MV Rapana was a Dutch-built oil tanker converted to a Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC ship) during World War II.
Rapana was launched as a tanker in April 1935, and served as a merchant vessel until July 1943, when she was converted into a MAC ship.
Her Sulzer diesel engine provided 4000 bhp driving a single shaft, giving her a maximum speed of 12.5kts.
[2] Because the ship was still considered a merchant vessel, her crew of 118 was a mix of merchantmen as well as Royal Navy men, with the latter taking care of aircraft maintenance and operations.
[4] MV Rapana was initially built at Wilton-Fijenoord, Schiedam, Netherlands, and was launched in March 1935, with work completed a month later in April 1935.
[1] Work to convert Rapana to a MAC Ship would be undertaken by Smith's Dock Company, and would be completed in July 1943.
She operated under the Anglo Saxon Petroleum Company until 1950, when the ship was sold back to La Corona and renamed Rotula.