The year 1964 was a good year for aircraft carrier sightings at Devonport although as already stated, only one, HMS Magnificent, was to be seen on the Tamar trots that year. After initial arrival on 18/4/57 she spent most of her time in the Yard tethered to buoys at No 1 and No 2 Aircraft Carrier trots before leaving for the breakers on 9/7/65.
Although Magnificent was the last carrier from the WWII era to be laid up at Devonport, the previous two being HMS Ocean (left 2/5/62) and HMS Unicorn (left 11/6/59), several others were present in the yard during 1964, but not on the trots, namely, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Bulwark, HMS Eagle, HMS Hermes and USS Okinawa. A few more remained on buoys in Plymouth Sound, namely, HMS Albion, USS Boxer and HNLMS Karel Doorman. Some were short-term visitors whilst others were undergoing long refits (Eagle, Ark Royal and Hermes)
After many decades of Devonport research I’ve not come across this peeled back flight-deck story before, nor have I seen any photographs showing damage to Magnificent’s flight-deck. This applies to many photos taken from her arrival in 1957 to her departure in 1965. Records show that during her 8 years at Devonport she was never dry-docked for damage examination or repair, with no indication that these procedures were ever carried out at her trot mooring. A few months before leaving in 1965, her flight deck was a bit rusty but still completely intact, with her Canadian deck markings still very evident. (youtube.com/watch?v=dLFnoftk6Wc)
Around that time, the only aircraft carrier in the Yard I’m aware of with a demolished flight-deck was HMS Eagle. This occurred during the early stages of her 5 year (1959-1964) refit when her original island superstructure and flight-deck were dismantled and replaced. In this much reduced shabby state on 5 wharf she would have been seen by hordes of naval base personnel and boat-tripping tourists. Eventually, of course, she emerged from the refit looking very different with an impressive new island complex and flight-deck. Regards….Paul