![]() | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2009) |
![]() HMS Zebra on 12 October 1944
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Class overview | |
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Name | W and Z class |
Operators | |
Preceded by | U and V class |
Succeeded by | C class |
Subclasses | W, Z |
In commission | 1943 - 1971 |
Completed | 16 |
Lost | 4 (2 as targets) |
Retired | 12 |
General characteristics (W class) | |
Type | Destroyer |
Displacement | |
Length | 362.75 ft (110.57 m) o/a |
Beam | 35.75 ft (10.90 m) |
Draught | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
Propulsion |
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Speed | 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph) / 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph) full |
Range | 4,675 nautical miles (8,658 km; 5,380 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
Complement | 179 (225 as leader) |
Sensors and processing systems |
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Armament |
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General characteristics (Z class) | |
Displacement |
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Sensors and processing systems |
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Armament | 4 x QF 4.5 in (113 mm) Mk.IV guns, single mounts CP Mk.V |
Notes | Other characteristics as per W class |
The W and Z class was a class of sixteen destroyers of the Royal Navy launched in 1943–1944. They were constructed as two flotillas, with names beginning with "W-" and "Z-", respectively, although, like the preceding U and V class, two of the flotilla leaders were named after historical naval figures (as had been Royal Navy practice during the inter-war years). They were known as the 9th and 10th Emergency Flotilla, respectively and served as fleet and convoy escorts in World War II. None were lost during World War II but INS Eilat (originally HMS Zealous) was sunk during the Israel-Egypt conflict in October 1967 by Egyptian missile boats and the El Qaher (originally HMS Myngs) of the Egyptian Navy was sunk at Berenice, Egypt on 16 May 1970 by Israeli Air Force aircraft during the War of Attrition.