Not quite true, HMS Illustrious is still commissioned.
Not that she carries a great deal of airpower now all the Harriers are gone.
( Kroney, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 11:14, 1 reply, 13 years ago)

That makes it a helicopter carrier rather than an aircraft carrier, but I accept your point
but an invasion without air cover would be a disaster.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Fri 15 Jun 2012, 11:17, Reply)

I have no evidence for it
but I suspect the Harriers could be recommissioned if necessary. The point I was making is that we have a ship capable of operating as a strike carrier. But yeah, the lack of planes is something of a handicap.
( Kroney, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 11:26, Reply)

the harriers currently lying in bits and pieces being used for parts by the usaf
I like jigsaw puzzles
( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 11:30, Reply)

Ah, in which case they probably couldn't be.

( Kroney, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 11:30, Reply)