ctxt 3cTh1 Ji Bright new Penn JJLP
No* 315
BETTER armed than ever before. HMS Penelope recommissioned on January 22 to join the Fleet as a converted Batch 2B Leander-class frigate.
NAVY NEWS, FEBRUARY 1982
5
BATTLE HONOORS Guillaume Tell Egypt Martinique Baltic Alexandria
1800 1801 1809 1854 1882
19m Norway Malta Convoys 1941-42 Mediterranean 1941-43 1942 Sine 1942 Sicily Salerno 1943 1943 Aegean Anzio 1944
Her emergence as an Exocet-armed ship mark the latest in a series of changes which have altered her shape and role throughout her 20-year history. The first, radical change carne even before she was launchel: she was laid down in 1961 a'. FIMS Coventry, a Type 12 frigate, but during building the were changed to that of a Leandcr class, and she was renamed Penelope. When completed in 1963 she had what was at the time the standard Lcandcr armament a twin 4.Sin. gun turret, antisubmarine mortars and a Wasp helicopter.
plans
FACTS AND FIGURES.
Unique
Three years later she became trials ship for the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment, and in 1972 was again modified to become trials platform for the Seawolt air defence missile system. This time her outline was changed drastically: her gun turret was removed, making her unique among her sister-ships in not having any armament on the foredeck. Aft, her flight deck disappeared beneath a temporary superstructure housing trials equipment just forward of the new Seawolf launcher. Following the culmination of firing trials, she re-entered refit in January. 1978 for the fouryear conversion to her present form. Foredeck armament has been returned - this time four Exocct missiles and a Scaeat launcher - and she carries two air defence missile Sc aca
pred -ces or
HMS Penelope, newly converted from trials ship to Exocet Leander
fillings aft. .-\ Lynx helicopter was embarked in January. She will become fully operational after trials and work-up. scheduled for completion after Easter. HMS Penelope, under the command of Cdr. P. V. Rickard. is affiliated to the town of Blackpool. where her
was adopted during War. ship Week in 1941. She also has strong links with Sea Cadet units TS Penelope (Blackpool) and TS Radiant (Dewshury). as well as Hailevhury School. Hertford. which was visited before Christmas by members of the ship's company.
Hard-won fame of 'Pepperpot'
WARTIME predecessor of the present HNIS Penelope became one 01 the most famous ships in the Royal Nas. In the war cauldron of the Mediterranean she won six Battle Honours. and so damaged was she at one stage that she was affectionately nicknamed ''I-IMS Pepperpot.'' received her mortal blow. On ihe Arethusa-class cruiser raids on Maha. In 1943 she took part in the was completed in 1936 and February is she was torpedoed. 250 of the ships company being formed a unit of the Med jtcrrabombardment of Pantelleria and nean Fleet for most of the later in the bombardment of saved. First ship of the name was a Second World War. tier career Lampedusa. In July of that year wac exciting and distinguished: she was in action off Sicily and sixth rate launched in 1778 and in November 1941 she was in in January 1944 was present at wrecked little more than a year later in the West Indies. the ,nijo landings. action against Italian convoys,
and in the following March was
It was during the prolonged
near misses in air
damaged h
-
operations
that
she
-
x
/
An z i 0
.
tier successor, a fifth rate. saw much action in the West Indies before being broken up in 1797. That year a cutter was hired by the Navy, remaining in service for two years before being captured by the French.
.""
Displacement: 3,200 tons full load. Length: 37211. Beam: 41(1. Keel: 1411. Sin. Aircraft: Lynx Mark 2. Armament: Four Exocet surface-to-surface missile launchers; three quadruple launchers (two aft, one forward) for Seacat surface-to-air missiles; two 4OMM Rotors. two triple \lk. 32 torpedo tubes for anti-submarine warfare. Propulsion: Two double reduction geared turbines driving two shafts and producing 30,000 shp. Speed: 28 knots. Range: 4,000 miles at IS knots. Complement: 214.
%S STORMPROOFING
Duffle coats and winter woolies can protect you against the worst of weather, but who protects the duffle coats'? Why Naafi of course, with a big-cover insurance specially devised for the personal possessions arid household effects of Service people.
I
How much cover do you need? iVaafz ''''i?IStaflt insurance has toil,' choices of cove,', one of which is sure to suit you.
/
/ \\
Where will you need it?
711e insurance operates it.ot-ltlit.itl(, and includes loss or danage whilst in transit.
STEAM PIONEERS
The honeycombed side of the eighth Penelope after close encounters of the worst kind. I' Clue
Imee
.
Wa
Yuseue
Then came a second fifth rate which fought throughout the Napoleonic Wars. Next two ships of the name reflect the development from sail to steam. The fifth Penelope was built as a sailing ship. but was converted to a 16-gun paddle steamer 14 years after her launch in 1829. She was sold in 18(s*. to he succeeded three years later by a 3.096-ton corvette, the first ironclad of any size to he fitted s ith twin scresvs.
When will you need it?
Immediate cover is available as soon as you fill out the application form obtainable front 'our nearest Naafi shop or certain supply officers.
Instant Insurance through NAAFI the ideal way to weather the storms