Aircraft maintenance carriers of the Royal Navy

The Royal Navy built three aircraft maintenance carriers for its Fleet Air Arm before and during World War II.

The ship was initially completed as a light aircraft carrier and provided air cover over the amphibious landing at Salerno, Italy, in September 1943.

She spent most of the war ferrying aircraft, troops, stores and equipment in support of Commonwealth operations in Korea.

[3] Pioneer arrived in Australia in early 1945 to support operations by the BPF against Japanese forces from a base in the Admiralty Islands.

The ship and her facilities were used to help repair Hong Kong's infrastructure in late 1945 and she returned to the UK in early 1946.

[16] Perseus was completed in 1945, after the end of World War II, and she made a trip to Australia late in the year, just in time to help return men, aircraft and equipment.

Over 1600 test launches were conducted before the catapult was removed in 1952 and she was converted for use as a ferry carrier to transport aircraft, troops and equipment overseas.