Originally built for the British Royal Navy as HMS Powerful, HMCS Bonaventure was a Majestic-class aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Canadian Navy. Laid down on 27 November 1943 as HMS Powerful, she was incomplete at the end of the Second World War and work on her was halted.
Canada acquired the ship in 1952 and she was completed to an altered design and commissioned on 17 January 1957. The new design incorporated the ability to land aircraft of up to 24,000 pounds (11,000 kg); enlarged aircraft lifts to 54 by 34 feet (16 m × 10 m) in order to accommodate larger aircraft, an angled flight deck, steam catapults, and optical landing system.
The aircraft carrier’s initial air group was composed of sixteen McDonnell F2H Banshee jet fighters and eight Grumman CS2F Tracker anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft along with Sikorsky HO4S ASW helicopters.
The Banshees were retired in 1962 but were not replaced. The ship’s role then changed to one of pure ASW and the air wing was modified, dropping the fighters but keeping the eight Trackers, and increasing the number of HO4Ss to fourteen. In 1963, the aircraft carrier began a refit in order to allow her operate the new Sikorsky CHSS-2 Sea King helicopters, which had been ordered to replace the HO4Ss.
Bonaventure was sold an broken up for scrap in 1971.
HMS Magnificent (left) and HMS Powerful (later HMCS Bonaventure) under construction at Harland and Wolff’s Musgrave shipyard, Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) under going heeling trialsHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) at sea in 1961 with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS BonaventureHMCS Bonaventure 1962 In Full Dress Entering or Leaving PortHMCS Bonaventure with a Sikorsky H0S4 helicopter and Grumman CS2F trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure harbouring in Stockholm, during a military event, in June 1965HMCS Bonaventure harbouring in Stockholm, during a military event, in June 1965HMCS Bonaventure in RotterdamHMCS Bonaventure with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22), in April 1959HMCS Bonaventure (CVL-22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with a Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) in heavy seasHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with a waves breaking over the bowGrumman CS2F Trackers on HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) during heavy seas HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers and Sikorsky CH-124 Sea Kings on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) at sea in 1961 with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) at sea in 1961 with Grumman CS2F Trackers and Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King helicopters on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) at sea in 1961 with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) transporting Ferret scout cars with the Recce Squadron, RCD, en-route to Cyprus in 1964HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22), celebrating the RCN’s 50th Anniversary in 1960HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure and HMCS Swansea, pictured on 18 May 1959HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) RASing with HMCS Iroquois.HMCS Skeena 207, HMCS Provider 508, HMCS Bonaventure CVL22 1966HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22), with HMCS Iroquois escortingHMCS Restigouche 257, HMCS Bonaventure CVL-22, HMCS Skeena 207HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure and HMCS FraserJune 1961 Top to bottom USS The Sullivans 537, USS Jonas Ingram 938, HMCS Bonaventure CVL 22, USS Essex, HMCS AthabaskanHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22), celebrating 10,000 trapped landingsHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22), 1957HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22), RASing with a USN shipHMCS Bonaventure along with five Destroyers, HMCS Ottawa, HMCS Margaree, HMCS Gatineau, HMCS Fraser, HMCS Provider and HMCS St-Laurent tied-up in the port of New Orleans for a six day visit.HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)HMCS Bonaventure, 12 December 1969HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) in 1960HMCS Bonaventure, post 1966-67 refitHMCS Bonaventure view from a Sikorsky H0S4 helicopterGrumman C2SF-1 Tracker landing on HMCS Bonaventure
Aircraft Operations
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (US Navy)
HMCS Bonaventure flight deck with a visiting USN Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
Grumman CS2F Tracker
A Grumman CS2F Tracker on HMCS Bonaventure during a visit to Hamburg 1966Grumman C2SF-1 Tracker displaying armament, on HMCS BonaventureGrumman CS2F Trackers on HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) during heavy seas A Grumman CS2F Tracker taking off from HMCS BonaventureGrumman CS2F Tracker landing on HMCS BonaventureGrumman C2SF-1 Tracker landing on HMCS BonaventureGrumman CS2F Trackers on HMCS BonaventureGrumman CS2F TrackerGrumman CS2F Tracker propeller and engineGrumman CS2F tracker preparing to take off from HMCS BonaventureHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure with a Sikorsky H0S4 helicopter and Grumman CS2F trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with a Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers and Sikorsky CH-124 Sea Kings on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) at sea in 1961 with Grumman CS2F Trackers and Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King helicopters on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) at sea in 1961 with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) at sea in 1961 with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) at sea in 1961 with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers on deck
McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee
McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee on HMCS BonaventureMcDonnell F2H-3 Banshee positioned on the steam catapult of HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22), in 1957McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee landing on HMCS BonaventureMcDonnell F2H-3 Banshees flying over HMCS BonaventureMcDonnell F2H-3 BansheeMcDonnell F2H-3 Banshee
Sikorsky HO4S-3 Sea Horse
Sikorsky HO4S-3 Sea Horse 55878Sikorsky HO4S-3 Sea HorseSikorsky HO4S-3 Sea Horse helicoptersHMCS Bonaventure with a Sikorsky HOS4 helicopter 228 on deckHMCS Bonaventure with a Sikorsky HOS4 helicopter hovering over the main deckSikorsky HO4S (Serial No. 55875) is held in place as Sea King (Serial No. 4017) from HMCS Annapolis (DDH265) takes off
Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King
Sikorsky CH-124 Sea KingSikorsky CH-124 Sea KingsHMCS Bonaventure’s downed CH-124 Sea King in February 1968. All crew was rescued, and the helicopter was recoveredSikorsky HO4S (Serial No. 55875) is held in place as Sea King (Serial No. 4017) from HMCS Annapolis (DDH265) takes offHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) at sea in 1961 with Grumman CS2F Trackers and Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King helicopters on deckHMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) with Grumman CS2F Trackers and Sikorsky CH-124 Sea Kings on deck
HMCS Magnificent was a Majestic-class aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Canadian Navy from 1948 to 1957.
