Facts and Figures
Launched:	May 1977, by the Queen
Displacement:	19,810 tons full load
Length:	203.30 metres (667ft)
Beam:	27.43 metres (90ft)
Draught:	7.32 metres (24ft)
Flight Deck Length:	167.64 metres (550ft)
Missiles:	One Sea Dart twin laucher
Propulsion:	Four Olympus TM3B gas turbines driving two shafts, producing 112,000 shp
Speed:	28 knots
Range:	5,000 miles at 18 knots
Complement:	Up to 1,000, excluding aircrew
Aircraft:	Nine Sea King helicopters (820 Squadron) and five Sea Harriers (801 Squadron)

Invincible is in Business
Text from Ships Of The Royal Navy No. 307
HMS Invincible, the largest warship in the world to be powered by gas turbines, is due to become operational on June 19, exactly 15 months since her acceptance by the Navy.

Her long and complex trials period culminates early this month, and most of July will be spent in basic operational sea training before the carrier takes part in her first full-scale exercise in the North Sea.

Summer leave will be followed by her first transatlantic visit - to Boston and to Norfolk Virginia.

Besides being one of the most powerful surface ships that has ever served in the British Fleet, the Invincible represents a novel concept in warship design.

She is the first ship to be fitted with a take-off ramp and the first to have "scissors" lifts to the hangar; within the Royal Navy she has the largest power shaft, the largest propellers, the biggest air-conditioning system, the largest reversing gearboxes and the largest electrical power system. She is the biggest warship to be built in Britain for 25 years.

Her hull is unique in that it is slightly asymmetric above the waterline to balance the long superstructure on the starboard side.

HMS Invincible has been designed to combine three functions - to provide facilities for command and control, to deploy large anti-submarine helicopters in support of a force at sea and to provide area air defence using Sea Harriers and the Sea Dart shipborne missile system.

The missiles can also be used against surface targets, as can the Sea Harriers which are capable of strikes on land or at sea with conventional weapons or free-fall nuclear bombs.

At the heart of the ship's fighting ability is a computer complex, a highly sophisticated operations room and a range of semi-automatic communications equipment, including satellite terminals.

Air-conditioned accommodation is one of the highest standard for the thousand-plus complement. Facilities include three dining halls, two main galleys and comfortable recreation space separate from the sleeping areas.

Closed-circuit television from the ships own studio or regular BBC/ITV programmes can be seen in all the messes. There is a comprehensive library, a chapel, a sick bay and operating theatre, and a fully-equipped dental surgery.

With her sister ships HMS Illustrious and HMS Ark Royal - due to commission in 1982 and 1985 respectively - the Invincible will play a key role in the sea defence of Britain. They will be the central ships of task groups comprising destroyers and frigates, deployed in time of war to counter the treat to the vital Atlantic sea lanes.

The Invincible, launched in May, 1977 by the Queen, is under the command of Capt. Michael Livesay.