Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Speedy | P296 | Boeing Marine, Seattle, USA // Vosper Thornycroft, Portsmouth | 9.7.1979 | 14.6.1980 | sold 1986 |
Displacement standard, t | |
---|---|
Displacement full, t | 117 |
Length, m | 30.8 hullborne 27.4 foilborne |
Breadth, m | 9.10 foils 5.20 hull |
Draught, m | 1.80 hullborne 2.40 foilborne |
No of shafts | 2 waterjets (foilborne) / 2 (hullborne) |
Machinery | 2 Allison 501-KF gas turbines / 2 General Motors Detroit Diesel 8V-92T1 diesels |
Power, h. p. | 6600 / 1100 |
Max speed, kts | 43 / 14 |
Fuel, t | diesel oil |
Endurance, nm(kts) | 1500(14) |
Armament | 2 x 1 - 7.6/90 |
Electronic equipment | type 1006 radar |
Complement | 18 |
The Royal Navy's first operational hydrofoil was ordered in June 1978 following an evaluation a year earlier of the commercial jetfoil Flying Princess. Boeing had already completed a design-study for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force to adapt the jetfoil for the fishery protection role, and so the RN was able to acquire a hydrofoil at minimum cost (£6.2m). Originally two 7.62mm machine-guns were to have been carried, but Speedy commissioned in June 1980 without armament. Her radar and CANE computer-aided navigation system were similar to the 'Island' and 'Castle' classes, with which vessels she was working.
None.
She was also to have been used as a high-speed target, but in 1982 it was announced that she was up for sale. She was leased to her builders for commercial service during 1984-1986 and then sold to a Hong Kong.