Warship for sale - Britain seeks buyer for old aircraft carrier.
Britain's cash-strapped military on Tuesday launched a search for buyers for its sole remaining aircraft carrier, saying it would entertain bids from companies, charities and trusts.
The ageing, battle-worn HMS Illustrious - 210 metres long and 22,000 tonnes - is one of the Royal Navy's best-known symbols. It has ferried equipment during the Gulf War and supported evacuations of British nationals from Sierra Leone over the past 32 years.
Bidders do not need to be British but the buyer has to keep all or part of the ship in Britain for heritage purposes, a Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said on Tuesday. It did not define how big a "part" of the ship must be.
The Royal Navy's treatment of Illustrious contrasts with that of the ship's sister carriers, the HMS Ark Royal and HMS Invincible, which were auctioned off in 2011 and later sold for scrap.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/10/15/uk-britain-warship-idUKBRE99E0K820131015
I don't think it would fit in my back garden aside from which it wouldn't go through the side gate.
I'm guessing it may become a hotel somewhere or other.
