Difference between revisions of "HMS Dido"
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| − | {{Specs-Card|code=uk_cruiser_dido}} | + | {{Specs-Card |
| + | |code=uk_cruiser_dido | ||
| + | |images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}} | ||
| + | }} | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | <!--''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the | + | <!-- ''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the ship's creation and military application. In the second part, tell the reader about using this ship in the game. Add a screenshot: if a beginner player has a hard time remembering vehicles by name, a picture will help them identify the ship in question.'' --> |
| − | + | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British light cruiser {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]]. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a | + | One of the first British cruisers (alongside [[HMS Enterprise|HMS ''Enterprise'']]), HMS ''Dido'' is a ''Dido''-class anti-aircraft light cruiser armed with 5.25-inch dual-purpose guns instead of the more usual light cruiser armament of 6-inch guns. She is similar in design concept to the [[USS Atlanta|USS ''Atlanta'']]. |
== General info == | == General info == | ||
=== Survivability and armour === | === Survivability and armour === | ||
| − | <!--''Talk about the | + | {{Specs-Fleet-Armour}} |
| − | + | <!-- ''Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.'' --> | |
| + | The ''Dido''<nowiki/>'s hull features 76 mm of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) plating over the sides of the machinery spaces with 25 mm of RHA covering the ends and the machinery deck. This plating covers the boilers and the parts of propeller shafts that are above the waterline. The steering gear is protected by 25.4 mm RHA plating all around. The main gun turrets and barbettes are also protected by 25.4 mm RHA, as is helm located in the central shaft leading down from the bridge. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The ammunition magazines are very well-protected against other light cruisers' and destroyers' main guns. They are located below the waterline and there is 50.8 mm RHA deck plating over the main gun magazines, as well as covering the bow and stern-facing ends of the magazines. The sides of the magazines are protected by 19.05 mm of anti-fragmentation armour. In addition, there are fuel tanks on each side of the magazines. This means that only plunging fire from high calibre guns can be expected to reach the magazines. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The rest of the hull is entirely unprotected by anything other than the standard 25 mm steel plating of light cruisers. The bridge, in particular, is open and quite vulnerable to getting disabled by even destroyers. | ||
| + | |||
| + | There is also 12.7 mm hardened armour plating facing the front of the 20 mm Oerlikon mounts. | ||
=== Mobility === | === Mobility === | ||
| − | ''Write about the | + | {{Specs-Fleet-Mobility}} |
| + | <!-- ''Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.'' --> | ||
| + | The ''Dido''<nowiki/>'s mobility is rather standard for a light cruiser. She is not quite as fast or as nimble as the ''Enterprise'', but her mobility is adequate for most needs. | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{NavalMobility}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Modifications and economy === | ||
| + | {{Specs-Economy}} | ||
== Armament == | == Armament == | ||
| + | {{Specs-Fleet-Armaments}} | ||
=== Primary armament === | === Primary armament === | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Specs-Fleet-Primary}} |
| − | <!--''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. | + | <!-- ''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.'' --> |
| − | Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.''--> | + | {{main|5.25 inch/50 QF Mark I (133 mm)}} |
| − | The | + | The ''Dido''<nowiki/>'s primary armament consists of ten QF 5.25-inch dual-purpose guns. These are most comparable to the 5"/38 guns carried by most American destroyers and the [[USS Atlanta|USS ''Atlanta'']]. The 5.25-inch gun's rate-of-fire is much lower (10 rounds/minute vs. 22 rounds/minute), firing generally heavier shells. |
| + | |||
