Dark Adventurer 1954
Dark Antagonist 1963
Dark Gladiator 1968
|
Names |
P1101 Dark Adventurer P1102 Dark Aggressor P1103 Dark Antagonist P1104 Dark Biter P1105 Dark Avenger P1107 Dark Rover P1108 Dark Buccaneer P1109 Dark Clipper P1110 Dark Highwayman P1111 Dark Killer P1112 Dark Hussar P1113 Dark Fighter P1114 Dark Gladiator P1115 Dark Hero P1116 Dark Hunter P1118 Dark Intruder P1119 Dark Invader P1120 Dark Scout Dark Attacker Dark Battler Dark Bowman Dark Chaser Dark Chieftain Dark Crusader Dark Horseman Dark Defender Dark Explorer |
|
Builders |
Saunders-Roe, Beaumaris: P1101 - 1105, 1120 Vosper, Portchester: P1107 - 1110 Thornycroft, Hampton: P1111, 1112 Taylor, Chertsey: P1113, 1114 McGruer, Clynder: P1115 Miller, St. Monance: P1116 Morgan Giles, Teignmouth: P1118, 1119 |
|
Completed |
1954: P1101, 1107, 1108, 1116 1955: P1102 - 1105, 1109, 1110, 1113, 1118, 1119 1956: P1111 1957: P1112, 1114, 1115 1958: P1120 |
|
Losses |
cancelled: Dark Attacker; Dark Battler; Dark Bowman; Dark Chaser; Dark Chieftain; Dark Crusader; Dark Horseman; Dark Defender; Dark Explorer |
|
Transfers |
none |
|
Discarding |
1961: P1102, 1120 1962: P1116 1966: P1103 - 1105, 1107, 1108, 1111, 1112, 1118, 1119 1967: P1109, 1110, 1113 1970: P1101 1975: P1114 1977: P1115 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
50 |
|
Displacement full, t |
64 |
|
Length, m |
20.4 pp 21.8 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
5.90 |
|
Draught, m |
1.80 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 Napier Deltic diesels |
|
Power, h. p. |
5000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
40 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil 8 |
|
Endurance, nm(kts) |
|
|
Armament |
as gunboats: 1 x 1 - 114/19 Mk I, 1 x 1 - 40/60 Mk 7 as torpedo boats: 1 x 1 - 40/60 Mk 7, 4 - 533 TT or 6 mines |
|
Electronic equipment |
presumably type 293Q radar |
|
Complement |
15 |
Project history: The first diesel-engined FPBs built for the RN and the first to use the remarkable Deltic with an exceptionally good power-to-weight ratio (9.2hp/kg). They were built of alloy framing and wooden skin, apart from the all-aluminium Dark Scout. Conforming to previous practice, they were convertible MTBs/MGBs and could also lay six ground mines.
The above-water exhaust caused problems and after a short while all the class were painted black. Flag superior was changed from 'FPB' to 'P' during building. Although noisy and lively they were generally regarded as successful, but most were laid up in 1958 when Coastal Forces were disbanded.
Modernizations: None.
Naval service: No significant events.
Dark Antagonist 1957 with mines
Darks 1957 as MGBs
© Ivan Gogin, 2015