World War II infrastructure made Cold War missile research cheaper

HMS Girdle Ness, a converted Beachy Head-class repair ship, supported Cold War missile research with facilities inherited from World War II. A Royal Aircraft Establishment GPV test firing illustrates the work carried out from the ship. Its workshops and technical personnel could dismantle and rebuild equipment during trials, making a forward repair ship well suited to mobile development work. Shore establishments offered similar savings because the armed forces could fit out existing facilities instead of building replacements. Girdle Ness later became an accommodation ship, extending the value of the same hull and reducing the need for accommodation ashore.