HMS Dido

HMS Dido

HMS Daring

HMS York

HMS Dido

HMS Daring

HMS York

Britain

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
5.3	5.3	5.3

Class:

Light cruiser

Research:61 000

Purchase:230 000

Show in game

Description

The HMS Dido (37) is a member of the Dido-class light cruiser family. Constructed in 1940 for World War II, she saw service throughout the war. The keel of the HMS Dido was laid down on October 26, 1937, by the Birkenhead-based Cammell Laird Shipyard. She was launched on July 18, 1939, and commissioned on September 30, 1940, in Birkenhead. In September 1940, the HMS Dido was sent to Scapa Flow for overhaul after being commissioned. High-speed sweeps off Fair Isle and Greenland were part of this. Following this, the HMS Dido's first mission, in November 1940, was to ferry aircraft from the aircraft carrier Furious to West Africa. She escorted convoys in the Atlantic at the start of World War II before moving to the Mediterranean. The HMS Dido took part in the second battle of the Gulf of Sirte in 1942, the landings in Sicily in 1943, and the French south coast in 1944. She escorted Arctic convoys and supported strikes off the coast of Norway in 1945. After the war, the HMS Dido was used for ceremonial purposes. In July 1945, Queen Elizabeth and King George VI were brought to the Isle of Man by the HMS Dido. From 1946 until 1948, she was commanded by P. Reid. She took part in the Fleet Review in 1953 to honour the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II as flagship of the Reserve Fleet. Subsequently, in 1957, she was withdrawn from service and acquired by Thos. W. Ward for decommissioning. She was scrapped at Barrow-in-Furness.

Introduced in Update 1.85 "Supersonic", the HMS Dido is best used to shield allies from enemy aircraft and hunt enemy destroyers. She is very well protected against destroyers' standard armaments, and in exchange, her main armament can deal a significant amount of damage to them with just one salvo. At medium to long range, however, the HMS Dido will find it difficult to compete with even light cruisers. In addition, most light cruisers can penetrate the weak armour rather easily, so it is not advisable to engage enemy larger vessels unless players have multiple allies to support them.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back

Citadel25 / 76 / 25 mm

Main fire tower25 / 25 / 25 mm

Hull25 mm (steel)

Superstructure8 mm (steel)

Number of section8

Displacement6 850 t

Crew530 people

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

Speedforward / back

AB70 / 30 km/h

RB60 / 26 km/h

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)		Turn Time (s)	Turn Radius (m)
		Forward	Reverse
AB	Stock	___	___
	Upgraded	70	30
RB/SB	Stock	___	___
	Upgraded	60	26

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB8 140 → 10 590

RB8 517 → 11 080

Total cost of modifications55 300

106 200

Talisman cost1 400

Crew training65 000

Experts230 000

Aces820

Research Aces440 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

400 / 600 / 100 %

160 / 160 / 160 %

Modifications

Seakeeping	Unsinkability	Firepower
Dry-Docking Research: 2 200 Cost: 4 200 170 Rudder Replacement Research: 2 500 Cost: 4 800 195 Propeller Replacement Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 400 180 Engine Maintenance Research: 4 500 Cost: 8 700 350	Damage Control Division Research: 2 200 Cost: 4 200 170 Fire Division Research: 2 500 Cost: 4 800 195 Smokescreen Research: 2 500 Cost: 4 800 195 Shrapnel Protection Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 400 180 Ventilation Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 400 180 New Pumps Research: 4 500 Cost: 8 700 350 Ammo Wetting Research: 4 500 Cost: 8 700 350	Anti-Air Armament Targeting Research: 2 200 Cost: 4 200 170 40mm_qf_mkxv_he_ammo_pack Research: 2 200 Cost: 4 200 170 133mm_uk_qf_mk1_SAP_ammo_pack Research: 2 200 Cost: 4 200 170 Auxiliary Armament Targeting Research: 2 500 Cost: 4 800 195 40mm_qf_mkxv_ap_ammo_pack Research: 2 500 Cost: 4 800 195 Primary Armament Targeting Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 400 180 Improved Rangefinder Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 400 180 133mm_uk_qf_mk1_aa_radiofuse_ammo_pack Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 400 180 Torpedo Mode Research: 4 500 Cost: 8 700 350

Armament

Primary armament

5 х Turret2 x 5.25 inch/50 QF Mark I cannon

Ammunition360 rounds

Vertical guidance-5° / 70°

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

2 х Turret4 x 40 mm 2pdr QF Mk.VIII automatic cannon

Ammunition8960 rounds

Belt capacity56 rounds

Fire rate200 shots/min

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

5 х Turret20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II autocannon

Ammunition1800 rounds

Belt capacity60 rounds

Fire rate450 shots/min

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

Setup 16 x 533 mm Mk.IX wet-heater torpedo

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

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'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.

Media

Skins

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

Videos

HMS Dido - SAP Master [First Impressions] - Napalmratte

HMS Dido - Guide 129 - Flipped StuG

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

• [Devblog] HMS Dido: The Peacemaker

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