Aug-Sep-Oct, Nov-Dec 1971-Jan 1972 - Navy League of Australia

The flagihip. H M.A.S. Melbourne With her Skyhawk. Tracker and Wessex aircraft the combinesaerial defence of the fleet with an anti-submarine role.Machinery: Parsons single reduction gearedturbines 4 Admiralty 3-drum type boilersSpeed: 23 knots (mammum)Ship's company: 1.335 (includes 347 Carrier AirGroup personnel)Aircraft: Douglas Skyha*k A4G iet tighterbombersGrumman Tracker S2E ASVH aircrattWestiand Wesse* ASW helicoptersWestiand Wesse* SAR helicoptersGUIDED MISSILE DESTROYERSThe R.A.N.'s First Destroyer Squadroncomprises the three guidedmissile destroyers H.M.A. shipsPerth. Hobart and Brisbane.The three US.-built ships aresimilar to the U.S. Navy's DDG-15class and their design is particuarlyversatileTheir main task is air defence ofthe Fleet, but they also haveformidable anti-submarine andsurface gunnery capabilities.The principal aircraft defence weaponis the Tartar guided missile systemwhich is mounted towards thestern of these ships.The DDG s are also fitted with twoIkara missile launchers. These longrangeanti-submarine systems areAustralian-designed and developed.In action, the missile is automaticallyguided to the vicinity of thehostile submarine, where a torpedois released by parachute to home onto the target.The ships are fitted withmodernR A NTODAYlong-range sonar, radar, communicationsand electronic equipmentto provide the command with comprehensiveinformation in the operationsroomLiving spaces are air conditioned.Name No BuilderDESTROYERSThe R A.N's Second DestroyerSquadron is made up of the Daring-Class destroyers H.M.A. Ships.Vampire. Vendetta and Duchess.These all-purpose ships have maingunnery armament comparable to aAll three ships have seen action inVietnam where they served withdistinction with ships of the U.S.Navy's 7th FleetThey share the names of formerR.A.N, cruisers.Laid Down Launched First CommissionedPERTH 38 Defoe Shipbuilding Co Bay City Mich 21 962 26'9'63 177/65HOBART 39 Defoe Shipbuilding Co Bay City Mir h 26 10/62 9164 18 12/65BRISBANE 41 Defoe Shipbuilding Co BayCityMich 15 2 65 5 5/66 16'12/67Displacement: 500 tons (full load)Length: 4 J7ft (overall)Beam 47 ftArmament: t *c 5 m (54 calibre) automatic rapid fire guns Tartar anti-aircralt guided missilesystem t*o ikara ant. submarine missile systems triple mounted 2 sets anti submarine homingtorpedoesMachinrry I *r>GE geared steam turbines driving two shaftsSpeed: Over 35 knotsShip's company: 333light cruiser, giving them formidablesurface gunnery as well as antiaircraftcapabilities.Anti-submarine detectionequipment and weapons increasetheir versatility.They are all-welded constructionand light alloys have been usedextensively to reduce weight.Modernisation of the Vendetta andVampire which began in 1970includes updating of weaponssystems and other changes whichwill improve their performance.Changes will include a new enclosedbridge.The three twin-gun turrets arebeing modernised by improving thedrive and other systems.Digital systems replace analoguefire control systems and include newradar.New air-warning radar, newnavigation surface search radar andbetter sonar are other improvements.In 1969. Vendetta became the firstall Australian-built warship to seeservice in Vietnam.She also has the distinction, as aresult, of being the first Daring-classdestroyer to be engaged in the rolefor which they were primarily built —naval gunfire support.R.A.N.TODAYpending a decision on future requirements.Arrangements were madefor her to be taken over by the R.A.N,and renamed H.M.A.S. Melbourne.Construction resumed in 1949with modifications to be made, includingincreasing the size of theflight deck lifts to handle larger aircraftcoming into service, and in1952 work started on fitting anangled flight deck, steam catapultand mirror landing site.She was commissioned into theR.A.N, on 28 October. 1955. andafter working up in British waterswith her Sea Venom jet fighters andGannet turbo-prop, anti-submarineaircraft she sailed for Australia,arriving in Sydney on 10 May. 1956.MELBOURNEBuHder Vickers-Armstrong. Barrow-in-FurnessDisplacement: 20.000 tons (lull load)Length: 701 5 It (overall)Beam: 80 2 ft, (hull)Armament- 12 (4 twin. 4 single) 40/60mm BolorsH.M.A.S. Hobart The Royal Australian Nevy has three guldedmisslle destroyers. H.M.A. ShipsBrisbane. Pent, and Hobart Their main task is defence of the fleet but they also ha»e formidableanti-submarine and surface gunnery capabilities.RAN.DARINGS -EXISTINGThe Daring Clan deiuoyen Vampire and Vendetta at. ball* uitalanMelly modefnltod Wort on Vamp.re la naa.ln| completionwhile that on vendetta wai u W u U lo commence durlnf Auguit ol tht. year llluitratod are the balor. and "etw" .Nhou.tte.ot the .hip.RAN DARINGS -AFTER EXTENDED REFITAugust-September-October, 1971 THE NAVY Pag* Twmty-om