HMS Illustrious
Having had an extremely busy end to 2011 which saw us complete Basic Operational Sea Training, we are now continuing our preparations to become the UK’s High Readiness Helicopter and Commando Carrier. Once we take over this role from HMS Ocean, we will be ready to deploy anywhere in the world at short notice carrying out whatever task is required of the Ship and her Ship’s Company.
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A Merlin Mk1 of 820 Naval Air Squadron approaches HMS Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious
This will be our final duty
Illustrious – known affectionately by all aboard as Lusty – is due to pay off after 32 years’ proud and sterling service in 2014 to make way for the next-generation aircraft carriers.
COMMANDING OFFICER
Martin Connell
- RANK:
- Captain
- JOINED:
- 1987
- SPECIALISATION:
- Warfare
- PREVIOUS UNITS:
- HMS Lancaster, Severn, Chatham
Military experience
Joined Britannia Royal Naval College in 1987 graduating as a Naval College Entrant (Aviator). Following flying training he spent his early career at sea in various frigates and destroyers first as a Lynx Observer and then as an Officer of the Watch.
In the early 1990s he qualified as an Observer Instructor and assumed the role of Flight Commander in HM Ships Coventry and Manchester as well as instructing front line aircrew in 815 Naval Air Squadron.
After training as an anti-submarine warfare officer, he joined the Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster as the Operations Officer. This was followed by an appointment on the Maritime Battle Staff which included Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
In 2003 he assumed command of the Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Severn taking her from commissioning through to operational patrols. He studied National Security, International Relations and Joint Military Operations at the United States Naval War College before working in the Directorate of Operational Capability at the Ministry of Defence.
He took command of the Type 22 Frigate HMS Chatham in 2006 and deployed to the Middle East on Op Telic before returning to the MoD (2009-10) advising on all aspects of defence wide rotary and fixed wing aviation during the recent SDSR.
He is a graduate of the Higher Command and Staff Course (2011) and a Younger Brother of the Corporation of Trinity House. Aside from a busy home life, his interests include keeping fit, mountain biking and being an eternally optimistic Chelsea season ticket holder.
Captain Connell assumed command of HMS Illustrious on 5 January 2012.
OPERATIONS
Exercise Cold Response
CURRENT STATUS: COMPLETED
Cold Response is a multinational exercise led by the Norwegian Armed Forces. While current operations are focussed on Afghanistan, it is vital that the Royal Navy maintains its amphibious capability in a cold weather environment. Cold Response brings together the Royal Marines, assault ships and other Fleet assets, and the helicopters of the Fleet Air Arm.
Read MoreLATEST NEWS
TOP STORIES
Like Ducks to Water – the Junglies are Back at Sea
15 May 2012After four years of spending most of their time over...
HMS Illustrious Sailors Make the Grade
14 May 2012Four sailors serving in HMS Illustrious have received their GCSE...
Scottish Lion readies 45 Commando for front line
09 May 2012More than 750 Royal Marines and supporting units, plus three...
Illustrious ‘ready for anything’ as massive military exercise ends
27 April 2012HMS Illustrious is ready to take her place as Britain’s...
ABOUT THE UNIT
KEY STATISTICS
- Pennant
R06
- Displacement
22,000Tonnes
- Complement
685Personnel
- Length
210Metres
- Beam
36Metres
- Draught
7.6Metres
- Top Speed
30Knots
- Range (Nautical)
5,000Miles
- Launch Date
14/12/78
- Commissioned Date
20/06/82
- Nickname
Lusty
TAKE A LOOK
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HMS Illustrious sailors make the grade
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Steward Shamiann Isaacs was Awarded a Grade D in Business Studies
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Writer Kirsty Saunders was Awarded a Grade C in English Language
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Petty Officer Robert McDonald was Awarded a Grade B in Business Studies
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Chief Petty Officer Allan Davis was Awarded a Grade B in English Language
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HMS Illustrious sailors make the grade
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HMS Illustrious Joint Warrior 2012
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HMS Illustrious Joint Warrior 2012
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HMS Illustrious Joint Warrior 2012
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HMS Illustrious Joint Warrior 2012
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HMS Illustrious Joint Warrior 2012
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HMS Illustrious Joint Warrior 2012
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part in Joint Warrior
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part in Joint Warrior
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part in Joint Warrior
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part in Joint Warrior
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part in Joint Warrior
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part in Joint Warrior
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part in Joint Warrior
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part in Joint Warrior
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part in Joint Warrior
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part in Joint Warrior
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part in Joint Warrior
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Apaches working on board HMS Illustrious
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Apaches working on board HMS Illustrious
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Apaches working on board HMS Illustrious
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Apaches working on board HMS Illustrious
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Apaches working on board HMS Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part In Joint Warrior
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part In Joint Warrior
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HMS Illustrious Takes Part In Joint Warrior
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Nursing on Illustrious
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Nursing on Illustrious
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Nursing on Illustrious
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Nursing on Illustrious
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Nursing on Illustrious
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Nursing on Illustrious
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Nursing on Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious Christening
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The Barnes family with the HMS Illustrious ship’s bell and Rev Evans
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HMS Illustrious in Exercise Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious in Exercise Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious in Exercise Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious in Exercise Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious in Exercise Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious in Exercise Cold Response
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HMS Bulwark and HMS Illustrious in Exercise Cold Response
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HMS Bulwark and HMS Illustrious in Exercise Cold Response
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HMS Bulwark and HMS Illustrious in Exercise Cold Response
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HMS Bulwark and HMS Illustrious in Exercise Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious Flight Deck at Night
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HMS Illustrious Flight Deck at Night
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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Illustrious hosts Rugby League cup draw in the North Sea
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Illustrious hosts Rugby League cup draw in the North Sea
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Illustrious hosts Rugby League cup draw in the North Sea
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Illustrious hosts Rugby League cup draw in the North Sea
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Illustrious hosts Rugby League cup draw in the North Sea
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HMS Illustrious with Apache embarked
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HMS Illustrious with Apache embarked
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HMS Illustrious with Apache embarked
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HMS Illustrious with Apache embarked
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HMS Illustrious with Apache embarked
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HMS Illustrious with Apache embarked
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HMS Illustrious with Apache embarked
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HMS Illustrious with Apache embarked
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HMS Illustrious with Apache embarked
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HMS Illustrious with Apache embarked
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HMS Illustrious with Apache embarked
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HMS Illustrious Works With Danish Military In Copenhagen
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Danish Lynx taking off before heading back to base.
