3 batches of six, 1930-34
Batch 1, Guepard Class - six ships built 1927-30
Batch 2, Aigle Class - six ships built 1930-32
Batch 3, Vauquelin class - six ships built 1930-34
The French were not completely satisfied with the Chacal type. They felt, with a few hundred tons of improvements, a better product could be produced. While the same basic tonnage of 2,400 tonnes (300 tonnes more than Chacal) was kept for all three batches, there were slight 'improvements' made from batch to batch.
Te above line drawing is marked as a Recognition drawing of the Vauquelin class destroyers circa 1941. It clearly shows, in the overhead view, the placement of the twin 21.7" torpedoes mountings. This reduces the torpedo broadside to five. Having two triple mountings would have increased the torpedo broadside to six. Which might not seem much, but the difference between the number of hits obtained with torpedoes set against the number launched is quite substantial. Even launching torpedoes against targets stopped in the water are not 100%. Because the wave action and fluctuations in the sea state can all affect the running of a torpedo. The more of your torpedoes in the water, the better chance you have of achieving a hit.
Unfortunately all of the drawings I have been able to source are from 1940-41. There is a slight increase in power from the Guepard to the Aigle class because of a better type of machinery being introduced. Little things like that make a difference but are not visible. The number and type of AA guns differ from batch to batch as upgraded weaponry appears from the French armouries. The biggest change I will make is to replace the two single mountings, forward, with a twin mounting on the Aigle class. From what I have read, this was a design change that was contemplated with the Vauquelin and Le Fantasque classes, but only made it to the Mogador class. Then for the Vauquelin class I will alter the design to three twins, one forward two aft.
The placement of the 'Q' 5.5" mounting was awkward. There were only two magazines under the A/B and X/Y mountings. the shells for the Q mounting had to be manhandled from the magazine across to where the shell hoist was for the 'Q' mounting. I will change the position of the 'Q' mounting to get rid of that problem. That will also move superstructure around to allow me to mount two centerline mounted triple sets of torpedoes.
The last drawing will be a complete improvement as I will replace the one twin forward and three aft armament with three twins. Which then makes the change to the DP armed Le Fantasque class just another step in the chain.
I'm quite happy to show the improvements, in main armament, for each batch on one page. Same hull different layouts. Though looking at the Vauquelin drawing, I'm not that happy with the aft mountings, they should probably be further forward. I'll have another go and see what I get.
That is better.
