Description
HMS ROYAL OAKwas a British Royal Navy Revenge-class battleship commissioned in 1916 during the First World War. Considered outdated by the outbreak of the Second World War,ROYAL OAKcontinued to serve with the Home Fleet, based atScapa Flow, Orkney a key Royal Navy anchorage.
On the night of1314 October 1939, while at anchor within what was considered a secure harbour,ROYAL OAKwas torpedoed and sunk by German submarineU-47, which managed to slip through Scapa Flows defences. The attack resulted in the loss of833 lives, including134 boy seamenaged between 15 and 17.
The sinking ofROYAL OAKwas a significant early blow to the Royal Navy and highlighted the threat posed by German U-boats, which led to immediate improvements in the security of Britains naval anchorages. U-47 itself was reportedly lost with all hands on7 March 1941, although no wreck has been found and the loss is unexplained.
Today, the wreck ofROYAL OAKremains a recognised war grave and a place of remembrance to those who served. The White Ensign flies on the wreck and is changed by Navy divers on the anniversary of the sinking.
ROYAL OAKwas the largest, and the last, battleship to be built at Devonport dockyard, Plymouth.
13 sprues, hull & deck. L: 540 mm, W: 89.9 mm, Total parts 510+.
Box code: No. 05378.
Box description: HMS Royal Oak.
1:350 scale plastic model kit from Trumpeter, requires paint and glue.
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