The Royal Navy Anti-Submarine Frigate HMS Plymouth saw action from the beginning to the end of the Falklands conflict. This now famous frigate is preserved afloat at Birkenhead, Merseyside. She was the last of the Type 12 Rothesay Class anti-submarine frigates built for the Royal Navy and was launched in July 1959. She had a top speed of 28 knots and her main armament consisted of twin 4.5 in guns mounted forward. In 1969 at refit she had the original 40mm secondary armament replaced with Sea Cat anti-aircraft missiles and was provided with a WASP Helicopter. In 1982 when the Argentinians invaded the British Falkland islands her next tour of duty was to have been three months in the West Indies, but she quickly adapted to the urgency of the situation and steamed the 8000 miles south as part of the task force ordered to recapture the Islands. At South Georgia on 21st April 1982 HMS Plymouth took part in the first direct action against Argentinian forces when her Wasp helicopter fired a missile at the submarine Santa Fe as a result of which she was beached by her crew. The Santa Fe was thus the first enemy warship to be put out of action. Plymouth later helped carry out the bombardment of enemy positions ashore prior to troop landings. The first stage of the liberation of the Falklands had been completed - and only three weeks after the Argentinian invasion, but the most dangerous period was to come, when she escorted the waves of landing craft to the beaches. Argentinians aircraft attacked Plymouth and the other ships in San Carlos Water, which became nick-named "Bomb Alley". HMS ANTELOPE and HMS ARDENT were severely damaged and later sank, and Plymouth was hit by four bombs and cannon fire from attacks by five aircraft. A fifth bomb went through the funnel. On 21st June 1982, Plymouth left the Task Force to return home to the Rosyth base in Scotland, via Ascension Island, having steamed 34,000 miles since leaving the UK. During her time at war, she fired 909 of her 4.5in shells and nine Sea Cat missiles, destroying five enemy planes. She was one of the few ships to be involved in every action of the campaign. We show the badge of the Plymouth on our Bullnose. The Oxford Diecast Military HMS Plymouth made of Diecast Metal/Mazak is Number MIL013 in the range.
