I'm hoping to create a model of the former RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey) and it's environs. I'd like to hear from anyone associated with RNAS Portland and I'll probably post another topic in the Shore Bases section later... but for now I'm interested in a small vessel that was mored in Portland Harbour (see airphoto below, just click on the thumbnail for full size). She was used for practice landings by the RNAS Portland helicopters. Does anyone know her name or anything about her history, RN use and eventual fate when RNAS Portland closed? Does anyone have any more specific information, such a dimensions or even plans/drawings? Finally, does anyone have any nice photos of her they'd be willing to share?

Many thanks in advance. Have a great weekend.

Andy

This is RNAL-50.

RNAL - R.N. Aircraft Lighter. Five of these lighters were built in the 1950's, numbered RNAL 50 - 54.  RNAL.50 was built at Cowes by Whites in 1957. They were based at the naval ports and were used to transport aircraft and assist the carriers (i.e. if an aircraft went u/s onboard, it could be hoisted out in harbour).

Stats:  181 feet long   beam  31ft 6in   237 tons
They had a long flat deck area with a hinged ramp forward; there was a small wheelhouse block aft with a small deck space over the machinery compartmen; they were powered by twin Paxman V6 diesels.

In 1971 RNAL 50 was converted for a new role, as a 'dummy deck'.
For this the ramp was removed and bows reconstructed; lowerable nets fitted along the sides; the block aft extended to include a mess, bathroom and 'crew ready room'; the original bridge became a 'Flyco'; she was also fitted with a glide path indicator / deck lighting identical to those found on frigates flight decks; she was also given a non-skid deck coating and the flight deck was painted to copy that of a Leander class.  She had the deck identification letters DD.  She carried the nickname of 'The Duck'.

She was based at Portland to both train helicopter pilots to practice landings and also teach deck crews on handling.

With the closure of Portland as a naval base, and after her last landing in 1995, she was no longer required.  She initially re-located to Portsmouth, where she reverted to her original role as a lighter, but this time for carrying heavy stores between dockyards. after performing this role for a while, she was laid up at Portsmouth.

She was finally sold out of service in April 1997.

(the above taken from an article on 'The Duck' by Terry Holtham, which appeared in the Small Craft Journal number 11)

I've also come across the following...

"Royal Naval Air Landing Ship 50 - the vessel in Portland Harbour with more helicopter landings to her credit than any other vessel in the Royal Navy or, perhaps anywhere in the world. Recorded upwards of 100,000 drops before the Navy quit Portland."

... taken from Rodney Legg's Dorset Flight; The Complete History published by the Dorset Publishing Company (DPC) in 2001.

Would anyone care to comment?

Does anyone out there have any photos or diagrams they'd be willing to share?

Thanks again

Andy

Since my last post I bought a copy of The Fleet Air Arm in Focus; Part 2. Inside I found this photo:



She seems a little small, but can anyone confirm if this is one of the Aircraft Lighters previously mentioned?? Her ID starts with an A, but I can't make out if the first number is 3 or 5. I'm hoping its a 5!

The caption says she is from Kalafrana and is ferrying a Sea Venom from the Royal Naval Storage Unit at RNAS Hal Far to a carrier morred in Grand Harbour. The date is 1957, so if she is one of the ones built at Cowes she would be brand new.

I'm still hoping someone out there has plans and/or photos of these lighters, and especially the one converted for helicopter use at RNAS Portland. Please, please do get in touch if you can help...

..it is an aircraft lighter, but not RNAL 54 or one of her sisters.

I have located a line drawing and some photos of RNAL 54 at Portland.  If you e-mail me off-board I can pass it as an attachment