nearly sister-ship Nairana 1944
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Campania | D48, 1948- R48 | 1091 | Harland & Wolff, Belfast | 12.8.1941 | 17.6.1943 | 7.3.1944 | sold for BU 10.1955 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
12450 |
|
Displacement full, t |
15970 |
|
Length, m |
164.6 |
|
Breadth, m |
21.3 wl |
|
Draught, m |
6.96 deep load |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 Burmeister & Wain diesels |
|
Power, h. p. |
12000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
17 |
|
Fuel, t |
diesel oil 2230 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 17000(16) |
|
Armament |
1 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI, 4 x 4 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII, 8 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 18 aircraft (Fulmar, Sea Hurricane, Seafire, Wildcat fighters, Swordfish torpedo bombers) |
| Sensors | type 276, type 277, type 281B radars |
| Complement | 700 |
Aircraft facilities (fd - 3,214m², ha - 1,172m² / 6,245m³): Flight deck: 155.5x21.3m, hangar: 60.4x19.4x5.33m. There was a lift (13.7x10.4m, 4.6t) and 1 catapult C-II (6.4t plane was launched at122 km/h). Aircraft fuel stowage was 236,000l.
| Year | Fighters | Torpedo bombers |
| 6.1944 | 4 Wildcat, 3 Fulmar | 12 Swordfish |
| 10.1944 | 8 Wildcat | 12 Swordfish |
| 11.1944 | 4 Wildcat | 12 Swordfish |
| 1.1945 | 8 Wildcat | 8 Swordfish |
| 2.1945 | 4 Wildcat, 1 Fulmar | 12 Swordfish |
| 3.1945 | 7 Wildcat | 12 Swordfish |
Project history: Nairana, Vindex and Campania were most successful British-built escort aircraft carriers. They were converted from hulls of fast cargo ships been on slipways and requisitioned in June-October, 1942. Small degree of readiness of motorships has allowed to bring in them design a number of the important changes: in particular, increasing of number of watertight bulkheads, more rational arranging of aviation magazines and petrol tanks. These 3 ships also were lonely British escort aircraft carriers having strengthened flight deck ensuring an additional hull strength. Besides, they differed unusually wide hangars. Campania carried 1620t of lead ballast.
Modernizations: 1944: + 2 x 4 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII
1/1946: 1 x 2 - 102/45 Mk XIX, 4 x 4 - 40/39 Mk VII, 8 x 2 - 20/70 Mk V, 18 aircraft, type 277, type 276, type 277, type 281B radars
1951: - 6 x 4 - 40/39, 8 x 2 - 20/70; + 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 5, 2 x 1 - 40/60 Mk 7, 2x type 262 radars
Naval service: Ship served as special transport 1949 - 1951 and exhibition ship in 1951. She was used to provide nuclear tests in 1952 and laid up in 12.1952. Campania can carry up to 90 aircraft as ferry carrier.
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
Campania 1944
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-15