(as of Aug 07, 2025 17:25:04 UTC – Details)
With over 260 images, this is a highly illustrated history of the ships and operations of the Royal Navy during the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
During the 70 years spanned by the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Navy changed out of all recognition. Its status as a superpower navy with worldwide bases and operations has been eclipsed, but it remains a powerful force because of its potency if not its size. Maritime history author Paul Brown takes us through each decade in turn, outlining the key events and developments, and charting the changes to the size, structure and capabilities of the Navy.
Fully illustrated with over 260 colour and black and white images, this book also provides a stunning visual record of the ships and operations that featured most prominently in each decade.
From the Publisher
HMS Ocean
Ocean, a light fleet aircraft carrier of the Colossus class is seen at Sasebo, Japan, during the Korean War, with her ship’s company at ease on the flight deck.
(Royal Navy Image Archive)
HMS TABARD
The T-class submarine Tabard is seen in more-or-less her original form, with the addition of a ‘snort’ mast (here lowered on deck, aft of the fin). She retains her external torpedo tubes, two in the bow (one of which is clearly visible) and three firing aft, and her 4-inch gun.
(Author’s collection)
HMS ANDREW
In June 1953 Andrew made the first-ever submerged transatlantic crossing, from Bermuda to the English Channel. Here, on 16 June, her ship’s company line the boat at Portland Naval Base. The crossing was timed to create a good news story in the month of the queen’s coronation.
(Conway Picture Library)
HMS VANGUARD
The first-of-class Trident submarine, Vanguard, arrives in Gareloch for the first time, on 25 October 1992. Her class was built to replace the Resolution-class Polaris missile-armed submarines, providing the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent. The Vanguards were nearly twice the size of the Resolutions, displacing nearly 16,000 tonnes when dived.
(Crown Copyright/OGL)
HMY BRITANNIA
The royal yacht Britannia arriving at Portsmouth for the last time, on 22 November 1997, completing a clockwise circumnavigation of the UK in which she visited eight major ports. On 10 October it had been announced by the new Labour government that no replacement would be built for her because the construction and operating costs were prohibitive.
(Author’s collection)
HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH
UK F-35 Lightning fighters aboard the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth for the first time, October 2019. Flown by Royal Navy
and Royal Air Force pilots, the jets were embarked to conduct operational trials off the east coast of the USA.
(Crown Copyright/OGL)
Publisher : Osprey Publishing
Publication date : 13 April 2023
Language : English
Print length : 344 pages
ISBN-10 : 1472854977
ISBN-13 : 978-1472854971
Item weight : 1.63 kg
Dimensions : 26.29 x 2.67 x 24.89 cm
Best Sellers Rank: 275,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) 346 in Military Vehicles 441 in Maritime History & Piracy (Books) 621 in Ship References
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