30 Hellcats on Indefatigable’s flight deck, collected from South Africa - see Table Mountain in the background. In addition 20 Piper Cubs were collected, together with a large number of Pratt & Whitney engines. The carrier was supposed to take this cargo to the USA but about two days out from Cape Town the captain was instructed to dump the lot over the side!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F6F Hellcat - СШАUSA - 1942

894 and 887 Sqn Seafires ranged for take-off aboard Indefatigable in June 1945. Most of the aircraft are in the LR serial range. HMS Indefatigable was launched on December 8, 1942 and was commissioned in May 1944. Her first task was to sweep against enemy shipping in Norwegian waters during the latter part of 1944 as part of the Home Fleet. Later, as part of the Pacific Fleet, she was attacked by Japanese kamikaze aircraft. Though hit, the carrier survived and was later used to repatriate PoWs to Australia.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Seafire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

Sub-Lt Hatton of 887 Sqn goes over the side off Port Elizabeth in his Seafire III in February 1946. He did not survive.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Seafire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

A Westland-built Seafire III following a landing incident aboard Indefatigable. The prop blades are being reduced to matchwood.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Seafire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

Another Seafire III in the NN serial range following starboard undercarriage leg failure aboard Indefatigable. One wonders what the bods sitting on the starboard wing are up to!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Seafire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

A Seafire III wrapped around the side of Indefatigable.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Seafire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

One of Indefatigable’s Fairey Fireflies over the carrier.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fairey Firefly - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

An 820 Sqn Avenger II goes over the side.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger - СШАUSA - 1941

An 820 Sqn Avenger II is seen being dragged along by the ship. One crewman is seen climbing back on board; another was lost.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger - СШАUSA - 1941