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Post by viscount on Oct 21, 2009 22:50:25 GMT 1
AIRCRAFT CARRIER VISITS TO THE RIVER MERSEY since 1951 With a visit of HMS Illustrious in October 2009 for 'Fly Navy 100' and more recently the March 2020 of HMS Prince of Wales, this thread is an opportunity for those with long memories to recall past carrier visits, while for the younger members an impression of the days when Britain had a potent Naval force, with real catapult equipped aircraft carriers and fixed wing aircraft.
As this post is certainly 'history and memories' with a firm Liverpool basis, I've put this in the Liverpool (Airport) Nostalgia section as it fits best here. Having become a 'zombie' thread since 2018 with most of the images covered by a Photobucket watermark and no updates, In October 2021 I have replaced many of the images via a new imagehost, moved some posts around and deleted others, most containing additional bits of information now properly incorporated into the text. I've also found and added a few further photos and added details of the 2020 visit by HMS Prince of Wales (and since have added in the 2022 visit of HMS Queen Elizabeth to keep the thread up to date). Since October 2009 (which makes it an early thread on the Proboards hosted NWAN Forum) this thread has received 15,600 'hits', and having been 'refreshed' October 2021 will no doubt go on and be revisited by members again and again.
Where possible I'm going to include details from the MSAE/MAS 'Flypast' magazine of the time to fill out details from my personal logs. H.M.S. INDOMITABLE, July 1951From the same (as below) Phil Butler article in a 1963 MSAE Flypast come mention of a Carrier visit from an earlier era. "This 1963 visit by H.M.S Centaur is the first operational carrier to visit Liverpool since H.M.S. Indomitable in July 1951, although other carriers (without aircraft) have visited more than once in the interval. In contrast to the present FAA equipment, the 'Indom' was still in the Seafire/Firefly/Firebrand era; she flew off Firebrands to Stretton while in Liverpool Bay and sent off RJ765, an aged Barracuda TR.3 to land at Speke on 19th July 1951." H.M.S. CENTAUR, PIER HEAD, February 1963A very informative article penned by Phil Butler, who at the time was editor of the MSAE member's magazine 'flypast'. THE FLEET'S INReports which circulated from December onwards that the aircraft carrier HMS Centaur was to visit Liverpool sometime during 1963 were fulfilled on 31st January, when the carrier entered the Mersey and moored to the Princes Landing Stage at the Pier Head. As she arrived, seventeen aircraft could be seen on deck and, in addition, a Whirlwind flew around the ship taking photographs. Ascents to high altitudes in the Liver Buildings, attempts to by-pass the police on duty at the Landing Stage and frequent excursions on the Wallasey Corporation ferries occupied the majority of observers until the ship was thrown open to the public at 2pm on Saturday 2nd February. At that time three Gannet 3's and five Sea Vixens stood on deck; persual of the main hangar revealed eight Whirlwind 7's and a further four Sea Vixens. Enquiries of the crew revealed that another Gannet was in the forward hangar and three Sea Vixens that had been damaged aboard the ship (when another Sea Vixen collided into them before falling into the sea) were off-loaded for transport to D.H.'s at Chester. This crash may have been the one reported in the daily press on 29.1.63. The aircraft and squadrons aboard the carrier were as follows: No.893 Squadron with Sea Vixen FAW.1 (some with Vixen fin markings) No.824 Squadron with Whirlwind HAS.7 (anti-submarine unit) No.849 Squadron, 'A' Flight with Gannet AEW.3 (airborne radar picket). All had standard colour schemes - although FAA helicopters are to be observed in a variety of schemes, the Whirlwinds all had the midnite-blue scheme with yellow top-sides, which seems standard on anti-submarine helicopters. One of the Gannets had a Panther badge on its rear fuselage, while several Sea Vixens had a red/white or blue/white Vixen on their fins. H.M.S. Centaur was making the first courtesy visit to any home port during her present commission, which began in 1961. The citizens of Merseyside may be thankful that the Captain of the Centaur comes from Crosby, and that he chose to visit his native port. The Centaur is of 27,000 tons full load displacement. She was built by Harland & Wolff at Belfast (laid down 30.5.44, launched 22.4.47 and completed 1.9.53). My log and the one in 'Flypast' agree, although the magazine has more detail. The aircraft embarked:
XJ572/462:C DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 893 Sqdn
XJ611/466:C DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 893 Sqdn, with a blue/white Vixen badge on tail
XN650/456:C DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 893 Sqdn, with a red/white Vixen badge on tail
XN651/461:C DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 893 Sqdn
XN654/464:C DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 893 Sqdn
XN683/463:C DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 893 Sqdn
XN690/465:C DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 893 Sqdn, with a red/white Vixen badge on tail. Fitted with a flight refueling probe.
XN697/-?-:C DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 893 Sqdn, recently arrived aboard, replacing a damaged aircraft
XN698/458: DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 893 Sqdn, recently arrived aboard, replacing a damaged aircraft
Additionally, XN648/459:C, XN657/457:C & XN658/458:C had all been damaged and were off-loaded at Liverpool, en route to repair at de Havillands. All three wore the red/white Vixen badge.
XK944/334:C WS-55 Whirlwind HAS.7 824 Sqdn, this was the helicopter flying around as the carrier arrived.
XL872/335:C WS-55 Whirlwind HAS.7 824 Sqdn
XL882/332:C WS-55 Whirlwind HAS.7 824 Sqdn
XL900/333:C WS-55 Whirlwind HAS.7 824 Sqdn
XN297/336:C WS-55 Whirlwind HAS.7 824 Sqdn
XN358/331:C WS-55 Whirlwind HAS.7 824 Sqdn
XN380/338:C WS-55 Whirlwind HAS.7 824 Sqdn
XN385/337:C WS-55 Whirlwind HAS.7 824 Sqdn
XL474/421:C F. Gannet AEW.3 849 Sqdn, A Flt Hidden below decks initially, out on the deck on Sunday 3rd only.
XL498/423:C F. Gannet AEW.3 849 Sqdn, A Flt
XL502/420:C F. Gannet AEW.3 849 Sqdn, A Flt
XP226/422:C F. Gannet AEW.3 849 Sqdn, A Flt Had a Panther motif on tail. H.M.S. CENTAUR, PIER HEAD, August 1965Appears not too many aircraft embarked, but a variety of types represented. Probably berthed 13th August 1965. Dave Calverly reports that he logged as visible on deck (from the Mersey ferry):
On 14/08/65:
XD267/617 S.Scimitar S.1 736 Sqdn
XJ486 DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1
XJ516 DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1
XJ557 DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1
On 15th all those above, plus:
XJ513 DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1
XK156 W. Whirlwind HAR.