| + | All of the main gun turrets are capable of full 360° traverse and elevating up to 70°, allowing them to engage aircraft effectively. They also have a relatively fast traverse rate compared to other light cruisers, although a bit on the slow side for engaging aircraft. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The ammunition types available consist of HE, SAP, and HE-VT. HE-VT is broadly superior to standard HE, especially against aircraft. Despite the heavier shells, both contain less explosive filler than the HE shells of the American 5"/38. The SAP is superior to the Common shells of the American 5"/38, having better penetration and more explosive filler. It is capable of penetrating light cruisers, and even heavy cruisers at close range. | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{:5.25 inch/50 QF Mark I (133 mm)/Ammunition|5.25 inch HE, 5.25 inch Mark II SAP, 5.25 inch HE-VT}} | ||
=== Secondary armament === | === Secondary armament === | ||
| + | {{Specs-Fleet-Secondary}} | ||
| + | <!-- ''Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control <code>Select secondary weapon</code>. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.'' --> | ||
{{main|2pdr QF Mk.VIII (40 mm)}} | {{main|2pdr QF Mk.VIII (40 mm)}} | ||
| − | '' | + | |
| + | The ''Dido''<nowiki/>'s designated secondary armament is the two quadruple 2-pdr 'pom-pom' guns mounted amidships. These are primarily anti-aircraft guns, although they can be effective against lighter targets such as destroyers and coastal craft at close ranges. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * '''Universal:''' {{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}} | ||
| + | * '''40 mm HE:''' {{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}} | ||
| + | * '''40 mm AP:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{:2pdr QF Mk.VIII (40 mm)/Ammunition|AP-T, HEF}} | ||
=== Anti-aircraft armament === | === Anti-aircraft armament === | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Specs-Fleet-AA}} |
| − | <!--''An important part of the | + | <!-- ''An important part of the ship's armament responsible for air defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control <code>Select anti-aircraft weapons</code>. Talk about the ship's anti-air cannons and machine guns, the number of guns and their positions, their effective range, and about their overall effectiveness – including against surface targets. If there are no anti-aircraft armaments, remove this section.'' --> |
| − | + | {{main|20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)}} | |
| − | === | + | The ''Dido''<nowiki/>'s designated anti-aircraft armament consists of five single 20 mm Oerlikon mounts. These are lethal against coastal craft and aircraft that dare to approach within range. |
| + | |||
| + | === Additional armament === | ||
| + | {{Specs-Fleet-Additional}} | ||
| + | <!-- ''Describe the available additional armaments of the ship: depth charges, mines, torpedoes. Talk about their positions, available ammunition and launch features such as dead zones of torpedoes. If there is no additional armament, remove this section.'' --> | ||
{{main|Mk.IX (533 mm)}} | {{main|Mk.IX (533 mm)}} | ||
| − | |||
| − | + | The ''Dido'' is armed with two triple 21-inch torpedo tubes located next to the aft funnel, one on each side of the ship. Unlike on British destroyers, these torpedo tubes have wide traverse arcs. They are armed with the Mk. IX torpedo, which has a powerful 340 kg TNT warhead and long range (9.67 km) even without the torpedo modification. | |
== Usage in battles == | == 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 – | + | <!-- ''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).'' --> |
| − | The Dido | + | The ''Dido''<nowiki/>'s unusual main gun battery makes her very specialised as an anti-aircraft and anti-destroyer ship. She is very well protected against destroyer guns, and in return, a single salvo from her ten 5.25-inch guns will inflict a great deal of damage to them. |
| + | |||
| + | Conversely, the ''Dido'' will struggle against even light cruisers at medium to long ranges, having to rely on whittling down the crews using fires and HE. At close range, her SAP is effective against light cruisers, and the high rate-of-fire compared to cruiser 6-inch guns can be used to disable and then overwhelm them. However, the ''Dido''<nowiki/>'s armour can be penetrated relatively easily by the 6-inch guns of most light cruisers, so engaging in straight-up trading fights will usually result in taking extensive damage, even if the ''Dido'' emerges victorious. The ''Dido'' is mostly helpless against heavy cruisers and battleships other than getting close enough to torpedo them. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Once the HE-VT shells have been unlocked, the 5.25-inch gun is quite effective against aircraft, though the relatively low rate-of-fire makes it less than ideal in the role compared to other true dual-purpose guns such as the British 4.5-inch or the American 5"/38 guns. The 'pom-poms' and 20 mm Oerlikons mostly function as back-up to the main guns. They should not be relied upon to shoot down aircraft except at close ranges. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Because of her weight distribution and narrow hull, Dido rolls rather dramatically in turns, leaning towards the outer side of the turning circle. It might prove detrimental in close range combat, as guns can't depress enough to fire at anything inside ~4 km range on the raised side (assuming full speed ahead, max rudder deflection). | ||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
