The name *Hermes* resonates through British naval history, carrying with it the weight of tradition and the echoes of daring feats. But perhaps no incarnation of this illustrious name is more closely associated with a specific aircraft and a pivotal moment in naval aviation than HMS *Hermes* (R12), the last British aircraft carrier to serve the Royal Navy. This majestic vessel, originally laid down as HMS *Elephant* during the tumultuous years of World War II, would ultimately become synonymous with the Hawker Harrier jump jet, a revolutionary aircraft that redefined naval warfare and secured *Hermes’* place in maritime legend. Its story, from its wartime beginnings to its final days, is a tapestry woven with threads of technological innovation, strategic deployment, and ultimately, a poignant farewell.
The ship's journey began not as *Hermes*, but as HMS *Elephant*, a Colossus-class aircraft carrier laid down by Vickers-Armstrong at Barrow-in-Furness in 1943. The wartime urgency fueled its construction, a race against time to bolster the Royal Navy's dwindling carrier fleet. However, the ending of hostilities in Europe led to a reassessment of naval priorities, and the completion of *Elephant* was delayed. The changing geopolitical landscape and the burgeoning Cold War shifted focus, and the need for a large fleet of conventional carriers became less pressing. Instead of being completed as a Colossus-class carrier, *Elephant* was eventually converted into a more versatile, smaller vessel. She was eventually cancelled in 1948, with only the hull being completed. Fate, however, had other plans for this unfinished vessel.
The decision to recommence work on the incomplete hull came in the late 1950s, a time when the Royal Navy was grappling with the challenges of jet aircraft and the limitations of conventional carriers. The design was significantly altered, and she was finally completed and commissioned as HMS *Hermes* (R12) in 1959, entering service in 1962. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the ship and a significant evolution in naval aviation. The new *Hermes* was a Centaur-class carrier, smaller than the original Colossus design, but still a powerful and versatile platform. This marked the beginning of the *HMS Hermes 1962* era, a period of modernization and adaptation for both the ship and the Royal Navy.
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