HMS Unicorn

Type:
Aircraft Carrier
Class:
Builder:
Harland & Wolff Ltd.
Belfast, Ireland
Pennant Number:
I-72
Ordered:
April 14, 1939
Commissioned:
March 12, 1943
Keel Laid:
June 29, 1939
Decommissioned:
N/A
Launched:
November 20, 1941
Stricken:


N/A
Fate:
Sold 1959 to Arnott Young for scrap. Arrived Dalmuir, Scotland June 15, 1969 and stripped,
hull towed to Troon, Scotland Mar. 30, 1960 and scrapped.


Dimensions, machinery and performance

Length:
640'
Engines:
2 Parsons single reduction geared steam turbines
Beam:
90' 3"
Boilers:
4 Admiralty three drum type
Flight Deck:
N/A
Shafts:
2
Draft:
23' max
HP:
40,000
Displacement:
16,510 std. / 20,300 full
Speed:
24 knots (22 knots full)
Crew:
1,000+
Range:
N/A
Aircraft:
36


Armament As Built
Number Carried
Type
Arrangement
Maximum Range / Ceiling
8
4"/45 (102mm)
4 twin mounts
19,850 yards @ 45° (11.2 miles)
AA ceiling 39,000' @ 80°
35 lb. HE shell

12
1.5"/39 (40mm)
3 quad mounts
3,800 yards (2.1 miles)
AA ceiling 13,300'
2 lb. shell

12
.79"/70 (20mm)
2 twin mounts
8 single mounts
4,800 yards @ 45° (2.7 miles)
AA ceiling 10,000'
.271 lb. HE shell


Notes:
Unicorn was primarily used as an aircraft repair ship. She was also used as an aircraft
transport and training ship. She was engaged in combat operations from Mar. to Aug. 1943
and again during the Korean War.


Builder's Data
Page published May 27, 2007