yard, Vancouver. QUEEN spent three days in dock for remedial work before returning to No 7 berth on February 5th, where her alterations were completed. Photo courtesy CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum m Neg: VR995.30.08

The crew journey from New York to Vancouver to join the ship

HMS ASBURY, the RN Receiving Barracks at Asbury Park, New Jersey - The 'X' shaped Berkley Carteret Hotel (front) and the Monterey Hotel (behind) which together formed the barracks. This was the temporary home for thousands of RN crew members joining ships that were being built or repaired in the US, including those for HMS SHAH.

Photos taken on the rail journey across the U.S. from New York to Vancouver, British Colombia. (1)

Photos taken on the rail journey across the U.S. from New York to Vancouver, British Colombia. (2)

Photos taken on the rail journey across the U.S. from New York to Vancouver, British Colombia. (3)

Photos taken on the rail journey across the U.S. from New York to Vancouver, British Colombia. (4)

Photos taken on the rail journey across the U.S. from New York to Vancouver, British Colombia. (5)

Photos taken on the rail journey across the U.S. from New York to Vancouver, British Colombia. (6)

Photos taken on the rail journey across the U.S. from New York to Vancouver, British Colombia. (7).

Allocated for operations with the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron

January 15th 1944: SHAH alongside in San Francisco preparing to sail to deliver a ferry load of aircraft to India. There are 29 Wildcats, 3 Avengers, and 22 Curtiss P-40 Warhawks on her flight deck, and 12 Avenger BRs belonging to 851 Naval Air Squadron are stored in the hangar.

January 15th 1944: SHAH shortly after departing San Francisco to deliver a ferry load of aircraft to India. There are 29 Wildcats, 3 Avengers, and 22 Curtiss P-40 Warhawks on her flight deck, and 12 Avenger BRs belonging to 851 Naval Air Squadron are stored in the hangar.

c. February 23rd 1944: SHAH alongside at Ochin, S. India, disembarking the ferry load collected from San Francisco. Several P-40 Warhawks are sitting on the quayside awaiting transport.

SHAH at anchor at Cochin c. November 1944.

SHAH at anchor at Cochin c. November 1944. Note the censer has obscured her pennant number in this image.

February 1945: SHAH fuelling at sea. A frigate is about to pick up the delivery end of the buoyant hose. © IWM A 27854

August 15th 1945: SHAH looking aft over the twin Bofors guns. KHEDIVE (leading), followed by either EMPEROR or EMPRESS, is coming up off the starboard quarter. All four carriers were out at sea when WWII ended. © IWM (A 30202)

Flight operations in the Indian Ocean

Ranging Avengers on deck ready for flight operations. (1)

Ranging Avengers on deck ready for flight operations. (2)

An Avenger revving its engine to full power, ready to begin a rolling takeoff.

August 10th 1944: Avenger JZ123 stalled and ditched on take-off from SHAH. The pilot, Sub-Lt. J. I. Delany RNZNVR and crew were rescued OK.

The crew of Avenger JZ140 (' IA') which attacked U-198 on August 10th 1944: Lt (A) S. S. Laurie, RNVR, observer; Lt Cdr (A) A. M. Tuke, DSC, RN, pilot, and CPO F. R. Brown, Telegraphist air gunner. Aug 44 © IWM A 25686

January 12th 1945: Avenger JZ208 ('1G') flown by S/Lt. CH Whitehead being recovered from the port catwalk, where it ended up after catching the No.6 wire and hitting the No.2 barrier. ‡

January 13th 1945.: The wreckage resulting from Avenger JZ121 (' IF') bouncing over the barriers and hitting the tail of Avenger JZ234 in the forward aircraft park on SHAH. The pilot, Sub-Lt C. R. I. Whitehead RNVR, and crew were OK. ‡

February 1945: Flight deck parties fuelling Avengers. One aircraft is on standby, ready to launch on the catapult. © IWM A 27850

February 3rd 1945: Avenger JZ138 (' lL') is prepared for descent into the hangar for repair - the aircraft, piloted by Sub-Lt J. G. V. Burns RNVR, successfully caught an arrester wire while carrying out Deck Landing Training but the prop entered the crash barrier. ‡

February 1945: Armourers loading depth charges into the bomb bay of an Avenger in preparation for an anti-submarine patrol. © IWM (A 27852)

