RFA Reliant (A84)

RFA Reliant (A84) was an air stores support ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. 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]

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

History
United Kingdom
Launched: 9 September 1953 as Somersby.
Commissioned: 11 August 1957 as RFA Somersby.
Decommissioned: 7 May 1976
Renamed: 23 September 1958 as RFA Reliant.
Identification: IMO number: 5292646
Fate: Demolished on 23 August 1977.
General characteristics
Displacement: 13,737 tons full load
Length: 486 ft 10 in (148 m)
Beam: 61 ft 6 in (19 m)
Draught: 26 ft 3 in (8 m)
Propulsion:
  • 1 × 6-cylinder Doxford diesel, 8250 bhp
  • 1 × shaft
Speed: 17 knots
Complement: 110
Aircraft carried: Fitted with a large helicopter cargo landing deck but had no hangar facilities.

References
  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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