Editing HMCS Bonaventure (section)

==Description==
Initially [[Keel laying|laid down]] as HMS ''Powerful'' as part of the second batch of the [[1942 Design Light Fleet Carrier|''Colossus'' class]] during the [[Second World War]], the vessel's construction was halted following the end of the war and the constructed [[Hull (watercraft)|hull]] was [[Reserve fleet|laid up]]. ''Powerful'' was purchased by the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] in 1952 and the hull was taken to the [[Harland & Wolff]] shipyard in [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]], to be completed to a modernized design of the ''Majestic'' subclass.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=336}} The ship measured {{convert|704|ft|m|1}} [[Length overall|long overall]] with a maximum [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|128|ft|m}} and a [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|25|ft|m}}. The vessel had a [[Displacement (ship)|standard displacement]] of {{convert|16000|LT|t|0}} and {{convert|20000|LT|t|0}} at full load. ''Bonaventure'' was propelled by two geared [[steam turbine]]s driving two [[Propeller|shafts]] powered by steam from four [[Admiralty boiler|Admiralty three-drum boiler]]s rated at {{convert|40000|shp|lk=in}}.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}}{{sfn|Blackman|1953|p=94}} The steam pressure of the engines were rated at {{convert|300|lb/in2|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Blackman|1953|p=94}} The aircraft carrier had a maximum speed of {{convert|24.5|kn|lk=in}} and carried {{convert|3200|LT|t|0}} of [[fuel oil]].{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}}

The ship had a [[Ship's company|complement]] of 1,370 officers and [[Naval rating|ratings]]. For additional protection to the [[Magazine (artillery)#Naval magazines|magazines]], [[mantlet]]s were placed over them. The aircraft carrier was armed with four twin-mounted [[3-inch/50-caliber gun|{{convert|3|in|mm|adj=on|0}}]]/50-[[Caliber (artillery)|calibre]] Mk 33 guns and four single {{convert|3|pdr|adj=on}} saluting guns.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}} The American 3-inch/50-calibre guns were chosen over [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm guns]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=336}} ''Bonaventure'' had a distinct appearance compared to her [[sister ship]]s as she had a tall [[lattice mast]], raked [[Funnel (ship)|funnel]] and large [[sponson]] where the 3-inch guns were situated.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}} Adding to her distinct appearance, was that ''Bonaventure'' was completed with [[United States Navy]] [[radar]], specifically the SPS-8A height finder and the SPS-12 air search radar.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=336}}

=== Aircraft ===
[[File:McDonnell F2H-3 Banshees in flight over HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22), in the late 1950s.jpg|thumb|left|Banshees overflying ''Bonaventure'' in the late 1950s]]

As part of the modernized design, ''Bonaventure'' was equipped with three relatively new technologies in relation to her air complement. The ''Majestic'' subclass' design allowed for heavier aircraft, those up to {{convert|20000|lb|kg}} landing at {{convert|87|kn}}, to be launched and recovered.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=323}} ''Bonaventure'' improved on that limit, able to land aircraft of up to {{convert|24000|lb|kg}}. The aircraft [[Elevator#Aircraft elevators|lifts]] were enlarged to {{convert|54|x|34|ft|m}} in order to accommodate larger aircraft.{{sfn|Brown|Moore|2012|p=56}} The new design also incorporated an [[Flight deck#Angled flight deck|angled flight deck]], [[Aircraft catapult#steam catapult|steam catapult]]s, and [[optical landing system]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=336}} The angled flight deck increased the carrier's landing area without limiting space for aircraft parking and allowed for the removal of antiquated crash barriers.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=237}}

During her service life, ''Bonaventure'' carried five [[Squadron (aviation)|squadrons]]. The aircraft carrier's initial air group was composed of sixteen [[McDonnell F2H Banshee]] [[jet fighter]]s and eight [[Grumman CS2F Tracker]] [[anti-submarine warfare]] (ASW) aircraft.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}} The Banshee, flown by [[870 Naval Air Squadron|VF 870]] and [[871 Naval Air Squadron|VF 871]], and Tracker, operated by [[880 Naval Air Squadron|VS 880]] and [[881 Naval Air Squadron|VS 881]], were flown from ''Bonaventure'', along with [[Sikorsky HO4S]] ASW [[helicopter]]s operated by [[Helicopter Squadron 50 (RCN)|HS 50]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|pp=336–339}}

The Banshees were a tight fit, with ''Bonaventure'' barely able to accommodate them.{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=211}} The Trackers did not become fully operational aboard until 1959.{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=213}} Despite this, ''Bonaventure'' conducted sustained around-the-clock operations, keeping four Trackers and two HO4Ss in the air at all times, while monitoring an area of {{convert|200|nmi2|km2}}. The HO4Ss were equipped with dipping [[sonar]] and, beginning in 1958, [[Mark 43 torpedo]]es.{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=225}} The Banshees were retired in 1962 but were not replaced. The ship's role then changed to one of pure ASW and the air wing was modified, dropping the fighters but keeping the eight Trackers, and increasing the number of HO4Ss to fourteen.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}}{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}} In 1963, the aircraft carrier began a refit in order to allow her operate the new [[Sikorsky CHSS-2 Sea King]] helicopters, which had been ordered to replace the HO4Ss.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}}{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=226}} When ''Bonaventure'' was retired, her former aircraft continued to operate from shore installations, including [[CFB Shearwater]].{{sfn|Boutiller|1982|p=284}}