Launched on 6 July 1944 and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 9 February 1946, HMS Theseus was a Colossus-class aircraft carrier.
From 1950 until late 1951, HMS Theseus was deployed to Korea, operating out of Japan. Aircraft from Theseus undertook close air support missions in support of UN forces.
In 1956, Theseus was used as a commando carrier, along with HMS Ocean, during the Suez Crisis. From November to December, helicopters from Theseus transported troops ashore, as well as evacuating wounded soldiers.
HMS Theseus was placed in reserve in 1957 and scrapped in 1962.
HMS Theseus, Melbourne 1947HMS Theseus, Melbourne 1947HMS Theseus 1951 alongside in a Japanese harbourCommodore Kivette, USN, visits HMS Theseus by helicopter, arriving from USS Mindoro 15 September 1952 during Operation Mainbrace in the North SeaHMS Theseus 1952 entering harbour in JapanHMS Theseus 1952HMS Theseus with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on board leaving Grand Harbour Malta December 1952HMS Theseus with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on board at sea. HMS Daring takes up position as safety destroyer. December 1952Gun salute as HMS Theseus leaves Gibraltar 4 October 1952HMS Theseus seen departing the Grand Harbour, Malta 1953HMS Theseus leaving Grand Harbor, Valletta, Malta. Astern are HMS Glasgow, HMS Cumberland and HMNZ Black Prince, July, 1953HMS Theseus seen off the Scilly Islands in the 1950’sDecember 1956 HMS Theseus leaving Port Said, EgyptTheseus entering harbour Malta, 19561956 Gunnery practice on HMS Theseus, HMS Ocean is seen in the backgroundHMS Theseus seen at Portland, EnglandHMS Theseus seen at MaltaHMS Theseus at anchor in the Clyde.Anti-aircraft guns on HMS TheseusHawker Sea Fury on HMS TheseusHMS TheseusHMS TheseusHMS Theseus with Hawker Sea Fury fighters on deckHMS TheseusHMS TheseusPreparing a 500 lbs bomb for fitting to a Firefly of 810 Squadron on board HMS Theseus April 1951Late 1955 Trucks being unloaded from HMS Theseus at Cyprus
Aircraft Operations
de Havilland Sea Vampire
de Havilland Sea Vampire F.20 on HMS Theseus
Fairey Barracuda
Fairey Barracuda Mk.II ‘Queen Elizabeth’ of HMS Theseus ship’s flight 1946
Fairey Firefly
A Firefly AS.5 of 810 Squadron making a rocket assisted take-off from HMS Theseus off Korea.A Firefly aircraft of HMS Theseus preparing to take off on a sortie against the enemy in Korea.Sea Fury taking off from HMS Theseus for a sortie against the enemy in Korea. In the foreground a Firefly is being brought into position.Fairey Firefly having been stopped by the safety net on HMS TheseusSea Fury and Firefly aircraft of the deck of HMS Theseus off the Korean coast, 8th December 1950Hawker Sea Fury and Firefly aircraft of the snowy deck of HMS TheseusSea Furies and Fireflies on HMS Theseus during fleet exercises March 1952HMCS Magnificent seen from HMS Theseus Exercise Mainbrace September 1952. Fairey Fireflies are parked on deckHMS Theseus end on to HMS Implacable aircraft on the flight deck are Fireflies of 826 Sqn October 1952 at GibraltarFairey Firefly landing in HMS TheseusFairey Firefly being maneuvered on HMS Theseus. Hawker Sea Fury fighters further up the deckPreparing a 500 lbs bomb for fitting to a Firefly of 810 Squadron on board HMS Theseus April 1951500 lbs bomb being adjusted on one of the bomb racks of a Firefly of 810 Squadron April 1951 Korea
Hawker Sea Fury
Snow falls as aircrewmen of HMS Theseus prepare Sea Fury fighters for operations in Korean waters.Sea Fury taking off from HMS Theseus for a sortie against the enemy in Korea. In the foreground a Firefly is being brought into position.A Sea Fury aircraft landing on HMS Theseus following a sortie against the enemy in Korea.A Sea Fury being moved into position for launching on HMS Theseus for a sortie against the enemy in Korea.Hawker Sea Fury and Firefly aircraft of the snowy deck of HMS TheseusSea Fury and Firefly aircraft of the deck of HMS Theseus off the Korean coast, 8th December 1950Hawker Sea Fury on HMS Theseus in a mid-winter storm off the West Coast of Korea 8 December 1950Aircrewmen re-arming a Sea Fury of HMS Theseus in Korean watersRearming a Sea Fury on Theseus. Handling 20mm ammunition April 1951 KoreaSea Furies of 804 Squadron are seen on the flight deck of HMS Theseus 20 September 1952Sea Fury landing on HMS Theseus during fleet exercises March 1952Sea Furies on HMS Theseus during fleet exercises March 1952Sea Furies and Fireflies on HMS Theseus during fleet exercises March 1952A Hawker Sea Fury ready for take off from HMS TheseusA Hawker Sea Fury seen after a hard landing on HMS Theseus 1953Fairey Firefly being maneuvered on HMS Theseus. Hawker Sea Fury fighters further up the deckHawker Sea Fury on HMS TheseusHMS Theseus with Hawker Sea Fury fighters on deck
Piasecki HUP-2
HMS Theseus takes on a Piasecki HUP-2 from USS Mindoro. The USN helicopter brought Commodore Kivette, USN, to Theseus
Sikorsky HO3S
Sikorsky HO3S on HMS Theseus
Supermarine Sea Otter
Supermarine Sea Otter landing on HMS TheseusSupermarine Sea Otter on HMS Theseus
Westland Whirlwind
Trucks and Whirlwind helicopters seen on the flight deck of HMS TheseusRoyal Marine Commandos embarking in a Royal Navy Whirlwind helicopter to be flown to the beaches from HMS TheseusRoyal Marine Commandos checking equipment on board HMS Theseus before being landed by Westland Whirlwinds. November 1952November 1956 Royal Marines preparing to leave HMS Theseus for Port Said aboard Westland Whirlwind helicopters during the Suez CrisisNovember 1956 Royal Marines embarking HMS Theseus during the Suez Crisis. A Westland Whirlwind helicopter sits on the deck1956 Westland Whirlwind helicopters on HMS Theseus at Malta1956 Casualties from the Suez Crisis being brought aboard HMS Theseus by Westland Whirlwind helicopters
