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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
UNITED KINGDOM
AIRCRAFT CARRYING SHIPS
ARCHER escort aircraft carrier (1, 1939 / 1941)
Photo
Archer 1943
Ships
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archer (ex-BAVG1, ex-Mormacland) | D78 | 184 | Sun SB, Chester, USA // Newport News, USA | 1.8.1939 | 14.12.1939 | 4.1940 // 17.11.1941 | sold 3.1945 |
Technical data
| Displacement standard, t | 10220 (including liquid ballast) |
|---|---|
| Displacement full, t | 12860 |
| Length, m | 150.0 wl |
| Breadth, m | 21.2 wl 23.7 fd |
| Draught, m | 6.65 deep load |
| No of shafts | 1 |
| Machinery | 2 Busch-Sulzer diesels |
| Power, h. p. | 8500 |
| Max speed, kts | 16.5 |
| Fuel, t | diesel oil 1362 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 15000(15) |
| Armament | 3 x 1 - 102/50 Mk 9, 15 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk 1.2, 6 x 1 - 12.7/90, 16 aircraft (Fulmar, Sea Hurricane, Buffalo, Martlet fighters, Swordfish torpedo bombers) |
| Electronic equipment | type 79B, type 271 radars |
| Complement | 555 |
Air group
| Year | Fighters | torpedo-bombers |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1942 | 11 Martlet | --- |
| 3.1942 | 12 Martlet | 3 Swordfish |
| 4.1942 | 3 Martlet | 3 Swordfish |
| 2.1943 | 6 Martlet | 6 Swordfish |
| 5.1943 | 3 Martlet | 9 Swordfish |
| 7.1943 | 4 Wildcat | 8 Swordfish |
Standard scale images
Archer 1941
Graphics
Archer 1943
Aircraft facilities
(fd - 3,164m², ha - ~ 1,275m² / 7,382m³): Flight deck: 133.5 x 23.7m, hangar: 57.9x14.3x5.79m. There was 1 lift (11.6x10.4m, 5.4t) and 1 catapult H-II (3.2t plane was launched at 113 km/h). Aircraft fuel stowage was 398,000l, but immediately after commissioning stowage was decreased to 164,000l.
Project history
First British escort aircraft carrier ordered in the USA by lend-lease. Works were commenced in April-May, 1941. Archer was rebuilt from already completed vessel in 5-11/1941. Structurally she was differed from three remaining ships built from incomplete vessels. Archer was flush-decked and had no island.
Carrier had hull of standard type СЗ cargo vessel. The stability was ensured with a concrete ballast (1800t). Besides, holding of 1000t of a water-ballast was recommended. Ship had no armour or underwater protection. Machinery included two diesels, working on one shaft through a reduction gear. Diesel fuel stowage consisted from 1362 - 1600t of ship stock and 1100 - 1700t in additional (cargo) tanks, used mainly for a refuelling of escorts at sea.
Modernizations 8.
1942: - 3 x 1 - 102/50, type 79, 271 radars; + 3 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V, type 273, type 291 radars
3/1943: - 1 x 1 - 20/70, 6 x 1 - 12.7/90, + 2 x 2 - 40/56 Bofors Mk 1.2
10/1943: - 3 x 1 - 20/70; + 4 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk 1.2
Naval service
No significant events.
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
