The fifth vessel to bear the proud name. Ark Royal was built
by Swan Hunters Ship Builders’ yard at Wallsend in December 1978
and launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. HMS
Ark Royal was accepted into service on July 1 1985. HMS Ark Royal
is larger than her 2 sisters, Invincible and Illustrious, at 210
metres (683 feet) long. She has a maximum beam of 36 metres (117
feet) and a displacement of 20,000 tonnes. 4 Olympus gas turbine
engines (like Concorde’s) propel the ship, which give a maximum
speed in excess of 30 knots. A steeper ski jump than in the other
ships of this class is fitted at the forward end of the flight
deck. HMS Ark Royal is planned to remain in active service until
2015 when the next generation of aircraft carriers will enter
service. The Ship's motto is 'Zeal Does Not
Rest'
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