HMS Bulwark was a Centaur-class carrier that entered service in 1954 and was scrapped in 1984. Its 1958 complement shows the breadth of tasks expected from a late-1950s Royal Navy carrier. The group included Sea Hawks for fighter-attack work, Sea Venoms for all-weather interception, Gannets for anti-submarine warfare, Skyraiders for airborne warning, and helicopters for utility and rescue duties. The total had already fallen from 42 to 40 aircraft. The Gannets were due to leave at the end of 1958 because the navy judged that it had enough escorts and wanted more helicopter space. The changing mix shows how a carrier balanced fighter, strike, surveillance, anti-submarine, and rescue roles within finite capacity.
Chapter · 5:48-8:20
HMS Bulwark's balanced 1958 carrier air group
A tour of HMS Bulwark's 40-aircraft group shows how fighters, strike aircraft, ASW planes, airborne radar, helicopters, and rescue aircraft shared one carrier.