HMS Vengeance (R71) was a Colossus-class light aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy during World War II. Laid down on 16 November 1942 by Swan Hunter, she was launched on 23 February 1944, and completed on 15 January 1945, entering service just before the war's end. Designed as a 'disposable warship,' Vengeance was one of the few in her class completed before hostilities concluded, though she did not see active combat during WWII. Her initial armament comprised six quadruple QF 2-pounder guns (pom-poms) and 19 Oerlikon 20 mm cannons; in 1945, some were replaced with Bofors 40 mm guns to improve defense against kamikaze threats. Constructed with a standard displacement typical of her class, Vengeance served primarily as an aircraft transport and training carrier in her early years. She participated in Arctic experimental operations in 1949, testing ship and personnel performance in extreme cold conditions. After wartime service, she was assigned to the British Pacific Fleet and was present during the Japanese surrender of Hong Kong in September 1945. In 1952, Vengeance was loaned to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), where she was recommissioned as HMAS Vengeance. Modifications allowed her to operate both jet and piston aircraft, and she served as a key platform for Australian naval aviation, including the deployment of the first Australian military helicopters, notably Bristol Sycamores. She participated in various operations, including escort duties during the Royal Visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1954. After her active service in Australia, she was returned to the UK in 1955, where she was decommissioned later that year. In 1956, she was sold to Brazil and extensively modernized in Rotterdam from 1957 to 1960. The refit included installing an angled flight deck, more powerful steam catapult, reinforced arresting gear, and updated radar and fire control systems, enabling operation of jet aircraft. Renamed Minas Gerais, she served the Brazilian Navy until her decommissioning in 2001, making her the oldest active aircraft carrier at that time. Her long career spanned over 55 years, making her a significant vessel in naval history. After her decommissioning, she was listed for sale and eventually dismantled at Alang, India, in 2004.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.