HMS Anson was conceived , constructed and launched in the midst of the build-up and start of WW2 . Her hull was built to last as where the Engines and important components . It was this lavish for the time attention to build quality that saw HMS Anson saved from the scrapyard . With the draw down of the Royal Navy and the new guided missiles no need was forseen for such a massive ship that was only able to project her fury 35Km while the Carriers she had been protecting could launch aircraft with various weapons to strike targets 350 nm away . HMS Vanguard was although a newer ship built to a lower standard , Thus HMS Anson became a survivor .
The new Royal Navy had no need for a ship unable to survive in the modern environment . However the space in her Hangars and power generation capability made her perfect to be the Weapon trials ship of the Royal Navy . With her thick armour she was a designated Bunker in the event of a Nuclear war . The need for power generation kept her engines maintained . The constant modifications to run trials on new weapons kept her gainfully employed .
All of this came to an end when in 1975 during a meeting of NATO leadership the American Delegate mentioned that the Iowa class could be reactivated to provide fire support if needed . This saw the Royal Marines take a hard look at the available ships for fire support . Being able to hit a target from 35 km with massive power has a very reassuring affect on Marines and the plan slowly changed . HMS Anson was due to come into dock for modifications to support the trials of the Sea Dart and Sea Wolf systems . The Exocet was also due for some firing trials . With funds provided it was possible to do more then a simple trials modification . It took some major wrangling but the funds provided allowed for the complete overhaul and recommissioning as a major warship in her own right .
After entering Dry Dock the modifications began . From an observers point of view it looked like she was being scrapped initially . The work began by removing the remaining 5.25 inch turrets and associated magazine arrangements . The 40 mm pom poms that had not been removed yet finally got sent to the scrapyard . The Forward Gun turrets got dismantled and rebuilt with better loading arrangements that reduced the crew for the two turrets . The former aircraft hangar received the computers and equipment to handle the missile battery . the Radars consisted of a type 965R for air search and a trio of type 909 fire control radars . The Sea Dart battery was mounted in the space left by the removal of the aft quad 14 inch turret . The Sea Dart installation consisted of two twin launchers in a superfiring layout . On each side of HMS Anson where the former 5.25 inch mounts had once existed was the close in defences . one Mk 8 4.5 inch cannon , 2 sextuplet Sea Wolf launchers 6 Exocet launchers and an Ikara launcher . Along with this the Aft deck was strengthened and expanded to enable three Sea King sized helicopters to call HMS Anson home .
No sooner had the work reached a stage where sea trials could begin when A new government cancelled all further work . Thus from September 1979 all work ceased . What was in effect a warship only needing sea trials to recommission was laid up in a nearby Loch. All of this changed on the 2nd of April 1982 . Argentina had invaded the Falklands , The same government that ordered her laid up now needed firepower down south . As truck after truck arrived carrying various munitions and stores HMS Anson's hull sank lower into the water as her magazines and holds filled . The last trucks to arrive carried freshly filled HE shells . Finally on the 5th of April she departed the United Kingdom and at a steady 25 knots began to catch up with the Fleet .
The new Royal Navy had no need for a ship unable to survive in the modern environment . However the space in her Hangars and power generation capability made her perfect to be the Weapon trials ship of the Royal Navy . With her thick armour she was a designated Bunker in the event of a Nuclear war . The need for power generation kept her engines maintained . The constant modifications to run trials on new weapons kept her gainfully employed .
All of this came to an end when in 1975 during a meeting of NATO leadership the American Delegate mentioned that the Iowa class could be reactivated to provide fire support if needed . This saw the Royal Marines take a hard look at the available ships for fire support . Being able to hit a target from 35 km with massive power has a very reassuring affect on Marines and the plan slowly changed . HMS Anson was due to come into dock for modifications to support the trials of the Sea Dart and Sea Wolf systems . The Exocet was also due for some firing trials . With funds provided it was possible to do more then a simple trials modification . It took some major wrangling but the funds provided allowed for the complete overhaul and recommissioning as a major warship in her own right .
After entering Dry Dock the modifications began . From an observers point of view it looked like she was being scrapped initially . The work began by removing the remaining 5.25 inch turrets and associated magazine arrangements . The 40 mm pom poms that had not been removed yet finally got sent to the scrapyard . The Forward Gun turrets got dismantled and rebuilt with better loading arrangements that reduced the crew for the two turrets . The former aircraft hangar received the computers and equipment to handle the missile battery . the Radars consisted of a type 965R for air search and a trio of type 909 fire control radars . The Sea Dart battery was mounted in the space left by the removal of the aft quad 14 inch turret . The Sea Dart installation consisted of two twin launchers in a superfiring layout . On each side of HMS Anson where the former 5.25 inch mounts had once existed was the close in defences . one Mk 8 4.5 inch cannon , 2 sextuplet Sea Wolf launchers 6 Exocet launchers and an Ikara launcher . Along with this the Aft deck was strengthened and expanded to enable three Sea King sized helicopters to call HMS Anson home .
No sooner had the work reached a stage where sea trials could begin when A new government cancelled all further work . Thus from September 1979 all work ceased . What was in effect a warship only needing sea trials to recommission was laid up in a nearby Loch. All of this changed on the 2nd of April 1982 . Argentina had invaded the Falklands , The same government that ordered her laid up now needed firepower down south . As truck after truck arrived carrying various munitions and stores HMS Anson's hull sank lower into the water as her magazines and holds filled . The last trucks to arrive carried freshly filled HE shells . Finally on the 5th of April she departed the United Kingdom and at a steady 25 knots began to catch up with the Fleet .