LAUNCH OF HMS INVINCIBLE [Allocated Title]

Log in to create clips, download free screeners and save clips/films in Collections. Click here to find out more.


  • Title: LAUNCH OF HMS INVINCIBLE [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: ADM 4787
  • Other titles: POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - MISCELLANEOUS [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: HMS Invincible is launched from Vickers' Barrow-in-Furness yard.
  • Description: The event is covered by two cameras giving low- and high-angle views of the launching. Queen arrives with Prince Philip and chats graciously with the Reverend Knotman, Vicar of St John's. Invincible is launched, helped on her way by a bottle of vividly red home-made wine (provided by MOD staff at Bath). Fine views of the carrier going down the slip, and the drag chains running out - large numbers of personnel are standing on the flightdeck during the launch. Once in the water, Invincible is manoeuvred by tugs, swinging round to present her port side to the camera. Three Sea King HAS.1s from HMS Gannet, Prestwick Airport, fly past, each streaming a White Ensign. The Hawker Siddeley demonstrator G-VTOL then puts in an appearance, flown by John Farley, HSA's chief test pilot. The Queen departs. Despite wet weather, the crowds of spectators enthusiastically wave Union Jacks throughout.
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © Crown copyright. IWM (ADM 4787)
  • Featured Period: 1976-2000
  • Production Date: 1977-05-03
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations (Navy) (Production sponsor)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Elizabeth II, Queen (person) Philip, Prince (Duke of Edinburgh) (person) Knotman, E (person) Royal Navy, Invincible (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, Sqdn 819 (regiment/service) Vickers (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: ships, British naval - aircraft carrier, V/STOL: Invincible (object name) aircraft, British naval - helicopter: Westland Sea King (object name) aircraft, British - combat: Hawker Siddeley Harrier Mark 52 (object name) industry, British - ships (object name) Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, England, UK (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: None Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 542 ft; Running time: 6 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Notes: Summary: the crowd scenes convey a genuine sense of excitement. It is sad to reflect that Invincible's meagre 16,000 tons standard represented the largest warship laid down in Britain since the end of the Second World War. Invincible commissioned in July, 1980. In September of the next year the Australian Navy made it known that the British Government had offered to sell them the ship for 175 million pounds for delivery in 1983. This proposal was dropped after Invincible's service in the Falklands War
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    ADM 4787

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
Register