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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21. HMS Ark Royal former Royal Navy flagship
Ark Royal the final journey. Wednesday witnessed a sad event as HMS Ark Royal was towed ignominiously, through the Straits of Gibraltar for the very last time, on her way to the breakers yard in Turkey. She was decommissioned five years early in 2010, as part of UK Government Defence Review and having had her innards ripped out, she departed HM Naval Base Portsmouth on her final voyage last week. Photo: The News archive
22. HMS Ark Royal former Royal Navy flagship
Visitors line up along the platform to disembark from HMS Ark Royal at Navy Days in 1992. The News PP942 Photo: The News archive
23. HMS Ark Royal former Royal Navy flagship
The Royal Navy's Op Telic Flagship, HMS Ark Royal returns home to Portsmouth on 17 May. Photo: The News archive
24. HMS Ark Royal former Royal Navy flagship
Sailors aboard HMS Ark Royal wave to a civilian vessel full of well wishers welcoming the aircraft carrier home 15th May 2003. Picture: Jonathan Brady 032429-17 Photo: The News archive