RFA Engadine - Helicopter Support Ship

With the increasing use of helicopters from destroyers and frigates, there was a requirement to train pilots to operate in deep water, away from coastal stations. Engadine was Britain's first purpose built aviation support ship and fulfilled this role. Projected under the 1964-1965 naval estimates, Engadine was ordered on August 18th 1964.

Engadine had a speed of 16 knots, a displacement of 9,000 tons and measured 179 metres in length, 17 metres in breadth and 7 metres in draught. Although operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary she was manned by Royal Navy personnel- usually 81 officers and men and an additional 113 in training.. In addition to four Wessex helicopters, Engadine could carry either two Wasp or two Sea Kings. She was also capable of operating small, pilotless target aircraft. These were housed in a small hanger above her main helicopter hanger.

Engadine was based at Portland for her entire career. In 1976 she was deployed off Lebanon should the need have arisen to evacuate British Nationals. At the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review Engadine carried members of the press and followed behind the Royal Yacht Britannia. During the Falklands War she served as a helicopter repair ship under the Command of Captain D.F Freeman. Engadine paid off at Devonport in 1989 and was sold to a private company, before being sold for breaking up at India in 1996. Engadine was replaced by RFA Argus.

Ship	Pennant No.	Deck Code	Builder	Laid Down	Launched	Commissioned
Engadine	K08	EN	Robb	August 9th 1965	September 15^th 1966	December 15^th 1967

RFA Engadine (K08)

Above: RFA Engadine (K08). Thanks to Dan Muir for providing this picture.

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