HMAS Melbourne (R21) Aircraft Carrier 90cm

Australian naval history stands as a testament to the versatility of aircraft that serve both in times of peace and in times of conflict. The HMAS Melbourne II is a pivotal vessel that holds a significant place in this dual narrative. As a vital component of Australia’s response during the Second World War, this conventional aircraft carrier undertook remarkable feats throughout its operational tenure. From 1955 to 1982, the HMAS Melbourne II played a central role as an aircraft carrier within the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet.

Our meticulously crafted model of this iconic ship is designed to be an impeccable centerpiece for display in any office, boardroom, or personal study. It serves as an exquisite gift, appealing to a diverse audience, from former Navy personnel to ardent admirers of all things nautical.

Key Feature of the Aircraft Carrier HMAS Melbourne II Models:

• Hand-crafted take on the hugely popular Aircraft Carrier HMAS Melbourne II.
• Designed from the ground up, build to hand-crafted precision using drawings.
• Model from wooden planks which are made and shaped by hand for precision.
• Comes with on-frame construction and painted to match the real colours and tones.
• No plastic used, including objects found on ship deck.
• Fully ready for display; comes with a ship display name and a history sheet.
• Size specifications: 90cm x 16cm x 39cm, Scale 1:270.

History of HMAS Melbourne II (R21)

HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier that served with distinction in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1955 to 1982. Originally laid down for the Royal Navy during World War II as HMS Majestic, construction was suspended following the war’s end. In the early 1950s, the incomplete vessel was acquired by Australia and extensively modernised to support jet aircraft operations. Commissioned into the RAN on 28 October 1955, Melbourne replaced HMAS Sydney as the nation’s flagship and quickly became the centrepiece of Australia’s naval aviation capability. Over her 27-year service life, she took part in numerous joint exercises and goodwill visits across the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Southeast Asia, reinforcing Australia’s regional presence during the Cold War. Although she operated during times of regional conflict—including the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation and the Vietnam War—Melbourne never saw active combat, instead playing a support and deterrent role.
Melbourne was the only RAN ship to operate fixed-wing aircraft, including de Havilland Sea Venoms and later A-4 Skyhawks and S-2 Trackers, and was key to the development of Australia’s carrier-based naval aviation. Her flight deck was fitted with an angled landing area, steam catapult, and mirror landing system, making her one of the most advanced light carriers of her time. However, her service was not without tragedy. On the night of 10 February 1964, Melbourne collided with the destroyer HMAS Voyager during exercises off the coast of Jervis Bay, cutting the smaller ship in two and resulting in the deaths of 82 sailors. A second fatal incident occurred on 3 June 1969, when Melbourne collided with the American destroyer USS Frank E. Evans during SEATO exercises in the South China Sea, killing 74 U.S. sailors. Both events prompted major investigations and led to significant changes in naval procedures and training within the RAN.
Despite these tragic episodes, Melbourne remained a symbol of Australian naval strength and professionalism. She regularly participated in ANZUS and SEATO operations, and was an important diplomatic tool through her visits to allied ports. One of her most celebrated humanitarian missions occurred in June 1981, when she rescued 99 Vietnamese refugees adrift in the South China Sea, highlighting the vessel’s peacetime value beyond combat operations. By the early 1980s, however, Melbourne was showing her age, and despite discussions about modernising or replacing her, the decision was made to decommission the carrier. She was officially retired on 30 June 1982 and is remembered for her significant contributions and lasting legacy in the history of the Royal Australian Navy.