The Centaur class were intermediate in size between the Colossus and Majestic class light carriers and the Audacious class fleet carriers. At first this did not prove to be a hindrance. However, as the 1960s progressed, and jets continued to get larger and heavier, the point was eventually reached where the Centaurs could not sustain a balanced air wing of conventional aircraft. Hermes survived the longest as a conventional carrier, even operating the Blackburn Buccaneer. However, Hermes was not large enough to operate the Phantom FG.1.
In roles they were not originally designed for, the class also proved successful. The loss of Albion and Bulwark's helicopter capability was keenly felt in the Royal Navy for many years, until an effective replacement, in the form of HMS Ocean was commissioned in 1998. Hermes also performed sterling service as a platform for the Sea Harrier and made a vital contribution to the winning of the Falklands War, the largest naval conflict since 1945.
| Centaur class aircraft carriers | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Harland & Wolff Swan Hunter Vickers Armstrong |
| Operators: |  Indian Navy Royal Navy |
| Succeeded by: | Invincible class |
| Subclasses: | HMS Hermes (completed to a modified design) |
| In commission: | 1 September 1953 |
| Planned: | 8 |
| Completed: | 4 (Albion, Bulwark, Centaur, Hermes (ex Elephant)) |
| Cancelled: | 4 (Monmouth, Polyphemus, Arrogant, Hermes) |
| Active: | 1, INS Viraat (ex-Hermes) |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Aircraft Carrier |
| Displacement: | 22,000 tons 28,700 tons full load |
| Length: | 737 ft (224.6 m) |
| Beam: | 130 ft (39.6 m) |
| Draught: | 28.5 ft (8.7 m) |
| Installed power: | 78,000 hp |
| Propulsion: | 2 shaft geared steam turbines, 4 Admiralty 3 drum boilers |
| Speed: | 28 knots (52 km/h) |
| Sensors and processing systems: | Radar Type 982, Type 983, Type 275, Type 974 |
| Armament: | 32 40mm Bofors guns (2x6), (8x2), (4x1) |
| Armour: | 1 inch flight deck, Hangar deck |
| Aircraft carried: | 26 |
