ALBATROSS seaplane carrier (1929)
Albatross 1940
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Albatross (RAN, 9.1938 - RN) | I22 | 106 | Cockatoo DYd, Australia | 5.5.1926 | 23.2.1928 | 23.1.1929 | repair ship 4.1944 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
4800 |
|
Displacement full, t |
6350 |
|
Length, m |
135.3 |
|
Breadth, m |
18.6 wl 23.7 by sponsons |
|
Draught, m |
5.26 deep load |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 sets Parsons geared steam turbines, 4 Yarrow boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
12000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
21 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil 942 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 12150(10) |
|
Armament |
4 x 1 - 120/40 QF Mk VIII, 4 x 1 - 47/40 3pdr Hotchkiss Mk I, 4 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk II, 9 seaplanes (Seagull) |
| Complement |
450 |
Aircraft facilities: There were hangar and compressed air catapult. Aircraft fuel stowage was 37,700l.
| Year | Recon flying boats |
| 1929 | 9 Seagull |
| 1939 | 6 Walrus |
Project history: Albatross was designed in Australia for RAN and was the largest ship built in dominion at the moment of completion. Significantly revised design of first seaplane/aircraft carrier Ark Royal was taken for a basis. The single-level hangar was arranged fwd from a superstructure. An aviation petrol stowage was 37,732l.
Modernizations: 12.1940: catapult was replaced by new of powder type.
1943: + 6 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk III, type 286 radar
Naval service: Ship was converted to repair ship for escorts in 11.1943 - 4.1944. AA armament was strengthened: old single pompoms were replaced by 2 quadruple 40mm pompoms and 6 20mm Oerlikons. Albatross was damaged by torpedo 11.8.1944 and never completely repaired and used as a hulk; she eventually sold mercantile in 1946.
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
Albatross 1939
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-14