I think the photo was taken in 1935 as the Hermes after refit at Home returned to Hong Kong on 6 January 1935. The carrier brought out with her No. 824 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaisance) Squadron of 9 Fairey Seal aircraft. The Hermes replaced HMS Eagle at the China Station and also took over the carrier's 9 Osprey aircraft belonging to No. 803 (Fleet Fighter) Squadron.
Comments
Fairey Seal
The aircraft are Fairy Seals, 3 crew, spotter/reconnaissance aircraft operated by the Royal Navy between 1933 and 1943.
Re: Photo
I think the photo was taken in 1935 as the Hermes after refit at Home returned to Hong Kong on 6 January 1935. The carrier brought out with her No. 824 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaisance) Squadron of 9 Fairey Seal aircraft. The Hermes replaced HMS Eagle at the China Station and also took over the carrier's 9 Osprey aircraft belonging to No. 803 (Fleet Fighter) Squadron.