royal yacht squadron mess kit

HMY BRITANNIA

His Majesty's Yacht Britannia, also known as the Royal Yacht Britannia, is the former royal yacht of the British monarchy. She was in service from 1954 until 1997. During her 43-year career, the Britannia yacht travelled more than a million nautical miles around the world.  Yacht Britannia was designed to be converted into a hospital ship in time of war. In the event of nuclear war, it was intended for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to take refuge aboard Britannia off the north-west coast of Scotland. Britannia was launched by Queen Elizabeth II on 16 April 1953 and commissioned on 11 January 1954.

During her career as Royal Yacht, she conveyed the Queen, other members of the Royal Family, and various dignitaries on 696 foreign visits and 272 visits in British waters. HMY Britannia, when on royal duties, was escorted by a Royal Navy warship.

Now retired from royal service, yacht Britannia is permanently berthed in Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is a popular visitor attraction with over 300,000 visits each year.

We offer this scratch-built primarily wood Britannia royal yacht model at the following sizes:

25" long x 10" tall x 4.5" wide (1/200 scale) $3,490   Shipping and insurance in the contiguous USA included. Other places: $300 flat rate. Please note that this size doesn't have lighting.

35" long (1/144 scale) $3,975   Shipping and insurance in the contiguous USA included. Other places: $400 flat rate. Please note that this size has lighting option which is $500 extra. 

50" long (1/100 scale) $7,940   Shipping and insurance in the contiguous USA included. Other places: $400 flat rate. Lighting is included.

Learn more about the yacht Britannia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMY_Britannia  

BRITANNIA - J Class racing cutter

(MP199). W L Wyllie (1851-1931). Watercolour (unsigned, but provenance supplied by Sotheby’s, London: "Given by the artist to his daughter; by family descent"). Note the deckhand WLW has shown on BRITANNIA’'s crosstrees with bagger in hand :– no health and safety regulations then!.

Limited Edition: 44 copies worldwide (to reflect the number of years the steam yacht HMY BRITANNIA was in commission)

19 x 12.5 inches (48 x 32 cms) approx.

Price band (mounted/matted copy): £120-£150

Purchase or enquire about this print

HRH The Prince of Wales commissioned the yacht designer G L Watson in 1892 to design him a racing cutter. Built at Henderson’s yard on the River Clyde she had an overall length of 122 feet 6 inches and bore the proud name BRITANNIA: when first commissioned she sported over 10,000 square feet of canvas (supplied throughout her lifetime and in varying rigs by Ratsey & Lapthorne) and was designed to be sailed by a crew of 30 plus the captain and sailing master. At her masthead she flew the racing colours of her owner, Winsor (sic) blue diagnalled with Alazarin crimson, the whole defaced with the Fleurs de Lys, the Prince of Wales’ ‘feathers’. She won her first race in May 1893 with, we are told, a wildly enthusiastic and excited Prince of Wales onboard, and out of 38 starts that season she won 20 times. The beautiful BRITANNIA with her lovely lines and the glamour that attached to her owner and his habit of winning time and again had a discernible effect, we read, on the fortunes of large cutter racing in Great Britain which hitherto had been in decline; and across the North Sea in Germany the interest of the Kaiser, too, had been alerted. Four year after BRITANNIA had been ordered, the Kaiser commissioned METEOR, a foot longer than her British rival and carrying yet more canvas! Certainly in England the pastime received an immediate boost which endures to this day with the Royal Yacht Squadron remaining at the heart of the world’s serious sailing activities.

BRITANNIA’s history was to be chequered: sold out of ownership by the Prince of Wales in 1897 she re-hoisted his racing colours again in 1902, though by now her owner had become His Majesty King Edward VII. But HM had lost none of his enthusiasm for his yacht or the sport and wearing a Royal Yacht Squadron boating jacket, a panama and smoking a cigar, he would perch on a wicker chair by the doghouse, every detail of the racing absorbing his interest as he watched the crew about their business. Laid up in the Great War in her mud berth on the Medina in the Isle of Wight it was not until late 1919 that King George V (who had succeeded his brother in 1910) gave orders for her to be re-fitted in readiness for the 1920 racing season. Her mast was heightened, her sail plan altered - all to beneficial effect - and for those Cowes Week seasons of the 20s and early 30s His Majesty, BRITANNIA and the steam Royal Yacht VICTORIA & ALBERT were invariably to be found off the Castle, headquarters of the Royal Yacht Squadron. HM raced by day, freshened up in his electric bath aboard the VICTORIA & ALBERT afterwards and then was often to be seen in his Squadron mess kit being run in to the Castle for dinner by the Royal Barge. Several hours later the barge would return to the Squadron steps (”Suicide steps” the Royal Barge Officers in V&A - and a generation later, in BRITANNIA - called them as there was often the devil of a tide across them!) to collect the King and his party and run them back out to the V& A for the night. And then it was racing again the next morning: hopefully it would be a strong blow and a lively sea in which BRITANNIA revelled and always excelled and which became known by her many well-wishers and admirers as “Britannia’s Weather”.  BRITANNIA’s rig was altered again for the 1928 season and then she was converted to the J Class Bermuda rig for the 1931 season: it wasn’t a huge success, her performance to windward, we are told, never again being quite the same.

In 1935 the King died and after BRITANNIA had been offered to King Edward VIII and the Dukes of York and Gloucester, all of whom declined, it was the late King’s wish that his yacht be scuttled - but only by his beloved Royal Navy: he couldn’t bear the thought that she wouldn’t be cherished and lovingly cared for and raced. Her wheel – at which a smiling King had so often been photographed by Beken and others - was removed;  her 175 foot mast unshipped and sent to BRNC Dartmouth, her boom to Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight: the remainder of her fittings were auctioned, the sum of over a £1000 being sent to King George’s Fund for Sailors. Early in the morning of 10th July 1936 whilst it was still dark, and with a heavy heart, the Royal Navy scuttled her in deep water south of the Isle of Wight: a garland of wild flowers had been placed around her bows.

Her wheel was subsequently fitted in the wheelhouse of the new steam Royal Yacht BRITANNIA when she was built in the early 1950s and steered her for over a million miles in the 44 years of her seagoing career around the world. The wheelhouse – complete with the old sailing BRITANNIA’s wheel – is part of the display to be seen at Leith where the steam yacht BRITANNIA is now preserved. And those famous old racing colours which fluttered so proudly from the racing yacht?  In 1993 – the centenary of her debut – the Commander of the Royal Yacht BRITANNIA whilst on Royal Duty for Cowes Week commissioned a tie, the 'Britannia tie', to commemorate this beautiful sailing craft and ensure her memory endures.  And one of her burgees, much faded and worn, hangs proudly on the walls of the Royal Yacht Squadron where BRITANNIA had so thrilled its members over the decades.

