https://arkies2.co.uk/2026/10/13/the-fighting-g-hms-gloucester-seen-in-her-final-years-of-service-in-1991-acting-on-british-experience-from-the-falklands-war-she-was-the-first-ship-to-shoot-down-a-missile-with/Arkies Naval News and Photosen-gb2026-10-13T16:39:37+00:00‘The Fighting G’ – HMS Gloucester seen in her final years of service. In 1991, acting on British experience from the Falklands War, she was the first ship to shoot down a missile with her own.https://arkies2.co.uk/2026/10/13/in-1982-the-royal-navy-aircraft-carrier-hms-illustrious-r06-was-seen-passing-hms-ark-royal-r09-which-was-then-under-construction-in-tyneside-england-this-moment-captured-two-british-aircraft-c/Arkies Naval News and Photosen-gb2026-10-13T13:39:37+00:00In 1982, the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (R06) was seen passing HMS Ark Royal (R09), which was then under construction in Tyneside, England. This moment captured two British aircraft carriers of different generations in a single view: HMS Illustrious was entering service, while HMS Ark Royal was still being built.HMS Illustrious was the first ship of the Invincible class, entering service in 1982. Meanwhile, HMS Ark Royal was built as the third and final ship of the same class, officially entering service in 1985. Both vessels played a vital role in the evolution of the Royal Navy’s naval aviation capabilities during the Cold War era.