Trumpeter 1/350 05366 HMS Naiad RN Dido Class Cruiser Quality Plastic Kit

Royal Navy anti-aircraft light cruiser built by Hawthorn Leslie (Hebburn-on-Tyne). Laid down in August 1937, launched in September 1939 and commissioned in July 1940. One of sixteen Dido-class trade protection cruisers named after mythological figures. NAIAD had a short but distinguished service record. Initially operating in the Home Fleet NAIAD played a role in the destruction of German weather ship 'Hinrich Freese' (WBS4) and briefly sighted the German battleships SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU in northern waters. NAIAD joined the combatant ships of Task Force H in the Mediterranean as flagship of the 15th Cruiser Squadron, Task Force B, providing escort for the Malta convoys and participating in the Crete campaign, sustaining damage by German aircraft. Returning to Alexandria on 11th March 1942 NAIAD was struck by a single torpedo from German U-boat U-565 and sank south of Crete. Reports of the crew losses vary from 77 to 86, with 582 survivors. Lest we forget.