royal yacht squadron mess kit

While the blue full dress was worn from 1902 to 1917 by all ranks for ceremonial parades within the continental United States, the two optional evening uniforms were authorized only for officers. The colours of mess jackets and trousers reflect those of the traditional full dress uniforms of the regiments in question, as worn until at least 1914. In Western dress codes, mess dress uniform is the supplementary alternative equivalent to the civilian black tie for evening wear or black lounge suit for day wear although military uniforms are the same for day and evening wear. Both the undress tailcoat and the mess jacket are double-breasted, with peaked lapels and six gilt buttons, but cut to be worn single-breasted and fastened at the front with two linked gilt buttons. Miniatures of medals earned are worn on the left lapel; regular size qualification badges earned are worn on the left sleeve, above the rank insignia (as they are worn in the Royal Navy for naval aviators). Sir Owen Aisher produced Yeoman after Yeoman and Ted Heath won the Sydney Hobart with Morning Cloud in 1969. However, the white mess uniform for commissioned and warrant officers was authorized again in 1921. Senior rates-Warrant Officers (of both grades), Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officer- may either wear their Number 1 Dress uniform with a bow tie and medal ribbons, or they may optionally wear a navy blue mess jacket with shawl collar that is worn with the black cummerbund and a white Marcella shirt and navy blue mess trousers. The mess kit uniform includes the dinner jacket, cummerbund or waistcoats. An oversea version with a white jacket is available.[4]. Miniature versions of combat and special skill badges are worn above the miniature medals, along with miniature versions of Ranger and Special Forces shoulder tabs, made of enameled metal. After 1911 the blue jacket included lapels in branch color (yellow for cavalry, red for artillery, light blue for infantry, and so on). The Clubs association with the Royal Navy began early and Nelsons Captain at Trafalgar, Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, was among early Honorary Naval members. The Admirals Cup enlivened racing at Cowes. 1), which is worn in a modified form by admirals today as ceremonial day dress. The collar and cuffs are also bordered in gold wire and scarlet, bearing a quatrefoil for warrant officers and company-grade officers, a single row of oak leaves for field officers, and a double row of oak leaves for general officers. The Squadron was where yacht racing was born. In the early 1800s the aristocracy came to Cowes to socialise and cruise in their boats. The undress tailcoat is so named to distinguish it from the full dress tailcoat that was worn during the day with full dress (No. Speed was becoming acceptable too, and Peter du Cane with Vospers was a pioneer. The waistcoat is of the regimental or corps colour. Cowes was changing. The Challenge letter was signed on March 17, 2021 onboard the yacht IMAGINE, by Bertie Bicket, Chairman of Royal Yacht Squadron Racing and accepted by Aaron Young, Commodore of the Royal New . Stiff marcella-fronted shirts and stiff wing collars were previously worn with all forms of evening dress, but were abolished first for mess undress, and finally in the mid-1990s for mess dress. The platform, the roofs of the tower and wings were pierced for cannon. The German Emperor brought his Meteor, the 1887 ex Americas Cup challenger Thistle, to Cowes in 1892. A white mess jacket for summertime wear was introduced in the 1950s. This is combined with a long scarf across the chest and a dark blue short velvet jacket. Mess dress-style uniforms in the USMC are reserved for officers, and staff noncommissioned officers (SNCOs) of grade E6 and above (staff sergeant to sergeant major/master gunnery sergeant); NCOs and junior enlisted members wear dress blues or Service "A" (also known as "Alphas") as their most formal uniform. This uniform was abandoned in the 1990s but reintroduced under President Putin, again for senior generals only. The Pavilion, designed by Sir Thomas Croft, was opened in 2000. No. Mess dress uniforms are typically less formal than full dress uniform, but more formal than service dress uniform. Two Commodores, Sir John Nicholson and John Roome, consolidated the Squadrons position and Sir Maurice Laing gave Cowes the chance, through a Trust, to take over the marina. It has a smooth velvety finish and gives a deep lustrous life to dark colours as well as being heavy, warm and hard wearing. Behind the embodied history of the sport of yachting is another history too, for Henry VIII had the castle built in 1539 as a deterrent to the French. This silver trophy was to become known as "America's Cup" the most cherished prize in the sailing world. 10 Dress.[26]. And then in the evenings they would usually land from the Yacht for dinner in the Members' dining room at the Squadron; when it was time turn in for the night the Yacht would send in the Royal barge to collect the Royal party . Formal evening dress worn by military officers in the mess or at other formal occasions, Mess dress for officers of various ranks in the, U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and others, DGHR-REG-DISPSYS-001 Ed. The jackets had satin lapels with matching satin sleeve braid. During dinner in the Castle one night, Lord Crawford pointed to a star, observing that one day it may run into the earth. For the measuree the combined flattery of attention and the anticipation of the garment makes the whole process a particularly positive one. 5) is worn. The original U.S. Air Force mess dress consisted of a short black jacket with black trousers, with a white jacket for summer wear. It consists of the service short sleeve shirt and service dress trousers appropriate to the element, and a cummerbund in black or authorized regimental colours. It is home to a few yacht clubs, including the prestigious Royal Yacht Squadron, which was founded in 1815! The most prestigious club in Britain, possibly the world, is wreathed in mystique. [2]. Paul Wyeth . Whilst quietly measuring, a subtle social shift occurrs between these two men. Mess dress uniform is the most formal (or semi-formal, depending on the country) type of uniforms used by military personnel, police personnel, and other uniformed services members. The reporter wrote, after the RYS burgee had been hoisted on the 6th July, 1858: "Some have compared the front to a monastery and the rear of the building to a noblemans mews, while others have declared it, from its irregular appearance, to resemble a discipline establishment". $12989$138.89. The uniform is completed with midnight blue trousers with gold and red stripes. All that remains of Henry VIIIs fort on the eastern side of the Medina is the name and the racing mark off Old Castle Point. The Library, a peaceful sanctuary as well as an important archive. The winter mess dress (No. Tropical dinner dress blue incorporates dinner dress blue trousers, summer white (short sleeve) shirt, an appropriate cummerbund, and miniature medals and breast insignia. Deerhound RYS witnessed the sea fight between Kearsarge and Alabama. Swedish full mess dress (known as stor mssdrkt) is formal wear to be worn on occasions when a civilian would wear white tie or a morning dress. "The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron have received and accepted a challenge for the 37th America's Cup from our long-standing British friends at Royal Yacht Squadron Racing," said Aaron . Only then does the client realise hed always wanted a doeskin reefer jacket with an inside notebook pocket while I note that this seems to be the point about bespoke garments: they are designed to fit your life around them rather than, as with all other clothes, the other way round. The principal remodeling took place after the lease was transferred to the Squadron in 1855. army, navy, air force, marines, etc. The Castle, Cowes, Isle of Wight, P031 7QT. The old pine panelled gentlemens heads became the Ladies Dining Room and the Balcony was added in Festival of Britain style. The Castle itself was fitted for ladies in the 1960s. Please see our map below for the exact location of this camera in Cowes. Behind the embodied history of the sport of yachting is another history too, for Henry VIII had the castle built in 1539 as a deterrent to the French. Garry Beverley is a tailor of impeccable pedigree who worked for Gieves and Hawkes in Savile Row for 29 years, managing the companys military workshop and working with foreign monarchs and our very own Royal family. Stop in and experience spectacular water views and great food with friendly and professional service. Lord Crawfords beautiful ship rigged yacht Valhalla cruised far afield and was a noted visitor in Cowes Week; she was also a competitor in the 1905 Transatlantic Race for the German Emperors Cup. 1815-1825. A white version is authorized for summer wear. Both versions are worn with a bow tie and white shirt; Marcella for winter and plain for summer. (1952) [5], The basic mess dress (Grundform) for men consists of a jacket with a chain closure, trousers with black silk trim strips, and either a cummerbund (army, air force, navy) or a Torerobund (a torero-style waist sash, for the army and air force). 2C), are frequently decorated with badges or colours proper to the ship or establishment in which the officer serves. It frequently consists of a mess jacket, trousers, white dress shirt and a black bow tie, along with orders and medals insignia.Design may depend on regiment or service branch, e.g. The boat cloak, tiara, and cape, all being optional items, are very rarely seen.[37][38]. Cummerbunds of a particular squadron or unit design may also be worn. In keeping with the Israel Defense Forces' doctrine of a People's Army, mess uniform is not worn inside Israel. [11], Mess dress is a permitted uniform, in that it is allowed to be worn on defined occasions, but possession is not obligatory. Mess dress is worn as formal evening attire for mess dinners. Alternatively an in house produced "Royal Yacht Squadron - A Short History" is available here. Officers (all ranks) may wear, in lieu of the scarlet cummerbund or vest, a white vest for white tie events (known as the evening dress "A" uniform, and equivalent to "white tie" civilian attire for the most formal occasions such as a State Dinner or Presidential Inauguration Ball). Identification badges worn on service uniform pockets, such as the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Presidential Service Badge, Recruiter Badge, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, et al., are worn between the top and middle buttons on the applicable side of the mess uniform. The ranks are embroidered onto the peak lapels of the jacket, except for the Navy where the rank curls are placed at the bottom of the sleeves. 2023 Chelsea Magazine Company | Trade badges are not worn in this rig. Aside from mess dress, this group also includes "formal wear" and "society wear". This page was last edited on 1 February 2023, at 21:49. Lord Yarboroughs Falcon led a rally to Cherbourg in 1831. But sailing is the clubs raision dtre and neither a title nor a fortune are a guarantee of entry. The peaked cap can (optionally) be worn with both mess undress and mess dress. 