1954    

UK Modified Centaur class

UK Centaur class

Aircraft Carrier

ships





  Specifications


1037crew
600troops
23300light (tn)
27700full load (tn)
224.90length (m)
27.40beam (m)
6.70draught (m)
29.50max speed (knots)

4Naval Gun single 40 mm
2Naval Gun twin 40 mm

1Naval Radar air direction radar Type 277
1Naval Radar air search radar Type 960

helicopter   Aircraft


Typical Max
UK Royal Navy Westland Whirlwind 016
UK Royal Navy Westland Wessex 016
UK Royal Marines Westland Sioux 02
UK Royal Marines SNIA SA341B Gazelle AH.1 06
UK Royal Marines Westland Scout 03
UK Royal Navy Westland Sea King 04
UK Royal Navy Westland Wasp 11






  Shipyards


UK Harland and Wolff - Belfast1
UK Swan Hunter (Wallsend) - Wallsend1



  List of Ships


Filter:     Hide Transfers     Hide derivatives

19541973UKRoyal NavyR07HMS AlbionGKXR - A
19541983UKRoyal NavyR08HMS BulwarkGKYD - B




2 units



  Events


1943-jul-12OrderedOrdered UK R07 HMS Albion
1943-jul-12OrderedOrdered UK R08 HMS Bulwark
1944-mar-23Laid downLaid down UK R07 HMS Albion Yard No. 1721
1945-may-10Laid downLaid down UK R08 HMS Bulwark Yard No. 1281
1947-may-06LaunchedLaunched UK R07 HMS Albion
1948-jun-22LaunchedLaunched UK R08 HMS Bulwark
1949-oct-18 UK R07 HMS Albion While under tow in the North Sea, heading for Rosyth, was in collision with mv Maystone which sank with loss of life, leaving hole in port side. Reached Rosyth on 19 Oct for repairs and planned bottom scrape.
1954Port VisitPort Visit UK R07 HMS Albion visited Sydney, while on maiden deployment to Far East and Australia
1954-may-27CommissionedCommissioned UK R07 HMS Albion Deck id Z until 1957, then A. First carrier to be completed with an angled deck (5 deg) and a deck landing mirror sight (DLMS).
1954-sepAircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion assigned Dragonfly HR.3 to SAR Flt WG669/902-Z until c Jun 1955
1954-oct-29CommissionedCommissioned UK R08 HMS Bulwark aka The Rusty B
1956-janDeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion departed UK on maiden deployment to Far East, returning in May.
1956-augAircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion assigned Whirlwind HAR.3 to SAR Flt XG577 / 979-Z and XG578 / 980-Z, until c Sep 1957
1956-aug-13DeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark Arrived in Malta, covertly preparing for Op Musketeer. SAR Flt equipped with Dragonfly HR.3 WP502 / 983, WG720 / 984 & WG750 / 985.
1956-sep-17DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion Arrived in Malta, covertly preparing for Op Musketeer. SAR Flt equipped with Whirlwind HAR.3 XG573 / 979 (temporary assignment) & XG578 / 980.
1956-nov-01DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion Operation Musketeer Participated in Suez Canal fixed wing operations and remained on patrol for c a month following the cease fire.
1956-nov-01DeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark Operation Musketeer Participated in Suez Canal fixed wing operations.
1956-decRefitRefit UK R08 HMS Bulwark Refit at HMD Portsmouth, which included a flight deck magnetic loop communications system, until c Apr 1957
1957-may-27DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion Took part in the Royal Review of the Home Fleet in the Cromarty Firth.
1957-jul-25Port VisitPort Visit UK R08 HMS Bulwark to Cherbourg in company with HMS Salisbury, until 30 Jul.
1957-aug-28AircraftAircraft UK R08 HMS Bulwark embarked Whirlwind HAS.7 of 845 Squadron, until 21 Oct.
1957-novRefitRefit UK R07 HMS Albion Refit in HMD Portsmouth until c Apr 1958
1958-jan-17DeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark departed Portland for 2nd commission deployment, having embarked 845 Squadron with its second batch of brand new Whirlwind HAS.7 on 10 Jan. After initial visits to eastern Atlantic and Caribbean, arrived Singapore on 28 Apr. The return leg completed at HMNB Portsmouth in Nov 1958.