XL503 F. Gannet AEW.3
XP156/HA W. Wessex HAS.3
On 16th (see photos on page 3 of this thread) on deck were at least:
XD267/617:- S. Scimitar S.1 713 Sqdn
XJ486 / -:- DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 no unit marks or colours XJ516/2·6:C DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 893 Sqdn 'Vixen' logo XJ557/···:C DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 893 Sqdn 'Vixen' logo (any unit codes on the nose covered over) With a Whirlwind, tail code 'C' and a Wessex in the hangar. H.M.S. ALBION, LIVERPOOL PIER HEAD, May 1967On May 5th and 6th H.M.S.Albion visited Princes Landing Stage, Liverpool and a party of 25 MSAE members were able to steal a preview of the ship on the evening of the 5th (the public being restricted to Saturday May 6th and the attendant lengthy queues). An officer of the carrier conducted us around the inards of the ship with special attention being duly directed at the hangar and deck. These contained the Wessex HU.5's of 848 Sqdn. plus a Wasp (XS545 c/n F9572) which is used for communications and not in it's usual anti-submarine role. Albion is one of the Navy's two Commando carriers - the other being H.M.S. Bulwark. 848's Wessexes are therefore the transport variant so are painted sand camouflage. Photography was permitted on deck and a stupendous amount of film was therefore shot in the pleasant evening sunlight. Earlier in the day most of the Wessexes had made a formation flypast over Liverpool, photos on page 3 of this thread show that at least codes C, K, L, S, T, U, V were involved. Credit: an edited version of a 'Flypast' article originally penned by R.A.Scholefield.
XS489/K:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XS491/L:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XS492/M:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XS496/R:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XS500/T:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XS510/H:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XS511/J:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XS518/V:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XS519/W:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XT459/B:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XT469/E:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XT470/U:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XT471/F:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XT755/D:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XT759/C:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XT760/N:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XT762/S:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 848 Sqdn.
XS545 W. Wasp HAS.1
'Flypast' lists XS479/A:A, XS509/G:A and ·····/P:A as being on the unit strength but "missing'". My log for the Friday is the same, but omits code E, while a second visit on the Saturday logs both E and G as present. |
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Post by viscount on Oct 21, 2009 23:22:52 GMT 1
H.M.S. EAGLE, PIER HEAD, February/March 1970H.M.S. Eagle was berthed at the Pier Head, Liverpool from 27th February until 4th March. The two Wessex of the S.A.R. flight commuted in and out of Speke on 27th February carrying Customs etc.. The ship's next assignment is to carry out trials with the Harrier in the English Channel, presumably in association with Boscombe Down. All three Royal Navy Carriers are in commission at the present time. The other two Aircraft Carriers and squadrons assigned to them are: H.M.S. Hermes: 801 Sqdn Buccaneer S.2; 893 Sqdn Sea Vixen FAW.2; 814 Sqdn Wessex HAS.3 & 849 Sqdn A Flt Gannet AEW.3 H.M.S. Ark Royal: 809 Sqdn Buccaneer S.2; 892 Sqdn Phantom FG.1; 824 Sqdn Sea King & 849 Sqdn C Flt Gannet AEW.3. Rumour has it that HMS Albion will be visiting in May, and that HMS Ark Royal will be appearing in the Mersey later in the summer.
XJ576/126:E DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.2 899 Sqdn
XJ584/124:E DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.2 899 Sqdn
XJ602/132:E DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.2 899 Sqdn
XN655/121:E DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.2 899 Sqdn
XN696/123:E DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.2 899 Sqdn
XN697/137:E DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.2 899 Sqdn
XP925/125:E DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.2 899 Sqdn
XS580/127:E DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.2 899 Sqdn
XS587/136:E DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.2 899 Sqdn
·····/··· DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.2 899 Sqdn
XT278/104:E H.S. Buccaneer S.2 800 Sqdn
XT282/102:E H.S. Buccaneer S.2 800 Sqdn
XV336/115:E H.S. Buccaneer S.2 800 Sqdn, with a flight refueling emblem on the fin
XV341/113:E H.S. Buccaneer S.2 800 Sqdn, with a flight refueling emblem on the fin
XV358/101:E H.S. Buccaneer S.2 800 Sqdn
XV359/100:E H.S. Buccaneer S.2 800 Sqdn
XV360/105:E H.S. Buccaneer S.2 800 Sqdn
XS590/131:E H.S. Buccaneer S.2 800 Sqdn
·····/107:E H.S. Buccaneer S.2 800 Sqdn
XL503/071:E F.Gannet AEW.3 845 Sqdn, D Flight
XM326/147:E WS-58 Wessex HAS.1 Eagle S.A.R. Flight
XM845/146:E WS-58 Wessex HAS.1 Eagle S.A.R. Flight
XP118/142:E WS-58 Wessex HAS.3 826 Sqdn
XS862/140:E WS-58 Wessex HAS.3 826 Sqdn
H.M.S. ALBION, PIER HEAD, May 1970No mention of the visit in 'Flypast' apart from a pair of George Jones photos showing the Carrier arriving on 8th May with two Wessex on the forward deck. A photo taken on 10th on the deck shows 'J' abeam the superstructure, in a green overall scheme and green/white chequer markings and badge below the rotor housing. The visit is now known to be to the Princes Landing Stage, 8th to 11th May 1970. My log dated 9th May simply lists only (it appears that these were the only helicopters embarked):
XS493/R:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XT451/J:A WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
HMS Ajax visited Liverpool the same weekend with WASP has.1 XT433/460 embarked. H.M.S. ARK ROYAL, LANDING STAGE, 27th-30th June 1970From 'Flypast' a detailed article, originally from the pen of George Jones:It was whilst we were visiting HMS Eagle during February that we first heard about a possible visit to Merseyside by her sister carrier HMS Ark Royal. The Battle of the Atlantic celebrations in May seemed a good time for the ship to visit Liverpool, but in the event that occasion was marked by a visit by the commando-carrier HMS Albion. When the announcement concerning the Ark's visit was finally published we learned that she was to be in the Mersey for some six days at the end of June. However, this reckoned without the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board who decided that the needs of the Isle of Man boats took priority over Ark Royal's berth at the Liverpool landing Stage, so as a result the ship's stay was reduced to a mere three days. Due to this reduction in the length of her visit, the Captain was obliged to axe the ship's social commitments and the Society lost its opportunity for a private visit. HMS Ark Royal entered the Mersey during the afternoon of Saturday 27th June and for the four members brave enough to board a Wallasey ferry the carrier was an impressive sight. Aircraft were ranged along the flight deck: for'ard were 809 Sqdn's Buccaneer S.2s, with the Phantom FG.1s of 892 Sqdn abreast the island; 824 Sqdn's Sea King HAS.1s further aft and the Gannet AEW.3s of 849 (B) Sqdn at the stern. As the tugs met the ship and brought her alongside Prince's Landing Stage. so a Sea King cluttered noisily around adding a third dimension to an already brave sight. As the carrier berthed, so the helicopter landed-on. The next day found the writer in the queue at an early hour and so it was that within 15 minutes of the ship being opened to the public, I was safe aboard. By know the scene on the flight deck had been somewhat altered with the majority of the Phantoms being struck below in the hangars to make way for a small static park comprising an example of each of the ship's compliment of aircraft. The Buccaneers, Sea Kings and Gannets (including the COD aircraft) remained parked fore and aft. Inspection of the first hangar found armament displays etc on view and more aircraft, whilst the second hangar (to which the public was not permitted entry) held further aircraft. All the aircraft seen were wearing normal navy paint schemes. 892's aircraft were adorned with the 'Omega' sign, 809's the 'Fiery Phoenix' and 849's had a wasp like insect brandishing a telescope. Only 824's Sea Kings were without unit colours, though one did sport a stork beneath the cockpit, which was said to be the personal insignia of the pilot. One Phantom (XV569) was still sporting 'USS Saratoga' as a memento of its operations from that Carrier last year. The following list of aircraft seen combines a number of visits by members. HMS Ark Royal left the Mersey on the morning tide the following Tuesday 30th June. It had been her first visit to Merseyside since she was commissioned at Cammell Laird's Birkenhead yard in 1955, where she had been launched on 3rd May 1950. Her last commission ended in 1967 and for the past 3 years she has undergone an extensive refit to enable her to operate the Phantoms. She recommissioned at Devonport on 24th February 1970 and her Squadrons embarked on 12th June 1970.
