NAVYPEDIA

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Mistral			F C de la Méditerranée, Le Havre, France	11.1923	6.6.1925	6.1927 // 7.1940	to France 5.1945

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	1319
Displacement full, t	1900
Length, m	99.5 pp 105.8 oa
Breadth, m	9.64
Draught, m	4.30
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 sets Parsons geared steam turbines, 3 du Temple boilers
Power, h. p.	33000
Max speed, kts	33
Fuel, t	oil 345
Endurance, nm(kts)
Armament	4 x 1 - 130/40 M1919, 2 x 1 - 37/50 M1925, 2 x 1 - 13.2/76, 2 x 3 - 550 TT, 2 DCT, 2 DCR (20)
Electronic equipment	type 123 sonar
Complement	142

Standard scale images

Project history

First French inter-war "standard" destroyers, built under 1922 Programme. They were outlined among the contemporaries by an archaic three-funnels outline profile. When they were laid down they carried the most powerful artillery in the world though its value was significant decreased by small firing rate. Originally AA armament consisted of 1 75mm gun and 2 small MGs. Speed characteristics have appeared rather moderated, ships of the class can achieved only 28-29kts at full displacement before the war.

Modernizations

1941: + type 286P radar

1944: - 4 x 1 - 130/40, 2 x 1 - 37/50, 2 x 1 - 13.2/76, 1 x 3 - 550 TT, type 286P radar; + 4 x 1 - 120/45 QF Mk IX, 1 x 1 - 76/40 12pdr 12cwt QF Mk I/II/V, 3 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, type 291 radar

Naval service

Mistral 3.7.1940 was captured by British in Plymouth (though was semi-sunk by own crew to avoid capture). Used as TS till 1944 when laid up.

One more French destroyer served under British flag. There was leader Leopard captured by British in Portsmouth 3.7.1940 and never commissioned by RN. Ship was commissioned by Free