`  :Well, Viraat was laid down on 21 June 1944 and although she certainly did not serve during WWII, the design was largely that of a WWII carrier.  I would put it in much the same category as  which also was modified during the completion of construction after the war and did not enter service until 1955.  She was always regarded nevertheless as a WWII era carrier and I think it is at least arguable that Viraat is one too, unless one takes a very narrow view of what a ``WWII era`` carrier is.  Also, remember that Vikrant herself was incomplete at the end of the war and was also modified during completion and not commissioned until 1961.  In fact if we are to consider Vikrant to be a WWII era ship then surely must we consider Viraat to be one also.  Of course if India breaks Viraat up after she ends her long service life, then the claim stands, but until then I think not.  However, she is the only WWII era British carrier to be preserved as a museum, since Viraat is still in service, so I have modified the article to reflect that. -   `