The crew of HMS Illustrious recently visited Newcastle, their spiritual home. Gavin Englebrecht took the opportunity to spend two days on the aircraft carrier.

EXPERIENCING the raw power of a Harrier taking off from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier is quite aweinspiring.

Up close, the surge from the engines of the fighter jets – capable of 24,000lb of thrust – rattles the ribs as they roar from the ramp of HMS Illustrious.

Gavin Engelbrecht spends two days aboard HMS Illustrious

In less than a minute, three are airborne and the ship switches course to evade any possible threat.

The rare opportunity of getting onto the flight deck during a launch came as HMS Illustrious enjoyed a homecoming with the Harriers 50 miles off the North-East coast The pilots, having returned from fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, were finding their sea legs – some having landed on a carrier for the first time – and building up to full combat readiness on the 22,500-tonne vessel.

Navy Strike Wing Commander Keith Seymour said: “We have been away for nine months in Afghanistan, which was quite testing for everybody. It was challenging and rewarding both for the ground crew and from the pilots’ perspective – supporting those troops on the ground that needed us. It was highly successful.

“What is exciting for me is watching the young pilots’ transition – coming from Afghanistan where they were ground based and coming onto a ship for the first time.

“Whether a pilot or ground crew, there is a lot to learn.

There is some exciting stuff, some hair-raising moments.

“But it is not just about flying – it is about how to integrate to life on board and to build the all-round aviator we are looking for.”

For all his experience, Commander Seymour is animated about flying. He said: “The take-off is exhilarating, to say the least.

“The jet throws you back in your seat and, of course, in front of you is the ramp itself, which provides a number of challenges.

“You catapult off the ramp and off you go. It is a very gentlemanly way of getting airborne.”

The pilots still face the pressure of landing on a moving carrier, which “sorts them out a bit”.

Commanding Officer Captain Ben Key said: “Welcoming the Naval Strike Wing back to their second home, which is HMS Illustrious, is absolutely wonderful.

“Through the year, we hope to be able to build the ability to maximise our war fighting capabilities.”

He said the crew had enjoyed their recent visit to Newcastle, and said: “Thirty years ago, this ship was built on the Tyne – it is our spiritual home.

“I have a large number of sailors on board who come from the North-East.

“It is an area of England that has a great affinity for and understanding of the sea, our maritime heritage and how important it is for us today.

“Combined with the fact that we always get a warm welcome when we come to Newcastle and the fact the ship is coming back to its birthplace, visits are always hugely looked forward to, massively enjoyed and inevitably successful.”

Air engineering technician Ben Bearpark, of Guisborough, east Cleveland, who works in the weapons workshops, said: “Some of the highlights of the last year were a visit to India and Oman, which was really good. And I met the Queen in Turkey.

“I worked at Corus, at Lackenby, for five years, where I completed my apprenticeship.

“I was enjoying it, but thought I really wanted to broaden my horizons, so I went to the Middlesbrough recruitment office and signed up. I enjoy getting away and I meet a lot of people from all over the country on board.”

Lieutenant Gillian Murray, 27, from North Tyneside, works in the kitchens. She said: “It offers a varied job on a day-to-day basis and I also get the opportunity to change jobs every 18 months.

You do miss all your family who are back up here and you miss your friends you grew up with – and your other half.”

Weapons engineering mechanic Lauren Taylor, 21, of Sunderland, said: “My father used to be in the Navy and he told me loads of stories about how good it was and (joining up) was a really good idea.”