The principal filming double for HMS Hero was HMS Phoebe (commissioned in May 1966 and decommissioned in February 1991, being sold for scrap the following year), with whom Hero shared the pennant number F42. At times other vessels were utilised: HMS Danae, HMS Dido, HMS Diomede, HMS Hermione, HMS Juno and HMS Jupiter all featured, whilst HMAS Derwent was used in 1976 location-work in Hong Kong and Singapore.
HMS Hero was named after Ian MacKintosh (having decided that a Leander-class frigate was the ideal vessel for the series) learned that in Greek mythology Hero was a priestess of Aphrodite whose lover Leander swam the Hellespont nightly to visit her.
The waves seen in the opening credits of Warship have also been seen in other seafaring programmes such as Captain Pugwash and Spongebob Squarepants.
Ian MacKintosh wrote three books based on the series:
- "Warship" (1973)
- "H.M.S. Hero" (1976)
- "Holt R.N." (1977)
Series creator Lieutenant-Commander Ian MacKintosh originally submitted his proposal to the BBC in May 1971.