HMS Ark Royal was an Invincible-class aircraft carrier and a former Royal Navy flagship, launched for the first time in 1981.
She carried the Harrier Jump Jet aircraft, as well as helicopters and was equipped with a steep ski-jump ramp for the jet take-off.
Ark Royal was decommissioned in March 2011, even though originally she was due to be retired in 2016.
Sadly she was sold for scrap to a Turkey for ship recycling in May 2013.
Here is a look into the archives showing the history of HMS Ark Royal.
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9. HMS Ark Royal former Royal Navy flagship
ARK's 25th Birthday 1st July/2010. HMS Ark Royal, the current R2 Strike Carrier is currently deployed on the Auriga 10 deployment which will see the Portsmouth based Carrier spearheading a Task Group under the command & Control of Commander UK Carrier Strike Group (COMUKCSG) Commodore Simon Ancona. The Task Group is Operating off the Eastern Seaboard of the USA & Canada Photo: The News archive
10. HMS Ark Royal former Royal Navy flagship
Taken from Victory Jetty as HMS Ark Royal came alongside for the last time into Portsmouth Naval Base 3rd December 2010. (left to right) Naval Ratings Rob Dutton (18) from Liverpool, Mike Pierce (29) from Bognor Regis, Sean Baldwin (24) from Havant, Paul Stockwell (30) from Blackpool, Simon Hart (27) from Southsea and Ashley Rea (22) from Fareham . Picture: Malcolm Wells 103921-3717 Photo: The News archive
11. HMS Ark Royal former Royal Navy flagship
Ark in the snow 2nd Dec 2010. Taken on the Flight Deck of HMS Ark Royal during her final entrance to Portsmouth. Whilst rounding the Isle of Wight the Flight Deck was blanketed in snow. Picture: LA(PHOT) Abbie Gadd Photo: The News archive
12. HMS Ark Royal former Royal Navy flagship
HMS Ark Royal approaching Gibraltar in 25th Feb 1989. Photo: The News archive