Thread: RAN gets a new ship.....

Originally Posted by bob10

The DDG's may seem that way to you, but for someone coming from a Daring [Vampire] to one [Perth], they were a revelation. The accommodation was luxurious in comparison, you actually had lockers big enough to fit your kit in, there was no trouble with water, and , compared to Vampire, the engineering spaces were state of the art.They were our first dedicated missile destroyers, and the 5" gunnery system was spot on [when they worked], as we demonstrated in Vietnam.All three served in Vietnam [along with Vendetta], I had the pleasure of serving on Perth in that conflict, and indeed served on all three DDG's, going to England for the Queens Silver Jubilee on Brisbane, a definite highlight, I still have a copy of the Queens signal to " splice the mainbrace", and believe me, we did! Bob

Don't get me wrong Bob, I didn't mean to be disparaging, but when you compare FFHs, FFGs, and DDGs in a conversation about comfort the word rudimentary isn't out of place. You'll note I also said that I wish I'd had the chance to serve in them. I'll bet the guys in HMAS Australia would have thought Vampire was a pretty cushy ride. And if the boys in Victory had seen Australia there would have been a mutiny, Nelson or not....

Government will provide $104.0 million in 2010‑11 for the acquisition of a British Bay Class amphibious ship, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Largs Bay. Following a successful bid of UK£65 million, and pending sea trials, the acquisition is expected to be finalised by the end of 2011 with the ship operational in early 2012. The Government will also provide $73.4 million over three years commencing 2010‑11 for fit‑out costs and $99.4 million over six years commencing 2011‑12 for net personnel and operating costs.

The Largs Bay will ensure the Royal Australian Navy has the amphibious capacity it needs for operational and humanitarian support in our region in the period leading up to the arrival of the Landing Helicopter Dock ships from 2014.

$73.4 million on fit out??? like what its a almost new ship???, They have agreed to buy the hanger, and 2 re-conditioned mexifloats (see below if you have no idea what one is ) very good design, and used very successfully in the Falklands war. But whats the rest for, changing the electrical sockets?

Originally Posted by bob10

The DDG's may seem that way to you, but for someone coming from a Daring [Vampire] to one [Perth], they were a revelation. The accommodation was luxurious in comparison, you actually had lockers big enough to fit your kit in, there was no trouble with water, and , compared to Vampire, the engineering spaces were state of the art.They were our first dedicated missile destroyers, and the 5" gunnery system was spot on [when they worked], as we demonstrated in Vietnam.All three served in Vietnam [along with Vendetta], I had the pleasure of serving on Perth in that conflict, and indeed served on all three DDG's, going to England for the Queens Silver Jubilee on Brisbane, a definite highlight, I still have a copy of the Queens signal to " splice the mainbrace", and believe me, we did! Bob

DDGs were great ships - I served in Hobart in the mid 80's and decommissioned Perth in 1999 - fantastic 5" gunnery system - two guns, each with twice the rate of fire as the ANZAC frigate single 5" gun...those were the days...

if you google RFA Largs Bay there is an awesome amount of information available on it

I don't know if it's just me but the name Largs Bay is just screaming at me to be renamed Pigs Arse for some reason.

Last time I walked the deck of the Kanimbla, there were poles and chains fencing off areas of the deck you were not to walk near lest you fall through.

A bit like the Vung Tau Ferry by the early 70's

You were on the Sydney?

Originally Posted by UncleHo

A bit like the Vung Tau Ferry by the early 70's

Had the pleasure of a 6 week posting to SYDNEY in 1964, with the 1st term naval apprentice group for that year's initial sea training. She still had hammocks [ learned how to "lash up @ stow" after much angst], very old school, great experience. SYDNEY filled the role of troop transport during the Vietnam conflict very well. Bob