HMS Prince of WalesHMS Prince of Wales is the second ship to be constructed under the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier classification after HMS Queen Elizabeth. The plans for her to begin active service in 2020 are said to be on track, with the ship currently 80% structurally complete. She is the eighth ship to bear the name HMS Prince of Wales, and the cost of the two ships is to be £6.2billion.
The HMS Prince of Wales, unlike most aircraft carriers, will not be fitted with catapults and arrestor wires, but will instead carry up to 40 multi-role fighters and Merlin helicopters. The ship’s design focuses on flexibility with her aiming to accommodate 250 Royal Marines servicemen. Her length ship is to be 280 metres and her speed 25 knots.
The full Queen Elizabeth Class, including HMS Prince of Wales, is to be used by all three areas of the UK Armed Forces and will be deployed around the world. The ships are versatile enough to be used for operations ranging from providing humanitarian aid and relief to supporting war efforts.
Over 80,000 tonnes of steel are to be used to build the two ships and they use electric propulsion systems which enable the prime movers to operate more efficiently meaning they burn less fuel and save on running costs.
HMS Queen Elizabeth in Rosyth DockyardThe two ships are the future flagships of our Nation and are to be a Surface Fleet which will form the core of the Royal Navy. Professional, well trained officers and sailors will run these warships and will protect our Nation’s interests. Their vast flight decks can accommodate any of the helicopters in Britain, but in 2020, the world’s most advanced fighter bomber, the F35 Lightning II will join the ship.
Wyedean holds the contract for the Royal Navy Ship Badges, also known as Ship Crests and Ship Plaques. The Ship Badges are often presented as military gifts or memorabilia. Our newest plaques to be added to the webstore are HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. View the crests here. We also stock the cap tallies for HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
