BRITISH DESTROYERS

Royal navy had many Destroyers

Main classes:

• A to I classes - build in thirties , these 2-funnel destroyers were most common in the beginning of war. Initially they had 4-5" guns in single turrets but in 1942-44 most survivors recieved Hagehog ASW in place of one or two of their guns.
  
• Tribal class - these powerful destroyers armed with 4 pairs of 5" guns were designed as escorts for carriers and fast battleships, but not for ASW.
  
• V,W classes - built in the end of WW1 they were very old and not ready for fleet operations, so they were modified as escorts.They had 1 to 4 4" guns.
  
• J class - new destroyers suited for fleet operations as well as for escort, armed with 6 5" guns they were used througout the world in early years of war.
  
• L, M, P, Z classes - War-built destroyers - they had many equal with earlier J class in appearance and characteristics . Armament differed from 4" to 5.5" in single turrets.
  
• Some old destroyers from World War 1, like HMS Shakespeer were used as escorts in early years of war.
  
• Battle class - based on Z class design, these ships had 4-5" guns in two turrets located forward the bridge.
  

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