British Carrier at Gibraltar, 1950

Hi

sorry for late reoly to your old post.

yes, this was a british Carrier. HMS Vengeance (colossus class) . she took part in the Home Fleet cruise to the mediteranean in 1950. She is recognisable by a number of features, but none of the other Colossus class carriers were at Gibraltar in 1950.

They are indeed sea furys and fireflys on deck.

Your dad took a great photo. my father aso had a leica at the time. he was in the Fleet Air Arm and was involved in the embarkation of aircraft to HMS Vengeance, in 1952, when she was loaned to the Royal Australian Navy.

Thanks for posting the photograph

Nick

"Harry Bridges cap" AKA West Coast Stetson. They are still worn.

Love the Harry Bridges cap. Part of me would have loved to live in those days.

Guys thinking, "just what the ocean needs, more water".

Just for fun, here is a pic of the crew bailing out the chain locker, by bucket, after a storm. Note the deck cargo.

It's definitely Royal Navy. My Dad had a Leica, one of the old range finder cameras, but the lens is supurb. I'm scanning old Kodachrome slides and it is hard to believe they are 65 years old. I was hoping somebody could ID the planes. Thanks Phil.

edit- This is Gibraltar.

Looks like there's Fireflies and Sea Furies on the aft deck in FAA Dark Sea Grey over Sky with what appears to be British roundels, so RN is a pretty safe bet.  

Nice "old slide"!

That does look like a Colossus, in particular as in 1950 I don't think there were many if any Majestics sailing yet. I too am curious to hear what experts would say- whether it's RN (I think that's a white ensign) or a foreign navy.