February 1945: Armourers loading depth charges into the bomb bay of an Avenger in preparation for an anti-submarine patrol. © IWM (A 27853)

February 1945: An Armourer checking the guns of an Wildcat Fighter in preparation for an anti-submarine patrol. © IWM (A 27851)

February 1945: SHAH with BEGUM in company. A Wildcat fighter is parked at the far end of the flight deck while an Avenger is readied for moving onto the catapult. © IWM (A 27855)

Possibly taken during Operation DUKEDOM: An Avenger, ready for launch from the ship’s catapult. The Cruiser ROYALIST, Flagship of Commodore (later R. Adm) G. N. Oliver RN C.B., D.S.O.** Flag officer in charge of 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron is in the background.

August 12th 1945: Sub-Lt (A) M. G. White RNVR, assistant batman in SHAH, batting on an Avenger bomber off the Andaman Islands. © IWM (A 30197)

August 8th 1945: This is probably Avenger JZ195 of 845 Squadron operating from SHAH in preparation for Operation CARSON. The aircraft stalled? Into the sea off the port bow; Lt W. L. Quinn RNVR & crew, rescued OK. ‡

August 12th 1945: An Avenger of 845 squadron comes in to land during operations off the Andaman Islands during Operation CARSON. The pilot is being guided in by Sub-Lt (A) M. G. White RNVR, the assistant batman in SHAH.

c. May 1945: Four Hellcat fighters belonging to 804 squadrons were embarked in SHAH for Operation DUKEDOM. This image shows them parked at the end of the deck. The Avengers are parked down the starboard side.

August 1945: The Air Sea Rescue Walrus from 1700 squadron, attached to SHAH from August 8th, approached the flight deck to land. ‡

c. May 1945: A Hellcat fighter belonging to 804 squadron takes off form SHAH during Operation DUKEDOM. ‡

July 11th 1945: Corsair JS640 from the Station flight of RNAS Trincomalee with its tail in the starboard forward twin 40mm Bofors mount after it floated over all the arrestor wires and went through Nos.2 & 3 barriers. The pilot, Sub-Lt A. Renshaw RNZNVR was OK; The aircraft was put ashore by lighter to RNAS Trincomalee and later written off. (1) ‡

The ship's company and recreation

Christmas Dinner 1944 - this photo shows off the American canteen style of messing. Ω

Christmas 1944 - a film show in the hangar. Ω

Christmas 1944 - a bizarre nativity parade processes along the flight deck with crew members in fancy dress. Ω

Christmas 1944 at Trincomalee - "The Ancient Mariners" performing during a fancy-dress/nativity parade on the flight deck of HMS SHAH. © IWM (A 27858)

Christmas 1944 at Trincomalee - "The Ancient Mariners" performing during a fancy-dress/nativity parade on the flight deck of HMS SHAH. (2) ‡

Christmas 1944 at Trincomalee - "The Ancient Mariners" performing during a fancy-dress/nativity parade on the flight deck of HMS SHAH. (3) © IWM (A 27857)

May 1945: Vice Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command, addresses members of the ship's company during a visit to ships of the East Indies Fleet.

August 15th 1945: Part of the ship's company of HMS SHAH fallen in for entering Trincomalee Harbour on the flight deck. The cruiser HMS CEYLON is in the background. © IWM (A 30204)

A concert party performing for the crew on the hangar deck. Probably at Trincomalee, date unknown.18146)

Some of the crew pose with a Wildcat on the flight deck during the ferry voyage across the Pacific in January 1944.Ω

Mombasa, Kenya: Peter and Eric (rear), Geordie and Ginger (front). Ω

Peter Howard with mates Ray and Jack poses with an Avenger on Shah's flight deck in Ceylon. Ω

Peter Howard poses with an Avenger on Shah's flight deck in Ceylon. Ω

August 16th 1945: Photographer Goldsmith offers to light Leading Seaman Dennis’s cigar, given to him on the day Japan capitulated. SHAH was at sea with East Indies Fleet, Force 61, when the news was announced. © IWM (A 30199)

August 16th 1945: Leading Seaman Dennis of Plymouth enjoys a Victory cigar; the photograph was taken on board HMS SHAH on the day the Japanese capitulated (15 August 1945) © IWM (A 30203)