HMS WINDSOR I42
Modified ‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941–2
Windsor shows some wartime modifications, reduced torpedoes for a 12pdr AA gun etc. But she retains three of her main guns and a set of torpedo tubes which would allow her to be used for a wide range of operations. SREs generally took convoys out part-way into the Atlantic and met others coming in to the UK. Their range was too short to cross the Atlantic. Colours are typical white and WA green.
HMS WILD SWAN I62
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1942–3
SREs retained most guns as they were more likely to see action against enemy coastal forces. Wild Swan has a HF/DF mast aft for detecting U-boat radio transmissions. All 2pdrs have been replaced by 20mm Oerlikons. Her scheme includes WA green, WA blue, on white.
HMS WITHERINGTON I76
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941–3
This SRE has had all her torpedo tubes removed and extra DC stowage added. These were often far more important than torpedoes. All her light AA are 20mm Oerlikons. Type 286 radar was later replaced by Type 291 which was harder for U-boats to detect. Her scheme includes irregular patches of WA green on white.
HMS WITCH I89
Modified ‘W’ Class Destroyer 1943
Witch has ‘A’ gun replaced by a Hedgehog. She carries a blue and green mix WA scheme, which includes rather more green above the hull than usual. Interestingly, she has retained her director on the bridge and only has Type 291 radar. Wartime alterations were far from standard and instead of all 20mm Oerlikons she retains single 2pdrs between the funnels.
HMS WESSEX D43
‘W’ Class Destroyer 1939–40
Wessex is shown as a fleet destroyer in an early-war paint scheme. Corticene was a lightweight linoleum material that gave grip, but also stopped decks becoming too hot or too cold in various climates. Note that the only light AA comprises two single 2pdrs. She was sunk in 1940 with very few alterations having been made. Colours may be 507b and MS 4a but are possibly also unofficial mixes.
HMS WOLVERINE I78
‘W’ Class Destroyer 1942
Wolverine was very active escorting convoys in the Eastern Atlantic. This camouflage scheme is based on shades of grey plus black, colours more available than most others. She has four 20mm AA but her ASW equipment is more extensive than most other SRE. These ships had priority to receive radar and Wolverine used hers with great success. Colours are 507c, B6 and black.
HMAS WATERHEN I22
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941
Australia received four ‘V&W’ class destroyers in 1933 and sent them to the Mediterranean when WWII broke out. They gained the nickname ‘The Scrap Iron Flotilla’ after a derisive Lord Haw-Haw broadcast. As can be seen, Waterhen had an Admiralty design camouflage in three colours of 507a and 1941 blue on 507c. Note that she has a single 4in AA gun on the aft shelter deck. Records do not confirm this but the gun with its AA-type shield appears in a photograph of her at Alexandria before leaving on her final voyage and was confirmed by the author’s uncle who was a survivor of her sinking. Her AA armament is a 12pdr in place of the aft torpedo tubes quad 0.5in MG mount behind the aft funnel; twin Lewis guns in the bridge wings.
HMS WALPOLE I41
‘W’ Class Destroyer 1944
Walpole is shown here wearing a grey and green camouflage that was no doubt intended to be suitable for her role supporting the allied landings in France. These are 507c and 1940 green. She has a twin automatic 6pdr forward for fighting coastal craft. There are rockets on ‘B’ mount for illumination. The AA fit is pretty standard for her type.
HMAS VAMPIRE I68
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941
Vampire shows a 1940 Mediterranean scheme in grey and black. These colours provided an easy camouflage and many ships used this style in the Mediterranean theatre. The grey appears to be 507c. Her bridge is protected with splinter mats. She had twin Lewis guns in the bridge wings but many Australian ships had additional unofficial MGs salvaged from sunken ships. Some Italian MGs were even used until captured ammunition supplies ran out.
HMAS VOYAGER D31
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1940
Voyager is shown early in her Mediterranean Fleet service. She still bears the peacetime pennant number D 31. The aft torpedo tubes have been removed and replaced by a quad MG mount while she waits for a 12pdr AA gun for that position. Her light AA comprises four quadruple MG. She still carries her four main guns. DCs not yet increased. Her scheme is 507c overall.