Leopard Class Anti-Aircraft Frigates (Type 41)

Plans first conceived towards the end of the Second World War called for a common design of frigate which could be adapted to various specialised tasks, mainly submarine warfare, but also aircraft direction and air defence. Whilst these frigates would differ in armaments and electronics they would share the same basic hull and machinery design, thus making them cost effective. They were also to be built in prefabricated sections so, in the event of nuclear war, they could be quickly be transported to shipyards around the country, and assembled as quickly as possible and in large numbers.

The Type 41 Anti Aircraft Frigates were specifically designed to provide air defence for convoys and in this capacity they would replace the ageing Bay Class. For this they were designed with a heavy gun armament: two twin 4.5 inch gun turrets (one forward, one aft). This also gave them an additional rôle as light destroyers capable of basic offensive operations such as naval gunfire support and shore bombardment. They were also equipped with limited capabilities to combat surface and underwater threats.

The Type 41 Frigates displaced 2,300 tons and measured 339ft in length, 40ft in beam and 16ft in draught. In addition to the two twin 4.5 inch gun turrets they were armed with two 40mm anti aircraft guns and one Squid anti-submarine mortar. Like the Salisbury Class Frigates, they were fitted with eight 16-cylinder diesel engines and producing a speed of 24 knots. They had an initial complement of 205, although this later rose to 235. In order to be steady during anti aircraft operations they were fitted with stabilisers.

Five vessels were ordered for the Royal Navy: Leopard, Jaguar, Lynx, Panther and Puma. However Panther was sold to the Indian Navy whilst under construction and renamed Brahmaputra. A second Panther was ordered under the 1956-7 estimates but cancelled in 1957. India consequently ordered two more Type 41 vessels named Beas and Betwa.

Upon entering service the four vessels were allocated to the South African and South Atlantic stations. Although the Royal Navy withdrew from South Africa in 1967, the Leopard Class were made use of elsewhere including as Fishery Protection vessels in the ‘Cod Wars’. However whilst the Type 41 design was heavily armed with various anti-aircraft guns, they lacked guided missiles and more sophisticated weapons of later ships and were especially ill equipped for anti-submarine warfare. Similarly whilst they had a long endurance they were too slow compared to other warships. Although it was planned to equip the Leopard Class with Seacat in place of the 40mm guns, this was cancelled on the grounds of cost. It would simply be too expensive to give these frigates a major modernisation. Hence towards the late 1970s they were withdrawn from service: two were sold for breaking up, two were sold for further service overseas.

Ship	Pennant No.	Builder	Laid Down	Launched	Commissioned
Jaguar	F37	W. Denny	November 2nd 1953	July 20th 1957
Leopard	F14	HMD Portsmouth	March 25th 1953	May 23rd 1955
Lynx	F27	John Brown	August 13th 1953	January 12th 1955
Puma	F34	Scotts	November 16th 1953	June 30th 1954

Ship	History
Jaguar	Jaguar was the last frigate built by Dennings for the Royal Navy. In 1973 she undertook ‘Cod War’ Fishery Protection Duties and on September 10th was rammed by the Icelandic gunboat Thor. Jaguar was sold to Bangladesh in 1978 and renamed Ali Hyper.
Leopard	On July 27th 1963 Leopard collided with the South African minesweeper Pieter Maritzburg, killing one person. In 1973 and 1975 she undertook a ‘Cod War’ Fishery Protection duties. She paid off in December 1975 and in 1977 was sold for scrapping. After being cut into two pieces in order to get up the creek, Leopard was broken up at Dartford.
Lynx	Launched by Mary, Princess Royal. Lynx was the last Royal Navy ship based at Simonstown, South Africa. In 1973 Lynx undertook a ‘Cod War’ Fishery Protection patrol. In June 1974 Lynx paid off into the Standby Squadron at Chatham after a refit. In 1982 she was sold to Bangladesh and renamed Abu Bakr.
Puma	On 11th June 1964 a fire broke out in Puma's engine room. Puma paid off in June 1972 and was laid up at Chatham. On 8th December 1976 she left Chatham under tow from RMAS Rollicker. She arrived at Blyth for breaking up on September 6th 1976.

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