Imagine having the chance to witness the meticulous construction of a naval masterpiece from inception to completion.
Through the marvels of drone technology and determined documentation, a multiyear drone video offers precisely that — a captivating chronicle of the creation of the Type 26 Frigate HMS Glasgow.
Tracing its development from the debut of its hull sections in 2021 to the fitting-out phase in 2023, this impressive visual narrative brings us an unprecedented peek into the intricacies of shipbuilding at its finest.
This video, recorded over several years on the storied River Clyde, reveals the meticulous shipbuilding process from an unprecedented vantage point.
The journey begins in 2021, with the unveiling of the forward section of the HMS Glasgow, the first Type 26 Frigate, as it was rolled out of the build hall at Govan. The footage captured (on the ground) shows an awe-inspiring perspective of this colossal hull section, the first tangible component of what will become a state-of-the-art warship.
Shortly after, the rear section followed suit, emerging from the build hall to take its place behind the forward section. In the video, this momentous occasion marks the starting point of the ship’s physical form taking shape.
BAE Systems, the vessel’s builders, directed an intricate dance of construction, resulting in a milestone event – the joining of the forward and rear sections. The company stated: “In a busy period for HMS GLASGOW, teams at our Govan shipyard prepared and completed a series of complex manoeuvres to bring the aft block out of the ship block and outfit hall and into position to meet the forward block. This significant moment brings the two blocks together, and for the first time, the full size, scale, and the elegant lines of HMS GLASGOW are out in the open.”
During the following stage, captured in stunning detail by the drone, HMS Glasgow was prepared for a journey via one of Europe’s largest submersible barges. Outfitting work was carried out on the frigate before it was transported down the river to ‘float’ in the deep waters of Glenmallan. The Malin Group, owners of the barge, noted that after serving the Royal Navy, the barge would then be stationed on the Clyde to support a range of other industrial needs, bolstering opportunities for the wider supply chain.
From there, the ship was floated and towed back upriver to the Scotstoun yard for further fitting out. The drone captures this delicate process in fascinating detail, offering a unique perspective of this seldom-seen operation.
Finally, the video reaches December 2022, as HMS Glasgow is shown in the city of Glasgow for the first time. Next, you see the vessel as it commences its journey back to the BAE Systems shipyard in Scotstoun, Glasgow. Here, the outfitting of the first-in-class ship is underway today, and the vessel is being readied for sea trials before its official commissioning with the Royal Navy.
In this captivating multiyear drone video, the transformation of the HMS Glasgow from discrete hull sections to a recognisable frigate is shown in all its complex glory. Each stage of the process, from initial rollout to final launch, is a testament to the remarkable feat of engineering that modern shipbuilding represents.
Loving the time lapse George.
+ 100
It is a very beautiful video of things the UK can do and is internationally recognised as being very good at.
We in the UK are very good about being negative about this know how and ability and further the ability to regenerate thus capability after a long period of ship building atrophication.
It us worth reflecting that most of this will be invisible in the new build hall?
Some of that is the British penchant for not looking too clever or “big headed.” Growing up in England we were constant,y reno ded tgat the absolute worst personality trait was to be good at something and to communicate it. Best to keep mouth shut for fear of being labelled a big head. In contrast, love them or hate then (most Brits hate them) American’s are encouraged express themselves positively and publicly if they achieve. In the UK it’s almost considered a curse by your Peers. I think thats the major flaw in the Brotish character…downplayjng EXCELLENCE for fear of… Read more »
I explained to someone over a BBQ some of my sporting achievements – ‘you are being boastful’ – sometimes you cannot win!
That was in return for a wrong and patronising explanation of how my former sport was done…….
Wow. She looks great. It’s a good reminder of the sheer scale of the undertaking to build a big warship like this let alone a whole fleet of 8 – even if many of us do grumble about the reduction in numbers. With Astute, Dreadnought, T26, T31, FSS soon (yes?) there is one heck of a lot of military shipbuilding going on in the UK at the moment. And might T32 be another project that begins to run concurrently with the aforementioned builds in the not too distant future?. Is there other stuff on the horizon? I’m not sure I… Read more »
Although the hyper activity was caused by almost zero naval shipbuilding after T23 with the exception of T45 QEC and the Rivers.
If the drumbeat had been kept up the issues around budget and T23 LIFEX would next have occurred.
Sometimes delay is expensive and inactivity ruinously expensive?
True. Dare we hope that this time FSS, timely start of T83 and building a new class of MRSS (if that idea is still alive) might avoid quite the same degree of feast-or-famine this time around or should we be seeing more potential new projects on the 10-20 year time horizon by now in order to have some confidence that things might be more healthy this time around?
Political memories are very short.
Labour may well be more interested in The Brownian Motion of Money away from everything except schools and hospitals.
I just hope the unions play ball with the various reshaping and consolidation exercises that will be needed. They could kill this too.
Suppose that’s infinitely better than the current motion of money away from absolutely everything except into the bank accounts of rich party backers and offshore bank accounts…
😀
I take it there would be several internal structural supports where the 2 parts are welded together?
Interesting video. Please can we have some up to date pictures of HMS Cardiff soon, a report in last weekend’s Sunday Times suggested that the bow and stern halves are being joined already.
They have, there’s plenty of footage of the process available.
Any update on the pefectly innocent drone pilot who got roughed up by the French recently?
Any chance you could make a few ferries?
BAE have resubmitted the screening request for Ramsden Dock Facility, no paperwork’s been put online by the council yet so cant see whats changed. Its unusual to cancel and then submit a fresh application rather than submit an amendment.
The other recent significant application for the new mega office block and crew accommodation has been waved through.
My, she is a big ship! Outstanding video, many thanks to George 😎
she is a fine looking ship, i just wish it had not taken so long to get these built