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fighting ships of the world

KRIEGSMARINE (GERMANY)

MINE WARFARE SHIPS

RA251 group minesweeping boats (1942-1943/1943, 1943-1944)

RA251 1943

RA262 1943

Names

RA251 (ex-VAS306)

RA252 (ex-VAS305)

RA253 (ex-VAS307)

RA254 (ex-VAS301)

RA255 (ex-VAS304)

RA256 (ex-VAS303)

RA257 (ex-VAS302)

RA258 (ex-VAS309)

RA259 (ex-VAS311)

RA260 (ex-VAS312)

RA261 (ex-VAS236)

RA262 (ex-VAS239)

RA263 (ex-VAS308)

RA264 (ex-VAS310)

RA265 (ex-VAS313)

RA266 (ex-VAS314)

RA267 (ex-VAS315)

RA268 (ex-VAS316)

Builders

Ansaldo, Genoa, Italy: RA251 - 260, 263, 264

Bagletto, Varazze: RA261

Navalmeccanica, Castellammare di Stabia, Italy: RA262

Prometeo, Genoa: RA265 - 268

Commissioned

6 - 8.1943 // 10.1943: RA251, 252

11/1943: RA253

9/1942 - 6.1943 // 10 - 12.1943: RA254 - 257, 262

3 - 8.1944: RA258 - 261

Losses

commissioned for Italy: RA263 (as VAS263)

never commissioned: RA264 - 268

RA251 (22.8.1944), RA254 (25.4.1945), RA255 (21.8.1944), RA256 (CTL 30.3.1944), RA257 (2.8.1944), RA258 (25.4.1945), RA259 (21.8.1944), RA260 (10.8.1944), RA261 (5.9.1944), RA262 (5.9.1944)

Transfers

Italy RSI, 1944: RA252 (VAS252), RA253 (VAS253), RA263 (VAS263)

Discarding

none

 

Displacement standard, t

RA251 - 253, 258 - 260, 263 - 268: 92

RA254 - 257: 92.5

Displacement full, t

RA251 - 260, 263, 264: 94.5

RA261, 262: 98.5

Length, m

RA251 - 260, 263 - 268: 34.1

RA261, 262: 28.0

Breadth, m

RA251 - 260, 263 - 268: 5.00

RA261, 262: 4.30

Draught, m

RA251 - 260, 263 - 268: 1.40 normal 2.10 deep load

RA261, 262: 1.33 normal 1.77 deep load

No of shafts

3

Machinery

RA251 - 253, 258 - 264: 1 Isotta-Fraschini + 2 Carraro petrol engines

RA254 - 257: 3 Fiat diesels

RA265 - 268: 3 Lilloise de Moteurs diesels

Power, h. p.

RA251 - 253, 258 - 264: 1100 + 600 = 1700

RA254 - 257: 1100

RA265 - 268: 1500

Max speed, kts

RA251 - 253, 258 - 260, 263 - 268: 19

RA254 - 257: 18

RA261, 262: 21

Fuel, t

RA251 - 253, 258 - 260, 263 - 264: petrol 8.0

RA254 - 257: diesel oil 9.0

RA261, 262: petrol 8.9

RA265 - 268: diesel oil 8.0

Endurance, nm(kts)

RA251-253: 1000(13)

RA254-257: 900(14)

RA261, 262: 1260(14)

Armament

RA251 - 260, 263 - 268: 1 x 1 - 37/54 M1940, 3 x 1 - 20/65 M1940, 2 - 450 TT, 6 DC, mechanical minesweeping gear

RA261, 262: 2 x 1 - 20/65 M1940, 10 DC, mechanical minesweeping gear

Electronic equipment presumably hydrophone

Complement

26

Project history: RA251-268 were ex-Italian ASW boats VAS306, 305, 307, 301, 304, 303, 302, 309, 311, 312, 236, 239, 308, 310, 313, 314, 315 and 316. They were captured in September, 1943 in complete and incomplete condition.

Modernizations: None.

Naval service: No significant events.

 

© Ivan Gogin, 2008-2014