Tiger Class Cruiser - Conversions

Conversions

With the running down of the UK's carrier fleet, ships that could operate helicopters for anti-submarine warfare operations were sorely needed, and therefore in 1965, work began on Blake for her to be converted into a helicopter cruiser while Tiger began her conversion in 1968. And while some funding had been assembled, not enough could be pulled together for Lion's conversion, and hers was cancelled, though she remained operational until the end of 1965. One aft twin mount 6 inch gun was removed to allow the addition of a large helicopter hangar and helicopter pad that would be capable of handling four helicopters. The mid-ship mounted two twin mount 3 in guns were also removed to make way for two quad Seacat missile launchers. More modern sensor equipment and command and control facilities were also added, that would enable them to perform in a very capable role as a flagship for task groups.

The conversions left Tiger and Blake some 380 tons heavier with a full displacement of 12,080 tons and their crew complements increased by 169 to 885. During conversion they had lost their much loved sleek cruiser lines and their new appearance was criticised for being an ungainly and inelegant ‘push me-pull me’ design, and both vessels were soon nicknamed ‘Ugly Ducklings’. Originally Lion was also to have been converted, although this never materialised: Blake’s conversion had been more expensive than envisaged (£5.5 million) and so funds were no longer available. Ironically Tiger’s conversion cost even more (£13.25 million), such was the level of inflation at the time. After much material was stripped off her for use as spares for her sisters; Lion was subsequently sold for breaking up in 1975.

Conversion of Swiftsure and Superb to the Tiger class standard was implemented but not completed; Swiftsure's refit was cancelled after much of the conversion work was completed (new superstructures and masts were fitted, but not her new weaponry), while Superbs never started.