The
type 21's, probably better
known as the "Amazon class", were an effort to find a replacement for
the "General purpose type 81" Tribal class Frigates.
They were built
by the commercial shipbuilders "Vosper Thorneycroft" and were
undoubtedly excellent ships.
Unfortunately they proved to be too small and
cramped to be updated successfully during their mid - life refits.
They had also
proved to be much more expensive to build than their contemporaries.
They were
the first class of RN ships to be fitted with a pure Gas turbine powerplant,
a
pair of R.R. Tynes for cruising and a pair of R.R. Olympus for high speed.
Their
acceleration, for a warship, was outstanding and there are reports that at least
one successful attempt at "Waterskiing" behind one was made.
Their
major flaw was an "Aluminium superstructure" which, as events in the
"Falklands War" of 1982 were to show,
burnt fiercely if damaged
in action.
The survivors of the class were later sold to Pakistan during the mid
1990's.
( # ) against ships name indicates new or extra photo's. -- section last updated - Mid August 2005.
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