HMS Diana

HMS Diana

HMS Kelvin

HMS Daring

HMS Diana

HMS Kelvin

HMS Daring

Britain

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
4.7	4.7	4.7

Class:

Destroyer

Research:18 000

Purchase:47 000

Show in game

Description

HMS Diana (D126) was a member of the Daring-class destroyers. She was designed and constructed amid World War II, incorporating experiences from the Pacific campaign, such as longer range and the ability to effectively replenish at sea. Yarrow and Co. Ltd. (Yard No. 1846) constructed HMS Diana in Clydebank, Glasgow. She was laid down on April 3, 1947, and launched on Thursday, May 8, 1952, by Lady McGrigor, the wife of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick McGrigor. HMS Diana was first put into service on March 29, 1954. During construction, the originally planned name, HMS Druid, was renamed to HMS Diana. HMS Diana was almost as big as a pre-war light cruiser, so at its time, it was regarded as a large destroyer. Along with her sister ship, HMS Decoy, she was acquired by the Peruvian Navy in 1969 and served until 1993.

Introduced in Update "Fire and Ice", HMS Diana and her predecessor share certain characteristics. She is far more resilient and durable due to her design for far-reaching operations. Nevertheless, HMS Diana is not an exception to the rule that the majority of early British destroyers lacked armour protection. This is a fatal flaw that greatly increases the risk of ammunition detonation, as the hull lacks any armour plates and the ammunition rack is situated above the waterline. To avoid being targeted, players should maintain some distance from the enemy.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back

Main fire tower10 / 10 / 10 mm

Hull16 mm (steel)

Superstructure4 mm (steel)

Number of section6

Displacement3 820 t

Crew330 people

When compared to her real life predecessor, the Battle-class destroyer, HMS Diana features similar characteristics along with some noticeable changes. She retains two forward-facing 4.5 inch turret of the Battle-class, but receives also an additional turret at the stern. Being designed for operation range and survivability, she is also considerably more resilient to enemy fire thanks to the compact crew compartment.

However, the Diana still shares the common weakness with other British WWII destroyers in terms of armour (or lack thereof). Her hull is almost devoid of any armour save for a thin layer of anti-fragmentation armour around the bridge and turrets. In addition, her anti-air and rear turret's shell room were located way above the waterline, both of them were fatal weak spot that will be exposed when doing broadsides and can be somewhat counterintuitive to the ship's additional firepower improvement.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB79 / 32 km/h

RB64 / 26 km/h

Being optimized for operation range, the Diana's top speed is below average for a destroyer. In addition, the ship's displacement will also affect her mobility, making her a bit less manoeuvrable.

Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode	Upgrade Status	Maximum Speed (km/h)		Turn Time (s)	Turn Radius (m)
		Forward	Reverse
AB	Stock	___	___
	Upgraded	79	32
RB/SB	Stock	___	___
	Upgraded	64	26

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB2 155 → 2 760

RB3 367 → 4 313

Total cost of modifications20 840

33 700

Talisman cost980

Crew training13 000

Experts47 000

Aces400

Research Aces280 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

190 / 460 / 100 %

136 / 136 / 136 %

Modifications

Seakeeping	Unsinkability	Firepower
Dry-Docking Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 150 Rudder Replacement Research: 740 Cost: 1 200 115 Propeller Replacement Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 150 Engine Maintenance Research: 1 300 Cost: 2 100 200	Damage Control Division Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 150 Fire Division Research: 740 Cost: 1 200 115 Smokescreen Research: 740 Cost: 1 200 115 Shrapnel Protection Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 150 Ventilation Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 150 New Pumps Research: 1 300 Cost: 2 100 200 Ammo Wetting Research: 1 300 Cost: 2 100 200	114mm_uk_sap_ammo_pack Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 150 40 mm HE clips Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 150 114mm_uk_aa_distant_fuse_ammo_pack Research: 740 Cost: 1 200 115 40 mm AP clips Research: 740 Cost: 1 200 115 Auxiliary Armament Targeting Research: 740 Cost: 1 200 115 Improved Rangefinder Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 150 Improved Rangefinder Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 150 Primary Armament Targeting Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 150 114mm_uk_aa_radio_fuse_ammo_pack Research: 1 300 Cost: 2 100 200 Torpedo Mode Research: 1 300 Cost: 2 100 200

Armament

Primary armament

3 х Turret2 x 4.5 inch/45 QF Mark V cannon

Ammunition600 rounds

Vertical guidance-5° / 80°

The Diana features six 4.5 inch QF Mark V guns as her main armament, mounted in three twin turrets arranged in A-Bs-X position. These were the same weapon system as HMAS Tobruk and thus shared the same automatic ramming system and shell choice from its Australian counterpart, providing great and consistent rate of fire at 20 rpm with no first-stage ammo rack.

The gun has four shell choices: a HE shell with 2.32 kg of TNT equivalent, enough to cause damage to any unarmoured ship, a HE-TF and a HE-VT shell for anti-air purposes with the same filler as regular HE shell, and a SAP shell with largely the same performance as the one from British 5-inch guns.