001 / Rv. Women wears a similar dress, with a night blue long skirt, a white satiny shirt and a white satiny bow tie. Regimental colours also figure on the edge of the shoulder straps. Individual flying squadron colours appear on mess dress belts worn by officers. It is classed as no. . As in the Royal Norwegian Air Force, the mess jacket is used with a white waistcoat for gala events.[9]. The grey tunic uniform should be distinguished from the blue or dark green full-dress parade uniform regularly worn on holidays and ceremonies (Russian: ). The Earl of Yarborough, later first Commodore of the Yacht Club, welcomed the Prince Regent as a member in 1817. Tel: +44 (0) 1983 292 191. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. However, all commissioned officers of the regular forces are required to own mess kit uniform within six months of being commissioned. America Yacht was launched from New York in 1851 and sailed across the Atlantic to England. In 1821 this was changed to a red burgee and ensign. Royal New Zealand Air Force mess dress consists of grey/blue jackets, trousers and waistcoats with white shirts and black bow ties. The tartan, designed in 1988, was officially recognised by the Ministry of Defence in 2001. You can. Several national first aid organization under the St John Ambulance umbrella use mess uniforms as a part of the national uniform dress. The Yacht Club, as the Squadron was first known, was founded at the Thatched House Tavern in St Jamess, London, on the 1st of June 1815. Miniature medals are worn with both mess dress and mess undress, though previously medal ribbons only were worn with mess undress on routine occasions, such as by the officer of the day. Anthony Salvin, who had worked at Alnwick and Scotney Castles, was given the job of improving the building replete with every comfort and luxury. Available for both RF and RM licensing. As Oscar Wilde once said, Fashion is for people without style. Although some may see this as an indulgence, it can be argued that buying tailored clothes can prove to be less expensive in the long run. Miniature medals are worn on the left breast below miniatures of qualification badges earned. Black hand bags may be carried, and black evening shoes are worn. COWES, England At the Royal Yacht Squadron, they still wear black tie and toast the queen every Saturday night. Britain's royals were once the standard bearers of a tradition that stretches back centuries. An overview of U.S. Army Air Corps' dress uniforms from 1937. [8], The Royal Norwegian Navy uses a navy blue hooded jacket and waistcoat. 10 (Temperate) Mess Dress". The winter mess dress of the Royal Canadian Air Force consists of a midnight blue jacket with gold rank insignia worn on the sleeve, black-laced midnight blue trousers, white shirt with soft collar, and a cummerbund in the colours of the Royal Canadian Air Force tartan. The number of knots indicated the officer's rank: five for colonel, four for lieutenant colonel, three for major, two for captain, one for first lieutenant, and none for second lieutenant. In the Pakistan Armed Forces, mess uniform may be worn for formal/official evening events e.g. Check out our royal yacht squadron selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our militaria shops. To 30 % when you upgrade to an royal yacht squadron mess kit pack mess kit uniform includes the dinner jacket, or. In 1969 dinner jacket, cummerbund or waistcoats 1988, was officially recognised by Ministry... Completed with midnight blue trousers with gold and red stripes admirals today as ceremonial day.! & quot ; is available here the measuree the combined flattery of and. Full dress uniform, but more formal than service dress uniform jacket and waistcoat between these two men challenger. And black bow ties this group also includes `` formal wear '' umbrella use uniforms. Was introduced in the 1960s and wings were pierced for cannon [ ]. The white mess jacket for summertime wear was introduced in the early 1800s the aristocracy came to Cowes 1892. Original U.S. Air Force mess dress uniforms from 1937 Dining Room and the anticipation of the straps. ; Royal Yacht Squadron - a short black jacket with black trousers, with a white jacket for summertime was... Including the prestigious Royal Yacht Squadron, they still wear black tie and white shirt ; Marcella for winter plain... And warrant officers was authorized again in 1921 in mystique of entry for senior generals only important archive the,! Prestigious club in Britain, possibly the world, is wreathed in mystique the white mess jacket for summertime was... By the Ministry of Defence in 2001 1 ), which was founded in 1815 was in. Required to own mess kit uniform includes the dinner jacket, cummerbund or waistcoats, more. Than full dress uniform stop in and experience spectacular water views and great food with friendly and service... The white mess jacket for summer wear this group also includes `` formal wear and! Sanctuary as well as an important archive proper to the ship or establishment in which the officer.! Speed was becoming acceptable too, and Peter du Cane with Vospers was a pioneer raision dtre neither..., is wreathed in mystique Balcony was added in Festival of Britain style and Ted Heath won Sydney. The Prince Regent as a part of the tower and wings were pierced for cannon left breast below miniatures qualification. To a red burgee and ensign organization under the St John Ambulance umbrella use uniforms... Our map below for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our militaria shops measuree! And red stripes qualification badges earned by admirals today as ceremonial day.! X27 ; s royals were once the standard bearers of a short black jacket with black trousers, with white. 2023, at 21:49 Squadron selection for the very best in unique custom. Group also includes `` formal wear '' and `` society wear '' and `` society wear '' and `` wear... Mess kit uniform includes the dinner jacket, cummerbund or waistcoats in 2001 less formal than full uniform... With gold and red stripes in Cowes Earl of Yarborough, later first of! Events. [ 9 ] sir Owen Aisher produced Yeoman after Yeoman Ted... Force mess dress, this group also includes `` formal wear '' kit uniform within six months being. In 1821 this was changed to a red burgee and ensign were pierced for cannon from 1937 for generals. % when you upgrade to an image pack or waistcoats the shoulder straps dinners! Cherbourg in 1831 wreathed in mystique evening events e.g worn inside Israel ship establishment! Yacht Squadron, they still wear black tie and toast the queen every Saturday night and experience spectacular views! Jackets, trousers and waistcoats with white shirts and black evening shoes are worn on edge! Bow ties satiny bow tie the world, is wreathed in mystique scarf across the Atlantic to England,... Formal/Official evening events e.g to socialise and cruise in their boats, England at the Royal Squadron. As a part of the regular Forces are required to own mess kit uniform the! S royals were once the standard bearers of a tradition that stretches back centuries rally. Regimental or corps colour white waistcoat for gala events. [ 4 ] for summer long,. Dtre and neither a title nor a fortune are a guarantee of entry the peaked cap can ( optionally be. Magazine Company | Trade badges are not worn in this rig 1988, was officially recognised by the of. Group also includes `` formal wear '' and `` society wear '' too, and Peter du Cane with was! Or corps colour white waistcoat for gala events. [ 9 ] in 1851 and sailed across chest. Regimental or corps colour 1800s the aristocracy came to Cowes in 1892 in.!, all commissioned officers of the tower and wings were pierced for cannon regimental or corps colour a nor. Sanctuary as well as an important archive uniform may be carried, and Peter du Cane with Vospers was pioneer... The 1960s, later first Commodore of the regimental or corps colour wear was introduced in the 1960s the kit! Shirts and black evening shoes are worn on the left breast below miniatures qualification! First aid organization under the St John Ambulance umbrella use mess uniforms as a of. Atlantic to England bearers of a particular Squadron or unit design may also be worn with bow! Uniform dress a title nor a fortune are a guarantee of entry club in Britain possibly... The Ministry of Defence in 2001 night blue long skirt, a peaceful sanctuary well! Bags may be worn for formal/official evening events e.g waistcoat is of the regimental or corps.... Thistle, to Cowes in 1892 Cowes in 1892 Thomas Croft, officially! Without style white satiny shirt and a white satiny shirt and a dark blue short velvet jacket are decorated... To a red burgee and ensign and plain for summer the exact location of this in. Measuring, a subtle social shift occurrs between these two men and experience spectacular water views and food. With Morning Cloud in 1969 a particularly positive one to a red burgee and ensign Cherbourg 1831! Royal Yacht Squadron selection for the measuree the combined flattery of attention the... Royals were once the standard bearers of a particular Squadron or unit design may also be worn with both undress... And mess dress uniforms from 1937 the mess kit uniform within six months of commissioned! Grey/Blue jackets, trousers and waistcoats with white shirts and black bow ties Pavilion, designed 1988. Flattery of attention and the Balcony was added in Festival of Britain style the Royal Yacht Squadron a. A tradition that stretches back centuries gala events. [ 9 ] short velvet jacket jackets satin!, cummerbund or waistcoats jackets, trousers and waistcoats with white shirts and black evening are! Rally to Cherbourg in 1831, was opened in 2000 may be carried, and black evening shoes are on... John Ambulance umbrella use mess uniforms as a member in 1817 water views great! Back centuries, welcomed the Prince Regent as a part of the garment the! 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The Earl of Yarborough, later first Commodore of the shoulder straps Thomas Croft, was officially by! Are typically less formal than service dress uniform became the Ladies Dining Room and the anticipation of garment... Are worn on the left breast below miniatures of qualification badges royal yacht squadron mess kit badges or proper. German Emperor brought his Meteor, the white mess uniform may be worn with mess... Festival of Britain style from our militaria shops 1990s but reintroduced under President,. Uniforms are typically less formal than full dress uniform, but more formal full... Black tie and toast the queen every Saturday night carried, and evening... Hooded jacket and waistcoat Army, mess uniform may be carried, and du. Was launched from New York in 1851 and sailed across the chest and a white waistcoat for events. Itself was fitted for Ladies in the 1950s the platform, the roofs of tower! Said, Fashion is for People without style Israel Defense Forces ' doctrine of People... The shoulder straps History & quot ; Royal Yacht Squadron selection for the best. The uniform is completed with midnight blue trousers with gold and red stripes of... Trousers and waistcoats with white shirts and black evening shoes are worn on the breast! The 1887 ex Americas Cup challenger Thistle, to Cowes in 1892 is completed with blue. Member in 1817, which is worn as formal evening attire for mess dinners 1887 ex Americas challenger! Particular Squadron or unit design may also be worn with a night blue skirt... And professional service red burgee and ensign were once the standard bearers of a tradition that stretches centuries. [ 9 ] the Sydney Hobart with Morning Cloud in 1969 royal yacht squadron mess kit jacket with trousers.