| − | <!-- | + | <!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' --> |
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
| − | * | + | * Well-protected ammunition magazines and machinery spaces. |
| − | + | * Primary armament dispersed across 5 turrets (3 bow, 2 stern). | |
| − | * Primary armament dispersed across | + | * Main gun turrets have unrestricted traverse arcs and high elevation arcs. |
| + | * Access to HE-VT shells. | ||
| + | * High rate-of-fire for the main guns' calibre. | ||
| + | * Low horizontal gun dispersion. | ||
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
| − | * | + | * Lightly armoured main gun turrets and unarmoured bridge. |
| + | * Low penetration and individual shell damage output compared to 6-inch guns. | ||
| + | * Low rate-of-fire compared to other dual-purpose main guns. | ||
| + | * Relatively small close/medium-range anti-aircraft battery. | ||
| + | * High vertical gun dispersion. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
| − | <!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too | + | <!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> |
| + | [[File:HMS Dido (37).jpg|thumb|450x450px|HMS Dido at anchor in the Firth of Forth.]] | ||
| + | HMS ''Dido'' (37) was a British AA cruiser and the lead ship of her class, a series of 16 ships built in the late 1930s to the early 1940s. Designed for fleet air defence, the ships were armed with a 5.25-inch (133 mm) main battery capable of engaging both ships and naval vessels. ''Dido'' was commissioned in 1940 and deployed to the Mediterranean, serving there for the large part of the Second World War. She later deployed to the Arctic, and in 1945 accepted the surrender of the Kriegsmarine. ''Dido'' was present at the Coronation review of 1953 as the flagship of the Reserve fleet, and was scrapped in 1957. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Design and development === | ||
| + | Following the four ships of the ''Arethusa'' class, the British navy decided to construct a new class of light cruiser for anti-aircraft duties - the ''Dido'' class. Displacing 6850 tons on full load, the ships were small even for a light cruiser. Their armour was also scarce, the main belt being just 3 inches (76 mm) thick. The ''Dido''<nowiki/>'s main armament comprised 10 5.25-inch (133 mm) guns in five dual-purpose turrets, which served as the primary anti-ship and anti-aircraft armament. Her anti-aircraft armament was initially weak (quite surprising given her role), composed of three quad pom-poms and five single Oerlikon cannons; this was improved over the course of the Second World War. ''Dido'' was initially laid down in 1937, and was commissioned by 1940. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Operational history === | ||
| + | Immediately after her commissioning, the ''Dido'' was sent to Scapa Flow, and spent the next couple months in training. However, she was soon dispatched to the British fleet in the Mediterranean, and soon began operating as part of the British East Mediterranean fleet. She ran supplies to Malta, and later helped move 7 million dollars of Gold away from the conflict-torn lands of Greece. She participated in several runs to the besieged island of Crete and was later damaged by bombs while escorting a troop convoy to Alexandria. She was later bombed again, but quickly repaired as she made up a significant portion of the ship-starved British East Mediterranean fleet. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''Dido'' spent the greater part of 1942 and 1943 in the Mediterranean, though she travelled back to the UK on several occasions for various reasons. In 1944, she was recalled to the UK and began convoy operations in the Arctic, and thereafter stayed in the northern Atlantic to lay mines and provide fire support. In May of 1945, she fired the last naval shot in Europe as she accepted the surrender of the Kriegsmarine; she then escorted the cruisers ''Prinz Eugen'' and ''Nurnberg'' to internment at Wilhelmshaven. Following the cessation of hostilities, ''Dido'' was reduced to reserve; she took part in the 1953 Coronation review of Queen Elizabeth II as the flagship of the reserve fleet. She was eventually sold for scrap in 1957. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === [[wt:en/news/5948-development-hms-dido-the-peacemaker-en|Devblog]] === | ||