As mentioned in the "Survivability and armour" section. While it is tempting to do broadsides to exploit the Diana's additional firepower at the rear, in doing so will expose her unprotected magazines at her bow and stern to the enemy. Thus, while in firefight, it is recommended to face her bow to the enemy at all times only use her frontal armament to minimize the risk of detonation.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		1,000 m	2,500 m	5,000 m	7,500 m	10,000 m	15,000 m
4.5 inch HE	HE	28	28	28	28	28	28
4.5 inch SAP	SAP	117	100	77	61	50	41
4.5 inch HE-TF	HE-TF	28	28	28	28	28	28
4.5 inch HE-VT	HE-VT	28	28	28	28	28	28

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (s)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
4.5 inch HE	HE	746	24.95	0	0.1	2,320	79°	80°	81°
4.5 inch SAP	SAP	746	23	0.015	5	910	47°	60°	65°
4.5 inch HE-TF	HE-TF	746	24.95	0	0.1	2,320	79°	80°	81°

Proximity-fused shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Arming distance (m)	Trigger radius (m)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
									0%	50%	100%
4.5 inch HE-VT	HE-VT	746	24.95	0	0.1	244	23	2,320	79°	80°	81°

Secondary armament

2 х Turret2 x 40 mm QF STAAG Mark II gun

Ammunition4000 rounds

Belt capacity4 rounds

Fire rate156 shots/min

Turret2 x 40 mm QF Mark V gun

Ammunition4000 rounds

Belt capacity4 rounds

Fire rate156 shots/min

For dedicated anti-air defence, the Diana features six 40 mm Bofors autocannon in two STAAG dual mounts flanking the bridge and one Mk V mount located behind her second funnel.

Compared to the Battle-class destroyers, the Diana's AA defense is somewhat of a downgrade due to the lower gun count and less coverage. Nevertheless, they still provide great defense against enemy aircraft, especially when used in tandem with the 4.5 inch guns.

• Universal: AP-T · HEFI-T
• 40 mm HE clips: HEFI-T · HEFI-T · HEFI-T · AP-T
• 40 mm AP clips: AP-T · AP-T · AP-T · HEFI-T

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
	10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
HEFI-T	3	3	3	3	3	3
AP-T	81	78	68	58	49	41

Shell details
Ammunition	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
						0%	50%	100%
HEFI-T	874	0.9	0	0.1	67.13	79°	80°	81°
AP-T	874	0.89	-	-	-	47°	60°	65°

Additional armament

Setup 15 x 533 mm Mk.IX** torpedo

As with other late British destroyers, the Diana is equipped with five 533 mm Mk.IX** torpedoes, launched from a single quintuple launcher located on the midship section. With 587.2 kg of TNT explosive equivalent and decent speed of 76 km/h, these powerful torpedoes are useful against any targets, especially at close range. However, the low quantity of torpedoes on board along with the launcher's poor firing arc significantly restrict its usefulness, as her captains will be forced to show the vulnerable broadsides to launch them.

Usage in battles

Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Six fast-firing and powerful 4.5 inch guns with no first-stage ammo racks
• Turret has good traverse speed and coverage
• Survivable against destroyers due to high crew count
• Good anti-air coverage

Cons:

• Critical modules were largely unarmoured, vulnerable to armour-piercing shells
• Auxiliary shell room at the bow and rear magazine is above the waterline, making it a fatal weak spot
• Relatively sluggish for a destroyer due to high displacement
• Carries only five torpedoes with restrictive firing arc

History

HMS Diana was laid down at Clydebank, Glasgow on 3rd April 1947, launched on 8th May 1952, and was commissioned on 29th March 1954. Originally planned to be named Druid, this was changed to Diana during construction. HMS Diana was considered a large destroyer, with the design coming from lessons of the Pacific War where long endurance was very important.

With a main armament of six 4.5 inch (114 mm) dual-purpose guns in 3 fully enclosed twin turrets and being fully radar-controlled, the fire control system was considered the most advanced in the Royal Navy at the time. The guns were regarded as highly accurate with a high rate of fire. Completing the armament were 2 x 40 mm Bofors, 5 torpedo tubes and a triple "Squid" anti-submarine mortar.

Seeing combat in the Suez Crisis, HMS Diana was involved with the sinking of Egyptian frigate Domiat, which was engaged in a gun duel with the cruiser HMS Newfoundland. This engagement marked the last time in conflict a ship was sunk by another by gunfire only.

In 1968, Diana was diverted from her route to assist in the search for the British-made, Israeli-ordered submarine Dakar. During this search, Diana diverted again to assist Spanish tanker MV Bahia Blanca which was on fire.

In 1969, HMS Diana was sold to the Peruvian navy, renamed BAP Palacios, and refitted at Cammell Laird with new radar and 8 Exocet missiles.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the HMS Diana from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Links to articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the ship;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.

Yarrow Shipbuilders Limited
Torpedo/Gun Boats
Steam Gun Boat (SGB)	SGB Grey Fox
Destroyers
Daring-class	HMS Diana