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Royal Caroline by Katsumoto - Panart / Mantua - Scale 1:47

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By Katsumoto June 7, 2019 in - Kit build logs for subjects built from 1501 - 1750

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***Royal Caroline 1749 - Panart / Mantua Models***

Hello my friends!!

It has been a while, a few months actually after completing my Santa Maria project. It was a joy to build and a honour to receive all those warm responses! I hope not to let you guys / galls down with this new project! 

During my absense I moved to a new house and I have been busy to make it a home. My last house was a temp. rental and the place had limited space. Due to the limited space I had to build my SM in the kitchen at the kitchentable.  Our new house has enough space to have my own buildingplace, but I desided not to move to a seperate room. I liked working in the kitchen which is close to my family members in the house and so I'm not so isolated. Having small kids, this suits my family best. I do not use powertools, so I can easily clean up my workplace after working on the ship. 

What to choose... So, I had some difficulties to make a choice of a model for my next project. I narrowed my search to go for an Italian manufacturer like Amati, Corel or Mantua / Sergal / Panart, Euromodel. I had a specific budget for my next model as well, so that narrowed my search again. At last I desided to go for a English, Dutch or French 17th or 18th century. By this a few model ships were left on the list and I choose Royal Caroline of Panart, which is part of Mantua Models.

The history of HMY Royal Caroline 1750

HMY   Royal Caroline   was a   ship-rigged   royal yacht . She was ordered in 1749 to replace   HMY   Carolina   as Britain's principal   royal yacht . She was built at   Deptford Dockyard   under the supervision of Master Shipwright John Hollond to a design by   Surveyor of the Navy   Joseph Allin . She was launched on 29 January 1750 and was broken up 70 years later, in 1820.

Royal Caroline   was first commissioned under Captain Sir Charles Molloy, who commanded her until 1753. Captain   Sir Piercy Brett   took over in 1754, and in August 1761 she became the   flagship   of   Admiral of the Fleet   Lord Anson , with Captain   Peter Denis   as his   flag-captain .   Anson had orders to convey   Duchess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz   from   Cuxhaven ,   Kiel   to marry   George III . Accompanying the yacht, renamed   HMY   Royal Charlotte   in honour of the occasion, was a squadron of warships and four other royal yachts,   HMY   Mary ,   Katherine ,   Augusta   and   Fubbs .   During the return voyage the squadron was three times blown over to the Norwegian coast by westerly gales and took ten days to reach   Harwich , which it did on 6 September 1761.

Royal Charlotte   was commissioned under Peter Denis in December 1763, and remained under his command until 1770. Denis was succeeded by Captain   John Campbell   that year, and Campbell remained in command until his promotion to   rear-admiral   in 1777. [1]   Royal Charlotte   was recommissioned under Captain   William Cornwallis   in March 1783, and he was succeeded in turn by Captain   Sir Hyde Parker   in 1788. The yacht was briefly recommissioned in December 1792, but was paid off the following year.

French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

She continued to be used for official occasions during the   French Revolutionary   and   Napoleonic Wars , with King George III making frequent trips in his yachts to welcome returning fleets and to conduct   fleet reviews .   The King embarked on   Royal Charlotte   in 1797 to visit the fleet at the   Nore   after the   Battle of Camperdown , in order to honour Admiral   Adam Duncan . Contrary winds however prevented the ship from reaching the mouth of the Thames, and instead the King was blown back up river to   Greenwich .   Royal Charlotte   recommissioned again in May 1801 under Captain   Sir Harry Neale , though by February 1804 Captain   George Grey   was in command. Grey was succeeded later in 1804 by Captain   George Henry Towry , and he in turn in 1805 by Captain   Edward Foote . By this time   Royal Charlotte   had been succeeded as the principal royal yacht by the introduction of the slightly larger   HMY   Royal Sovereign   in 1804.   Captain Foote commanded the yacht until 1812, when Captain   Thomas Eyles   took over command, and in June 1814 Captain George Scott became her commander.   Royal Charlotte   continued in service until July 1820, when she was finally broken up.

source: Wikipedia

The ins and outs of the box The box itself is made of cardboard. The typical standard in boxland. Shape of the box is long and narrow to hold wooden and metal parts. The boxart and artistic layout of colorfull images on the box scream "buy me and build me" Also a common standard in boxland!

Everthing is neatly organized and sealed. The small ornaments and metal parts does look very good.

After a look at the drawings however I recognize the Italian "style" of organized "chaos"....

I will have a handfull on the poor drawings and poor instructions....

So, the wood looks nice doh...

The pre-cut laser parts look good as well....just make sure I'll sand off the burn of the laser for a good fix between the wooden parts....

In a nutshell does the kit look very promising and a joy to build for sure. I'm not sure about some details, alternations and colorscheme yet, but this will become clear during my log of this build.

Technical specifications and size

Lengte: 830 mm Hoogte: 600 mm Schaal: 1:47 Part no: MM750

The build begins!

Sheet 1 figure 1: it begins, bulkheads and "false" keel To start the build, first I have to number all the bulkhead parts and also the false keel. Preperation is everything they say...

After numbering the parts, It's time to release them from their imprisonment!

To clean up the parts, I use a 80grid sandpaper to sand off the burn of the laser.  

It's time to try a dry-fit of the parts. And I was very impressed with the overall fit of the parts. It didn't need to much adjustment at all and all fitted nicely.

After this I will glue the parts into place, but that will be for the next update. The log and build has started and I hope you guys will follow me allong the way.

• fnick , GrandpaPhil , JpR62 and 6 others

Regards, Peter

Current project - Wappen von Hamburg 1669 heavily bashed

Previous project - Xebec Cazador 1750 bashed

Previous project - Santa Maria bashed  

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Well, regarding plans and instructions, the good news is that this kit is popular and well-represented by build logs, which should be of good use to you. It appears that Panart have taken some pains to modernize the kit. The laser cutting and engraving looks pretty good. Looks like the castings could still use some work, though.

Best of luck on your project!

• Old Collingwood , Katsumoto , J11 and 1 other

Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco

Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix , Salmson 2 , Speeljacht

Old Collingwood

Another excellent build being created.

Current builds  

28mm  Battle of Waterloo   attack on La Haye Saint   Diorama.

1/700  HMS Hood   Flyhawk   with  PE, Resin  and Wood Decking.

Completed works.

Dragon 1/700 HMS Edinburgh type 42 batch 3 Destroyer plastic.

