Illustrious (R06) is, was, an Invincible Class carrier, NOT a conventional carrier.
Illustrious (R87) was a conventional carrier that was in service until 1954.
'Conventional carrier' is a phrase that, to most people here I think, would bring to mind catapults and arrestor gear.
There may be serving RN who were aboard Ark Royal, our last conventional carrier, but they'd be aged mid 50s and would, 34 years ago, have been quite junior.
Last edited by Willard Whyte; 25th Jun 2012 at 22:18.