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HMS SHAH gallery

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Modification period at Vancouver: October – December 1943

The removal of the original rounddown in preparation for fitting the flight deck extension. (1) Image: e000762191 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada
The removal of the original rounddown in preparation for fitting the flight deck extension. (2) Image: e000762192 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada
The removal of the original rounddown in preparation for fitting the flight deck extension. (3)  Image: e000762195 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada
The removal of the original rounddown in preparation for fitting the flight deck extension. (4) Image: ee000762194 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

 

 

The first section of the longer rounddown is in place for the flight deck extension.  Image: e000762205 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada
Aft starboard quarter view showing the first section of the longer rounddown is in place for the flight deck extension.  Image: e000762204 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada
Stern view showing the first section of the longer rounddown is in place for the flight deck extension. Image: e000762207 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada
High and dry in the floating dock at Burrard’s North Yard, Vancouver. SHAH spent three days in dock for remedial work before returning to No 7 berth where her alterations were completed. Photo courtesy CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum m Neg: VR995.30.22

 

High and dry in the floating dock at Burrard’s Nor th Yard, Vancouver. QUEEN spent three days in dock for remedial work before returning to No 7 berth on February 5th, where her alterations were completed. Photo courtesy CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum m Neg: VR995.30.08
Twin Oerlikon 20mm gun mounts being installed. These were an upgrade to the air defence armament, replacing many of the single mounts. Image: e000762202 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada
High and dry in the floating dock at Burrard’s North Yard, Vancouver. SHAH spent three days in dock for remedial work before returning to No 7 berth where her alterations were completed. Photo courtesy CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum m Neg: VR995.30.22
High and dry in the floating dock at Burrard’s Nor th Yard, Vancouver. QUEEN spent three days in dock for remedial work before returning to No 7 berth on February 5th, where her alterations were completed. Photo courtesy CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum m Neg: VR995.30.08

 

High and dry in the floating dock at Burrard’s Nor th Yard, Vancouver. SHAH spent three days in dock for remedial work before returning to No 7 berth where her alterations were completed. Photo courtesy CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum m Neg: VR995.30.08

 

 Aircraft Ferry duties: June 1944 - June 1945

 

July 9th 1944: SHAH photographed by a USN Blimp from ZP-24 as she steamed towards Norfolk Navy Yard, arriving there the following day. Note her forward 40mm Bofors mounts are not yet installed; the gun tubs are empty.
July 1944: SHAH departing Norfolk Naval Operating Base with a cargo of lend-lease airframes for delivery to the UK. There appear to be 65 Hellcat fighters lashed on her flight deck with more in the hangar deck.
October 14th 1944: SHAH carrying her second ferry load of Lend-lease aircraft; departing from Norfolk, Virginia to join with the Naples-bound Convoy, UGF.16, for passage to Gibraltar. There are 33 Corsairs and 5 Avengers parked on her flight deck. (1)
October 14th 1944: SHAH carrying her second ferry load of Lend-lease aircraft; departing from Norfolk, Virginia to join with the Naples-bound Convoy, UGF.16, for passage to Gibraltar. There are 33 Corsairs and 5 Avengers parked on her flight deck. (2)

 

December 7th 1944: SHAH on the Clyde waiting to disembark her ferry load from Norfolk, Virginia; a pair of Grumman Tigercats are parked at the forward end of the flight deck. The remainder of her cargo comprises Corsairs and Hellcats.

 

 

Operation SEAHORSE July 1945

Cherbourg July 1945: recovered German aircraft, mostly experimental machines on barges waiting to be loaded aboard REAPE|R for passage to the US.
Cherbourg July 1945: One of two Dornier Do 335s Propeller-driven fighters, engines and props removed.,being loaded aboard REAPE|R for passage to the US.
Cherbourg July 1945: Two of the ten Messerschmitt Me 262A fighters on SHAH’s flight deck secured for passage to the US. Behind these (right) are four Arado 234B bombers and further back (left) one of two Dornier Do 335s.
One of the ten Messerschmitt Me 262A jet fighters on SHAH’s flight deck secured for passage to the USA. Directly in front of this machine is one of the two Dornier Do 335s Propeller-driven fighters, engines and props removed.

 

Cherbourg July 1945: This photo. taken for the bridge, shows a number of the ten Messerschmitt Me 262A jet fighters, Arado 234B twin-jet bombers, and at least one of two Dornier Do 335s on SHAH’s flight deck secured for passage to the US.

 

 

  Operations with the British Pacific Fleet

September 1945: SHAH at anchor in Sydney harbour, Australia.
September 1945: SHAH underway in Sydney harbour, Australia.
October 1845: Some of the senior ratings of M.S.R. 9 pose with one of 1701 squadron's Sea Otter aircraft on SHAH's flight deck during passage from Manus in the Admiralty Islands to Hong Kong.
November 17th 1945: SHAH entering Auckland harbour, New Zealand, her passengers are on the flight deck as she makes her way to her berth.

 

November 18th 1945: SHAH alongside Prince's Wharf, Auckland r, New Zealand.

 

 

Retunr to the UK to pay Off

 

November 1945,SHAH emerges after her conversion into a troop ship at Barrow-in-Furness. © IWM (FL 18146)
March 20th 1946: SHAH on the Clyde on her arrival back in the UK to pay off. Note she is flying her paying-off pennant from the masthead.

 

 

 



 

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