The New Zealand Naval stamp (28 cents) depicts in the foreground the general purpose frigate H.M.N.Z.S. Waikato, built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast. Laid down on January 10, 1964, launched on February 18, 1965, and completed on September 19, 1966, she was occupied on acceptance trials in the United Kingdom until the spring of 1967. She arrived in New Zealand in May 1967. Standard displacement is 2,205 tons; fully loaded 2,800 tons. Complement is 257. Length (o.a.) is 372 ft., beam 41 ft., and draft 13 ft. 8 ins. Her engines comprise two sets of double-reduction geared turbines, developing 30,000 s.h.p. and giving a speed of 30 knots. Two Babcock and Wilcox boilers supply steam. She carries one Wasp helicopter armed with homing torpedoes, and is also armed with two 4.5 in. guns in twin turrets and smaller weapons and depth charges.
The cruiser in the background is the Achilles of River Plate fame. She is now the Delhi, the first major unit of the Indian Navy, taken over in July 1948 from New Zealand, and formerly of the Royal Navy. She was laid down on June 11 1931 at Cammell Laird's yard, Birkenhead, launched on September 1, 1932 and completed on October 10, 1933. Her standard displacement is 7,030 tons and full load displacement 9,740 tons. Dimensions are: length 554 ft., beam 55 ft., draft 20 ft., and her main armament consists of six 6 in. guns. Secondary armament comprises eight 4 in, and she also has 15 40 m.m. anti-aircraft guns. She carries eight 21 in. torpedo tubes. Propelling machinery is a set of Parsons geared turbines, developing 72,000 s.h.p. taking steam from four Admiralty 3-drum type boilers. Speed is 32 knots and complement 680.
SG886 Sea Breezes 6/68