Nairana 1944
| Name | No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Vindex | D15 - R319 | Swan Hunter, Wallsend | 1/7/1942 | 4/5/1943 | 3/12/1943 | sold mercantile 10/1947 |
| Nairana | D05 | John Brown, Clydebank | 6/11/1941 | 20/5/1943 | 12/12/1943 | to Netherlands 3/1946 - 5/1948 (Karel Doorman), sold mercantile 1948 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
Vindex: 13445 Nairana: 13825 |
|
Displacement full, t |
Vindex: 16830 Nairana: 17210 |
|
Length, m |
159.7 |
|
Breadth, m |
20.7 wl |
|
Draught, m |
Vindex: 7.67 deep load Nairana: 7.82 deep load |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
diesels |
|
Power, h. p. |
10700 |
|
Max speed, kn |
16 |
|
Fuel, t |
diesel oil 1655 |
|
Armament |
1 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI HA, 4 x 4 - 40/39 pompom, 8 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 18 aircraft (Fulmar, Sea Hurricane, Seafire, Martlet fighters, Swordfish torpedo bombers) |
| Sensors | type 277, 281Â, 293 radars |
| Complement | 700 - 728 |
Aircraft facilities (fd - 3,124m², ha - 1,309m² / 6,979m³): Flight deck was 150.9m in length, hangar was 70.4 x 18.6 x 5.33m. There was a lift (13.7 x 10.4m, 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 |
| 3/1944 Vindex | 6 Sea Hurricane | 12 Swordfish |
| 2/1945 Nairana | 6 Wildcat | 14 Swordfish |
Ship project history: Most successful British built escort aircraft carriers. They are 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. Nairana and Campania classes ships were lonely British escort aircraft carriers having strengthened flight deck ensuring an additional hull strength. Besides, they differed unusually wide hangars. All ships carried lead ballast: from 1620 (Campania) to 3000t (Nairana).
Modernizations: None.
Naval service: No significant events.
Vindex 1944
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-09