"Paul Slater" wrote in message
...
In one of her later commissions HMS Eagle "acquired" a black patch on her
port side, under the crane for the ships boats. It can be seen in the two
pictures on the left hand side of this page...
http://www.hmsminerva.info/photos1.htm Ark Royal didn't have such a patch
as far as I have ever seen. Does anyone know what this black area was
for/about?

TIA, Paul

Probably cut for very large equipment replacement. Common enough practice.

Tex