Allied Warships

Aircraft Carriers

Courageous class

2 ships


The aircraft carrier HMS Courageous (50) of the Royal Navy. She was lost on 17 Sep 1939.

Technical information

TypeAircraft Carrier
Displacement22500 BRT 
Length787 feet (oa) 
Complement1216 men 
Armament

16 4.7" AA guns (16x1)
24 2pdr AA (3x8)
48 aircraft 

Max speed30 knots
EnginesGeared turbines, 4 shafts 
Power90000 HP 
Notes on class

This class were rebuilt from light battlecruisers and were in many respect similar to Furious but differed in having an island and funnel on the starboard side of the flight deck. The short forward flight deck was given up in 1935-1936 and the main flight deck (which had the same usable dimensions as in Furious) had two catapults fitted which could launch 8000lb at 56 kts or 10.000lb at 52 kts. The upper and lower hangars were both 550ft long and did not have to be used for workshop space, whilst the two lifts were slightly larger at 46ft x 48ft. Petrol stowage was increased to 34.000gal. Deck protection was similar to that of Furious, and the ships were bulged largely for stability reasons, as the original beam was only 81ft. The system was designed to stand 440lb or TNT. The single pompoms were replaced by 3 8-barrelled ones in June 1935 in Glorious and a year later in Courageous, and the two ships could be distinguished by the much longer after round-down in Glorious. 

Royal Navy Royal Navy ships of the Courageous class

To see all Courageous class ships click here.

HMS Courageous (50) Lost on 17 Sep 1939
HMS Glorious (77) Lost on 8 Jun 1940


2 Aircraft Carriers of the Courageous class. 2 of them were lost.

Full wartime service history on this vessel.

See all Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier classes.


Courageous class ships hit by U-boats (1)

17 Sep 1939HMS CourageousSunkU-29

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