When the original late 1930’s DD’s were built it was expected that one of the destroyers of the class could be used as leaders. Within 3 years, extra equipment and electronics had displaced the Captain D areas and a new class of Destroyer Leader, termed Flotilla Cruisers, was designed and built. The main specification was for speed to work with destroyers, 34 knots. Some destroyers are faster but a cruiser with a sea speed of 34 knots will outpace most destroyers except in a flat calm. The armament was AA orientated with the 4.5” and 40mm gun systems, while the torpedoes gave the ship some teeth to get into bigger targets.
Originally four were laid down in 1938 (2) and 1939 (2) with completion in late 1940 through 1941. Two were lost in 1941 in the Mediterranean which lead to another four being laid down in 1942 and completed through 1944.
I had not thought about it originally, but the class makes a good comparison to the Japanese Akitsuki Class.
Displacement: 3,400 tons standard, 4,200 tons full load
Dimensions: 453 x 42 x 14
Machinery: 2 shaft, geared turbines, 70,000shp
Speed: 34.5 knots
Endurance: 5,600 miles at 15 knots
Armour: 50mm belt over machinery spaces, 25mm deck over machinery.
Armament:
8 x 4.5” (4x2)
10 x 40mm (5x2)
6 x 21 TT (2x3)
Crew: 420