Towards the end of the Second World War, Canada anticipated the need for additional and larger aircraft carriers to operated in the Pacific against Japan. At this time it crewed two British Royal Navy escort carriers (HMS Nabob which was heavily damaged and HMS Puncher). Negotiations led to Britain offering the Colossus-class carrier, HMS Warrior (HMCS Warrior in Canadian service) and The Majestic-class HMS Magnificent (HMCS Magnificent in Canadian service).
Warrior entered service in 1946, but was considered unsuitable for Canadian conditions, as she had been built to operate in the tropics and lacked heating. In 1948 she was replaced by Magnificent. The carrier was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy on 21 March 1948.
Following the Suez Crisis, the Canadian Government agreed to send a peacekeeping for to Egypt. HMCS Magnificent transported 406 Canadian troops and their vehicles along with 4 Royal Canadian Air Force de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otters and a single H04S helicopter. For this trip, she had her guns removed and complement reduced to 600. She unloaded her cargo in Port Said in January 1957.
The increased in size, weight and speed of jet aircraft made Magnificent unsuitable for their operation. On 14 June 1957, she was decommissioned and replaced in RCN service by HMCS Bonaventure, another Royal Navy Majestic-class carrier (HMS Powerful) that had not been completed at the end of the war. The ship was broken up at Faslane, Scotland, in July 1965.
HMS Magnificent (left) and HMS Powerful under construction at Harland and Wolff’s Musgrave shipyard, Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)HMCS Magnificent at Boston 1951 April 23rdMagnificent in 1950HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) in the mid-1950s with 15 Grumman Avenger AS.3 of No. 881 NAS and two Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 fighters of No 871 NASGrumman Avengers on the deck of HMCS MagnificentHCMS Magnificent, HCMS Nootka and HCMS Ocean off the coast of Korea, 1952HMCS Magnificent refueling at seaHMCS MagnificentHMCS MagnificentHMCS MagnificentGrumman Avenger AS.3 Sep 1953 on HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent in Genoa April 1950HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), 20 March 1950Royal Canadian Navy sailors playing hockey on the flight deck of HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)In October 1951, HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) transported 35 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2 aircraft to EuropeHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), at anchor off San Raphael, French Riviera, 1951HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), entering Grand Harbour, Malta, 1951HMCS Magnificent seen from the flight deck of HMS Theseus as Theseus leads the Carrier Support Force out of Rosyth for Exercise Mainbrace 1952HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), in 1952. Viewed from a Grumman Avenger, while others are parked on her deckHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), in Halifax May 1953HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), in Halifax May 1953HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), leaving Halifax May 1953HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), in Halifax June 1954 HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), visiting Rotterdam, 24 Oct 1955HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) with Fairey Fireflies and Hawker Sea Furies on deckHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)
Transporting Canadian Air Force Sabres
In October 1951, HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) transported 35 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2 aircraft to EuropeIn October 1951, HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) transported 35 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2 aircraft to EuropeIn October 1951, HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) transported 35 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2 aircraft to EuropeIn October 1951, HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) transported 35 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2 aircraft to EuropeIn October 1951, HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) transported 35 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2 aircraft to EuropeHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), carrying 46 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabres cocooned on deck. The Sabres were being repatriated from Germany, 1957
Transporting Canadian Army Equipment
HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), unloading Canadian Army vehicles in Port Said for UNEF January 1957
Aircraft Operations
Douglas A-1 Skyraider (US Navy)
U.S. Navy Douglas AD-1B Skyraider from Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75) and Grumman Avengers on HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953
Fairey Firefly
