"L" Class Fleet Destroyers |
Name | Pennant | Builder | Launched | Fate |
Laforey * | F99 | Yarrow | 15 Feb 1941 | Torpedoed by U-223, March 1944 |
Lance+ | F87 | Yarrow | 28 Nov 1940 | Bombed at Malta Oct. 1942, Scrapped June 1944 |
Gurkha ( ex Larne )+ | F63 | Cammell Laird | 8 July 1940 | Torpedoed by U-133, Jan. 1942 |
Legion+ | F74 | Hawthorne Leslie | 26 Dec 1939 | Bombed at Malta, March 1942 |
Lightning | F55 | Hawthorne Leslie | 22 April 1940 | Sunk by Italian ships, March 1943 |
Lively+ | F40 | Hawthorne Leslie | 28 Jan 1941 | Bombed by German bombers, May 1942 |
Lookout | F32 | Scotts | 4 Nov 1940 | Scrapped Feb 1948 |
Loyal | F15 | Scotts | 8 Oct 1941 | Scrapped Aug 1948 |
* - Flotilla Leader
+ - See Armament tables
1:600 view of the "L" class as they were designed. The massive powered 4.7" turrets required the characteristic wedge shaped bridge face to be raised, to allow a clear view over them for the wheelhouse. Two quad and two twin 0.5" MG AA were shipped, and many depth charges were shipped aft. © Andrew Arthur. |
"Loukout" was completed with a 4" AA gun in place of the after tubes and a striking Mediterranean camouflage scheme. © Andrew Arthur. |
With 9 x 4" AA, six 20mm and one quad pom-pom, the 4" units ( this is Legion ) on the "L" class were the best armed WW2 destroyers in term of AA firepower. © Andrew Arthur. |
These ships were essentially "J"s
with all the bugs ironed out. The ships with 4.7" guns had
them in very large power operated DP turrets, and due to short
supply of these new turrets, half had the standard twin 4"
AA.
See the armament tables for modifications.
Dimensions | |||
Full Displacement | Length | 362.5' | |
Empty Displacement | 1920 Tons ( 1935 Tons Flotilla Leaders ) | Beam | 36.75'' |
Load | Draft | 10.0' |
Performance & Propulsion | |
Machinery | 4 x Admirality 3 drum boilers, 2 x Steam Turbines @ 48000 hp |
Speed | 36 kts |
Complement & Armament | |
Complement | 221 Officers & Ratings, except § 226 |
Armament Early |
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Armament Later |
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