How to Build an Aircraft Carrier The Incredible Story of the Men and Women Who Brought Britain’s Biggest Warship to Life

by Terrill, Chris

• ISBN13: 9780241400104
• ISBN10: 0241400104
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2022-05-01
• Publisher: Michael Joseph

Summary

65,000 tons. 280 metres long. A flight deck the size of sixty tennis courts. A giant piece of Sovereign British territory that's home to up to 50 Aircraft. HMS Queen Elizabeth in the biggest ship in the Royal Navy's history and one of the most ambitious and exacting engineering projects ever undertaken in the UK.

But it's her ship's company of 700, alongside an air group of 900 air and ground crew that are Big Lizzie's beating heart. And How to Build an Aircraft Carrier tells their story.

From before the first steel of her hull was cut, Chris Terrill has enjoyed unprecedented access to Queen Elizabeth and the men and women who have brought her to life. From Jerry Kyd, the ship's inspirational Captain to Lt Cdr Nathan Grey, the first pilot to land Britain's new stealth jet fighter on her deck, Terrill has won the trust and confidence of the ship's people.

How to Build an Aircraft Carrier tells the story of Britain at her best: innovative, confident, outward-looking and world beating.

Author Biography

Chris Terrill is one of the UK's leading adventure documentary makers. In 2007 he participated in and passed the rigorous training undertaken by Royal Marine Commandos, the first civilian and oldest person to do so. He then followed the newly qualified recruits to the frontline in Afghanistan. He documented this experience in the series The 55 Year Old Commando (ITV) and book Commando. His previous books: HMS Brilliant and Shipmates are also documentary tie ins about the physical and emotional demands of being a member of the Royal Navy at sea. In 2015 Terrill became a Fellow of The Maritime Foundation and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout 2016 - 2018, Chris was embedded in the ship's company of HMS Queen Elizabeth to make a major documentary series for the BBC as she goes through her war trials in preparation for deployment as an active strike carrier.