L-Class Destroyer Summary

This is a 3D printed sculpt of the L-Class destroyer game piece from GamingStar Miniatures. 

Sixteen destroyers of the L & M classes were launched between 1939 and 1942. The L class was approved under the 1937 Naval Estimates, and the M class approved under the 1939 Naval Estimates.  The classes were nearly identical.

Each class comprised a leader and 7 destroyers. Each ship was to mount six 4.7-inch (120 mm) guns and 8 torpedo tubes. The armament was subject of considerable debate. As originally ordered, the class had no close-range armament at all. The Spanish Civil War proved aircraft were now sufficiently advanced to pose a major threat to naval vessels. Review of AA armament continued and a decision was taken to remove the after bank of torpedo tubes and fit a single 4-inch (102 mm) HA gun instead.

In spite of light anti-aircraft defense, more ships of the classes were sunk by submarine than from air attack. Nonetheless, the class did not fare well in combat, as 6 L class ships were lost and 3 of the M class ships were lost.

Ships of L-Class:

• Laforey - Sunk by submarine Mar 1944
• Lance - Sunk by air attack Apr 1942
• Gurkha - Sunk by submarine Jan 1942
• Lively - Sunk by air attack May 1942
• Legion - Sunk by air attack Mar 1942
• Lightning - Sunk by surface action Mar 1943
• Lookout - Survived the war
• Loyal - Survived the war

Ships of M-Class:

• Milne - Survived the war
• Mahratta - Sunk by submarine Feb 1944
• Musketeer - Survived the war
• Myrmidon - Sunk by submarine Oct 1943
• Matchless - Survived the war
• Meteor - Survived the war
• Marne - Survived the war
• Martin - Sunk by submarine Nov 1942

Insignia can be added to each deck decal to make it easier to identify ship nationality. Select from your choice of images.

National Roundel	Flag Roundel	FEC Roundel	SEAC Roundel

Approximate dimensions (LWD): 47.5mm x 5.5mm x 8mm

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