1958-jul-22DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion after rapid work installing tie down points, departed UK with 42 Commando RM and HQ 19 Infantry Brigade with its kit and vehicles embarked, for Malta to augment the garrison in case intervention in the Iraqi Revolution was required.
1958-augAircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion Whirlwind HAS.7 of 820 NAS embarked for Far East operations, until May 1959
1958-sep-08AircraftAircraft UK R08 HMS Bulwark 845 NAS Whirlwind XL833/390/A suffered engine failure while storing the ship and ditched in Aden inner harbour, 8 Sep. Airframe recovered but jettisoned next day.
1958-sep-13DeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark assisted with recovery of mv Melika which had caught fire in the Straits of Hormuz after colliding with another oil tanker. Taken under tow by Bulwark and made for Muscat, escorted by Type 41 frigate HMS Puma.
1958-oct-23AircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion 820 NAS Whirlwind HAS.7 XL871/324 /W ditched and sank off Cadiz
1958-novRefitRefit UK R08 HMS Bulwark until 1960 at HMD Devonport, converted to first UK Commando Carrier and recommissioned on 19 Jan 1960
1959-mayPort VisitPort Visit UK R07 HMS Albion visited Madagascar, while returning to UK from Far East and Australasian deployment.
1959-augRefitRefit UK R07 HMS Albion Refit at HMD Portsmouth until c Nov 1959
1960-feb-09AircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion While en route to Far East with 815 NAS embarked, Whirlwind HAS.7 XL850/302-A ditched and sank in western Mediterranean.
1960-mar-14DeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark departed for Far East with 42 Commando and sixteen Whirlwind HAS.7 of 848 NAS embarked. Routed via the Mediterranean, Aden and Colombo, disembarking in Singapore on 30 May 1960.
1960-mar-26Port VisitPort Visit UK R07 HMS Albion Three day visit to Piraeus. Anchored in Piraeus Bay, until 29 Mar.
1960-apr-10AircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion Whirlwind HAS.7 XL897 815 NAS/302-A ditched and sank while operating dunking sonar on 10 Apr 1960
1960-aug-10AircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion Whirlwind HAS.7 XL880/306-A damaged blades and tail in deck accident while operating with 815 NAS in the Far East
1960-aug-22DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion assisted injured crewman on ss Twinhorse, c 60 nm SSE of Hong Kong. Launched two Whirlwind from 815 Sq, including XL883/308.
1960-aug-23Port VisitPort Visit UK R07 HMS Albion Ten day visit to Hong Kong, departed 1 Sep.
1960-oct-01AircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion Offloaded a number of helicopters to AHU at RAF Tengah (including XL880) while at Singapore.
1961-janRefitRefit UK R07 HMS Albion until 1962, conversion to Commando Carrier and recommissioned on 1 Aug 1962
1961-apr-19DeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark departed for Hong Kong 19 Apr and embarked 825 NAS (transferring in from HMS Victorious air group).
1961-may-26AircraftAircraft UK R08 HMS Bulwark Lost 848 Sq Whirlwind XM683 / T-B, when it ditched 1 nm from carrier while operating off Borneo
1961-jun-29DeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark Operation Vantage sailed with 42 Commando Royal Marines embarked, from Karachi to support Kuwait against possible Iraqi invasion. 42 CDO was airlifted into Kuwait on 1 Jul by Whirlwinds of embarked 848 NAS. HMS Bulwark withdrew on 21 Jul.
1961-nov-21AircraftAircraft UK R08 HMS Bulwark lost 848 Sq Whirlwind HAS.7 XN301 / M-B when it ditched during a formation landing.
1962-janDeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark amphibious assault in Cervantes area, with 42 Commando Royal Marines and 848 NAS.
1962-mar-27Port VisitPort Visit UK R08 HMS Bulwark arrived at Singapore for 3 week maintenance period.
1962-aprAircraftAircraft UK R08 HMS Bulwark embarked 815 NAS Wessex HAS.1, for first of type familiarisation
1962-jul-24DeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark Exercise FOTEX 62 participated in Exercise FOTEX 62 with Far East Fleet, RAN and RNZN
