LEAF class

The Leaf class of support tankers of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary, (RFA), consisted of a mixture of several different ships. We could distinguish a class composed of four vessels; Appleleaf, Bayleaf, Brambleleaf and Orangeleaf, another formed only by the Oakleaf ship and a third series of smaller and older vessels that will not be detailed here. The four ships of the Leaf or Appleleaf class had a civil origin and were modified for military use. They were built between 1973 and 1975 by Cammell Laird of Birkenhead for the Hudson Fuel and Shipping Co., but after canceling the order, Camell Laird decided to complete the ships that later were rented by the RFA to finally be purchased by this same agency. In 1989 the Appleleaf was rented to the Royal Australian Navy which renamed it Westralia and kept it in service until 2006. The other three British ships were decommissioned between 2009 and 2015.

LEAF class gallery and more info