| Name: | PENELOPE |
| Type: | Frigate |
| Keel: | 14/03/1961 |
| Launched: | 17/08/1962 |
| Completed: | 31/10/1963 |
| Builder: | Vickers-Armstrongs (Shipbuilders) Ltd |
| Yard: | High Walker |
| Yard Number: | 165 |
| Dimensions: | 2450disp to 2860disp, 360.0 x 41.0 x 18.0(draft)ft |
| Engines: | 2 x Steam turbines, English Electric type, 30000hp |
| Engines by: | Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Co Ltd, Wallsend |
| Propulsion: | 2 x Screws, 30.0knots |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Armament: | 1 x 2 x 4.5ins, 2 x 40mm guns; Limbo anti-submarine mortar; |
| 1 x Wasp helicopter | |
| History: | |
| 31/10/1963 | British Royal Navy |
| 1991 | Government of Ecuador; renamed PRESIDENTE ELOY ALFARO |
| 19/03/2008 | Decommissioned |
| Comments: | Member of the 26 ship Leander class |
| Originally ordered as a Type 41 frigate to be called PANTHER | |
| Laid down as a Salisbury Class frigate named COVENTRY | |
| Allocated pennant number F127 | |
| 1966: Converted into a trials ship for the Sea Wolf missile system | |
| 1968: Alledged to have brought down Aer Lingus Flight 712 by mistake | |
| 1981: Fitted with Exocet missiles as a test bed | |
| 1988: Collided with HMCS PRESERVER due to a machinery failure | |
| Damage to both ships ran into £millions. Subsequently repaired | |
| Post 2008: Broken up |
Above photo of PENELOPE fitting out is copyright of Brian Hargreaves
Above photo is copyright of the Royal Navy
Above photo is copyright of the Imperial War Museum
Above photo, taken at Loch Fyne & dated 27/02/1972, is copyright of Dennis Maccoy
Above photo, dated 06/10/1975, is copyright of Peter Crichton
Above 2 photos as a trials ship
Above photo is courtesy of Photoship
Above 2 photos converted to carry Exocet missiles
Above photo as PRESIDENTE ELOY ALFARO is courtesy of Photoship