1962-octPort VisitPort Visit UK R08 HMS Bulwark visited Kuwait in Persian Gulf
1962-nov-02DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion Konfrontasi Embarked 846 NAS with its 6 Whirlwind HAS.7 and 845 NAS with 12 Wessex HAS.1 from RNAS Culdrose for Far East deployment. Disembarked on 14 Dec 1962 for operations from Borneo (846 to Seria, 845 to Brunei). After time on station, relieved by HMS Bulwark, departed Feb 1964 for UK and arrived back in HMNB Portsmouth on 15 Apr 1964.
1962-nov-26 UK R07 HMS Albion sunk a tug following collision in Aden
1962-decRefitRefit UK R08 HMS Bulwark refit at HMD Devonport for full conversion from Whirlwind to Wessex operation, until Dec 1963
1962-dec-14DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion Konfrontasi Stood off Labuan in South China Sea and launched Whirlwind HAS.7 of 846 Sq and Wessex of 845 Sq to support the ejection of Indonesian backed troops from Brunei
1963-sep-28DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion Konfrontasi ferried 3 detachments of 103 Squadron Whirlwind HAR.10 (2 airframes from Singapore, 3 from Kuching and 3 from Sibu) to reinforce 110 Squadron at RAF Labuan. Arrived 30 Sep 1963.
1963-novDeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion Konfrontasi Delivered RAF No 38 Group Spine Force reinforcement for the Far East Air Force to support operations in Sarwak, Brunei and Sabah (Borneo) during the Indonesian Confrontation. Included three Belvedere and a Whirlwind and arrived initially in Singapore on 20 Nov.
1964-janAircraftAircraft UK R08 HMS Bulwark embarked 706 Sq B Flt and 43 Commando Royal Marines to work up with Wessex HAS.1 after refit. Culminated in Exercise Sandfly 2 assault on Libyan coast.
1964-mar-02AircraftAircraft UK R08 HMS Bulwark Konfrontasi Landed on 16x Scout AH.1 from Middle Wallop destined for various Flights in the Far East, plus 10 Flight which had been reassigned from 651 Sq to 656 Sq (already in theatre). Arrived at Singapore during Apr.
1964-mar-28AircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion embarked 4x Khormaksar SAR Flt Sycamore (including XL829) for return to UK, after they were in process of being replaced by Whirlwind HAR.10. Part of HMS Albion return leg to UK, begun on 2 Nov 1962.
1964-aprDeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark relieved HMS Albion off Aden, as the Far East station carrier
1964-apr UK R07 HMS Albion relieved as the Far East station carrier by HMS Bulwark, off Aden.
1964-nov-23TrialsTrials UK R07 HMS Albion Left HMNB Portsmouth for sea trials after dry-docking for several months, following recommissioning ceremony.
1965-feb-25DeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark Konfrontasi departed Singapore with RAF 230 Squadron Whirlwinds for transport from Seletar to Labuan and arrived 10 Mar.
1965-mar-12DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion Konfrontasi departed HMNB Portsmouth, 848 Sq embarked with 12 Wessex HU.5 plus the Sioux of 40 Commando Air Troop, for 18 month Far East and Borneo deployment, via Suez Canal. Transported detachment of 815 NAS Wessex HAS.1 to Sibu, from May to Jul 1965. Returned to UK Sep 1966
1965-mar-15DeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark Exercise FOTEX 65 Exercising off Singapore in multi-national Naval Force
1965-octRefitRefit UK R08 HMS Bulwark refit in UK, until c Mar 1966
1965-nov-25AircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion departed Aden for Singapore with remaining 4 ex 26 Squadron Belvedere, including XG474, for 66 Squadron and arrived 4 Dec.
1965-decDeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion While returning to Singapore from Labuan, rammed and sank Indonesian patrol boat which had attacked her. Damaged bow, which was repaired during the Feb-Apr 1966 docking period in Singapore.
1966-augDeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark relieved HMS Albion in Red Sea, as the Far East station carrier