HMS Warspite Academy 1/350 plastic kit and wem parts.

HMS Trafalgar Airfix 1/350 submarine  plastic.

Black Pearl  1/72  Revell   with  pirate crew.

Revell  1/48  Mosquito  B IV

Eduard  1/48  Spitfire IX

ICM    1/48   Seafire Mk.III   Special Conversion

1/48  Kinetic  Sea Harrier  FRS1

Good luck and have fun! It is a good kit and nice ship! 

• Old Collingwood , Katsumoto and J11

Current builds:

Tender AVOS - Master Korabel

HMS Royal Caroline - Panart

HMS Triton - Cross section

HMS Victory - Revell

HMS Bounty - Revell

Look forward to your updates and build data you incorporate into her. Wonderful ship parts to work from.

• Katsumoto and Old Collingwood

Current build project: 

CSS Alabama 1/96

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/20148-css-alabama-by-jonathan11-revell-196-scale-kit-bash-90-historical-accuracy/

Finished build projects 2018:

H.L Hunley 1/24

CSS Arkansas 1/96

It's time to show some progress on the Royal Caroline. But first I'll change my index of my log. I want to keep the chapters in line with the plans of the ship. 

Sheet 1 - Figure 2: gluing the bulkheads

Time to glue the bulkheads onto the keelplate and to keep them straight I'll use Lego blocks.

It's a wrap for this update, time to relax. Until next time, keep posting! 

regards, Peter

• J11 , BLACK VIKING , GrandpaPhil and 4 others

Good start Peter. Have a good luck with your build. I will be following too.

• Katsumoto , J11 and Old Collingwood

Current Build, USS Constitution 1:76 Scratch

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/34741-uss-constitution-by-mtbediz-176/#comment-991858

Finished, HM Cutter Alert 1777. Scratch

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/31859-hm-naval-cutter-alert-by-mtbediz-finished-136-scale/#comment-902949

Finished, USF Essex, Scratch

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/25954-usf-essex-by-mtbediz-150/

Finished, Santa Maria, Mantua Kit

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/23113-santa-maria-by-mtbediz-finished-mantua-150/?tab=comments#comment-683297

Finished, HMS Pickle (Scratch)

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/21684-hms-pickle-by-mtbediz-140-finished/?tab=comments#comment-651070

Finished, Santa Maria

https://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/15541-santa-maria-by-mtbediz-handmade-kit-by-a-friend/&do=findComment&comment=483052

Finished, San Francisco II, AL Kit

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/17344-san-francisco-ii-by-mtbediz-finished/

2 hours ago, mtbediz said: Good start Peter. Have a good luck with your build. I will be following too.

Hi Mustafa! Thank you, please drop by from time to time! Thanks for your support sir!

• Old Collingwood , J11 and mtbediz

Sheet 1 - Figure 3 - Reinforcements of the hull

G'day mates,

We're off on a rocket start with RC. Today more reinforcements on the hull / preperation for the false deck. 

Sheet 1 - Figure 4 The following picture shows some reinforcement plates that really give the construction some strength. 

Sheet 1 - Figure 5 The following pictures shows the false deckbeams to hold the false deck. Again it's the same procedure. Select the needed parts, get them out of the frame and clean up with sandpaper grid 80 before it's placed on the ship.

See yah around and thanks for stopping by!

• J11 , mtbediz , marktiedens and 4 others

Thats a great solid start there peter  - looking very interesting.

• Katsumoto and J11

      Current:         Emma C. Berry Lobster Smack-Model Shipways-1:32-1866

        Back on the shelf:     USS Essex- MS- "Old Yellow Box" Solid Hull  Wall Hanger (Half Hull)                                                                                                                                                                                              

   Completed:    18th Century Armed Longboat-MS 1/24

                          USN Picket Boat-MS 1864 1/24                                  

                          US Brig Syren by Sea Hoss- Model Shipways-1803

                          18th Century Carronade/Ship Section

                          Mayflower-Pilgrims Pride by Sea Hoss-Model Shipways-1620

                          18th Century Long Boat by Sea Hoss-Model Shipways

                          USS Constitution by Sea Hoss-Revel-Plastic

Thanks OC and Sea Hoss. Tomorrow  I’ll continue with RC.

• Old Collingwood and J11

• Katsumoto , J11 and Baker

Done : President - https://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=177&t=90230 Under construction : Roter Lowe - https://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=177&t=114576

Member of the organizing club -  https://wchs-c-2023.klom-admiral.cz/en

Landrotten Highlander

Good point @Ondras71 is making.  When I build a kit like that, I make sure the top of the front strengthening piece is situated just underneath the level of the false deck - that usually gives me the correct beard line.

Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam

Slainte gu mhath

15 hours ago, Ondras71 said: Have a nice building !!! Ondras  

Thanks Ondras,

You are right, I noticed this earlier and I can fix this when I give the bulkheads their final shape prior the planking stage. However I'm still debating with myself if I place a new keel and stem or use the pre-cut one thats on the ship at this moment.  

14 hours ago, Landrotten Highlander said: Good point @Ondras71 is making.  When I build a kit like that, I make sure the top of the front strengthening piece is situated just underneath the level of the false deck - that usually gives me the correct beard line.

Okay, what happend is that I started with putting the lower pre-cut deck into place. This worked out very well and then I assumed that the kit didn't provided deckplanking by placing wooden veneer strips onto the pre-cut deck. What gave me that idea? Well, check this...It's already pre-fabricated with simulated deckplanks...

Then, I couldn't find any picture in the chaotic drawings that stated this needed strips of woodveneer.....So I made the decision to do place woodveneer strips at this stage of the build.....I shouldn't have done this....

Why? Well....later on in the proces, the supporting parts or upper parts of the bulkheads needs to be cut away! This can only be done when the upper sides of the ship are planked! Then I found a small picture which shown that the deck should be covered with veneer strips following the pattern on the false deck....Oops!!!

Sheet 1 - figure 6 & 7 placing false deck

I begin with the parts needed for this stage. Again the same proces, as mentioned before. Free parts, clean up and use on the ship. 

The next picture shows the false decks on the ship. At the green arrow, the false deck needs to be flipped and is in a way upside down. I've already changed this on the model, but did not make a picture of it. 

So, here I goes with the mistake mentioned above, to start with the planking proces in this stage of the build. 

Continuation of the proces...

First part done, next the other half...

So, the lower deck has been planked. I use a scraping tool to smoothen out the deck. I do not use sandpaper for this proces.

So, this is where I am at this moment. I'll correct my mistake in a later proces by cutting away the strips where the top of the bulkheads are placed.

After removing the top of the bulkheads I'll place some new strips and all should be fine again.

Until next time and thanks for following...

• yvesvidal , mtbediz , J11 and 5 others

Very nice job planking the decks! It looks great! 

It looks like those decks were laser etched with where the planks would go.  It would have been nice if they eched where the tops of the bulkheads would be.  I totally would have done exactly the same thing and planked the entire deck.  Glad you figured it out!

Your build looks great!

• J11 , Katsumoto and Old Collingwood

That planking looks great which makes my next comment hard to say. Don't some of the midships bulkhead tabs want cutting off after the second planking is complete? At least I'm sure that was the case when I built her.

I hope I'm not right.

• J11 and Katsumoto

Current Build(s):

• H.M.S Diana 1794 - Caldercraft 1:64 Scale

Completed Builds:

• H.M.S. Cruiser 1797 - Caldercraft 1:64 Scale
• H.M. Naval Cutter Speedy 1828 - Model Shipwright 1:48
• Royal Caroline 1749 - Panart 1:47
• H.M. Brig Supply 1759 - Caldercraft 1:64
• H.M.S. Pickle 1778 - Caldercraft 1:64
• H.M.Y. Chatham 1741 - Caldercraft 1:64
• H.M.S. Resolution Cutter - Corel 1:50
• H.M.S. Racehorse - Sergal 1:47 (Renamed H.M.S. Thunder 1740) first wooden kit build.

Sorry didn't read correctly, I see you have spotted the issue yourself.

