An aircraft carrier, laid down as HMS Audacious, was upgraded during the construction process to carry jet aircraft and entered service as HMS Eagle. In 1954–1955, after a short service in the Mediterranean, the carrier underwent a second refurbishment, during which she was fitted with a small, angled flight deck. The ship participated in the Suez Crisis. The ship underwent her next significant overhaul in 1959–1964. She received an increased angled flight deck and anti-aircraft missile system. As a result, the full water displacement exceeded 54,000 tons.