HMAS Gawler (FCPB 212) Patrol Boat Model 80cm

Key Features of the HMAS Gawler model

• A masterfully handcrafted replica of the HMAS Gawler, capturing its precision and detail.
• Designed from original naval drawings and meticulously built by skilled artisans over 14 weeks, dedicating hundreds of hours to perfection.
• Expertly constructed from individually cut and shaped wooden planks, ensuring unmatched craftsmanship and accuracy.
• Built with on-frame construction and hand-painted to replicate the authentic colors and tones of the real vessel.
• Fully assembled and display-ready, complete with a custom nameplate and an informative history sheet.
• Size specifications: 80cmL x 14cmW x 32cmH, scale 1:52.

The History of HMAS Gawler

HMAS Gawler (FCPB 212) was one of fifteen Fremantle-class patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy to replace the aging Attack-class vessels. Named after the South Australian town of Gawler, she was constructed by NQEA in Cairns and launched in June 1983. The Fremantle-class was designed to meet Australia’s specific maritime requirements, focusing on speed, endurance, and versatility for coastal surveillance and patrol duties. HMAS Gawler was commissioned later in 1983 and became an integral part of Australia’s maritime security operations during her years of service.

Throughout her career, HMAS Gawler was based in Darwin and undertook a variety of missions across Australia’s northern waters. Her primary responsibilities included border protection, fisheries patrols, and immigration enforcement. Gawler played a key role in Operation Relex during the early 2000s, a border security operation aimed at intercepting unauthorised arrivals and maintaining sovereignty over Australian waters. Like her sister ships, she was equipped with a 40mm Bofors gun and small arms, with a top speed of 30 knots and a range suitable for extended patrols.

After more than 20 years of distinguished service, HMAS Gawler was decommissioned in 2006 as part of the transition to the newer Armidale-class patrol boats. Her decommissioning marked the end of an era for the Fremantle-class, which had faithfully protected Australia’s maritime interests for decades. HMAS Gawler remains a testament to the vital role patrol boats have played in the Royal Australian Navy’s peacetime operations.