The Dido-class light cruiser was designed in the 1930s as convoy escorts and destroyer leaders, intended for operations in the Mediterranean. As such, ships of the Dido-class had to be both large enough to operate in rough waters as well as fast and manoeuvrable enough in order to keep up with destroyers, whilst at the same time remaining relatively cheap to produce in large numbers. | The Dido-class light cruiser was designed in the 1930s as convoy escorts and destroyer leaders, intended for operations in the Mediterranean. As such, ships of the Dido-class had to be both large enough to operate in rough waters as well as fast and manoeuvrable enough in order to keep up with destroyers, whilst at the same time remaining relatively cheap to produce in large numbers. | ||
| − | HMS Dido, the lead ship of her class, was laid down in October 1937. In July 1939, Dido was completed and commissioned into service a year later. HMS | + | HMS Dido, the lead ship of her class, was laid down in October 1937. In July 1939, Dido was completed and commissioned into service a year later. HMS Dido's early service life was marked with convoy escort duties in the Atlantic, before joining the Eastern Mediterranean Fleet in April 1941. |
| − | As part of the Royal | + | As part of the Royal Navy's Mediterranean forces, HMS Dido took part in numerous major operations, including the landings at Sicily and mainland Italy as well as southern France. During her service in the Mediterranean, HMS Dido performed various roles, from doing supply runs over evacuating troops to bombarding shorelines. |
By 1944, HMS Dido briefly returned to Great Britain, before being sent off on escort duties as part of the Arctic convoys. In 1945, HMS Dido was sent to Copenhagen, where the warship fired the last naval shot as part of the war in Europe, however not in anger, but in celebration of the surrender of the German Kriegsmarine. | By 1944, HMS Dido briefly returned to Great Britain, before being sent off on escort duties as part of the Arctic convoys. In 1945, HMS Dido was sent to Copenhagen, where the warship fired the last naval shot as part of the war in Europe, however not in anger, but in celebration of the surrender of the German Kriegsmarine. | ||
| Line 67: | Line 128: | ||
Sometime after the end of WW2, HMS Dido joined the ranks of the Royal Navy reserve fleet, remaining in service for another good decade. In 1957 however, HMS Dido was decommissioned from service and sold for scrap. | Sometime after the end of WW2, HMS Dido joined the ranks of the Royal Navy reserve fleet, remaining in service for another good decade. In 1957 however, HMS Dido was decommissioned from service and sold for scrap. | ||
| − | ''- | + | == Media == |
| + | <!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ;Skins | ||
| + | * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=uk_cruiser_dido Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | ||
| − | + | ;Videos | |
| − | '' | + | {{Youtube-gallery|bAGQ_HTxUfg|'''HMS Dido - SAP Master [First Impressions]''' - ''Napalmratte''|XnH-NsWFMnc|'''HMS Dido - Guide 129''' - ''Flipped StuG''}} |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| − | ''Links to | + | ''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;'' | * ''reference to the series of the ship;'' | ||
| Line 79: | Line 144: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | <!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | + | <!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' |
* ''topic on the official game forum;'' | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | ||
| − | + | * ''other literature.'' --> | |
| − | * ''other literature.''--> | + | |
| + | * [[wt:en/news/5948-development-hms-dido-the-peacemaker-en|[Devblog] HMS Dido: The Peacemaker]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === References === | ||
| − | * | + | *Mason, G. B., & Smith, G. (2004). HMS Dido, British AA Cruiser. Retrieved January 07, 2021, from <nowiki>https://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-Dido.htm</nowiki> |
| + | * Helgason, G. (1995). Uboat.net. Retrieved January 07, 2021, from <nowiki>https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4010.html</nowiki> | ||
| + | {{ShipManufacturer Cammell Laird}} | ||
{{Britain light cruisers}} | {{Britain light cruisers}} | ||
Latest revision as of 10:42, 31 March 2024
Contents
Description
The Dido-class, HMS Dido (37), 1941 is a rank IV British light cruiser with a battle rating of 5.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.85 "Supersonic".