XG790/040:R F. Gannet C.7
XL482/041:R F. Gannet AEW.3 849 Sqdn, C Flight
XL494/042:R F. Gannet AEW.3 849 Sqdn, C Flight
XP226/044:R F. Gannet AEW.3 849 Sqdn, C Flight
XP229/043:R F. Gannet AEW.3 849 Sqdn, C Flight
XM874/- WS-58 Wessex HAS.1 'Rescue' Ark Royal SAR Flight
XS880/57:R WS-58 Wessex HAS.1 'Rescue' Ark Royal SAR Flight
XN977/030:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XT269/031:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XT273/025:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XT280/033:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XT283/023:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XT286/022:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XV152/024:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XV154/021:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XV156/020:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XV161/032:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XV163/027:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XV354/035:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XV357/034:R HS. Buccaneer S.2 809 Sqdn
XV565/001:R F-4K Phantom FG.1 892 Sqdn
XV588/010:R F-4K Phantom FG.1 892 Sqdn (Regn quoted in MAS 'Flypast' XV566 is certainly a typo, corrected here)
XV567/011:R F-4K Phantom FG.1 892 Sqdn
XV568/012:R F-4K Phantom FG.1 892 Sqdn
XV569/013:R F-4K Phantom FG.1 892 Sqdn
XV570/014:R F-4K Phantom FG.1 892 Sqdn
XV586/003:R F-4K Phantom FG.1 892 Sqdn
XV589/002:R F-4K Phantom FG.1 892 Sqdn
XV590/007:R F-4K Phantom FG.1 892 Sqdn
XV591/006:R F-4K Phantom FG.1 892 Sqdn
XV592/004:R F-4K Phantom FG.1 892 Sqdn
XV654/050:R W Sea King HAS.1 824 Sqdn
XV655/051:R W Sea King HAS.1 824 Sqdn
XV656/052:R W Sea King HAS.1 824 Sqdn
XV657/053:R W Sea King HAS.1 824 Sqdn
XV658/054:R W Sea King HAS.1 824 Sqdn
XV659/055:R W Sea King HAS.1 824 Sqdn
My personal log has a number of detail differences: Gannets: I call XG790 a Gannet COD.4, and have the unit as 849 Sqdn, C flight. Buccaneers: I observed only 6. Phantoms: I record XV589/002 as XV587 and XV566/010 as XV588 (which seems the correct version as XV566 likely crashed early May in Lyme Bay). At the time of my visit on 28th most of the aircraft were on the flight deck, in the hangar were: the uncoded Wessex, Phantoms 003, 010, 012, 013 & 014 and Sea King 052.
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Post by viscount on Oct 22, 2009 10:01:03 GMT 1
H.M.S. BULWARK, LIVERPOOL PIER HEAD, 30th June - 6th July 1971Oddly I cannot find 'Flypast' coverage of this carrier visit apart from a George Jones photo from the dock-side. My log of a visit aboard lists:
XS480/C:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XS483/F:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XS485/E:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XS490/G:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XS493/R:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XS499/S:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XS514/M:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XS515/Q:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XS516/U:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XT449/H:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XT451/J:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XT453/K:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XT454/L:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XT455/P:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XT456/N:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XT465/B:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XT466/D:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XT763/T:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5 845 Sqdn
XV638/O W.Wasp HAS.1 named "Flt Lt HCB Malim RN"
At the time of my visit on 3rd July, around half the helicopters were below decks. Codes G, S, M, Q, U, H, K, T and the Wasp were on the flight deck.
At this point my log books are no longer complete as I became involved in MAS book sales rather than logging. I suspect that there was at least one more mid Seventies Carrier visit by Bulwark, but like the May 1970 Albion visit there was only a token force embarked. Anyone have better notes than mine and any dates to PM me? During the late Seventies the Fleet Arm changed dramatically. The older carrier force was retired, the conventional fixed wing element of Buccaneers and Phantoms transferred to the R.A.F., while the Royal Navy acquired 'through-deck cruisers' (HMS Invincible, Illustrious and a new Ark Royal) and Sea Harrier FRS.1. The Commando Carriers were withdrawn and the role transferred to existing Assault Landing Ships HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid , only being truly replaced by HMS Ocean many years later. I have a reference to HMS Hermes visiting in early 1971. Either it was without helicopters aboard, so has slipped from memory, or more likely someone along the line has confused HMS Hermes and the actual HMS Albion visit in late June 1971. The next carrier visits to the Mersey were of exceptional interest to the enthusiast.
