Royal Navy - 1953

The state of the post-war British Fleet Air Arm is best described by looking at the fly by conducted for the Coronation Review of the Fleet at Spithead before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Nine carriers attended including; Eagle, Illustrious, Implacable, Indefatigable, and Indomitable along with the light fleet carriers Perseus, Theseus, Magnificent and Sydney. The fly by was impressive with 37 squadrons participating showing examples of many combat tested aircraft. These includes Fireflies, Sea Furies Seafires, Attackers, Vampires, Skyraiders, Sea Hornets, Meteors, Avengers, Gannets, Wyverns, Sea Venoms, Sea Harks and Dragonflies.

While additional carriers were about to come online, the Royal Navy was at its height in having the ability to power project from their carriers.  For me this was the best of times as naval designs were changing faster that at any point in time since before The Great War.

R.A.N. Sea Venoms