Folgore Class Cacciatorpediniere RN Folgore (1942)

[Conte_Baracca 4,547]

The four vessels of the Folgore class (the  RN Baleno (Lightning), RN Folgore (Thunderbolt), RN Fulmine (Lightning),  and  RN Lampo (Lightning) ) share many similarities with the preceding Freccia/Dardo class.  As we all know the Freccia/Dardo class is currently represented by the  RN Dardo  in game.  In fact some people refer to the Folgores as a second series of the Freccia/Dardo class.  However, there are meaningful differences in the vessels and when we factor in later war modifications a unique vessel can be added to the game AND represent this class of destroyer.

 

Like the Freccia/Dardos before them the Folgore had the now standard fore and aft twin 120mm, two triple 533mm torpedo tubes, and a light AA suite of Vickers 40mm and 13.2mm MGs.  The difference between the two classes of vessels was the fact that the Folgores had a narrower hull in an effort to increase speed.  Unfortunately, the narrower hull didn't really improve the speed (length also being needed as one needs to increase the wavelength created by the bow cutting the ocean to generally improve speed) and exacerbated the already poor stability of the preceding destroyers.

 

As built the Folgore class had the following specifications:

Displacement (full): 2100 tons

Length: 96.1m

Beam: 9.2m

Draft: 3.3m

Machinery:  2 sets Beluzzo steam turbines, 3 Thornycroft boilers, 44,000 h.p.

Max Speed: 38 kts

Armament: 2 X 2 - 120/50 Ansaldo 1926, 2 x 1 - 40/39 Vickers-Terni, 2 x 2 - 13.2/76, 2 X 3 - 533 Torpedo Tubes

Crew:  185

 

Immediately prior to Italian entry into World War II, the Folgores would have their AA removed and replaced with 5-6 X 1 - 20/65 Breda 1939/1940.

 

During the war all of the Folgores would be lost.  The  RN Baleno  would be overwhelmed by four British destroyers ( Nubian, Mohawk, Jarvis,  and  Janus ) in April 1941.  In November of 1941 the  RN Fulmine  was sunk by a British cruiser,  HMS Aurora , and a pair of destroyers west of Syracuse.   RN Folgore   would survive till December of 1942 where she would be crushed by a large British force in the Sicilian Channel.  The RN Lampo would be severely damaged by American aircraft in April of 1943 which lead to her abandonment and sinking.

 

Despite the loss of the entire class in the war the  Folgore  and  Lampo  would receive a final upgrade during 1942.  They would have one set of their triple 533mm TTs removed and replaced with a pair of 2 X 1 - 37/54 Breda 1939.

 

For War Thunder I am proposing the  Folgore   in her 1942 Configuration:   2 X 2 - 120/50 Ansaldo 1926, 2 x 1 - 37/54 Breda 1939, 6 X 1 - 20/65 Breda 1939/1940, 1 X 3 - 533 Torpedo Tubes.  This would give the ship fewer torpedo tubes than the Dardo, but a much much better AA suite, one that would be more effective against small craft as well as aircraft.  This would make the ship meaningfully different to play and worthy of addition.

 

Sources:

https://www.naval-encyclopedia.com/ww2/Italy/italian-destroyers-of-ww2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folgore-class_destroyer

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folgore_(cacciatorpediniere)

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classe_Folgore_(cacciatorpediniere)

http://italiandestroyers.com/folgore.html

https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/mezzi/mezzi-storici/Pagine/EFGHI/folgore.aspx

 

[super_cacti 1,071]

Open for discussion 

[Nicholas_Concu 2,636]

+1 

[Milocat 4,857]

+1, would love to see some more Italian torpedo boats.

[OpusAudereSemper 80]

+1 very sweet italian torpedo boat

[Artyom_Ascaron 48]

we need to add ships to rank 1 and 2 of the blue water tt, this would be very cheap to make and help with the lack of ships in the lower ranks! plus I like the look of the dardo and folgore types of destroyers o7

[LukTroy 124]

Would be a much better vessel than the Dardo, as the 37mm Breda cannons are very good against aircraft.