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Post by viscount on Oct 22, 2009 14:00:01 GMT 1
USS GUADALCANAL, ROYAL SEAFORTH DOCK, October 1978Nearly two years after the original post, I'll complete this carrier visit by entering the 'Flypast' report, which I now have thanks to Simon on the Wirral.GUADALCANALOn the usually unlucky date of Friday 13th October 1978, a small piece of Merseyside aviation history was made, with the arrival in Seaforth Minor Dock of the U.S.S. Gudalcanal, marking the first visit to the Mersey of an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, and the first visit of any carrier since H.M.S. Hermes in 1971. ( I can currently find no reference to this visit, or is the author actually refering to HMS Bulwark in July 1971?). This was not the U.S.Navy's debut, however, since they brought in the U.S.S. Truert a few years ago, complete with embarked Sea Sprite. The Carrier was open to the public on the afternoon of Sunday 15th October, and many aviation enthusiasts braved the rain and the wind to view the 19 embarked helicopters. The Guadalcanal had recently been involved in the NATO exercise "Northern Wedding" in the North Sea, and came on a five day visit to the 'Pool after coasting down the European mainland, with calls at Wilhelmshaven, Rotterdam, Le Havre and Southampton before putting in at Seaforth. After sampling Merseyside hospitality, the assault carrier will return to her home port of Norfolk, Virginia for a refit, with the embarked choppers will go to their shore based at New River, North Carolina. Before dealing with the aircraft, a few details of the Guadalcanal herself. The keel of the ship was laid on 1st September 1961 and after a total spend of $40m, the ship was commissioned on 20th July 1963. Designed to transport and land troops and supplies by means of assault helicopters, the Guadalcanal helped to pioneer the technique of landing combat ready troops behind the beachhead to disrupt defending forces, and has a combat personnel capacity of some 1,700 men. These are usually landed ashore by about 30 assault helicopters whilst the ship steams to and fro a couple of miles offshore. The ship itself has a length of 602 feet, displaces some 18,000 tons and is propelled at a maximum speed of 25 knots by engines having a total of 22,000 horsepower. The ship owns only one helicopter, a UH-1N used for COD - Carrier On Board delivery tasks, but can embark up to 30 assault 'copters. On this particular cruise, two squadrons were embarked with a total of 18 Sea Stallion and Sea Knight aboard. The choppers aboard the Guad' were in two different schemes, the older gloss dark lime green and a new low-visibility olive drab scheme. The aircraft in the older colours had white codes and serials with a red/white/blue 'star and bar' national insignia, whilst the low-viz aeroplanes had black markings, pain in the neck for spotter and enemy alike! There were three variations of the low-viz 'star and bar' identified. The Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight made its maiden flight on 22nd April 1958, with over 720 examples built for the American forces, with further exports to Burma, Canada, Japan, Sweden and Thailand. As used by the Marine Corps, the CH-46 usually accommodates up to 18 fully equipped Marines or up to 7,000 lb. cargo. The Sikorsky CH-53 made its first flight on 14th October 1964, and to date over 300 have been built. The type has been exported to Austria, Israel and West Germany as well as use by USAF, USN and USMC. Up to 64 troops or 24 stretchers can be accommodated, and when equipped with a winch, the Sea Stallion is capable of lifting an empty Sea Knight. The USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) is a helicopter assault carrier in the Iwo Jima Class. My visit log is dated 14th October 1978.
153953/11:YS bk CH-46E Sea Knight HMM-162 (Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162), home base New River, North Carolina.
153965/8:YS bk CH-46· Sea Knight HMM-162
154003/15:YS bk CH-46· Sea Knight HMM-162
154846/6:YS bk CH-46F Sea Knight HMM-162
155313/1:YS wh CH-46F Sea Knight HMM-162, sole Sea Knight in full colour markings
156477/13:YS bk CH-46F Sea Knight HMM-162
157651/3:YS bk CH-46· Sea Knight HMM-162
157666/2:YS bk CH-46· Sea Knight HMM-162, below on hangar deck
156951/12:CJ bk Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461 (Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461), home base New River, North Carolina.
156954/17:CJ wh Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
156960/11:CJ wh Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461, below on hangar deck
156964/7:CJ wh Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
157152/1:CJ bk Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
157165/26:CJ wh Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461, below on hangar deck
157170/10:CJ wh Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
157733/23:CJ wh Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
157734/3:CJ bk Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
160827/827 Bell UH-1N Iroquois 'USS Guadalcanal' on nose named "TITS" (= Tiny Islands Transport Service) Navy sea grey gloss USN high viz scheme. The black (bk) or white (wh) notation refers to the colour the code, Marine, and stars and bars were presented in, on the matt drab olive green camouflage. Interesting mix of high vis and toned down markings. Detail mark of the Sea Knights was debated at the time, may or may not have been a mix of CH-46E and CH-46F as shown above, or all modified to CH-46F standard. One further vehicle worthy of mention was the bright yellow Oshkosh fire truck which bore the fiscal serial 71-02149! Well, that completes the compliment of the first US Navy carrier to visit the murky Mersey, all that remains now is to thank Captain N.P.Carr and his crew for a most enjoyable debut visit, and wish them a pleasant journey back to the 'States. The M.A.S. group included Mike Bishop, Phil Butler, John Downey, Ken Ellis, Brian Jones, Gerry Manning, Johnnie Price (resident fire truck fan), Keith Price and Bryan Workman. USS IWO JIMA, BROCKLEBANK DOCK, October 1980As a 'Regional Review' Special (author not named, possibly Dave Fairclough) in Flypast comes the following comments and list:Open to the public on 18th and 19th October, the Iwo Jima (LPH-2) had been having a series of ill-fortune. This did not get any better with a delay in Liverpool Bay due to technical problems, followed by a collision with the dock gates and wall on its way into Brocklebank Dock. This particular problem they had had previously at Brest too). It was to lead to a senior dock-hand to comment that "they dock by a system of controlled crashes that zig-zag the boat to its intended berth by pure chance". All this put back the ship's schedule and the open day to the public on 18th was nearly scrubbed. It was put back on at the last minute and this, plus Everton attempting to play Liverpool at Goodison, plus the perishing cold, put a lot of people off. Thousands though went down to see it on the Sunday. Your scribe went round on the Saturday and had the great misfortune to have as his guide a non-aviation 'lemon'. He seemed to take great pride in the extreme rear of the vessel, the bit where they fish from when bored - he knew this area in great detail! As regards the planes, he pointed to an OV-10 and said "this here is a single seater, we use it for looking at things"..... followed by a confident point at an AV-8A "this is the Harrier, it can go up and it can come down. It's a fighter... we use it for fighting mostly." Many thanks to the Marines and USN for bringing her to Liverpool - more please! Thanks to Trevor Maddocks and Joe Cornforth for their notes. The USS Iwo Jima is one of seven Iwo Jima class marine assault carriers. Keel laid down 2nd April 1959 and launched 17th September 1960, and commissioned 26th August 1961 at her home port of San Diego. In May 1972 moved to the Atlantic fleet and new home base of Norfolk, Virginia.
