The Royal Navy's former flagship is being put up for auction by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The HMS Ark Royal, which saw active service in Iraq, was decommissioned two weeks ago as part of the government's review of the defence budget.
The aircraft carrier, along with three Type-42 destroyers: HMS Nottingham, HMS Exeter and HMS Southampton, is listed on an online sale by a website which is run by the MoD.
Militaria collectors with a large budget may be tempted to own a unique piece of military history. There have also been suggestions the ship could be turned into a nightclub, a school or a commercial helipad.
 HMS Ark Royal: A large investment for a militaria enthusiast? |
Although it is perhaps unlikely to end up in the hands of a military enthusiast, items from post-WWII conflicts are becoming more popular with collectors and investors.
In 2009, more than 100,000 rifles used in the Korean War between 1950 and 1953 were put up for auction in South Korea. Uniforms and patches from the 1982 Falklands War and the recent Iraq wars can also be highly prized.
Interested parties in HMS Ark Royal will have to state their intentions for the ship and have until June 13 to place a bid.
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