The Probert Encyclopaedia of Ships

ILLUSTRIOUS

HMS Illustrious was a British Illustrious Class fleet aircraft carrier of 23000 tons displacement launched in 1939. HMS Illustrious was powered by six Admiralty 3-drum type boilers providing a top speed of 31 knots. She was armed with sixteen 4.5 inch dual-purpose guns plus 40 mm and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns. She carried a crew of 1600 and sixty aircraft.
Research Illustrious