158969/04:CG AV-8A Harrier VMA-231 (with famous 'playing card' motif), home base Cherry Point.
159232/23:CG AV-8A Harrier VMA-231
159238/17:CG AV-8A Harrier VMA-231
159240/10:CG AV-8A Harrier VMA-231
159248/05:CG AV-8A Harrier VMA-231
159258/01:CG AV-8A Harrier VMA-231
156955/16:CJ CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461, home base New River
156968/2:CJ CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
157168/15:CJ CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
157173/24:CJ CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
157175/20:CJ CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
157176/6:CJ CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
157731/13:CJ CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
157733/23:CJ CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
157748/21:CJ CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
157931/22:CJ CH-53D Sea Stallion HMH-461
151914/417:BF HH-46A Sea Knight HC-16, home base Pensacola.
152553/411:BF HH-46A Sea Knight HC-16
Both in beautiful 'real' USN colours, they serve as 'plane guard' rescue helicopters.
155438/02:ER OV-10A Bronco VMO-1, home base New River
155440/03:ER OV-10A Bronco VMO-1
155443/04:ER OV-10A Bronco VMO-1
155464/08:ER OV-10A Bronco VMO-1
They were being ferried and were not part of the ship's complement of operational aircraft.
159196/32:YS UH-1N Iroquois HMM-162, based at New River. The Iroquois used by the Marines as a general communications 'hack'.
159683/33:YS UH-1N Iroquois HMM-162, helicopter named 'Boobies'
160829/00 UH-1N Iroquois Iwo Jima 'Station Flight'. Rotorless and well out of commission. Bright, colourful USN scheme.
Most were out on the 'flat top'. Harrier /01, Sea Stallion /6, Sea Knight /411, Bronco /02 were all below on the hangar deck.
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Post by viscount on Oct 22, 2009 14:24:25 GMT 1
After the delights aboard the two American Assault Carriers, there was to be nearly two decades before the next carrier visits, by which time the Royal Navy had had their considerably smaller 'through-deck cruisers' in full operation for many years. I'm really struggling here, especially with the visits during the 'Noughties. Effectively my record was lost with the shut down of the xsorbit BB web-site in March 2009. Help please.H.M.S. INVINCIBLE, CANADA DOCK, October 1998This visit by HMS Invincible is the first by a carrier to the Mersey since 1980. This visit from 9th through to 13th October was without open access to the public. Ian Griffiths in the paper NWAN provides the following list from 10th (the aircraft out on deck changed slightly each day):
XZ439/ - Sea Harrier F/A.2 BAe.
ZA175/126 Sea Harrier F/A.2 800 Sqdn
ZA195/ - Sea Harrier F/A.2 BAe.
ZD607/125 Sea Harrier F/A.2 800 Sqdn
ZD611/123 Sea Harrier F/A.2 800 Sqdn
ZD614/124 Sea Harrier F/A.2 800 Sqdn
ZE693/··· Sea Harrier F/A.2 800 Sqdn
XV655/67 W.Sea King HAS.6 814 Sqdn
XV701/68 W.Sea King HAS.6 814 Sqdn, individual aircraft name "Lulabelle"
ZE422/70 W.Sea King HAS.6 814 Sqdn
All three Sea Kings and three of the Harriers (ZA175/ZA195/ZE693) were below decks.
H.M.S. INVINCIBLE, LIVERPOOL, June 2000From the paper NWAN, a simple list of the aircraft aboard on Monday 26th June. No details of visit dates, of where she was berthed, or if there was public access etc.
ZD581/124 Sea Harrier FA.2 800 Sqdn
ZD607/125 Sea Harrier FA.2 800 Sqdn
ZE693/127 Sea Harrier FA.2 800 Sqdn
ZH803/128 Sea Harrier FA.2 800 Sqdn
ZH809/123 Sea Harrier FA.2 800 Sqdn
XV650/187:N Sea King AEW.2 849 Sqdn
XV664/186:N Sea King AEW.2 849 Sqdn
XV671/188:N Sea King AEW.2 849 Sqdn
XV701/268:N Sea King HAS.6 814 Sqdn
XV712/266:N Sea King HAS.6 814 Sqdn
XZ921/269:N Sea King HAS.6 814 Sqdn
ZA131/271:N Sea King HAS.6 814 Sqdn
ZG819/265:N Sea King HAS.6 814 Sqdn
H.M.S. INVINCIBLE, RIVER MERSEY, May 2003As a center piece of the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic (and final official commemoration). On three days, Sat May 3rd to Bank Holiday Monday 5th May, flying displays included aircraft and helicopters off HMS Invincible and a Nimrod based at Liverpool Airport. Unusually the Carrier was moored in mid-River between the Pier Head and Birkenhead. Only open to invited guests. Aircraft aboard were embarked for the event and were not her usual complement. All were on deck, the hangar deck presumably empty, as there was a big reception and banquet for invited guests one evening.
XV671/183:B Sea King AEW.7
XZ920/826:B Sea King HAS.5U Silver/red 'Rescue' scheme
ZD625/VZ Sea King HC.4
ZE694/004:L Sea Harrier FA.2
ZH864/- Merlin HM.1
HMS Ark Royal, visit cancelled, September 2007HMS Ark Royal was due to arrive Merseyside to take part in the weekend's departure celebration for 'Clipper Ventures 2007' - Round 8, Round the World yacht race. This visit was cancelled by the MoD due to delays in completion of the Cruise Terminal extension to Prince's Landing Stage H.M.S. ARK ROYAL, CRUISE TERMINAL, June 2008A brief visit, 6th to 9th June. Anyone PM or post a record of the aircraft aboard. Am I correct in thinking that she was not open to the public ?H.M.S. ILLUSTRIOUS, CRUISE TERMINAL, October 2008I queued and went aboard on Sunday 19th October. Disappointingly visitors were restricted only to the hangar deck, the flight deck being ruled out of bounds to the public. anyone tie down the precise dates for this carrier visit?
ZD376/24A BAe. Harrier GR.7A 1 sqdn flash, on stern
ZD405/34A BAe. Harrier GR.7A Navy Strike Wing logo on tail, on hangar deck
ZD411/40A BAe. Harrier GR.7A 1 Sqdn flash, on stern
ZD436/48A BAe. Harrier GR.7A no sqdn marks, at very stern
ZG508/79GR BAe. Harrier GR.9A 1 Sqdn flash, on the lift between decks
ZG859/91 BAe. Harrier GR.9 no unit marks, on the bow ramp
XV714/88 W. Sea King AsC.7 857 Sqdn, on hangar deck.