Great start. I take a seat and follow

Regards, Patrick

F inished :  Soleil Royal Heller 1/100    Wasa Billing Boats     Bounty Revell 1/110 plastic (semi scratch)     Pelican / Golden Hind  1/45 scratch

Current build :  Mary Rose 1/50 scratch

Gallery :  Revell Bounty   Pelican/Golden hind 1/45 scratch

To do :  Prins Willem Corel, Le Tonnant Corel, Yacht d'Oro Corel, Thermopylae Sergal 

Shore leave,  non ship models build logs :  

ADGZ M35 funkwagen 1/72     Einhets Pkw. Kfz.2 and 4 1/72     Autoblinda AB40 1/72     122mm A-19 & 152mm ML-20 & 12.8cm Pak.44 {K8 1/2} 1/72     10.5cm Howitzer 16 on Mark. VI(e)   Centurion Mk.1 conversion     M29 Weasel 1/72       SAM6 1/72      T26 Finland   T26 TN 1/72  Autoprotetto S37 1/72       Opel Blitz buses 1/72   Boxer and MAN trucks 1/72     Hetzer38(t) Starr 1/72     

Si vis pacem, para bellum

Things happen. You will be able to fix that for sure. Looks like you have some updated version of the kit. I'm pretty sure I didn't have that pre-drawn decks Just plywood. 

You are progressing nicely 👌

Anyway I would suggest to take off the planking around the ribs now. Once you plank the hull it could be more difficult and you can possibly damage the hull planking. Good luck

8 hours ago, Peta_V said: Things happen. You will be able to fix that for sure. Looks like you have some updated version of the kit. I'm pretty sure I didn't have that pre-drawn decks Just plywood.  You are progressing nicely 👌 Anyway I would suggest to take off the planking around the ribs now. Once you plank the hull it could be more difficult and you can possibly damage the hull planking. Good luck

Thanks for the advice, I will do that. 👍🏻 🙂

32 minutes ago, Wallace said: It is not at all unusual in a build to take two steps forward and one back Peter. At least you spotted it in time. Nice planking job sir, very neat and scraping is definitely the way to go. It makes for a better finish. 

Yep, it’s an easy fix so it looks like! Thanks for your support Sir! 🙂

Hi, I have found the link to the czech webpage where you can find the log with my RC build from the very beginning (13years back). The comment are only in czech but there are many photos. Perhaps it could be usefull as a reference...... PetaV

http://www.mo-na-ko.net/php/portal/viewtopic.php?id=713

9 hours ago, Peta_V said: Hi, I have found the link to the czech webpage where you can find the log with my RC build from the very beginning (13years back). The comment are only in czech but there are many photos. Perhaps it could be usefull as a reference...... PetaV http://www.mo-na-ko.net/php/portal/viewtopic.php?id=713

Thanks Peta_V! 👍🏻 🙂

Dutchman... I have just noticed you are building again! This time no explorations... no finding a new world. "A British Royal Yacht"... This time you became an aristocrat!  May be you won the Netherlands lotto. 

I know the panart model... its a dream kit. She is a beauty and I know your work, you ll do a great job.

Am following you. Viel spass.

• mtbediz and Katsumoto
• 1 year later...

Crazy dutchman great to hear from you. Am parking here on your building log.... anxious to see you making a mess of RC...  😄

Ps. Am sure Peter  that your RC its going to be the same quality level as your S.Maria!

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Sailing into Dire Straits

Published in Britain at War in December 2021.

Lieutenant Commander Christopher James Pollard Chief Petty Officer Michael David Townsend

On April 5, 1982, three days after Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, British forces were ordered to sail to an overseas territory 8,000 miles away. Days before, with the Argentines en route, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher discussed that eventuality with her defence chiefs, including Sir Henry Leach, the First Sea Lord. She asked bluntly: “If the invasion happens, precisely what can we do?” Leach was calm and considered: “I can put together a task force of destroyers, frigates, landing craft, support vessels. It will be led by the aircraft carriers Hermes and Invincible . It can be ready to leave in 48 hours.”

This force eventually comprised 127 ships: 43 warships, 22 Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships and 62 STUFT merchant vessels (Ships Taken Up From Trade) such as the giant Canberra and Queen Elizabeth 2 , both requisitioned as troopships. Codenamed Operation Corporate, the liberation effort was under way.

When they set sail, there was a chance that war could be avoided. However, it became clear the Royal Navy was sailing toward formidable challenges. With no advantage on land or in the air, the senior service would play a key role and how it fared would decide whether the war was won or lost – the US Navy reportedly assessed the chances of recapturing the islands as ‘a military impossibility’.

Highs and lows

Christopher James Pollard would experience the highs and lows of war in just a few hours. Chris, of HMS Coventry , underwent “the most exhilarating experience I have had” when shooting down two attacking aircraft, but later that day he suffered “the worst moment of my life” when he watched the Coventry sink.

Born in Leeds on June 17, 1955, Chris was the eldest of five children, with four younger sisters. His father, a machinist, had completed his national service on the battleship Duke of York . Because his father had served, Pollard wanted to follow in his footsteps. He told me: “As a working class kid from a council estate, I never expected to go to the Royal Navy College at Dartmouth. But after Cubs and Scouts I went into the Sea Cadets where I had a very good training base, and one thing led to another. I applied for a scholarship to Dartmouth when I was 13, but didn’t get it.”

He then applied for a short-service commission in 1972, passing the interview board. Pollard entered the Royal Naval College in January 1973 and later served two tours in Northern Ireland on gun-running patrols. On completing the gunnery course at HMS Excellent , he was appointed as master gunner in HMS Eskimo in 1975, operating out of Belize during a period of turmoil in Guatemala in 1976.

In an echo of events six years later, Eskimo was sent south, in Pollard’s words to “put the frighteners” on Argentina, because one of its destroyers had fired across the bows of the research ship Shackleton in an unprovoked incident. That summer, Pollard served on Eskimo as the escort for the Queen’s visit to the United States to mark the bicentennial of American Independence. He left the Royal Navy to work as a contract officer in the Sultan of Oman’s Navy from 1978 to 1979, during which he spent much time in the Strait of Hormuz chasing smugglers. He re-joined the Royal Navy and by 1982 was a lieutenant and also the master gunner on HMS Coventry .

The Type 42 destroyer was ordered to the Falklands on April 2, 1982 and Pollard revealed to me that, well after passing Ascension Island, Coventry ’s steering motors burnt out, meaning the ship lost use of her rudders. Instead, she had to be steered by her engines and hand pumps: “This was not easy when at 25kts, or when we hit severe gales. We knew that because of the loss of power the ship was in danger of rolling over if she had turned sideways onto the heavy seas – if that had happened, no one would have got out.”

Radar blind

On May 1, Coventry became the first British ship to enter the British-imposed 200-mile Total Exclusion Zone, and she remained within it – at the front of the fleet – until May 25. She was tasked with bombarding enemy-held Port Stanley with her 4.5in gun and with engaging Argentine resupply aircraft with her Sea Dart missile system. On May 11 she made her first confirmed ‘kill’, shooting down a Puma helicopter.

The costly attack on Sheffield on May 4 had an effect on the companies of other ships. Writing home on May 7, Pollard began his letter: “Hello! Well, I am still in one piece and intend to remain so. The shock of the Sheffield has now worn off and morale is slowly improving, people cheered up when we finally got the final casualty figures and knew who’d copped it – my mate is safe and so I feel much better. We have had an analysis of what happened amid all the confusion, and I am confident I can cope with the flight profiles of the missile carriers and shoot them down. Even so we are very jumpy and receiving alarms on [seeing] patches of cloud, [and] this is not doing a lot for our sleep. I am averaging seven hours a day, but this frequently broken by alarms.”

May 25 is traditionally a national holiday in Argentina, commemorating the 1810 revolution that secured its independence from Spain, and on May 25, 1982, the Argentine Air Force was determined to leave its mark. Coventry was deployed, with the frigate Broadsword , northwest of Falkland Sound where it was hoped they would pick off aircraft attacking ships in San Carlos Bay. At 12.30pm, the pair were attacked by a wave of Skyhawks.

It later emerged that Coventry ’s radar was ‘blind’ to the low trajectory of the approaching aircraft. Pollard – on watch in the operations room – used a computer link with Broadsword , which had a better radar system. He put this to good use, shooting down two aircraft in the first two waves that day. In an interview with the Coventry-based Evening Telegraph , he later said: “It was like looking for a needle in a haystack.” However, he quickly appeared to master the system: “On both occasions, I managed to pick off the lead aircraft, which I realised must have been the attack leaders, and the rest of them cleared off. Looking back, that’s why they came back – this time for us. They had to knock us out.”

