- HMS Phoebe (F42)
HMS "Phoebe" (F42) was a "Leander"-class frigate of the
Royal Navy (RN). She was, like the rest of her class, named after a figure of mythology. She was built byVickers on theTyne . She was launched on the 19th December1964 and commissioned on the 15th May1966 .In the year of her commission, "Phoebe" assisted in the emotionally-charged withdrawal from Aden in
1967 . In1969 , "Phoebe" took part in the 20th Anniversary ofNATO Fleet Review held atSpithead .In
1971 , "Phoebe" deployed to theWest Indies . That same year, "Phoebe" was guard ship during talks between UK Prime Minister Heath and U.S. President Nixon. In1973 , "Phoebe" took part in theSecond Cod War , during the fishing disputes withIceland .In
1974 , "Phoebe" commenced her modernisation, which including altering her weapons configuration. Her single 4.5-in twin turret was removed in favour of theExocet anti-ship missile system, giving her a powerful anti-surface capability. The amount ofSeaCat missile s she carried was increased. The modernisation was completed in1977 . She subsequently took part in the Silver Jubilee celebrations and Fleet Review, at which many warships attended from a variety of nations.In
1978 , "Phoebe" patrolled in theCaribbean and subsequently joinedStanding Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT), a multi-national squadron ofNATO . In that year, "Phoebe" had the distinction of becoming the first frigate to operate theWestland Lynx attack helicopter, which remains in service, though obviously of a newer variant.In September
1982 , "Phoebe" deployed to theSouth Atlantic in the aftermath of theFalklands War , and performed a number of duties, though mainly patrolling in that region. In1984 , "Phoebe" completed her towed array sonar refit. In1988 , "Phoebe" again served underStanding Naval Force Atlantic and took part in the rescue effort in the tragic aftermath of thePiper Alpha oilrig explosion in theNorth Sea , which killed 167 people. "Phoebe" decommissioned in1991 and was sold for scrap the following year."Phoebe" was used for the filming of the popular "Warship"
BBC drama during the 1970s, set on board the fictional HMS "Hero".
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