XV671/83 W. Sea King AsC.7 on flight deck amidships
XV649/180 W. Sea King AsC.7 on flight deck amidships
Positions are at the time of my visit on Sunday afternoon. Records and images of this this were lost when NWAN forum was shut down by the then Admin in March 2009, however image posts by Viscount and Beemer on page 2 confirm the serials and codes of the all the aircraft embarked and visibile H.M.S. ARK ROYAL, CRUISE TERMINAL, January 2009After avoiding the Mersey for so many years, fleet flag-ship HMS Ark Royal was back again after only 7 months, 15th to 19 January 2009. However with the aviation units disembarked, there was only token aviation interest. There were just two helicopters embarked, flown in while the carrier was in the Irish Sea. A Sea King AsC.7 and a Merlin so visitors could have a glimpse of what HMS Ark Royal was about. Serials supplied by "Alexmac" and corrected by "Beemer".
XV697/181 W. Sea King AsC.7
ZH831/ - EH-101 Merlin HM.1
H.M.S. ILLUSTRIOUS, CRUISE TERMINAL, October 2009HMS Illustrious called again, 23rd to 27th October, providing a center piece for the final 'Fly Navy 100' flypast marking the Fleet Air Arm's centenary year. The flypast was at 1400 hours on Friday 23rd with 38 aircraft and helicopters involved. Although RAF Shawbury was the launch point, 10 of the helicopters involved had arrived on HMS Illustrious, they flew off on Saturday morning. The greatest Carrier flight deck activity since (probably) 1951 in the Mersey. The vessel was open to the public on the Sunday and Monday. All helicopters were out on the deck, the hangar deck being empty on the Sunday and Monday public open days. On arrival on Thursday 22nd, Illustrious had the greatest collection of Naval hardware on deck to be seen in the Mersey for many a year, even though most were not part of her regular compliment and soon flew off.
ZH833/85 Merlin HM.1 814 Sqdn (an embarked unit)
ZH834/88 Merlin HM.1 814 Sqdn
ZH841/82 Merlin HM.1 814 Sqdn
ZH846/81 Merlin HM.1 814 Sqdn
ZH850/16 Merlin HM.1 820 Sqdn, home base Culdrose
XV648/818 W.Sea King HAR.5 771 Sqdn gloss grey retro scheme, Ace of Spades badge
XV707/84 W.Sea King AsC.7 849 Sqdn
ZA167/22 W.Sea King HAR.5 771 Sqdn grey/red 'Rescue' scheme, Ace of Spades badge
ZD627/WO W.Sea King HC.4 848 Sqdn
ZE418/86 W.Sea King AsC.7 849 Sqdn
ZD406/- BAe. Harrier GR.9 Naval Strike Wing, special 'Fly Navy 100' tail colours.
XZ246/434:EE W.Lynx Mk.3ICE 815 Sqdn, HMS Endurance arctic high vis. scheme
XZ612/- W.Lynx AH.7 'Marines' 847 Sqdn
XZ692/642 W.Lynx HMA.8 702 Sqdn (marked as such on the nose).
On the Friday morning 4 x Merlin (those of 814 Sqdn), all 5 x Sea Kings and the Lynx AH.7 departed for Shawbury and took part in the Fly Navy 100 flypast. Only two returned to HMS Illustrious, the Sea King HC.4 and the Marines Lynx AH.7; so making 6 aircraft/helicopters out on deck on the public days. Squirrel G-XOIL with Prince Andrew was on the deck for several hours on Friday early afternoon (first civilian helicopter on a Carrier deck in the Mersey!). Also after the flypast, two Lynx briefly landed on deck, presumably collecting VIPs.
XZ733/- W.Lynx HAS.3 702 Sqdn
ZD266/302 W.Lynx HMA.8 702 Sqdn
Details of the aircraft involved in the 'Navy 100' flypast are on another thread. Details of air displays off the Pier Head, along with images on derbosoft.proboards.com/post/60596/editHMS ILLUSTRIOUS, Cruise Terminal, February 2013Visited Thursday 14th to Monday 18th February 2013. On arrival in the Mersey HMS Illustrious had a Chinook ZD574/DB embarked on the flight deck. Shortly after mooring at the Cruise Liner Berth the Chinook departed around 1500 and shortly after Sea Kings ZA314/WT and ZF124/L arrived, although ZF124/L must have departed later. On Friday Merlin ZH840/67 arrived. For the open day on Saturday there were two helicopters out on the deck, while below the hangar deck was empty.
ZA314/WT W. Sea King HC.4 on deck
ZH840/67 EH-101 Merlin HM.1 on deck
HMS PRINCE OF WALES, Cruise Terminal, March 2020.The Britain's latest aircraft carrier arrived on 28th February and departed on 6th February 2020 during working-up trials. The carrier had few aircraft embarked and for the early part of the visit just 2 helicopters on deck and for the last few days and on departure probably none. Dur to Covid-19 regulations only very limited pre-booked numbers of the public were permitted aboard. From the lack of photos or list appearing on NWAN, it must be assumed that no members made it aboard.
ZH902 Chinook HC.5 landed on the carrier 28th. Kept below decks until departure on 3rd March.
ZH853/ Merlin HM.2 Below deck for the first few days, then swopped place with the other Merlin. Noted on deck 1st and 2nd at least.
ZH842/ Merlin HM.2 On deck 28th and 29th, then below deck from 1st.
ZJ122/F Merlin HC.4 Photo shows code F on a Merlin HC.4 landing on the carrier as it arrived. Not noted again by anyone all weekend.
ZZ397 AW. Wildcat HMA.2 Arrived as "Rascal 1" on 28th, on deck 28th, 29th, 1st and 2nd at least, then below deck.
ZM149 Lockheed F-35B Lightning II, calling "Marham 11", a single pass to overfly the carrier at it was departing on 6th.
