The first
aircraft carrier, it was converted from a
battlecruiser into a flush-deck aircraft carrier in
1917, and it was the
prototype of all
flat-tops. The first
aircraft carriers designed from scratch were
HMS Hermes and
IJN Hosho, which both were launched in
1920. HMS Furious is the only aircraft carrier which did combat operations in both
World Wars. She was scrapped in
1948.
Originally, it was built as part of Admiral John Fisher’s plan to attack Germany's Baltic coast. As part of this plan it got two 457mm guns. However that plan was canceled so a new use was sought. In February 1917 her forward gun was replaced with a flying off deck.
As a result of various problems and due to greater experience with carriers at that time, it was
re-built between 1922-1925 with a full flight deck, Furious served with the Atlantic and Home Fleets until 1939. At the beginning of World War II she was employed hunting U-boats in the Atlantic and in April 1940 took part in the operations off Norway. In an unusual departure from her normal roles Furious then carried £18,000,000 of gold bullion to Canada.