HMS Ark Royal (R09) Audacious-Class 30 Inches Aircraft Carrier Model

The HMS Ark Royal (R09), an Audacious-class launched in 1950, was the fourth Royal Navy ship to carry the name and served with distinction during the Cold War as a key aircraft carrier until her decommissioning in 1979. This 30-inch HMS Ark Royal (R09), model is handcrafted from premium Canadian red cedar, Teak, and Mahogany,... using the plank-on-frame method. It takes 3 to 6 months to build, with every detail reflecting careful craftsmanship. Every model we create is handcrafted with care and precision — and it’s not finished until you’re completely satisfied. Throughout the build, we’ll keep you informed with detailed photo updates at each key stage: - Hull construction - Deck detailing and structural elements - Final painting and finishing touches Once approved, your model will be safely packed in a custom wooden crate with protective cushioning, ensuring secure delivery to any destination worldwide. Ready to bring your dream ship to life? Contact us today to start your custom build or explore more at: Custom-made Projects

History

HMS Ark Royal (R09) was the fourth aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy to bear the name and the last of the Audacious-class carriers. Launched in 1950 and commissioned in 1955, she served during the Cold War era as Britain’s flagship carrier, providing a platform for fixed-wing naval aviation. Originally designed for propeller-driven aircraft, HMS Ark Royal (R09) was heavily modified to operate jet aircraft, including the Blackburn Buccaneer and Phantom fighters. She featured an angled flight deck, steam catapults, and advanced arrestor gear, making her one of the most capable carriers in the Royal Navy at the time. Ark Royal (R09) participated in NATO exercises, power projection missions, and Cold War deterrence patrols. Due to rising maintenance costs and defense cuts, HMS Ark Royal (R09) was decommissioned in 1979. Her retirement marked the end of an era for conventional British aircraft carriers and paved the way for a shift toward smaller, helicopter-based vessels in the following decades.

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Order Confirmation:

As soon as you place your order, you will receive an order confirmation e-mail. This means that we have received your order in our system and pre-authorized your credit card for the purchase. As soon as we receive your order, we automatically reach out to our suppliers to confirm that it is in stock and available for immediate shipment. If your item is on backorder or unavailable, we will void the pre-authorization and reach out to you via e-mail. If your item(s) are available for immediate shipment (within 5 business days), we will process the charges and submit the order for shipment.

The shipment time estimates below apply only to Handcrafted Model Ships products. For Old Modern products, shipping time is similar, but not exact. 

Order Shipment:

If your order is stock and we process the charges to your credit card, it will ship within five business days from the date of your order. The exception is Wye River Models brand, as it may take up to 3 weeks for your order to be shipped. We will send you tracking information within 24 hours of your order leaving the warehouse to the e-mail address you provided when checking out.  If you do not receive tracking information from us within six business days of your order, feel free to follow up with us at orders@AdamaModelShips.com

Delivery Time 
Your order will be processed and leave our supplier's facility within 3-5 business days. You will receive your model in 4 to 12 business days after you place your order (within the continental United States). Again, Wye River Models brand is the exception, as it may take up to 3 weeks for ship.

Example
A shipment within California will take 4 to 6 business days to arrive to you. A shipment to New York will take 5 to 12 business days to arrive to you.

Tracking
It is easy to track your shipment. Upon processing your order, you will receive an e-mail including shipping confirmation and the individual tracking number assigned to your model. Check anytime to see exactly when your model is expected to arrive.

UPS Transit Times from Alhambra, CA

Fedex Transit Times from Alhambra, CA

We work hard to ensure we offer the best prices online. If you find another online retail store that offers a lower price on the same item, within 6 months of your purchase, let us know and we’ll refund you the difference.

We want you to feel confident you're getting the best value for your purchase.

✅ To Request a Price Match:
Email us at sales@adamamodelships.com with:

A link to the identical product on the competitor's website

Your original order number

We’ll verify the pricing and issue a refund for the difference if the request qualifies.

🔒 Price Match Guarantee Terms & Limitations:
To qualify for a price match:

You must have purchased the item from our website before requesting a price match

The item must be:

In stock at the competitor's website at the time of the request

Sold by a retail-focused, authorized dealer

Listed on the competitor’s own official website (not a marketplace or third-party platform)

Price match includes item price + shipping, but excludes sales tax

❌ Exclusions:
We do not match prices from:

Marketplace sellers on platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart Marketplace, Overstock, etc.

Distributors, wholesalers, or manufacturers acting as retailers

Auction sites, membership-only clubs, clearance sales, liquidations, or flash deals

Products sold as part of bundle promotions, rebates, or buy-one-get-one offers

If you have any questions about our policy, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help.

Money Back Guarantee Policy

We guarantee satisfaction with our products - in the unlikely event that your model arrives damaged please contact us by within 3 days of receiving your order. If you intend to give the item as a gift, please inspect the item upon receipt.

For further details please review our Refund Policy.