Summary: The HMS Hermes, a Centaur-class aircraft carrier, served the Royal Navy from its completion in 1959 until it was decommissioned and sold to India, where it served as INS Viraat until 2017.

One of the longest-serving was HMS Hermes, which spent a total of 58 years in two navies. Since World War II, aircraft carriers have been one of the most important weapons in a military's arsenal.

HMS Hermes entered service with the Royal Navy ... Soon after she was decommissioned, plans had emerged for her to be transformed into a floating museum of luxury £90m hotel.

Of course it’s sad to see a great ship pass away. But the aircraft carrier that was HMS Hermes is bowing out after a glorious lifespan unsurpassed – she’s the longest serving warship in the ...

The campaign to preserve the ship is strongly supported by Mark Smith, a former captain’s steward who served aboard the vessel for half a decade and today chairs the HMS Hermes Association.