As pointed out by Kelvin the one really obvious difference between Lancelot and the others was she had FOUR cranes as opposed to THREE in the others. However she had a much different stern arrangement with effectively an extra deck on the two quarters for mooring purposes. This can be seen in the following photos of Lancelot and Galahad taken from same angle. Lancelot however also had a pontoon stowage platform on each side of the upper deck (notes as a bulwark by Kelvin). This was half deck height above the main deck, was the width of a single MEXE cell (plus a bit), but could be used (and was) for land rovers and or trailers.
It is worth pointing out that the RFA took over the LSLs from British India in around 1970. I was in Singapore then and the Sir Galahad and Sir Lancelot were on station still in their BI colours but fully manned by RFA crew. I was on Sir Lancelot in Jan/Feb 1971 and it was during the latter part of this period we re-painted her grey.
The LSLs were very adaptable ships and in the time that I served on all of them except Tristram, I have seen all sorts of cargoes being carried. The ships had two cargo decks, the lower deck inside the ship was the TANK DECK which was designed for carrying trucks, land rovers, boats, general cargo, HELICOPTERS and oh yes Tanks. The upper deck which is visible outwardly was the VEHICLE DECK which was designed for carrying pretty much everything and anything EXCEPT tanks. The flight deck was capable of operating up to and including Wessex, but not Seaking or above – the forward deck (vehicle deck) could be used for the same.
So the next few photos are for those who wish to model LSLs in operation, dispelling a few myths as well.
The first photo caption – “So the upper deck is the VEHICLE DECK” - What vehicles?? Taken by me on Percivale in 2003 Gulf War. Spot the two hovercraft.
Next photo caption “LSLs cannot operate helicopters like Chinooks “ - Well we did of course. Gulf War 2003 lifting off a “dead” BV belonging to A company Royal Marines.
Next photo “ What happens when HERMES breaks down” – You get Sir Tristram to carry her helicopters to Norway – 1976.
Next photo caption – “LSLs do not carry LCVPs” – well yes they do if you strip them down first. This was one loaned to us on Sir Percivale in Gulf War 2003. The “cargo” is the task force MAIL. WE had to SORT all that out and then deliver it to all the ships – by boat – the same LCVP.
The next photos also depict some notable points about markings and MEXE. Note the flight deck markings on Sir BEDIVERE – the early standard WESSEX markings, noting which way around the boxes (wheel spots) are facing – lack of deck Letters and no forward spot markings.
The position of the MEXE on the side of this LSL which is SIR PERCIVALE.
For those who may be interested – lowering of MEXE (this on the NEW Sir Galahad with less rigging). The MEXE weighs in at 96 tons.
Anyway – not yet seen an LSL model that is correct in all ways including deck markings. The BI colours version of Lancelot by Albatros is close, so very close, but messed up by the early Wessex deck markings being reversed. The view in Kelvins PDF which shows three model LSLs together depicts the nearly correct vbersion to the right of shot.
Message Thread
« Back to index