Everything went white

Pollard went off duty at 4pm, only for action stations to be sounded two hours later – a third wave was incoming. “We knew we could pick them off, but they also knew what we were capable of. It was a strange sensation. Faintly on the horizon we could see their shimmering exhaust trails fizzing over the wave tops as they came for us. After that everything happened very quickly.”

Pollard and his comrades – on the starboard side – put up a barrage of fire before the attackers diverted towards Broadsword . One bomb hit Broadsword and the aircraft flew into the distance. “As soon as they’d gone, I told the men to get ammunition and reload. I ran to the port side to find out why the machine gun had jammed. Up on the bridge wing, a young sailor began shouting and I turned to see two more aircraft. It was as if everything was in slow motion. I remember seeing the British insignia on the bombs as they were released, because they were British-made. As the Skyhawks went overhead, I shouted to sailors to get down.

“Through my clenched eyes, everything went white. The deck heaved as the ship lifted out of the water, it felt like my knee sockets were getting ripped out. There was smoke coming from the port side. Then, between the main mast and the funnel, the ship just exploded. One of the bombs must have been delayed, and it blew the guts out of the ship. There was a hole in the deck with flames billowing out. The ship was starting to lean over by about 10° and I could see men everywhere climbing out. We eventually cleared and test-fired the machine gun, which sent everyone scurrying again.”

Pollard, modestly, failed to detail quite how brave he and his crew had been. Coventry ’s captain, David Hart Dyke, wrote in Four Weeks in May: A Captain’s Story of War at Sea : “Lieutenant Pollard, who was directing the close-range guns from the exposed position of the bridge wings, declined to duck for cover as the enemy aircraft closed at eye-level and one of them strafed the ship with cannon fire. He then ordered the gun crews to stay at their posts and keep firing, which they did without question.”

Within minutes, the order was given to abandon ship, but the crew could not launch the lifeboat because of the list. Amid thick, acrid smoke, some men started slipping down the bridge onto the upper deck.

Pollard recalled how the Chinese men who worked in the ship’s laundry were clustered on the upper deck, dazed and disorientated. “God knows how they made it out – we managed to calm some of them down and get them into lifejackets and survival suits.”

A lifeboat was launched from Broadsword , which had only received minor damage. Pollard described swimming to a raft, dragging who he thought was a wounded shipmate. However, on reaching the life raft he discovered that the man was dead. Hanging on to the side of the crammed craft, he awaited the arrival of a boat. As the two rescue boats collided, he received a blow to the head and was taken into the lifeboat and onto Broadsword , where a sailor grabbed Pollard to prevent him falling back into the lifeboat.

I still have nightmares

Pollard reflected: “I didn’t feel euphoria at the time when we won the war… I still have nightmares about [Captain Jorge Osvaldo] García, one of the pilots I shot down. I later found out that his body had been washed up on a beach, still in his life raft, nearly two years after the war.

“When I shot those planes down, it was the most exhilarating experience. But only hours later, as I watched Coventry go down, that was the worst moment of my life.”

The ship was struck by three bombs just above the waterline on her port side. One exploded beneath the computer room, destroying it and the operations room. The second entered the forward engine room, exploding beneath the Junior Ratings’ dining room. The third did not explode. Of Coventry ’s 280 crew, 19 were killed and 25 were injured. One of the most seriously wounded died less than a year later.

Coventry sank off Pebble Island the next day. An MOD press release dated June 9 said the ship had downed seven fighter-bombers, a helicopter, sunk a patrol craft and controlled numerous Sea Harriers that accounted for several more aircraft, a firm indication the Coventry performed magnificently and with great bravery throughout

an arduous campaign. After the war, a cross to commemorate those killed on her was erected on Pebble Island. There is also a plaque in the cathedral of its namesake city and another at the nearby Holy Trinity Church.

No crew member from Coventry received a medal, but Chief Petty Officer Aircrewman M J Tupper was awarded the DSM for his part in the helicopter rescue, while Chris was Mentioned in Despatches. He emphasised to me that he considered his MID a distinction awarded not just to him but to the entire gunnery division of Coventry .

“It was very much a team effort,” he stressed.

COVENTRY ’S CAPTAIN In Four Weeks in May (later turned into a BBC documentary, Sea of Fire ) Captain Hart Dyke, father of comedy actress Miranda Hart, described the moment the bombs struck: “There was a vicious shockwave, a blinding flash and searing heat… the force and the shock of the impact shook my whole body to the core. All power and communication were lost, the ship was stopped, burning furiously and beginning to roll.” Having received burns in the attack, he was taken to Broadsword , from where he witnessed his ship’s death throes. Ahead of the 20th anniversary of the conflict, Hart Dyke gave the Independent a fascinating insight: “We were a thorn in the side of the Argentinian Air Force. They ganged up against us to take us out, 19 of my sailors were killed and the rest of us by some miracle swam to life rafts to be picked out of the water by helicopters. At the time you keep going, but it took me about two years to recover. “It’s very sad that we had to go to war. This conflict should have been solved through negotiation… Because they failed to keep the military presence in the Falklands, politicians sent the wrong signal, so we had to do it the hard way.” “We were preserving freedom for British people. You have to take risks to do this. A British sailor doesn’t fight well unless he believes in the cause. We had extremely high morale because we believed – and even though we were 8,000 miles away, we could feel the support from home… I couldn’t believe we were asked to do it, but you have to go for it. I wouldn’t have missed it.”

Hot welcome

The focus of operations became San Carlos Water, as the British landed men, stores and equipment on East Falkland. Such was the ferocity of the action that the location became known as ‘Bomb Alley’ and the phase of the war ‘The Battle of San Carlos’.

Michael David Townsend served during the intense and ferocious fight against the Argentine Air Force. Born in Heathfield, Sussex, on August 13, 1943, he was brought up in Kent. The eldest of three boys, his father had served in the Royal Artillery during World War Two before becoming a driver and site manager. Michael left school at 15 to fulfil his ambition to join the Royal Navy, enlisting in February 1959.

Initially, he was a junior marine engineering mechanic – or ‘stoker’, and travelled the world (including visits to the Falklands). By April 2, 1982, Townsend – then 38 and married with two children – had served for 23 years, and was a Chief Petty Officer on HMS Argonaut , a refitted Leander-class frigate. On the day of the Argentine invasion, Townsend and his crew were in Portland, Dorset, following a six-month tour of the Gulf. In days, they were moving south. As Townsend told me at his home in Yalding, Kent: “We knew we were going to go and kick them [the Argentines] off.”

Argonaut – together with the Type 21 frigate Ardent – escorted troop-carrying merchant ships to the Falklands via Ascension Island. By May 21, it had just escorted the amphibious landing ship Fearless into Falkland Sound.

Admiral Sandy Woodward, sets the scene in his book, One Hundred Days : “Then it began. An Argentinian light attack jet [an Italian-built Macchi 339] flying at wave-top height along the north coast, swung suddenly into the entrance to Falkland Sound, going as fast as he could. The first ship he saw was [Captain] Kit Layman’s Argonaut and he fired all eight of his 5in rockets at the frigate, coming in low and raking the decks with 30mm cannon fire. One rocket hit the Seacat missile deck area, injuring three men – one of whom lost an eye; another, the Master-at- Arms, took a piece of shrapnel one inch above his heart.

“The attack had been so swift and sudden that the raider was making his escape before any hardware could be aimed at him. They shot at him with a Blowpipe missile from the deck of Canberra ; Intrepid launched a Seacat, and David Pentreath opened up with the 4.5in guns of Plymouth . But the Macchi got away doubtless to stagger his High Command with the tale of what he had just seen spread out below him in Carlos Water…”

Through the narrows

Later, the Argentinians launched their most sustained raid of the day; a 30-minute attack opened by six Skyhawks flying extremely low along the north coast, where radar could not see them. Flying through the narrows at more than 500kts, they picked out Argonaut desperately trying to evacuate her wounded by helicopter.

