Protector becomes an Antarctic patrol ship

The earlier HMS Protector was built as a netlayer and later converted for Antarctic patrol duties. A rudimentary hangar and flight deck allowed her to operate two Westland Whirlwind helicopters, extending her reach in a harsh environment. Across repeated southern deployments she supported explorers including Edmund Hillary and Vivian Fuchs and rescued people from distressed vessels. One rescue aided the damaged research ship Shackleton after it struck an iceberg and needed emergency repairs. Her career shows how conversion, aviation, and endurance could turn an older auxiliary into a valuable polar-presence asset.