THIS WEEK IN 1971: Ark Royal heads for Mediterranean

By The Newsroom

Published 5th Nov 2016, 06:00 BST

Updated 16th Nov 2016, 16:23 BST

A pilot's-eye view of the mighty HMS Ark Royal (43,600 tons), pictured as the ship left Portsmouth Harbour at the start of a Mediterranean deployment this week in 1971.

Members of the ship’s company line the deck and Phantom and Buccaneer aircraft are neatly arrayed in ceremonial order