More details are recorded over 3 sides on a thread: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/34033/aircraft-carrier-prince-wales-liverpoolHMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, Cruise Terminal, Thursday 24th to 28th March 2022.This visit was not a public event, with only invited guests permitted aboard. On arrival the deck was completely clear. *************** So that brings the account of Carrier visits to the River Mersey up to date (as at October 2021), just hope the next one has a full air wing aboard - it is a rather long time since a fully loaded carrier called at Liverpool. I hope you have enjoyed a trip down memory lane. I welcome any comment, additions (I could easily have missed visits, there is no 'master' list to work from), corrections and personal memories. Further illustrations would be especially welcome. Please help fill-in the gaps. |
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Post by viscount on Oct 22, 2009 20:56:20 GMT 1
ROYAL NAVY CARRIERS - TIME LINES H.M.S. EAGLE (RO5) Deck code E, Audacious Class Launched Belfast 19.3.46 Commissioned 5.10.51 De-commissioned 1.72 Scrapped 1978-1980 at Cairnryan H.M.S. CENTAUR (RO6) Deck code C, Centaur Class Launched Belfast 22.4.47 Commissioned into service 1.9.53 De-commissioned 1965 To have been third Commando Carrier, cancelled 1966 Scrapped and broken-up Cairnryan H.M.S. ALBION (RO7) Deck code A, Centaur Class Launched Jarrow 16.5.47 Commissioned into service 26.5.54 Converted to Commando carrier 1961/1962 Last operational cruise completed 24.11.72 De-commissioned 1973 and scrapped at Faslane H.M.S. BULWARK (R08) Deck code B, Centaur Class Launched Belfast 22.6.48 Commisioned 4.11.54 Converted to Commando carrier 1958/1960 Last operational cruise ended 27.3.81 Decommissioned 1981 and scrapped Cairnryan 1984 H.M.S. ARK ROYAL (R09) Deck code R, Audacious Class Launched Birkenhead 3.5.50 Commissioned into service 25.2.55 Last cruise end 4.12.78 Decommissioned 1979 and scrapped 1980 at Cairnryan H.M.S. HERMES (R12) Deck code H, Centaur Class Launched Barrow 16.2.53 Commissioned 25.11.59 Converted to Commando Carrier 1971 Re-fitted for Harrier operations 1980/1981 Last operational cruise ended 12.4.84 Struck off charge 1985, sold to India 1986 and re-commissioned as INS Viriat 1989. X X X X X H.M.S. INVINCIBLE (RO5) Deck code N, Invincible Class through-deck cruiser. Launched 3.5.77 Commissioned into service 11.7.80 De-commissioned 3.8.05 and "in reserve" at Portsmouth until 2010. Sold for scrap 2.11 H.M.S. ILLUSTRIOUS (RO6) Deck code L, Invincible Class Built by Swan Hunter and launched 14.12.78 Commissioned into service 20.6.82 De-commissioned 28.8.14. Sold and scrapped in Turkey 2016. H.M.S. ARK ROYAL (RO7) Deck code R, Invincible Class Launched Wallsend 20.6.81 Commissioned into service 1.11.85 De-commissioned 11.3.11 following a major Government spending review. Sold and scrapped in Turkey 2013 X X X X X H.M.S. QUEEN ELIZABETH (RO8) Deck code Q, Queen Elizabeth Class Launched 17/7/14 Commissioned into service 7/12/17 H.M.S. PRINCE OF WALES (RO9) Deck code P, Queen Elizabeth Class Launched 21/12/17 Commissioned into service 10/12/19 More on each carrier's service, and other Royal Navy vessels can be found using the search feature on www.wikipedia.org encylopedia site. |
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Post by davel on Oct 23, 2009 9:00:16 GMT 1
Brought back memories as I was billoted on HMS Centaur when she was in the reserve fleet at Guzz (Plymouth to non navy types) Although not one of the largest carriers she certainly seemed vast to me.
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Post by john1958 on Oct 23, 2009 11:50:12 GMT 1
Hi all, love this thread. I well remember the loooong drive up to Liverpool to see the Iwo Jima, I was still living in central London then. We headed northeast out of London first of all, for a slow pass of the Hall.....always went there if possible. Then the long trek westwards, via Wyton, Alconbury, Wittering, Cottesmore, then EMA, MAN and finally the prize itself Liverpool. I seem to remember we camped somewhere en-route and bloody cold it was too. Now none of us knew Liverpool at all, so we found the docks without too much problem, and managed to get on board without too much trouble, there was a slight hiccup when a Marine officer seemed to take offence at us logging the bu numbers, but as there were 5 of us doing it, one carried on the discussion with him, while the other 4 logged and took pics! I have some slides of this "somewhere"  ? After getting off the ship, we decided lunch was in order, and a quick discussion in the car and McDonalds was decided on.......remember this WAS 1980, McDonalds was new to the UK then! When we got to the dock gates, we stopped and I asked the copper on the gate where there was a McDonalds.......his reply......"whats a McDonalds"?!?!?!?!?!?! There didnt seem to be one here then! So we parked the car in what I seem to remember was the pier head area....and wandered into town! It was pretty quiet we all thought, we found somewhere to eat, looked at all the pretty girls, then decided to head back to the car for the long drive home again. For some reason we jumped on a bus to get back to the car, and an old lady on the bus looked at my scarf around my neck and asked me what the score was, I asked her what she meant, and she told us it was the red v blue match....that explains why it was so quiet. She never queried the colour of my scarf....and I'm not telling, those who know me know what it is!!!!!! lol Nice to see a log for it online. John |
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Post by alexmac on Nov 2, 2009 0:49:39 GMT 1
HMS ARK ROYAL, JANUARY 2009 Some photos embarking the cabs    |
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gwoof
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Post by gwoof on Jan 3, 2010 9:59:56 GMT 1
Terrific thread and fantastic memories ;D
Don't ask me how but I found the site while researching a Herald at IAT but then spent ages pouring through this bit in particular. I remember Eagle well, especially the queue, but tell me why I didn't have a camera!!
Ark I too viewed from the ferry, my Grandad had worked on her when she was built at Cammell Laird's.
Iwo Jima we made the long trek up from Swindon, having moved to London in the mid 70's then on to Wilts in mid 1980. Will see if I have some scanned shots somewhere.
Happy days!
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Post by viscount on Sept 26, 2011 12:44:29 GMT 1
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Post by viscount on Sept 27, 2011 23:14:51 GMT 1
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Post by viscount on Feb 2, 2012 12:59:28 GMT 1
ASSAULT CARRIER (LPD) VISITS Unlike Aircraft carriers, I don't have records of visits to the Mersey by the Royal Navy's specialist Assault Carriers (or more correctly LPDs - Landing Platform Dock), so I will need help here. The initial pair of LPDs being HMS Intrepid and HMS Fearless. These being replaced by the new HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark.
