HMAS Vengeance in the 1950s (photo courtesy of the HMS Vengeance Veterans Association).

HMAS Vengeance, the last Australian WWII aircraft carrier, once the pride of the Royal Australian Navy, is about to be scrapped in Brazil unless she can be rescued.

Exactly 60 years ago she was launched to lead the fight against the terrors of the Nazis and Japanese evils in the Pacific.

Today, she lies forgotten in South America awaiting her fate and eventual scrapping unless the British and Australian nations can respond to a deadline to raise finance to purchase the ship from the Brazilian Navy.

This appeal urges the Australian Government to take the responsibility to assist the Save the Vengeance Appeal to safeguard this unique naval heritage for future generations.

HMAS Vengeance is of unique historic, educational, touristic and commercial value. She was commissioned in the Royal Navy and served in the Mediterranean and Pacific in WWII.

She was subsequently loaned to Australia as HMAS Vengeance during the Korean War and finally sold to the Brazilian government where she served in the Brazilian Navy as NAeL Minas Gerais during the Cold War.

She subsequently remained there until she was finally decommissioned on October 16, 2001 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Registry, her fate unknown after the Brazilian Navy bought the modern aircraft carrier FOCH.

Save the Vengeance Appeal spokesperson, Martin Hill said the plan is to rescue the ship and take her back to her birth place in the UK this summer and turn her into one of the world's largest floating education centres, naval aviation museum, exhibition area and tourist attraction.

Displays will illustrate the leading role that both Australia and Britain took in the development of ship- borne naval aviation, as well as provide opportunity for training schemes with local industry, engineering firms and universities, and show her long history with the navies of Australia, Brazil and UK.

In addition to displaying historic naval aircraft on her flight deck, she will have a cinema and theatre, and provide attractive venues for conferences and trade fairs. She will also come alive as the flagship for boat shows and tall ship races as well as provide a unique focus for airshows, and be a magnet attracting film producers and documentaries.

She already has a future home if the money can be raised in time to buy her. The British Port Authorities (ABP Southampton) have shown their support by offering her a berth in Southampton Water.

If you wish to join the Save the Vengeance Affiliates or require information please contact:

Martin Hill, Save the Vengeance Appeal.

Fax: +44 01262 490248

Email: vengeancecampaign@ fleetairarmarchive.net