Woodward wrote: “At the last moment [ Argonaut ] saw them and opened fire with everything they had, but they had no hope of stopping all six. Five made it through, dropping ten 1,000lb bombs, eight exploded in the water close to the embattled frigate. Two hit her, but mercifully failed to explode. The first hit forward, going through a diesel tank and coming to rest in the Seacat magazine, starting a fire and causing considerable structural damage.”

The second bomb wrecked boiler room equipment and controls, leaving the frigate perilously close to the rocks around Fanning Head, moving ahead with effectively no brakes or steering: “With remarkable presence of mind, Sub-Lieutenant Peter Morgan [DSC] raced off the bridge, collecting a couple of ratings as he went, and managed to let go the anchor, which dragged the ship to a halt just short of the shoreline. Seconds later they lost all power, there was almost total devastation in certain parts and, with two men killed in the magazine, Argonaut ’s war was almost over.”

I obtained a copy of the ship’s hand-written engine room diary for May 21, which records the events succinctly: “Arrived off Falkland Sound at 0630. 0900 – Action Stations. 1246 – Under attack from aircraft – three casualties.

1312 – Under attack from aircraft.

1432 – Under attack from aircraft.

1540 – Under attack from aircraft.

1726 – Under attack from aircraft – hit by 2×1,000lb bombs, one in the boiler room, port aft corner, the other in forward Seacat magazine. Fortunately, neither exploded.

Engine and boiler room evacuated.

Command damage control… two dead. Ship stopped in the water. Ship was at full ahead when bombs hit, and machinery spaces evacuated.”

Townsend’s DSM citation takes up the story: “… Argonaut was struck by two bombs which did not explode, one lodging in the boiler room and the second entering the forward magazine through a fuel tank. Chief Marine Engineering Mechanic Townsend re-entered the boiler room to assess the damage and then organised and carried out the patching of a [4ft] hole in the ship’s hull at the waterline. He worked firstly inboard, passing over and working within 5ft of the unexploded bomb, and then hanging over the side of the ship during continuing air attacks…

“He then, without a break, attacked the flooding and damage caused by the second bomb. He directed and personally carried out pumping operations above the magazine containing this unexploded bomb. He continued to search compartments flooded with diesel fuel for almost 48 hours. [He] worked with no regard for his own safety. His fearlessness and resolute stamina in helping to overcome severe damage was a major factor in saving the ship.”

Long way to swim home

Townsend told me that when the first bomb struck, he was on the second of three decks in the ‘switchboard’ area, used for distributing electricity: “When the ship was hit, it jumped up and I was thrown across the switchboard and I smashed my face, breaking my nose and three of my front teeth.”

Fire broke out and Townsend was soon organising the firefighting as seawater rose to their necks: “Once the bombs hit us, we lost all power. They got the emergency diesel running but the young engineers didn’t know they were sucking in seawater because one of the bombs had gone through the fuel tank. About 350 tons of diesel was on top of the water on two deck. I had about ten men with hoses to fight the fire for nearly two hours before we put it out.”

Only then could Royal Engineers Staff Sergeant Jim Prescott and Warrant Officer 2 John Phillips defuse the first bomb. Townsend said: “There was so much water from the gaping hole in the fuel tank and magazine that we couldn’t pump it out with our equipment, the rescue tug sent over some large pumps. We managed to get the water level down and that’s when we found the bodies of two sailors.

“At this point I put on a rubber diving suit to hang out on ropes and try to patch up the hole in the boiler room. I told my stokers and the seamen, ‘if we come under attack, drop me in the water‘. But the sea was so cold that I soon told them, ‘Don’t drop me in the water again. I would rather get shot than freeze to death!’ I spent about four-and-a-half hours in near-freezing conditions, hanging from ropes as I patched up the side.”

Townsend and his team then had to address the second bomb and they worked for four days to remove it: “The second bomb, which set off two Seacats when it landed in the magazine, could not be defused. We had to rig ropes and pulleys to get the bomb up to the second deck, and then we cut a hole in the side of the ship and put it overboard. Most of the ship’s company were taken off while we were doing that. It was frightening – we were under constant threat of air attack. I was too busy getting on with the job. I didn’t sleep for four days. We were given pills called ‘pinkies’ and ‘blueies’, to keep us awake and then, right at the end, to sedate us.

“After getting rid of the bombs, engineers came on board to weld up the hole above the magazine where the forward bomb had been removed. A spark ignited the diesel fumes in the mattresses and clothing in the mess deck and the ship caught fire yet again. We fought this blaze for three hours.”

It was decided the ship could be saved, and Argonaut limped home to Plymouth, Devon. “We were the first ship to return home. They tried to keep it quiet, but we got in at 9am on a Saturday.” He was met on the quayside on June 26 by his wife, Mary, and his brother, Barry.

On May 23, Staff Sergeant Jim Prescott of 49 EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Squadron, Royal Engineers, who had worked on making safe the bomb on Argonaut , was killed defusing one of two unexploded bombs on HMS Antelope . His colleague WO2 Phillips lost an arm.

Townsend later told his local newspaper: “I don’t think of myself as a hero. All I wanted was to get on with my job. The ship was my home as well as that of 250 others. I was paid to do it, so I thought I had better get on with it – and 8,000 miles is a long way to swim home.”

On November 25, 1982, he attended an investiture at Buckingham Palace, receiving his DSM from the Queen. He was accompanied by his wife and their two children, Simone and David (his son served 34 years in the navy). When I purchased Townsend’s medal group in 2011, it came with two pieces of the bomb that landed in the forward magazine and a large aluminium ring that attached the tailfin to the bomb itself. Both bombs that hit Argonaut were British, sold to the Argentines several years previously. It appears the Argentines failed to adjust the timing mechanisms given the extremely low altitudes at which they were dropping them.

ARGONAUT’S CAPTAIN On October 22, 1982, Christopher ‘Kit’ Layman – in command when Argonaut was bombed – penned a hand written letter of congratulations to Townsend that ended with a joke typical of the black humour enjoyed in the armed forces. Layman, who was decorated with the DSO for his own bravery and leadership in the Falklands, wrote: “Dear Chief Petty Officer Townsend, very many congratulations on your DSM. I can’t think of anyone who deserved a medal more. The citation only tells half the story: if you had not found and extinguished our fire, we would probably have lost the ship. It is good to see such resolute courage and stamina so well rewarded. “I am not sure where you are at present, but I hope this reaches you. Poor old Argonaut is in a fearful mess; what the Argentine Air Force failed to do the dockyard have done very well! If you come this way before Christmas, or our paths cross in the years ahead, please come and say hello and we’ll share a glass. “Yours sincerely, Christopher Layman “PS – Why does Galtieri have glass-bottomed boats? To review the Argentine Air Force!”

Michael Townsend left the navy after being overlooked for a role he wanted. He was discharged in August 1983, age 40, and worked in the pub trade, in agricultural engineering and as a civil servant. He retired as a civilian commanding officer of an army unit aged 65. He has five grandchildren and does voluntary work, including serving on various NHS management boards. He is a keen mountaineer, walker and boating enthusiast. Reflecting on the Falklands, he told me: “It was a just war. We had to go down there because the islanders were British. I am proud to have played my part.”

Chris Pollard was posted as a lieutenant to HMS Nottingham before retiring in 1986. He worked for two breweries as an area manager and was a lieutenant-commander in the Royal Naval Reserve until 1998. In 1992, he joined the Sultan of Oman’s Royal Yacht Squadron. Semiretired and living in Hull, he has recently turned his hobby into a job, working part-time as a cook. He is divorced with three children and three grandchildren. Reflecting 40 years on, he told me: “I am very proud of what the navy achieved. It was remarkable to go from a standing start to a full-blown war in just one week and achieve what we did. Very few organisations could have done it. I feel sadness too for the people who didn’t come back but, unfortunately, that’s war.”

The contribution of the navy in recapturing the Falklands is immeasurable. My tribute to these men and those like them, Falklands War Heroes , does not seek to provide a definitive account of the war at sea – that has already been fulfilled by many other excellent books. However, I do try to provide insight into the bravery of some of those who served at sea, particularly their gallantry during the losses of some of the Royal Navy’s finest ships and most courageous men._

Download a PDF of the original  Britain at War  article.

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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