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HMS Courageous, 1932
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HMS Courageous, 1932
HMS Courageous at Gibraltar, 1932
The Royal Air Force Museum is Britain's only national museum dedicated wholly to aviation
Media ID 1762289
© Charles Brown Collection, Royal Air Force Museum
Aircraft Carriers Fleet Air Arm Interwar Royal Navy Ships
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HMS Courageous at Gibraltar, 1932
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a captivating photograph by Charles E. Brown, taken during the interwar period for the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum. This image offers a glimpse into the history of the Royal Navy's (RN) fleet during a pivotal time in maritime warfare. The photograph features HMS Courageous, an aircraft carrier commissioned in 1923, docked at Gibraltar's iconic harbor. The RN's third Courageous-class battlecruiser was converted into an aircraft carrier in 1924, making it one of the Royal Navy's first dedicated aircraft carriers. This transformation marked a significant shift in naval strategy, as the RN recognized the importance of air power in modern warfare. The photograph captures the HMS Courageous in its full glory, with a complement of biplanes from the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) parked on its flight deck. The Sopwith Saucer and Fairey Flycatcher aircraft are clearly visible, symbolizing the synergy between the RN and the FAA, which was established in 1924. The ships surrounding HMS Courageous in the background add to the sense of a bustling naval base. Gibraltar, with its strategic location at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, was an essential stop for the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet. The presence of HMS Courageous in Gibraltar's harbor demonstrates the RN's commitment to maintaining its influence in the region and its readiness for potential conflicts. Charles E. Brown's photograph is an evocative reminder of the Royal Navy's evolution during the interwar period, as it embraced the importance of air power and adapted to the changing landscape of maritime warfare. This image is a testament to the RN's forward-thinking approach and its commitment to maintaining a formidable naval presence.
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