W and Z-class destroyer
 |
| Class overview |
| Name: |
W and Z class |
| Operators: |
|
| Preceded by: |
U and V class |
| Succeeded by: |
C class |
| Subclasses: |
W, Z |
|
In commission: |
1943 - 1971 |
| Completed: |
16 |
| Lost: |
4 (as targets) |
| Retired: |
12 |
| General characteristics (W class) |
| Type: |
Destroyer |
| Displacement: |
- 1,710 tons (1,730 tonnes)
- 2,530 tons full (2,570 tonnes)
|
| Length: |
362.75 ft (110.57 m) o/a |
| Beam: |
35.75 ft (10.90 m) |
| Draught: |
10 ft (3.0 m) |
| Propulsion: |
- 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
- Parsons single-reduction geared steam turbines,
- 40,000 shp (30 MW), 2 shafts
|
| Speed: |
36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph) / 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph) full |
| Range: |
4,675 nautical miles (8,658 km; 5,380 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
| Complement: |
179 (225 as leader) |
Sensors and
processing systems: |
|
| Armament: |
|
| General characteristics (Z class) |
| Displacement: |
- 1,830 tons (1,860 tonnes)
- 2,530 tons full (2,570 tonnes)
|
Sensors and
processing systems: |
- Radar Type 293 target indication
- Radar Type 285 fire control on director type K
|
| Armament: |
4 x QF 4.5 in (113 mm) Mk.IV guns, single mounts CP Mk.V |
| Notes: |
Other characteristics as per W class |
The W and Z class was a class of sixteen destroyers of the Royal Navy launched in 1943–1944. They were constructed as two flotillas, with names beginning with "W-" and "Z-", respectively, although, like the preceding U and V class, two of the flotilla leaders were named after historical naval figures (as had been Royal Navy practice during the inter-war years). They were known as the 9th and 10th Emergency Flotilla, respectively and served as fleet and convoy escorts in World War II. None were lost during World War II but INS Eilat (originally HMS Zealous) was sunk during the Israel-Egypt conflict in October 1967 by Egyptian missile boats.
Design
Repeats of the preceding U and V-class destroyers, with modified director structures. The Z class were armed with 4.5 inch guns.[1]
Ships
W class
Z class
See also
References
- Notes
- ↑ March, p.419.
- ↑ Mason, Geoffrey B. (2002). Gordon Smith, ed. "HMS Kempenfelt (ii) (R 03) - W-class Flotilla Leader". naval-history.net. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ↑ Mason, Geoffrey B. (2002). Gordon Smith, ed. "HMS Wessex (ii) (R 78) - W-class Destroyer". naval-history.net. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ↑ Mason, Geoffrey B. (2006). Gordon Smith, ed. "HMS Myngs (R 06) - Z-class Flotilla Leader". naval-history.net. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ↑ Mason, Geoffrey B. (2004). Gordon Smith, ed. "HMS Zenith (R 95) - Z-class Destroyer". naval-history.net. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ↑ Mason, Geoffrey B. (2004). Gordon Smith, ed. "HMS Zest (R 02) - Z-class Destroyer". naval-history.net. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ↑ Mason, Geoffrey B. (2004). Gordon Smith, ed. "HMS Zodiac (R 52) - Z-class Destroyer". naval-history.net. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- Bibliography
- Cocker, Maurice (1981). Destroyers of the Royal Navy, 1893-1981. Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-1075-7.
- Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8. OCLC 67375475.
- Robert Gardiner (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1922-1946. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-913-8.
- March, Edgar (1966). British destroyers: A history of development 1892-1953. London: Billing and Sons Ltd.
- Marriott, Leo (1994). Royal Navy Destroyers since 1945. Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-1817-0.
- Raven, Alan; Roberts, John (1978). War Built Destroyers O to Z Classes. London: Bivouac Books. ISBN 0-85680-010-4.
- Whitley, M. J. (1988). Destroyers of World War 2. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-326-1.
External links
.svg.png){kind=small}