The through-deck helicopter assault carriers (or more correctly LPHs, the former HMS Albion, Bulwark, Hermes and then HMS Ocean), have already been covered on side 1 of this thread. There is at least one more visit by either HMS Intrepid or HMS Fearless that did not have any helicopters embarked, as I recall going to the Pier Head and leaving the queue when I realised there were no helicopters to be seen.HMS FEARLESS (L10), March 1972Assault ship HMS Fearless (L10) was in the Mersey for the period 9th to 13th March 1972, direct from an exercise in the West Indies and had four Wessex HU.5 embarked. Three belonged to 845 Sqdn and normally embarked on HMS Bulwark: XT466/D:B, XT453/K:B, XT455/P:B, along with XS523/WT:CU. The vessel was not open to the public thanks to the IRA's activities. The 3 Wessex with 'B' for HMS Bulwark tail codes had been embarked on HMS Bulwark when she visited the Mersey the previous year. In addition before berthing three Army helicopters were flown off to Liverpool Airport. XR601 Scout AH.1 onwards to Topcliffe and Sioux AH.1s XT174 and XW188 onwards to East Midlands. Wessex XT466/D also visited the Airport f&t HMS Fearless as 'Navy YD'. The scribe in MAS 'Flypast' was looking forward to not only HMS Intrepid later in 1972, but also return visits by HMS Ark Royal and HMS Bulwark. In the event the next RN Carrier in the Mersey was not until 1997!. HMS INTREPID (L11), July 1972 HMS Intrepid was at the Pier Head for the weekend including 14th July (possibly visited 11th to 17th July) and had HMS Scylla's Wasp XT431/'432' embarked. Also on board for part of the time was Wessex HAS.1 XP150/401:KE. HMS Intrepid, did it visit in 1986?I've found a reference to a visit by HMS Intrepid being anticipated during 1986, however can find no reference to an actual visit as yet. HMS ALBION (L14), JUNE 2007HMS Albion Berthed in Canada Branch Dock on Thursday 13th June to take part in an 'All Aboard' event. There were no helicopters embarked, the flat landing space being utilised for displays etc. HMS BULWARK (L15), MAY 2008HMS Bulwark berthed at the Cruise Ship Terminal, Pier Head on 9th May 2008. There were no helicopters embarked. HMS ALBION (L14), SEPTEMBER 2011The were rumours that HMS Ocean was due in Liverpool for the 2011 Mersey River Festival in early September. However this was not to be, but HMS Albion sailed into the Mersey 20th September, was open to the public on the Saturday and Sunday, leaving on Monday 26th. Unfortunately there were no helicopters embarked to provide interest for the aviation enthusiast. The LPDs are capable of operating 3 Sea Kings (one with rotors stowed) or two Chinooks, but do not have their own allocated aircraft. HMS Albion is linked to the City of Chester, crew from HMS Albion marched through Chester on Wednesday 21st to commemorate her 10th anniversary. TIMELINES FOR THE ASSAULT SHIPSTimelines of the 4 LPDs to serve with the Royal Navy: HMS Fearless, L10Constructed in Belfast, launched 1963, commissioned 1965, decommissioned 2002 and scrapped Ghent 2008. HMS Intrepid, L11Built on Clydebank, launched 1964, commissioned 1967, placed into reserve 1991 providing spares for L10, decommissoned 1999, to Liverpool 13.9.08 & scrapped Liverpool in Canada Dry Dock, early 2009. HMS Albion, L14Built at Barrow-in-Furness, launched 9.3.01, commissioned 19.6.03, in service HMS Bulwark, L15Built at Barrow-in-Furness, launched 15.11.01, entered service 12.04, in service The sole Through-deck Assault Ship: H.M.S. OCEAN (L12) Ocean Class Launched at Barrow 11.10.95 a through-deck helicopter assault ship Commissioned into service 30.9.98 De-commissioned 27/3/18 and sold to Brazil. Renamed 'Atlantico' 6/18 with the Brazilian Navy. Anyone able to add more Fearless or Intrepid visits, or PM me with further visits by these Assault ships.
Have the new generation LPDs & LPH visited the Mersey, HMS Ocean L12 (commissioned 9/98), HMS Albion L14 (commissioned 6/03), or HMS Bulwark L15 (commissioned 12/04) visited on other occasions than those listed above. I don't now think so, although I do know for certain that HMS Ocean never did visit the Mersey. My thanks to "mtlnorth" for his help in providing some of the visit details above.HELICOPTER AND COMMAND CRUISER VISITS I keep on finding further vessels to include in this survey of aircraft/helicopter carrier visits to the Mersey. The Royal Navy had two, ASW Wessex and later Sea King equipped, Helicopter and Command Cruisers, both created by conversion of the final 6" gun Cruisers in RN service. (more on Wikipedia). HMS Blake C99 recommissioned 1969, decommissioned 1979, scrapped 1982. Normally embarking 820 Sqdn HMS Tiger C20 recommissioned 1972, into reserve 1978, scrapped late 1986. Normally embarking 826 Sqdn HMS TIGER (C20), JULY 1975HMS Tiger visited Liverpool during July 1975 (exact dates not recorded), embarked were 4 Sea Kings of 814 Sqdn (normally embarked on HMS Hermes), while the" resident 826 Sqdn's machines were away for modifications. XV672/271:H Westland Sea King HAS.1 XV677/270:H Westland Sea King HAS.1 XV711/274:H Westland Sea King HAS.1 XV712/273:H Westland Sea King HAS.1 HMS BLAKE (C99), MAY 1979HMS Blake visited for 'Battle of the Atlantic' weekend in early May 1979, along with RFA Sir Tristram and Leander class frigate HMS Bacchante. Embarked on HMS Blake were 4 Sea King HAS.2 of 820 Sqdn her 'resident' unit. The visit to Liverpool must have not been that long before she was decommissioned. XZ575/410:BL Westland Sea King HAS.2 XZ576/411:BL Westland Sea King HAS.2 XV709/412:BL Westland Sea King HAS.2 XV647/413:BL Westland Sea King HAS.2 Of the 4 Sea Kings embarked, 3 were out on the deck throughout the visit, while XZ576/411:BL was the one that was hangared. Credit: a full one side report by John Downey in MAS 'Flypast' May 1979 p.120 I've not yet come cross any reports of other visits by HMS Tiger or by HMS Blake, although they might well have visited the Mersey on other occasions. I'll keep looking out for further references though! Does anyone know of other visits? |
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Post by viscount on Feb 25, 2012 22:59:11 GMT 1
HMS INTREPID VISIT, JULY 1972 The success of having photos displayed, has encouraged George to forward another to me by e-mail. In July 1972 during a trip with Ron Turner in Cherokee 180 G-AVGK, they spotted HMS Intrepid, Assault Landing Ship berthed north of the Pier Head. There was only a single Wasp helicopter embarked, and this is difficult to make out. Much of the interest in this shot are the great changes made to the area in 45 years and the busy river.  |
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Post by viscount on Feb 25, 2012 23:03:09 GMT 1
HMS ALBION, MAY 1967 A couple more from George Jones's considerable b&w photo collection. This time of Wessex HU.5 embarked on HMS Albion on a visit to Liverpool, May 1967. .jpg)  These photos are copyright George Jones, not for reproduction elsewhere. |
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