HMS Illustrious returns home after revamp

THE Royal Navy's last operational fixed-wing aircraft carrier returned to its home port yesterday after completing a £40 million upgrade programme to convert it into a helicopter carrier.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th Jul 2011, 20:53 BST

Updated 7th Jul 2011, 23:46 BST

HMS Illustrious, affectionately known as Lusty, was in Rosyth dockyard in Fife for 16 months where it underwent modifications to turn it into a helicopter and commando carrier.

The 22,000-tonne ship is now capable of carrying a force of up to 20 helicopters and 600 personnel. About 300 family members of the crew lined the dock at Portsmouth naval base to welcome the ship home.