Buy now: £39.99 / £29.46
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS 1/400 Scale Kit
First of a series of four ships (the following ones being HMS Victorious, HMS Formidable and HMS Indomitable) HMS Illustrious was launched in April 1939 at a time when the war clouds were gathering over Europe. Well protected from the attacks of opposing forces try an armoured deck and ring, the aircraft carrier came into service in April 1940 and was straight away enlisted in the ranks of the Royal Navy since there was a desperate need for that kind of ship. First of all appointes in the Mediterranean, the Illustrious immediately launched attacks on the Italian fleet. On 11th November 1940, twenty-four Swordfish took off from the aircraft carrier and attacked the battleships of the Regia Marina in their own port of Trente. They inflicted considerable damage to the fleet, sinking the Conte di Cavour and badly damaging the Littorio and the Caio Duilio. Only two planes were lost during this attack!
FEATURES
Launched: 5th April 1939
Entered service: 21st April 1940
Crew: 1 200 men
Overall length: 226,7m
Length of flight deck: 198,1m
Width of flight deck: 24,4m
Propulsion: three boilers driving three propeller shafts, 111 000 HP
Maximum speed: 30,5 knots
