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RFA Reliant (A84)

For other ships with the same name, see RFA Reliant.

RFA Reliant (A84) was an air stores support ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), the naval auxiliary fleet of the United Kingdom. She was formerly the commercial general cargo vessel Somersby which was purchased in 1956 and renamed on completion of her conversion in 1958. She was fitted for replenishing aircraft carriers at sea with a wide range of air, naval and victualling stores.[1] As refitted she had a helicopter landing pad built over the poop deckhouse.[2]

A84 Reliant 1972 in Venice
History
RFA EnsignUnited Kingdom
BuilderJames Laing & Sons
Launched9 September 1953 as Somersby.
Commissioned11 August 1957 as RFA Somersby.
Decommissioned7 May 1976
Renamed23 September 1958 as RFA Reliant.
Identification
FateDemolished on 23 August 1977.
General characteristics
Displacement13,737 tons full load
Length486 ft 10 in (148 m)
Beam61 ft 6 in (19 m)
Draught26 ft 3 in (8 m)
Propulsion
  • 1 × 6-cylinder Doxford diesel, 8250 bhp
  • 1 × shaft
Speed17 knots
Complement110
Aircraft carriedFitted with a large helicopter cargo landing deck but had no hangar facilities.
Bow and stern lines have been made in preparation for load carrying hawsers to be slung across
RAS (replenishment at sea) could be a weekly occurrence on long voyages as additional food and other stores are required.

References

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  1. ^ Lenton, H.T. (1966). Warships of the British and Commonwealth Navies. London: Ian Allan.
  2. ^ Blackman, Raymond (1972). Janes's Fighting Ships (1972-3 ed.). Jane's Yearbooks. p. 379.


 

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