RZS
Minas Tirith (CL-1937)
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The Minas Tirith class of cruisers was the next set of Patrol cruisers in line.
The Rohan class, Barad-dur class and ten years after comes the Minas Tirith.
First Zealandian cruiser to ship the new triple 6" turret, three were fitted in
the standard two forward, one aft configuration. Where these ships excelled was
in the heavy AA armament with six twin 4" being fitted in a lozenge formation
allowing from four to eight guns firing on each broadside. 2 pounder pom-poms
and 20mm Hispano cannons rounded out the gun armament.
Aircraft handling facilities, torpedoes and a full set of gunnery directors made
these very capable ships. Four ships of the class were laid down and completed
in 1937 to 1939.
| Displacement |
9,400 tons std 12,750 tons full load |
| Length |
590 ft |
| Breadth |
60 ft |
| Draught |
23 ft |
| Machinery |
4 shaft steam turbines, 75,000shp |
| Speed |
32 knots |
| Range |
7000 miles at 14 knots |
| Armour |
4" side, 2.5" deck, 4" turrets. |
| Armament |
9 x 6" (3x3)
12 x 4" (6x2)
8 x 2pd (2x4)
12 x 20mm (12x1) |
| Aircraft |
2 |
| Torpedoes |
6 x 21" (2x3) |
| Complement |
710 (750 as Flagship) |
| Notes |
RZS Minas Tirith (09//1937)
RZS Caradhras (11/1937)
RZS Andustar (07/1938)
RZS Minas Anor (03/1939) |
The addition of Radar and extra minor AA weapons went on through to 1942. Then
in 1943 to allow the upgrade of weaponry and further electronic equipment, the
torpedoes, and aircraft handling equipment had to be removed to maintain a
reasonable level of topweight management.
The last unit of the class, Minas Anor was fitted with the latest twin 4"
turrets which increased its AA capabilities by about 25%.
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HACS unit without canvas cover.
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