HMAS Voyager (II) D04 Destroyer 80cm

This year, on February 10, we commemorate the 60th anniversary of a significant event in Royal Australian Navy (RAN) history: the loss of the destroyer HMAS Voyager II after its collision with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne II. Of the 314 crew of Voyager, 82 were lost that night in Australia’s worst peacetime military disaster. Many more lives were altered forever.

On the anniversary of the Voyager’s loss, our team has chosen to complete this special model of the HMAS Voyager II. This model stands as a testament to the brave men who lost their lives in peacetime while training to defend their country. They, too, are our heroes, having made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation. Their dedication and courage deserve to be honored and remembered. Each detail of this model reflects not just the technical prowess of the ship but also the spirit and valor of its crew. By bringing this model to life, we pay tribute to their memory and ensure that their legacy endures for future generations.

Key Feature of the HMAS Voyager (II) D04 Destroyer model:

• Realistic recreation of the HMAS Voyager (II) D04 Destroyer, designed with immense attention to detail.
• Designed and hand-crafted from scratch with real-life markings and equipment.
• Frame built and constructed by hand, pained by hand, for the utmost realism.
• No plastic used’ this is made entirely from wooden planks which are hand-placed.
• Model comes with a brass nameplate on the base, and a history sheet included.
• Size specifications: 80cm x 12cm x 25cm, scale 1:148.

The history of the HMAS Voyager (II) D04 Destroyer

HMAS Voyager II (D04) was a significant vessel in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), part of the Daring-class destroyers designed to serve in the post-World War II era. Commissioned on 12 February 1957, Voyager II represented a leap forward in Australian naval capabilities, particularly in anti-submarine warfare and advanced radar systems. Built at Cockatoo Island Dockyard in Sydney, the destroyer embodied the technological advancements of its time, reflecting Australia’s commitment to modernizing its naval fleet.

Throughout its service, HMAS Voyager II participated in numerous exercises and operations, both domestically and internationally. The destroyer played a crucial role in demonstrating Australia’s maritime capabilities and strengthening alliances with allied navies. Its deployments included patrols in Southeast Asian waters during the period of heightened Cold War tensions, contributing to regional stability and security.

Tragically, HMAS Voyager II met its untimely end on 10 February 1964, when it collided with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne II during a training exercise off Jervis Bay, New South Wales. The collision resulted in the loss of 82 lives, a devastating blow to the RAN and the nation as a whole. This incident prompted significant reforms in naval operational procedures and safety protocols, ensuring that such a tragedy would never be repeated. Today, the legacy of HMAS Voyager II endures through memorials and commemorations, honoring the sacrifice of its crew and preserving its place in Australian naval history.