* - Flotilla Leader

The "E" class were slightly larger than the "D" class, but otherwise the same. © Andrew Arthur.

"Escapade" in WW2. Strangely, it was DC stowage and not a 3" AA gun that replaced the after topedoes. Four 20mm AA were shipped, a hedgehog in place of the "A" gun, and extra DC's inplace of "Y" gun too. © Andrew Arthur.

"Express" could be quickly changed to a minelayer, although never was. All torpedoes and two 4.7" guns were removed, and mine tracks ( and their mines ) layed along each side of the quarterdeck. The cutaway aft contained the launching gear . ports. © Andrew Arthur.

This class was similar to the "C" and "D"s, but both beam and draught were allowed to increase, and the previous policy of varying flotilla's for either an ASW or minesweeping was changed to minesweeping or minelaying, although asdic was still fitted to allow conversion for ASW if needed. Esk and Express were fitted for minelaying, having a chain system for 60 mines to be quickly laid ( although they never performed this role ) and the rest recieved DC racks and throwers.
Damage control was improved by increased sub-dividing and placing all boilers in seperate compartment.
The 3" gun was never shipped, and 2 quad 0.5" MG's were judged a good replacement (!).
To falicitate increasing the elevation of the 4.7" guns, the guns were placed in wells, and trunion height increased. This allowed 40 degrees to be reached, and also helped loading at high and low angles.
In the flotilla leader, a fifth 4.7" was added, and the machine guns were moved to the wings of the signal bridge.
General war mods were AW type 286 at the masthead, MG's removed and four single 20mm AA added, replacing after tubes with a 12 pound AA ( later replaced by DC stowage ), after funnel shortened and mainmast stricken. SW type 271 replaced the LA.DCT, and later, a further two 20mm AA were added.
Express later replaced "B" gun with a twin 6 pouner and a hedgehog, and the last tubes were removed. The 12 pounder was re-shipped.