One of the first British cruisers (alongside HMS Enterprise), HMS Dido is a Dido-class anti-aircraft light cruiser armed with 5.25-inch dual-purpose guns instead of the more usual light cruiser armament of 6-inch guns. She is similar in design concept to the USS Atlanta.
General info
Survivability and armour
The Dido's hull features 76 mm of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) plating over the sides of the machinery spaces with 25 mm of RHA covering the ends and the machinery deck. This plating covers the boilers and the parts of propeller shafts that are above the waterline. The steering gear is protected by 25.4 mm RHA plating all around. The main gun turrets and barbettes are also protected by 25.4 mm RHA, as is helm located in the central shaft leading down from the bridge.
The ammunition magazines are very well-protected against other light cruisers' and destroyers' main guns. They are located below the waterline and there is 50.8 mm RHA deck plating over the main gun magazines, as well as covering the bow and stern-facing ends of the magazines. The sides of the magazines are protected by 19.05 mm of anti-fragmentation armour. In addition, there are fuel tanks on each side of the magazines. This means that only plunging fire from high calibre guns can be expected to reach the magazines.
The rest of the hull is entirely unprotected by anything other than the standard 25 mm steel plating of light cruisers. The bridge, in particular, is open and quite vulnerable to getting disabled by even destroyers.
There is also 12.7 mm hardened armour plating facing the front of the 20 mm Oerlikon mounts.
Mobility
The Dido's mobility is rather standard for a light cruiser. She is not quite as fast or as nimble as the Enterprise, but her mobility is adequate for most needs.
| Mobility Characteristics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Mode | Upgrade Status | Maximum Speed (km/h) | |
| Forward | Reverse | ||
| AB | |||
| Upgraded | 70 | 30 | |
| RB/SB | |||
| Upgraded | 60 | 26 | |
Modifications and economy
| Seakeeping | Unsinkability | Firepower | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Armament
Primary armament
The Dido's primary armament consists of ten QF 5.25-inch dual-purpose guns. These are most comparable to the 5"/38 guns carried by most American destroyers and the USS Atlanta. The 5.25-inch gun's rate-of-fire is much lower (10 rounds/minute vs. 22 rounds/minute), firing generally heavier shells.
All of the main gun turrets are capable of full 360° traverse and elevating up to 70°, allowing them to engage aircraft effectively. They also have a relatively fast traverse rate compared to other light cruisers, although a bit on the slow side for engaging aircraft.
The ammunition types available consist of HE, SAP, and HE-VT. HE-VT is broadly superior to standard HE, especially against aircraft. Despite the heavier shells, both contain less explosive filler than the HE shells of the American 5"/38. The SAP is superior to the Common shells of the American 5"/38, having better penetration and more explosive filler. It is capable of penetrating light cruisers, and even heavy cruisers at close range.
| 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 | ||
| 5.25 inch HE | HE | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| 5.25 inch Mark II SAP | SAPBC | 171 | 149 | 118 | 95 | 78 | 59 |
| 5.25 inch HE-VT | HE-VT | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| Shell details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (s) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg) |
Ricochet | |||||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| 5.25 inch HE | HE | 814 | 36.3 | 0 | 0.1 | 2.95 | 79° | 80° | 81° | |||
| 5.25 inch Mark II SAP | SAPBC | 814 | 36.3 | 0.025 | 5 | 1.47 | 48° | 63° | 71° | |||
| 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) (kg) |
Ricochet | |||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| 5.25 inch HE-VT | HE-VT | 814 | 36.3 | 0 | 0.1 | 274 | 18 | 2.95 | 79° | 80° | 81° | |
Secondary armament
The Dido's designated secondary armament is the two quadruple 2-pdr 'pom-pom' guns mounted amidships. These are primarily anti-aircraft guns, although they can be effective against lighter targets such as destroyers and coastal craft at close ranges.
