High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! HMS Formidable was an Illustrious class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy during World War II. She was constructed by Harland Wolff, Belfast, and launched on 17 August 1939. An accident occurred just before the launch ceremony was to begin - the wooden cradle supporting the ship collapsed and the ship slid down the launchway while workmen were still underneath and around the ship. One spectator was killed by flying debris and at least 20 others were injured, however Formidable was not damaged. Because of the incident, Formidable was referred to as "The Ship That Launched Herself." She was commissioned on 24 November 1940.