NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Kingfisher 1935

Ships

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

Technical data

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)
Electronic equipment	presumably type 121 sonar
Complement	60

Graphics

Project history

Initially classified as coastal sloops. As well as their direct predecessors of "Р" 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.