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HMS Illustrious Works With Danish Military In Copenhagen
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HMS Illustrious hosts a Lynx helicopter from the Royal Danish Air Force for several hours of flight deck drills.
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HMS Illustrious Works With Danish Military In Copenhagen
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18th Feb 2012 - HMS Illustrious opened her gangway to members of the Danish public to have a tour and interact with the ships company. This picture shows members of the public walking through the hangar looking at all of the items on display.
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HMS Illustrious Works With Danish Military In Copenhagen
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18th Feb 2012 - HMS Illustrious opened her gangway to members of the Danish public to have a tour and interact with the ships company. This picture shows the steps leading up to a rainy flight deck.
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HMS Illustrious Works With Danish Military In Copenhagen
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Image of the ship while she was in Copenhagen, Denmark. This image was taken shortly after sunset on the 19th February 2012.
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HMS Illustrious in Glen Mallen
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HMS Illustrious in Glen Mallen
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HMS Illustrious in Glen Mallen
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HMS Illustrious in Glen Mallen
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HMS Illustrious in Glen Mallen
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HMS Illustrious in Glen Mallen
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HMS Illustrious in Glen Mallen
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HMS Illustrious in Glen Mallen
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HMS Illustrious in Glen Mallen
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HMS Illustrious in Glen Mallen
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HMS Illustrious in Scottish Waters
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HMS Illustrious in Scottish Waters
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HMS Illustrious in Scottish Waters
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HMS Illustrious in Scottish Waters
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HMS Illustrious in Scottish Waters
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HMS Illustrious in Scottish Waters
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Officer Cadets in Illustrious
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Petty Officer Karl Spurr presents the Cheque to Rosie Mitchell. Also in attendance 6P Mess President Petty Officer Stephen Naylor, Dr Vanessa Stanley, Dr Gareth Jones and Dr Andrew Baldock
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Illustrious sailors Launch campaign
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Illustrious sailors Launch campaignIllustrious sailors Launch campaign
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Illustrious sailors Launch campaign
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Rededication completes Illustrious’ long road out of refit
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Captain Kyd at the rededication ceremony
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Rededication completes Illustrious’ long road out of refit
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Rededication Cake
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Illustrious visits Hamburg
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Illustrious visits Hamburg
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Illustrious visits Hamburg
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The evacuees are escorted to the embarkation centre by Royal Marines to have their paperwork checked prior to departure to HMS Illustrious
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Personnel from HMS Illustrious carrying out the paperwork checks
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Evacuees from BRNC are flown into the embarkation centre
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The evacuees board the helicopter for their flight to safety
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Personnel from HMS Illustrious carrying out the paperwork checks
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The evacuees arrive onboard HMS Illustrious
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Royal Marine Amphibious Assault Demonstration
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Royal Marine Amphibious Assault Demonstration
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Royal Marine Amphibious Assault Demonstration
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Royal Marine Amphibious Assault Demonstration
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Royal Marine Amphibious Assault Demonstration
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Royal Marine Amphibious Assault Demonstration
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Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Exercise
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Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Exercise
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Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Exercise
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HAIRY BIKERS FEAST EYES ON LUSTY
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HAIRY BIKERS FEAST EYES ON LUSTY
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HAIRY BIKERS FEAST EYES ON LUSTY
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HAIRY BIKERS FEAST EYES ON LUSTY
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Illustrious’ firefighters demonstrate their abilities to FOST assessors
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One of Illustrious’ principal war officers studies the complex battle picture in the ship’s operations room
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A sailor mans a General Purpose Machine-Gun on Illustrious upper deck during the Thursday War
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A Merlin Mk1 of 820 Naval Air Squadron approaches HMS Illustrious
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A Merlin Mk1 of 820 Naval Air Squadron approaches HMS Illustrious
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Assault Stations on board HMS Illustrious
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Assault Stations on board HMS Illustrious
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Assault Stations on board HMS Illustrious
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Assault Stations on board HMS Illustrious
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Assault Stations
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Assault Stations
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Assault Stations
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HMS Illustrious alongside Devonport
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HMS Illustrious
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Circuit Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Illustrious prepares for Operational Sea Training
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Visit By Worshipful Company Of Shipwrights
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Apache gunships landing and taking off from HMS Illustrious
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Apache gunships landing and taking off from HMS Illustrious
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Apache gunship at night aboard HMS Illustrious
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Martin Connell
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HMS ILLUSTRIOUS Pauses to Remember War Dead
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HMS ILLUSTRIOUS Pauses to Remember War Dead
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HMS ILLUSTRIOUS Pauses to Remember War Dead
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HMS ILLUSTRIOUS Pauses to Remember War Dead
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HMS ILLUSTRIOUS Pauses to Remember War Dead
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HMS ILLUSTRIOUS Pauses to Remember War Dead
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Helicopters resume operations from Illustrious
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Helicopters resume operations from Illustrious
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Helicopters resume operations from Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious - Cold Response
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HMS Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious
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HMS Illustrious
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