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fighting ships of the world

ROYAL NAVY (UNITED KINGDOM)

ESCORTS   

KINGFISHER patrol vessels (1935 - 1938)

Kittiwake 1939

Name No Yard No Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Kingfisher L70 - K70 650 Fairfield, Govan 6.1934 14.2.1935 6.1935 sold 4.1947
Kittiwake L30 - K30 1152 Thornycroft, Woolston 4.1936 30.11.1936 4.1937 sold mercantile 9.1946
Mallard L42 - K42 547 A. Stephens, Linthouse 6.1935 26.3.1936 7.1936 sold 4.1947
Puffin L52 - K52 548 A. Stephens, Linthouse 6.1935 5.5.1936 8.1936 CTL 26.3.1945
Sheldrake L06 - K06 1153 Thornycroft, Woolston 6.1936 28.1.1937 7.1937 sold mercantile 8.1946
Widgeon L62 - K62 1701 Yarrow, Scotstoun 3.1937 2.2.1938 6.1938 sold 4.1947

 

Displacement standard, t

510 - 530

Displacement full, t

740 - 745

Length, m

74.1

Breadth, m

8.08

Draught, m

2.44 deep load

No of shafts

2

Machinery

2 sets Parsons geared steam turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers

Power, h. p.

3600

Max speed, kts

20

Fuel, t

oil 160 - 172

Endurance, nm(kts)  

Armament

1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (30)

Sensors presumably type 121 sonar

Complement

60

Project history: Initially classified as coastal sloops. As well as their direct predecessors of "Ð" class intended, first of all, for ASW service. The beautiful ships, but very poorly adapted  to the basic purpose. Their shallow draught was, more likely, a lack, than advantage as overall sonar performance directly depends on depth of its placement. Besides, the ships had no reserve of displacement for serious strengthening of AA armament. Last circumstance would be not so important, if endurance of these ships would sufficient for their usage somewhere outside of an inshore British waters. Alas, as a result of a small fuel stowage low endurance and seaworthiness have limited their usage in those places where the greatest threat from air first of all was expected.

Modernizations: late 1930s, all: - 1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V; + 1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V (HA)

1940, all: + 1 x 4 - 12.7/62, DC stowage was increased up to 60.

1941-1943, almost all: + type 286 or type 271 radar

1942, all: + - 1 x 4 - 12.7/62; 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV

1/1946: 1 x 1 - 102/45 HA Mk III, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk III, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60), type 271 radar, type 121 sonar

Naval service: Puffin was badly damaged 26.3.1945 by torpedo explosion on German midget submarine which she has rammed. She was not repaired and stricken.

Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.

Kingfisher 1935

© Ivan Gogin, 2008-15