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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
UNITED KINGDOM
SUBMARINES
RAINBOW submarines (4(2), 1930 - 1932)


Photo



Rover 1931

Ships


Name No Yard No Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Rainbow R16 - N16   Chatham DYd 7/1929 14.5.1930 1.1932 sunk 15.10.1940
Regent R41 - N41   Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow 6/1929 11.6.1930 11.1930 sunk 18.4.1943
Regulus R88 - N88   Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow 7/1929 11.6.1930 12.1930 sunk 6.12.1940
Rover R62 - N62   Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow 7/1929 11.6.1930 1.1931 BU 7.1946
Royalist     Beardmore, Dalmuir 1929 --- --- cancelled
Rupert     Cammell Laird, Birkenhead 1929 --- --- cancelled


Technical data


Max speed, kts, kn

17.5 / 8.8

Displacement standard, t

1475

Displacement normal, t

1763 / 2030

Length, m

87.5

Breadth, m

9.12

Draught, m

4.90

No of shafts

2

Machinery

2 Admiralty diesels / 2 electric motors

Power, h. p.

4640 / 1670

Fuel, t

diesel oil 158

Endurance, nm(kts)

7050(9.2) / 62(4)

Armament

1 x 1 - 120/45 QF Mk IX, 8 - 533 TT (6 bow, 2 stern, 14)

Rainbow: 1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk XII, 8 - 533 TT (6 bow, 2 stern, 14)

Electronic equipmenttype 118A sonar
Complement

53

Diving depth operational, m95


Standard scale images


<i>Rainbow</i> 1932
Rainbow 1932


Graphics


<i>Rover</i> 1931
Rover 1931


Project history

The further development of "O" class. The new form of a fore end called to improve seaworthiness became appreciable difference from predecessors. Also machinery power raised to 4640hp, however soon diesels were throttled down to 4100hp ("R" class) and 4340hp ("Р" class). "R" class boats had to had 120mm/45 gun instead of 102mm, therefore for it have placed lower, than on "Р" class, to preserve stability. CT height was decreased with the same purpose. Experience of usage of gun with separate loading on submarine has appeared unsuccessful, and in 1931, even before completion, 120mm guns were replaced by 102mm with unitary cartridge. The important innovation introduced on "R" class became welded construction of fuel tanks placed out of a pressure hull.

Submarines were built under 1927 ("Р" class) and 1928 ("R" class) Programmes. Only 4 from 6 "R" were completed, order for 2 was cancelled by economic reasons.

Modernizations

early 1930s, all survived: engine power was reduced to 4100/1670hp; maximal surface speed was 17kts

1931, Regent, Regulus, Rover: - 1 x 1 - 120/40; + 1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk XII

1943 - 1944, Rover: + 1 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, she also received ability to carry 18 M2 mines instead of torpedoes, + type 286W or type 291W radar

1/1946, Rover: 1 x 1 - 102/40 S Mk I, 1 x 1 -20/70 Mk IIA S/M, 8 - 533 TT, type 286W or type 291W radar, type 118A sonar

Naval service

Rainbow was sunk 15.10.1940 by Italian submarine Enrico Toti in Mediterranean. Regulus was missed (most likely, was lost on a mine 6.12.1940) in Mediterranean. Regent was lost in Mediterranean 18.4.1943 on a mine.