This class of ships emerged as the escorts for the Condor (CV). The original requirements was for an air defence destroyer. However the design and fittings requested grew and grew. So did the size of the ship. Going from the original 360 foot length to the 427 foot ship depicted below. One of the main requests that enlarged the size markedly was the request for extra long range to be able to escort the Condor at fleet speed without needing refuelling too often. 8,000 miles at 18 knots was the requirement.
The Jaguars started as an original class of four, and twelve had been completed by wars end.
The basic armament was:
8 x 130mm (4x2)
8 x 40mm (4x2)
10 x 20mm (10x1)
6 x 21" TT (2x3)
I will find some more names for these ships.
First group.
IS Jaguar (1940) Service/Fate:
IS Anaconda (1940) Service/Fate:
IS Piranha (1940) Service/Fate:
IS Margay (1940) Service/Fate:
2nd Group
IS Boa (1942) Service/Fate:
The batch 2 vessels featured a redesigned centre section with rearranged funnels and the 20mm battery raised to have a clearer field of fire over the ships boats.
