BRITISH SHIPS
Plate 1. HMS Charybdis
Leander-class frigate (Batch 3/Type-12I) upgraded with Exocet and Sea Wolf. Charybdis arrived in the Falklands after the war, but she was virtually identical to HMS Andromeda, which was in operation in the combat zone. Her single Sea Wolf sextuple launcher is prominent to the right of the line of sailors on the bow. MIKE WALKER / Alamy Stock Photo
Plate 2. SS Canberra and HMS Andromeda (F57)
Canberra and Andromeda outside Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, just after the surrender of Argentine forces on 14 June 1982. Andromeda had Sea Wolf missiles. Note the ladder on Canberra’s port side, allowing the movement of troops into landing boats. Ken Griffiths. Wikimedia Commons.
Plate 3. HMS Bulwark
Bulwark, sister of HMS Hermes. She is shown in Portsmouth during the Falklands War (May 1982). Despite some fire damage incurred in 1981, if required and if sufficient funds had been made available (~$10-17 million US dollars), she could have become operational very quickly. This would have added another carrier to Operation Corporate, likely equipped with Harrier GR3s sourced from the RAF. AJAXNETPHOTO / Alamy Stock Photo.
Plate 4. HMS Invincible
Invincible (R05) visiting Norfolk Naval Base in 1990. The radomes for her Type-909 missile fire control radars and her distinctive twin funnels are evident. Her Sea Dart missile launcher is hidden behind the ski-ramp. Invincible was one of just two ships in the war equipped with the Type-1022 air search radar; atop the foremast. Wikipedia Commons: H2 DIDAS US Navy, Public domain.
Plate 5. HMS Invincible
Back cover of book. Invincible arriving back in Portsmouth after the war. Alamy stock photo.
Plate 6. HMS Invincible and HMS Illustrious
Invincible (upper) and Illustrious together, 28 August 1982 in the South Atlantic. Crown Copyright. Photographer not reported.
Plate 7. HMS Herald and Hermes
Hermes moves past a Hecla-class hospital ship (H138) on 21 July 1982. Colorised by MR Ibbotson. The photographer was likely taken by Jonathan Eastland, AJAX agency.
Plate 8. Type-82 destroyer. HMS Bristol
HMS Bristol firing a Sea Dart from her aft launcher. Colourised my MR Ibbotson. Photographer not reported, IWM catalogue HU 129670.
Plate 9. Type-22 frigate, HMS Broadsword
My favourite picture from the war. Sea Harriers on HMS Hermes’ deck. Beyond is HMS Broadsword (F88), revealing her fore and aft, white sextuple Sea Wolf launchers. Her Exocet launchers are closest to the bow. Her large, double helicopter hanger is evident. Photoshop was used to remove several identifiable individuals. Martin Cleaver / Alamy Stock Photo.
Plate 10. HMS Conqueror
British Valiant-class submarine. She is shown on return to the UK, controversially flying a skull and crossed torpedoes. She sank the ARA General Belgrano, revealing the overwhelming power of nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock Photo.
Plate 11. SS Atlantic Conveyor
Atlantic Conveyor with a Sea Harrier hovering over its landing pad in Plymouth Sound. The Harrier pilot was likely Lt Cdr Tim Gedge. The photograph was taken by Tony Carney of the Ajax News & Feature Service.
Plate 12. SS Atlantic Conveyor
View from SS Atlantic Conveyor’s bridge, showing the Harriers in protective bags. The aircraft were partially protected by containers stacked along the side of the deck. The Harrier pad is clearly evident towards the bow. It is not clear which crew member took the photograph.
Plate 13. SS Atlantic Causeway
Photograph taken from SS Atlantic Causeway’s bridge (sister of Atlantic Conveyor), showing a County-class destroyer ahead. Note the terrible sea state. It is not clear which crew member took the photograph.
Plate 14. South Georgia
Members of the British Parachute Regiment on an MCMV (converted trawler, used for mine sweeping), after transferring from QE2. The QE2 is top left with another MCMV alongside. The MCMVs transferred the Paras to the Falkland Islands. Photograph by Paul R. G. Haley (MOD press photographer, Soldier Magazine).
Plate 15. Landing Craft Utility
Camouflaged LCU unloads troops from 3 Commando Brigade on the Falklands, 21 May 1982. The men are equipped with heavy firepower. The photographer was Paul RG Haley (MOD press photographer, Soldier Magazine). IWM FKD 360.
Plate 16. SS Uganda
The hospital ship, SS Uganda, being towed out of Gibraltar on her way to the South Atlantic. Photograph attributed to George Hill.
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Plate 18. County-class destroyer, HMS Antrim
Wonderful photograph of HMS Antrim in South Georgian waters. Note her side-opening hanger, behind the rear funnel. The single gun turret and a box launcher for her Exocets are at the bow. The Sea Slug launcher is at the stern. Photographer, Steve Churchill.
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Plate 17. HMS Fearless (LPD)
Fearless with her well deck open. Colourised by Fact Stop 2020. Photograph attributed to George Hill. From Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library).
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Plate 19. Type-21, HMS Ardent
The Type-21s were very fast. Ardent is seen travelling at high speed. Colourised by MR Ibbotson. Photographer not reported. Part of IWM collection.​
Plate 20. Rosalie-class ships, RFA Austin and Grange
Critical British stores replenishment ships (AEFS—Auxiliary Equipment Fleet Ships). They were both new during the Falklands War, commissioned in 1978-1979. Photographer not listed, Ministry of Defence.​
Plate 21. Tugs and St. Helena
Stamps produced for the island of Tristan da Cunha on the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, 2022. They show some of the famous support ships. From: https://www.tristandc.com/po/stamps202207.php​