Talk:Warrior-class strike craft

Expanding article with details about conversion of three boats to the OPV role

I will soon add a section about the retirement of the class as main combatants and the later conversion of three boats to OPV configuration. Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 08:02, 14 August 2014 (UTC)

The main points as I know them:

• The remaining serviceable (how many?) strike craft were retired as the Valour class frigates entered into service, 2006 onwards.
• The delays in acquiring new OPVs (Project Biro) resulted in three Warrior's being renovated and converted to OPV configuration - missiles removed, rear 76mm gun removed, provision for carrying one or more RHIB boats on the rear deck, additional accommodation for MRS detachment. Three converted boats; Isaac Dyobha (P1565), Galeshewe (P1567) and Makhanda (P1569) are currently in service. The fate of the rest of the Warrior class boats is unknown - some may have been sold or scrapped.

Some help finding sources would be appreciated. Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 08:49, 14 August 2014 (UTC)

References

The list seems accurate. Rene Sethren was apparently sunk as a target during Good Hope IV but I can't find a source. 9 boats, less 3 in service =6. Less Adam Kok awaiting possible refit = 5. Masego and Smuts scrapped = 3, which are Shaka and Fouche and Sethren sunk. Gbawden (talk) 09:54, 14 August 2014 (UTC)

@Gbawden Some good leads, thanks. I guess DefenceWeb is the "go to" source for this type of info - if they haven't got these details nobody has. The SAN's own website is a lost cause! I do remember reading about a sinkex with a Warrior as the target. Iirc it was the target when they tested the Umkhonto SAM in surface target mode. If the German Navy was also involved it would definitely have been one of the Good Hope excercises. Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 16:54, 15 August 2014 (UTC)

Wrong photo

I have removed the photo of a Chilean Navy Sa'ar 4 from the page. There are significant visible differences between it and the SA version, not least of which are the colour - the SAN used/uses a lighter grey - and the large Chilean ensign clearly visible in the photo. I will contact a few acquaintances who may have proper photos that they might be willing to donate. Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 11:33, 23 August 2014 (UTC)

Thanks Roger. I have also asked Capestar on Flickr to let us use a photo Gbawden (talk) 16:53, 23 August 2014 (UTC)

Incomplete references

There are two references in shortened footnote format - "Du Toit 1992" and "Bennett 2008" which are incomplete. When shortened footnotes are used inline the References section must contain the full bibliographic reference - they are missing. I have been able to replace one instance with a different source but the Du Toit source is cited seven times and the Bennett three times. Please see Template:Sfn for guidance on how to fix the problem - or alternatively replace them with {{cite book}} references. Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 12:33, 23 August 2014 (UTC)

My bad - think that happened when I copied from the other pages. Will fix during the course of next week when I have reliable internet Gbawden (talk) 16:53, 23 August 2014 (UTC)

Fixed. Some page numbers are missing from Bennett - will go look in the library when I get a chance. Gbawden (talk) 06:53, 25 August 2014 (UTC)

Possible renaming of article?

Since all active Warrior class ships are now used as offshore patrol vessels, should the article be renamed to Warrior-class Offshore Patrol Vessel instead of a Warrior-class strike craft, or should it be left as is? DanieB52 (talk) 19:16, 23 August 2014 (UTC)

I don't think so, for the vast majority of the type's service life they have been missile boats, the current OPV role is merely a stopgap which should last only a few years and also it's only relevant to three of them. Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 19:44, 23 August 2014 (UTC)

Seems fair when you put it like that. Thanks for the response. DanieB52 (talk) 14:38, 24 August 2014 (UTC)