Here's the info I had on the British carriers. Don't know how accurate it is: I find it intresting that you bring up the Russians selling a carrier to Chineese. This seems to be a theme (the Chineese buying old carriers). I understand that they've bought one from the Australians for scrap metal which hasn't been scrapped. There are also two others that were bought from someone or other that are being used as 'floating shopping malls'.
