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HMS Puncher

British Escort Carrier HMS Puncher (D79)

British Escort Carrier HMS Puncher (D79)

Built as USS Willapa a Bogue-class escort carrier, the ship was transferred to the United Kingdom as part of Lend-Lease and renamed HMS Puncher (D79) of the British Ruler class. Primarily used as an aircraft transport, Puncher took part in operations along the Norwegian coast towards the end of the war. Following the war the ship was converted for mercantile service and renamed Muncaster Castle, Bardic and Ben Nevis, before being broken up in 1973.

Photographs of HMS Puncher

Flight deck crews learnt the art of handling aircraft on HMS Puncher's flight deck using a an obsolete Blackburn Shark
HMS Puncher 21 Sep 1944 at Greenock
HMS Puncher 21 September 1944 at Greenock
HMS Puncher June 1945
HMS Puncher heading for the UK with a full ferry load of US Lend-Lease aircraft
One of the eight P-47 Thunderbolts carried on HMS Puncher
HMS Puncher
HMS Puncher
HMS Puncher
HMS Puncher

Air Operations

Fairey Barracuda

A Barracuda nosed into HMS Puncher's flight deck
A Barracuda nosed into HMS Puncher’s flight deck
Having snapped its tail hook, this Barracuda was flipped onto its nose by the barrier
Having snapped its tail hook, this Barracuda was flipped onto its nose by the barrier
Following a crash on HMS Puncher's deck during night operations, this Barracuda was jettisoned over the carrier's side. Note the artwork
Following a crash on HMS Puncher’s deck during night operations, this Barracuda was jettisoned over the carrier’s side. Note the artwork
Eleven of the twelve Barracuda's from HMS Puncher's 821 Squadron sit ready for take-off in Jan 1945
Eleven of the twelve Barracuda’s from HMS Puncher’s 821 Squadron sit ready for take-off in Jan 1945
Barracudas of 821 Squadron ranged on HMS Puncher off Norwegian coast with Force 2, during Operation Shred, February 21, 1945
Barracudas of 821 Squadron ranged on HMS Puncher off Norwegian coast with Force 2, during Operation Shred, February 21, 1945
Crashed Barracuda is secured to HMS Puncher's deck following a crash
Crashed Barracuda is secured to HMS Puncher’s deck following a crash
Barracuda's returned to HMS Puncher following a minelaying operation in Haugesund Fjord, Norway on 22 February, 1945
Barracuda’s returned to HMS Puncher following a minelaying operation in Haugesund Fjord, Norway on 22 February, 1945
An Avenger and a Barracuda from 778 Service Trails Unit from RN Air Station Arbroath is ready to take off from HMS Puncher
An Avenger and a Barracuda from 778 Service Trails Unit from RN Air Station Arbroath is ready to take off from HMS Puncher
A Barracuda of No.821 naval air squadron about to be struck down into the hanger
A Barracuda of No.821 naval air squadron about to be struck down into the hanger

Fairey Firefly

The Batman coaches a Firefly onto HMS Puncher's deck
Fairey Firefly missed the arrester wires and crashed into the barricade
A Firefly is returned onto its wheels after flipping on its nose during a landing on HMS Puncher late in 1945

Grumman Avenger

An Avenger and a Barracuda from 778 Service Trails Unit from RN Air Station Arbroath is ready to take off from HMS Puncher
An Avenger and a Barracuda from 778 Service Trails Unit from RN Air Station Arbroath is ready to take off from HMS Puncher

Grumman Wildcat

A Wildcat from HMS Puncher damages it's landing gear as it lands on the pitching deck of the carrier in rough weather