1966-augDeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion returned a number of Whirlwind HAS.7 back to the UK from Sembawang. Relieved as the Far East station carrier by HMS Bulwark in the Red Sea
1966-sepRefitRefit UK R07 HMS Albion Refit at HMD Portsmouth, having left Singapore in Aug 1966. Completed c Mar 1967.
1967-mar-09DeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark sailed from Singapore in company with HMS Fearless for assault exercise off Penang.
1967-mayDeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark following Cultural Revolution in China, reinforced (40 Commando RM embarked) Hong Kong after rioting began. Departed 12 Jun 1967.
1967-junDeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion off Lagos during Nigerian Civil War, to support possible evacuations. Arrived back in UK by early Jul 1967
1967-octDeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion until 29 Nov 1967, part of Task Force 318 to cover the British withdrawal from Aden during Operation Magister.
1967-octDeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark Recommissioned in Singapore with new Ships Company, flown out from UK to support British withdrawl from Aden. Embarked a Royal Marine Commando unit as a contingency against a disruptive withdrawl, until c Apr 1968
1967-decDeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark until mid Jan 1968, part of Task Force 318 to cover the British withdrawal from Aden during Operation Magister.
1968RefitRefit UK R07 HMS Albion refit during the winter, completed 1969
1968-feb UK R07 HMS Albion Departed Singapore for Aden again
1968-augRefitRefit UK R08 HMS Bulwark refit at HMD Portsmouth. Ships Company took accommodation in HMS Centaur until c Feb 1969.
1968-sep-20DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion Exercise Coral Sands participated in Exercise Coral Sands, until 13 Oct with 848 Squadron embarked.
1968-novDeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion deployed off Cambodia to prevent arms smuggling.
1969-may-17AircraftAircraft UK R08 HMS Bulwark 845 NAS Wessex HU.5 XT774/F-B crashed on deck, off Cyprus
1969-augRefitRefit UK R07 HMS Albion Refit until c Feb 1970
1970-janDeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark Deployed as Far East staion carrier, with 848 NAS embarked and left Singapore that Jun without a relief, leaving the Far East without a continuous amphibious capability. Returned to UK with 848 NAS by end Jul 1970.
1970-marAircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion embarked Wessex HU.5 of 848 Sq for post-refit work up.
1970-augRefitRefit UK R08 HMS Bulwark refit until c Apr 1971
1970-aug-29 UK R08 HMS Bulwark present (in refit) at Plymouth Navy Days 1970.
1971-febAircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion disembarked Wessex of 845 Sq in mid Feb (following participation in Exercise Clockwork 71 in the Lofoten Islands), before returned to HMNB Portsmouth.
1971-marDeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion departed HMNB Portsmouth for 9 month Far East and South Pacific deployment, staging around Singapore. Returned to Portsmouth on 24 Jan 1972.
1971-marAircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion embarked 12 Wessex of 848 Sq near end of Mar, some in HMNB Portsmouth and some en route near Portland. 848 NAS disembarked to HMS Simbang on 22 May
1971-mayDeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark Departed UK for the Baltic Sea with 845 NAS embarked. Returned to UK from Mediterranean in Nov 1971 for boiler repairs.
1971-jul-01Port VisitPort Visit UK R07 HMS Albion Visited Kobe, Japan during Far East deployment, departed on 8 Jul.
1971-aug-09Port VisitPort Visit UK R07 HMS Albion Visited Fremantle, Australia during Far East deployment, departed on 17 Aug.
1971-aug-28Port VisitPort Visit UK R08 HMS Bulwark Ship open to visitors at Plymouth Navy Days 1971.