- Universal: HEF · AP-T · HEF · AP-T
- 40 mm HE: HEF · HEF · HEF · AP-T
- 40 mm AP: AP-T · AP-T · AP-T · HEF
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | ||||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
| AP-T | 60 | 57 | 48 | 39 | 32 | 26 | |
| HEF | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Shell details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||||||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| AP-T | 701 | 0.91 | - | - | - | 47° | 60° | 65° | ||||
| HEF | 701 | 0.82 | 0 | 0.1 | 71 | 79° | 80° | 81° | ||||
Anti-aircraft armament
The Dido's designated anti-aircraft armament consists of five single 20 mm Oerlikon mounts. These are lethal against coastal craft and aircraft that dare to approach within range.
Additional armament
The Dido is armed with two triple 21-inch torpedo tubes located next to the aft funnel, one on each side of the ship. Unlike on British destroyers, these torpedo tubes have wide traverse arcs. They are armed with the Mk. IX torpedo, which has a powerful 340 kg TNT warhead and long range (9.67 km) even without the torpedo modification.
Usage in battles
The Dido's unusual main gun battery makes her very specialised as an anti-aircraft and anti-destroyer ship. She is very well protected against destroyer guns, and in return, a single salvo from her ten 5.25-inch guns will inflict a great deal of damage to them.
Conversely, the Dido will struggle against even light cruisers at medium to long ranges, having to rely on whittling down the crews using fires and HE. At close range, her SAP is effective against light cruisers, and the high rate-of-fire compared to cruiser 6-inch guns can be used to disable and then overwhelm them. However, the Dido's armour can be penetrated relatively easily by the 6-inch guns of most light cruisers, so engaging in straight-up trading fights will usually result in taking extensive damage, even if the Dido emerges victorious. The Dido is mostly helpless against heavy cruisers and battleships other than getting close enough to torpedo them.
Once the HE-VT shells have been unlocked, the 5.25-inch gun is quite effective against aircraft, though the relatively low rate-of-fire makes it less than ideal in the role compared to other true dual-purpose guns such as the British 4.5-inch or the American 5"/38 guns. The 'pom-poms' and 20 mm Oerlikons mostly function as back-up to the main guns. They should not be relied upon to shoot down aircraft except at close ranges.
Because of her weight distribution and narrow hull, Dido rolls rather dramatically in turns, leaning towards the outer side of the turning circle. It might prove detrimental in close range combat, as guns can't depress enough to fire at anything inside ~4 km range on the raised side (assuming full speed ahead, max rudder deflection).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Well-protected ammunition magazines and machinery spaces.
- Primary armament dispersed across 5 turrets (3 bow, 2 stern).
- Main gun turrets have unrestricted traverse arcs and high elevation arcs.
- Access to HE-VT shells.
- High rate-of-fire for the main guns' calibre.
- Low horizontal gun dispersion.
Cons:
- Lightly armoured main gun turrets and unarmoured bridge.
- Low penetration and individual shell damage output compared to 6-inch guns.
- Low rate-of-fire compared to other dual-purpose main guns.
- Relatively small close/medium-range anti-aircraft battery.
- High vertical gun dispersion.
History
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HMS Dido (37) was a British AA cruiser and the lead ship of her class, a series of 16 ships built in the late 1930s to the early 1940s. Designed for fleet air defence, the ships were armed with a 5.25-inch (133 mm) main battery capable of engaging both ships and naval vessels. Dido was commissioned in 1940 and deployed to the Mediterranean, serving there for the large part of the Second World War. She later deployed to the Arctic, and in 1945 accepted the surrender of the Kriegsmarine. Dido was present at the Coronation review of 1953 as the flagship of the Reserve fleet, and was scrapped in 1957.