Fairey Firefly being launched from HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), Fairey Firefly FR. Mk IV, TW753, 825 Sqn swerved off the flight deck on HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), Fairey Firefly accident, 1951Grumman Avenger AS.3, Hawker Sea Fury and Fairey Firefly aircraft on the deck of HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953Hawker Sea Fury and a Fairey Firefly aboard HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)
Grumman Avenger
Grumman TBM-3W Avenger aircraft on the flight deck of HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), circa 1953Grumman A.S.4 Avenger flying over HMCS MagnificentU.S. Navy Douglas AD-4B Skyraider from Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75) and Grumman Avengers on HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953Grumman Avenger AS.3, Hawker Sea Fury and Fairey Firefly aircraft on the deck of HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953Grumman Avenger AS.3 on the deck of HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953Grumman Avenger AS.3 Sep 1953 on HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) in the mid-1950s with 15 Grumman Avenger AS.3 of No. 881 NAS and two Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 fighters of No 871 NASGrumman Avengers on the deck of HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), visiting Rotterdam, with RCN Grumman TBM-3 Avengers on deck, 1950HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), in 1952. Viewed from a Grumman Avenger, while others are parked on her deckHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), with Grumman Avengers on deck 1952
Hawker Sea Fury
Hawker Sea Fury taking off from HMCS MagnificentSea Fury catches the #2 wire on HMS MagnificentHawker Sea Fury crashed into the crash barrier on HMCS MagnificentHawker Sea Fury and a Fairey Firefly aboard HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)Grumman Avenger AS.3, Hawker Sea Fury and Fairey Firefly aircraft on the deck of HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953Hawker Sea Fury flying over HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) in the mid-1950s with 15 Grumman Avenger AS.3 of No. 881 NAS and two Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 fighters of No 871 NAS
When completed on 2 April 1945, the Colossus-class aircraft carrier HMS Warrior was lent to the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS Warrior. She remained in Canadian hands from 14 March 1946 until 23 March 1948.
Upon returning to British service, HMS Warrior was refitted at Devonport, where she was equipped with an experimental flexible deck. The concept of the rubber deck was to permit aircraft to land without an undercarriage, the impact of landing being absorbed by the flexible deck. Although successful it was not implemented and Warrior was paid off to reserve in 1949.
Re-commissioned in 1960, Warrior was used to transport troops and equipment for the Korean War. When she returned to the UK in 1955, she was refitted, and an angled deck installed, along with upgrades to the arrester system and catapults to enable the operation of aircraft up to 20,000lbs.
During 1957, Warrior was used as the headquarters ship for Operation Grapple the British hydrogen bomb tests. For this operations she embarked Grumman Avenger AS4s to collect samples and a flight of Westland Whirlwind helicopters. The Avengers became contaminated from flying through the radioactive dust clouds and were dumped overboard at the end of the operation.
Warrior was decommissioned on 28 February 1958 and sold to Argentina as ARA Independencia on 6 August 1958.
HMS Warrior (R31) fitting outHMS Warrior (R31) at anchor in 1945HMS Warrior (R31) USS Des Moines (CA-134) and HMS Gambia (48) at Malta 1951HMS Warrior (R31) USS Des Moines (CA-134) and HMS Gambia (48) at Malta 1951HMS Warrior in 1953HMS Warrior in 1953HMS Warrior on speed trials in 1953 showing the J deck letterHMS Warrior on speed trials in 1953 showing the J deck letterPreparing fuel lines on HMS Warrior 1953HMS Warrior on escort duty to Gothic which was carrying Her Majesty the Queen in 1953HMS Warrior and Gothic in 1953HMS Warrior leaving Plymouth Sound bound for the Far East 1953HMS Warrior at Grand Harbour, Malta 1953HMS Warrior at Kobe, Japan in 1954HMS Warrior and landing craft, Vietnam, 1954HMS Warrior at Simonstown, South Africa in 1954HMS Warrior, Hong Kong, October 3, 1954HMS Warrior seen in 1956HMS Warrior (R31) in 1957HMS Warrior, 4th September 1957, Puerto Belgrano, ArgentinaHMS Warrior (R31) in 1957HMS Warrior ship’s boatHMS WarriorHMS Warrior
Armament
Twin-40mm anti-aircraft guns on HMS Warrior40mm anti-aircraft guns on HMS WarriorAnti-aircraft guns on HMS WarriorRange finder on HMS Warrior
Aircraft Operations
Fairey Firefly and Hawker Sea Fury
Hawker Sea Fury and Fairey Firefly aircraft on HMS WarriorHawker Sea Fury and Fairey Firefly aircraft on HMS Warrior
Westland WS-51 Dragonfly
July 14, 1954 Crash of a Westland WS-51 Dragonfly off Kunsan, South Korea
Rubber Deck Trials
de Havilland Sea Vampire landing on flexible flight deck on HMS Warriorde Havilland Sea Vampire landing on flexible flight deck on HMS Warriorde Havilland Sea Vampire after landing on flexible flight deck on HMS Warriorde Havilland Sea Vampire being maneuvered on the flexible flight deck on HMS Warrior