1971-oct-29AircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion re-embarked 848 NAS from HMS Simbang after they had flown past during the bases handover ceremony, then to Masirah (and 40 CDO RM to be dropped at Gan), prior to departing for the Indian Ocean. 848 NAS disembarked in the UK to RNAS Culdrose, on 20 Jan 1972.
1971-nov-14Port VisitPort Visit UK R07 HMS Albion week visit to Mombasa, with maintenance
1971-nov-23DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion Indo-Pakistan war contingency stood off East Pakistan (before Bangladesh was formed) in the Bay of Bengal to support British nationals during the conflict. 22 Wessex HU.5 of 848 NAS and 4 Sea King of 826 NAS embarked.
1971-decAircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion disembarked 826 Sq Sea King detachment back to HMS Eagle off Durban, after Christmas 1971, before the new year.
1971-dec-15DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion arrived Gan, disembarked 40 Commando RM, (to be flown home for Christmas).
1971-dec-30Port VisitPort Visit UK R07 HMS Albion spent New Year in Simonstown, departed 5 Jan 1972
1972-janDeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark Malta withdrawal 3 months, during dispute with Maltese government over bases
1972-janRefitRefit UK R07 HMS Albion from late Jan 1972, short refit at HMD Portsmouth until c Mar 1972
1972-apr-11DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion departed UK for Mediterranean deployment until 31 May.
1972-apr-20DeploymentDeployment UK R07 HMS Albion off Cyprus for exercises, until 29 Apr
1972-may-19DeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark departed HMNB Portsmouth for a 2 month WESTLANT deployment, with 845 Squadron and 41 Commando Royal Marines embarked and to re-establish 41 CDO in its Maltese base. Returned to HMNB Devonport on 17 Jul 1972.
1972-jun-15AircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion embarked 848 NAS Wessex in Scotland until 5 Jul, for RNAS Culdrose.
1972-jun-28Port VisitPort Visit UK R07 HMS Albion Visited Rotterdam, Netherlands during Northern Waters deployment, departed on 4 Jul.
1972-julAircraftAircraft UK R07 HMS Albion embarked Wessex HU.5 of 845 Sq, replacing 848 Sq.
1972-novDeploymentDeployment UK R08 HMS Bulwark participated in Exercise Corsica 72 off W coast of Corsica with HMS Ark Royal, HMS Fearless, and HMS Intrepid.
1973-febPort VisitPort Visit UK R08 HMS Bulwark to Charleston, SC.
1973-mar-02DecommissionedDecommissioned UK R07 HMS Albion at Portsmouth, after paying off on 24 Nov 1972
1973-apr-19AircraftAircraft UK R08 HMS Bulwark embarked 16 Wessex HU.5 of 848 NAS at HMNB Devonport, prior to the ship departing for Malta
1973-may-05AircraftAircraft UK R08 HMS Bulwark Sioux AH.1 XT503 collided with part of ship on take off, ditched and sank while operating off Cyprus as 3 CBAS / Z.
1973-julFate: transferedFate: transfered UK R07 HMS Albion sold to be converted as North Sea hydrocarbon support vessel
1973-novFate: scrappedFate: scrapped UK R07 HMS Albion project abandoned by new owners and scrapped at Faslane
1974-mar-08RefitRefit UK R08 HMS Bulwark Refit at HMD Devonport, until early Feb 1975
1975-marPort VisitPort Visit UK R08 HMS Bulwark Deployment to Gib. Malta.
1976-jan-16AircraftAircraft UK R08 HMS Bulwark 848 NAS Wessex HU.5 XT758/VB-B w/o 16 Jan 1976 when ditched and sank SW of Azores
1976-may UK R08 HMS Bulwark withdrawn from Service, into Reserve
1978-mar-20RefitRefit UK R08 HMS Bulwark Refit until c Jan1979, to cover delays in bringing Invincible class to service. Conversion at HMD Portsmouth to operate Anti-Submarine helicopters alongside those in the Commando role.
1980-janAircraftAircraft UK R08 HMS Bulwark embarked 2 airframe Flight from 846 NAS, (including XT451/VL-B) for exercise in the western Atlantic, until early Apr 1980
1981-marDecommissionedDecommissioned UK R08 HMS Bulwark into reserve
1984-aprFate: scrappedFate: scrapped UK R08 HMS Bulwark sold for scrap.









Helicopters for sale
Accidents
Acronyms
Airshows
Future helicopters
Flying a helicopter
Helicopter stories
TV and movies

Helicopter books
Helicopter patches
Helicopter model kits


az