Overview

The Tiger class were a class of three British warships of the 20th century and the last all-gun cruisers of the Royal Navy. Construction of three Minotaur-class cruisers (under the names Blake, Defence and Bellerophon) began during World War II, but, due to post-war austerity, the Korean War and focus on Royal Air Force over the surface fleet, the hulls remained unfinished. Approval to complete them to a modified design was given in November 1954, and the three ships – HMS Tiger, HMS Lion and HMS Blake – entered service from March 1959.

In January 1964, due to postponement of the Escort Cruiser programme, the cruisers were approved for conversion into helicopter-carrying cruisers. At first they were intended to carry four Westland Wessex helicopters for amphibious operations and anti-submarine protection operating "East of Suez" then four Westland Sea Kings for anti-submarine work. The conversion of HMS Blake and HMS Tiger, carried out between 1965 and 1972, was more expensive and time-consuming than expected, and, with the UK Treasury opposing each cruiser's conversion, the conversion of Lion was cancelled and she was scrapped in 1975, having been used for spares for her sister ships.

Aviation facilities:
Flight deck and enclosed hangar for embarking three helicopter

Aircraft carried
4 × Wessex HU.5 later  4 × Sea King HAS.1

HMS Tiger C20 ex. Bellerophon

Builder

John Brown and Co Ltd, Clydebank

Laid down

1. October 1941

Launched

25. October 1945

Commissioned

18. March 1959

20. April 1978

Builder

Laid down

24. June 1942

Launched

2. September 1944

Commissioned

20. July 1960

December 1972

HMS Blake C99

Builder

Laid down

Launched

Commissioned

History 

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