NAVYPEDIA

Support the project with paypal


HOME
FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
UNITED KINGDOM
COASTAL FORCES
"DARK" fast attack craft (torpedo / gun) (DARK ADVENTURER) (18(9), 1954 - 1958)


Photo



Dark Antagonist 1957 with mines

Ships


Names Builders Completed Losses Transfers Discarding

P1101 Dark Adventurer

P1102 Dark Aggressor

P1103 Dark Antagonist

P1104 Dark Biter

P1105 Dark Avenger

P1107 Dark Rover

P1108 Dark Buccaneer

P1109 Dark Clipper

P1110 Dark Highwayman

P1111 Dark Killer

P1112 Dark Hussar

P1113 Dark Fighter

P1114 Dark Gladiator

P1115 Dark Hero

P1116 Dark Hunter

P1118 Dark Intruder

P1119 Dark Invader

P1120 Dark Scout

Dark Attacker

Dark Battler

Dark Bowman

Dark Chaser

Dark Chieftain

Dark Crusader

Dark Horseman

Dark Defender

Dark Explorer

Saunders-Roe, Beaumaris: P1101 - 1105, 1120

Vosper, Portchester: P1107 - 1110

Thornycroft, Hampton: P1111, 1112

Taylor, Chertsey: P1113, 1114

McGruer, Clynder: P1115

Miller, St. Monance: P1116

Morgan Giles, Teignmouth: P1118, 1119

1954: P1101, 1107, 1108, 1116

1955: P1102 - 1105, 1109, 1110, 1113, 1118, 1119

1956: P1111

1957: P1112, 1114, 1115

1958: P1120

cancelled: Dark Attacker; Dark Battler; Dark Bowman; Dark Chaser; Dark Chieftain; Dark Crusader; Dark Horseman; Dark Defender; Dark Explorer

none

1961: P1102, 1120

1962: P1116

1966: P1103 - 1105, 1107, 1108, 1111, 1112, 1118, 1119

1967: P1109, 1110, 1113

1970: P1101

1975: P1114

1977: P1115



Technical data


Displacement standard, t

50

Displacement full, t

64

Length, m

20.4 pp 21.8 oa

Breadth, m

5.90

Draught, m

1.80

No of shafts

2

Machinery

2 Napier Deltic diesels

Power, h. p.

5000

Max speed, kts

40

Fuel, t

oil 8

Endurance, nm(kts)

 

Armament

as gunboats: 1 x 1 - 114/19 Mk I, 1 x 1 - 40/60 Mk 7

as torpedo boats: 1 x 1 - 40/60 Mk 7, 4 - 533 TT or 6 mines

Electronic equipment

presumably type 293Q radar

Complement

15



Standard scale images


<i>Dark Adventurer </i>1954
Dark Adventurer 1954
<i>Dark Antagonist </i>1963
Dark Antagonist 1963
<i>Dark Gladiator </i>1968
Dark Gladiator 1968


Graphics


<i>Darks </i>1957 as MGBs
Darks 1957 as MGBs
<i>Dark Antagonist </i>1957 with mines
Dark Antagonist 1957 with mines


Project history

The first diesel-engined FPBs built for the RN and the first to use the remarkable Deltic with an exceptionally good power-to-weight ratio (9.2hp/kg). They were built of alloy framing and wooden skin, apart from the all-aluminium Dark Scout. Conforming to previous practice, they were convertible MTBs/MGBs and could also lay six ground mines.

The above-water exhaust caused problems and after a short while all the class were painted black. Flag superior was changed from 'FPB' to 'P' during building. Although noisy and lively they were generally regarded as successful, but most were laid up in 1958 when Coastal Forces were disbanded.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service

No significant events.