HERMES aircraft carrier
Hermes 1939
| Name | No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Hermes | D95 | Armstrong, Elswick | 15/1/1918 | 11/9/1919 | 19/2/1924 | sunk 9/4/1942 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
10850 |
|
Displacement full, t |
13700 |
|
Length, m |
182.3 |
|
Breadth, m |
21.4 |
|
Draught, m |
5.7 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
Parsons geared steam turbines, 6 Yarrow boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
40000 |
|
Max speed, kn |
25 |
|
Fuel, t |
2000 oil |
| Armour, mm | belt: 76, deck: 25 |
|
Armament |
6 x 1 - 140/50 BL Mk I, 3 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V HA, 20 aircraft (Nightjar, Plover, Flycatcher fighters, Panther, Walrus, Bison, Blackburn recon planes, Dart torpedo bombers) |
|
Complement |
664 |
Aircraft facilities (fd - 3,901m², ha - 1,460m² / 6,716m³): Hangar measures: 100 x 14.6m, flight deck: 182.3 x 21.4m. There were 2 lifts (6.4t). Seaplanes handled by special crane.
| Year | Fighters | Torpedo bombers | Recon planes |
| 1935 | 6 Osprey | --- | 9 Seal |
| 1939 | --- | 12 Swordfish | --- |
Ship project history: The first-ever ship designed and built as an aircraft carrier. She was ordered in July, 1917. Originally rate of works was very high, however after an armistice building had suspended. Further the project have thoroughly redesigned by results of the experiments conducted on aircraft carriers Argus and Eagle.
Hull and protection of Hermes were developed on the basis of drawings of Hawkins class cruisers. The single-height hangar was long and narrow. Both lifts are unified with applied on an aircraft carrier Eagle. Catapults were absent.
Seaworthiness of the ship was considered quite satisfactory, but the stability left much to be desired. Hermes with the maximum stock of fuel had propensity spontaneously to be heeled on portside (to 4°). Because of it the quantity of fuel should be moderated on 600t.
Hermes was planned to arm with 152mm guns, but already during building they were changed by 140mm.
Protection: There was an underwater protection.
Modernizations: 1927: - 1 x 1 - 102/45; + 2 x 1 - 40/39 pompom
1932: - 2 x 1 - 40/39; + 2 x 4 - 12.7/62
1941: + 1 x 4 - 40/39 pompom, may be some single Oerlikons were added.
Naval service: Maximal speed by 1939 did not exceed 22-23kts. Hermes was damaged in collision with AMC Corfu in August, 1940 and repaired 3 months. She was sunk 9/4/1942 by Japanese diving bombers D3A1 from carriers Hiryu, Shokaku and Zuikaku SW Trinkomali, having received about 40 hits of 250kg bombs in 10 minutes. 302 people were lost.
Hermes 1924
Hermes 1938
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-09