MBT B-class destroyers "Friesland" class (1956–58) – Construction drawing, scale 1:100 (10.11.024)

Article number:

10.11.024

The Friesland-class submarine hunters, also known as B-hunters, were a series of modern destroyers designed and built in the Netherlands in the 1950s specifically for the Royal Netherlands Navy. These ships formed the backbone of the Dutch navy during the Cold War.

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Friesland-class anti-submarine destroyers

(B-hunters, 1956–1980s)

 

General information

Number of ships: 8

In service: Between 1956 and 1958

Decommissioned: Between 1977 and 1989

Type: Destroyer escort / ASW destroyer

Primary purpose: Anti-submarine warfare (ASW)

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List of ships (with year of commissioning)

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Technical specifications

Displacement: approx. 2,800 tonnes (standard), approx. 3,300 tonnes (fully loaded)

Length: 116 metres

Beam: 11.6 metres

Draught: 5.2 metres

Propulsion: 2 steam turbines, 45,000 hp

Speed: approx. 32 knots

Crew: approx. 250

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Armament

2 × twin 120 mm guns (fore and aft)

2 × 40 mm anti-aircraft guns (Bofors)

Anti-submarine missile launchers (including Hedgehog, later ASW missiles)

Torpedo tubes (for Mk 44 torpedoes, later Mk 46)

No guided missiles (unlike later ships such as the Tromp class)

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Sensors and electronics

Radar for air and surface surveillance

Sonar (hull-mounted) for submarine detection

Subsequent upgrades with improved ASW equipment

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Key features

Entirely Dutch design and construction

Based on earlier American destroyers, but adapted to Dutch requirements

Equipped for squadron escort and independent operations

Robust, reliable, and suitable for long patrols

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Operational deployment

NATO exercises and fleet formations

Patrols and escorts during the Cold War

Participation in decolonisation conflicts, including Dutch New Guinea

Humanitarian missions and diplomatic flag-flying

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End of service

Replaced from the late 1970s by Kortenaer-class frigates

Some ships sold to Peru, including:

HNLMS Drenthe → BAP Guise

HNLMS Overijssel → BAP Villar

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Historical significance

Last generation of Dutch destroyers

Symbolised the maritime reconstruction following the Second World War

Played a key role in the Netherlands’ contribution to NATO naval formations

 

Specifications:

Drawing number	10.11.024
Description	B-class destroyers "Friesland" class (1956–58)
Quality	frames; side view; decks; details
Scale	1 : 100
Number of sheets A00	0
Number of A0 sheets	2
Number of A1 sheets	0
Number of A2 sheets	0
Number of A3 sheets	0
Number of A4 sheets	0
Total number of drawing sheets	2
Number of A4 text pages	0
Weight in grams	185
Details	Overall length 116 cm dM 1966/4 Copy of item 12.11.024 (3 pages of photographs) "Friesland", "Groningen", "Limburg", "Overijssel", "Drenthe", "Utrecht", "Rotterdam", "Amsterdam" D812 to 818
Comments	Check service numbers and dates