HMS Starling

nice design. what weapons did they carry? I see an Oto Melara 76mm cannon but not much else.

Purpose built to replace the faithful old Ton Class on patrol work. Like everything else get rid of them quick and long before they reach their sell by date!
Peter4447

miss the Ton class. SAN had 4 until 2001. One ended up as a private yacht in Middle East and the rest were cut up. 1 preserved from earlier batch and another (ex-preserved) serving as worksboat CT.

SAS Amatola

Apart from the OTO Melara 76mm their only armament was four 7.62 machine guns. They were built for Hong Kong guard duties and 75% of their cost was met by the HK Government. With the hand over of the Crown Colony they were deemed to be surplus to requirements and sold to Ireland and Philippines.

To my mind, ships like these are far more suitable than the major units used by the RN for coastal patrols throughout the world.

Fred

I was XO in SIR PERCIVALE when we acted as the Mother Ship to the Peacock Squadron handover in Manila after the Hong Kong handover (1997). The last 3 to go were PEACOCK, PLOVER & STARLING

Laid down ?

The photograph description should read "Laid down in 1982 not 1882" . Unless they were really ahead of their time. (Thumb)

"laid down" proves that notes are well read!