COMANDANTE JOAO BELO (F480)

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a frigate by Ateliers & Chantiers at Nantes, France for the Portuguese Navy.
06 September 1965 keel laid down.
22 March 1966 launched under the name COMANDANTE JOAO BELO (F480). She was the lead ship of her class of four ships, they are identical to the French Commandant Riviére class.
Displacement 1,990 tons standard, 2,230 full load. Dim. 103 x 11.6 x 4.4m.
Powered by SEMT_Pielstick diesel engines, with a total power of 18,760 shp., two shafts, speed 25 knots.
Range by a speed of 15 knots, 4,500 miles.
Armament 3 – 100mm and 2 – 40mm guns, 1 – 305mm 4 barrel A/S mortar. Two triple set 21.7 inch torpedo tubes. One gun was later replaced by 4 MM38 Exocet missiles.
Crew 200.
01 July 1967 commissioned.

2008 Decommissioned.
08 April 2008 transferred to Uruguay and commissioned as ROU URUGUAY (01)
12 May 2008 she collided with COMMANDANTE PEDRO CAMPBELL 300 miles off Cape Town during RAS exercises.
2010 I*n service.

The uniform depict on the stamp is that of a Midshipsman of 1982.

Portugal 1983 37e50 sg1911, scot 1562