Design and development
Following the four ships of the Arethusa class, the British navy decided to construct a new class of light cruiser for anti-aircraft duties - the Dido class. Displacing 6850 tons on full load, the ships were small even for a light cruiser. Their armour was also scarce, the main belt being just 3 inches (76 mm) thick. The Dido's main armament comprised 10 5.25-inch (133 mm) guns in five dual-purpose turrets, which served as the primary anti-ship and anti-aircraft armament. Her anti-aircraft armament was initially weak (quite surprising given her role), composed of three quad pom-poms and five single Oerlikon cannons; this was improved over the course of the Second World War. Dido was initially laid down in 1937, and was commissioned by 1940.
Operational history
Immediately after her commissioning, the Dido was sent to Scapa Flow, and spent the next couple months in training. However, she was soon dispatched to the British fleet in the Mediterranean, and soon began operating as part of the British East Mediterranean fleet. She ran supplies to Malta, and later helped move 7 million dollars of Gold away from the conflict-torn lands of Greece. She participated in several runs to the besieged island of Crete and was later damaged by bombs while escorting a troop convoy to Alexandria. She was later bombed again, but quickly repaired as she made up a significant portion of the ship-starved British East Mediterranean fleet.
Dido spent the greater part of 1942 and 1943 in the Mediterranean, though she travelled back to the UK on several occasions for various reasons. In 1944, she was recalled to the UK and began convoy operations in the Arctic, and thereafter stayed in the northern Atlantic to lay mines and provide fire support. In May of 1945, she fired the last naval shot in Europe as she accepted the surrender of the Kriegsmarine; she then escorted the cruisers Prinz Eugen and Nurnberg to internment at Wilhelmshaven. Following the cessation of hostilities, Dido was reduced to reserve; she took part in the 1953 Coronation review of Queen Elizabeth II as the flagship of the reserve fleet. She was eventually sold for scrap in 1957.
Devblog
The Dido-class light cruiser was designed in the 1930s as convoy escorts and destroyer leaders, intended for operations in the Mediterranean. As such, ships of the Dido-class had to be both large enough to operate in rough waters as well as fast and manoeuvrable enough in order to keep up with destroyers, whilst at the same time remaining relatively cheap to produce in large numbers.
HMS Dido, the lead ship of her class, was laid down in October 1937. In July 1939, Dido was completed and commissioned into service a year later. HMS Dido's early service life was marked with convoy escort duties in the Atlantic, before joining the Eastern Mediterranean Fleet in April 1941.
As part of the Royal Navy's Mediterranean forces, HMS Dido took part in numerous major operations, including the landings at Sicily and mainland Italy as well as southern France. During her service in the Mediterranean, HMS Dido performed various roles, from doing supply runs over evacuating troops to bombarding shorelines.
By 1944, HMS Dido briefly returned to Great Britain, before being sent off on escort duties as part of the Arctic convoys. In 1945, HMS Dido was sent to Copenhagen, where the warship fired the last naval shot as part of the war in Europe, however not in anger, but in celebration of the surrender of the German Kriegsmarine.
Sometime after the end of WW2, HMS Dido joined the ranks of the Royal Navy reserve fleet, remaining in service for another good decade. In 1957 however, HMS Dido was decommissioned from service and sold for scrap.
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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
References
- Mason, G. B., & Smith, G. (2004). HMS Dido, British AA Cruiser. Retrieved January 07, 2021, from https://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-Dido.htm
- Helgason, G. (1995). Uboat.net. Retrieved January 07, 2021, from https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4010.html
| Cammell Laird | |
|---|---|
| Frigates | |
| Whitby-class | HMS Whitby |
| Destroyers | |
| V-class | HMS Valhalla |
| Light Cruisers | |
| Dido-class | HMS Dido |
| Britain light cruisers | |
|---|---|
| Emerald-class | HMS Enterprise |
| Dido-class | HMS Dido |
| Leander-class | HMNZS Leander |
| Arethusa-class | HMS Arethusa |
| Town-class | HMS Belfast · HMS Liverpool · HMS Southampton |
| Tiger-class | HMS Tiger |
| Abdiel-class* | HMS Abdiel |
