British light cruiser HMS Achilles 1931-1936 and 1946-1948, HMNZS Achilles 1941-1946 and Indian HIMS Delhi 1948-1978

Leander-class

Australian HMAS Hobart

Building ordered on 16 February 1931, launched at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, England on 11 June 1931. Launched on 1 September 1932, commissioned on 10 October 1933, loaned to New Zealand in 1936, participated in the Battle of the River Plata against the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee on 13 December 1939, served in the Royal New Zealand Navy as HMNZS Achilles 1941- 17 September 1946, then again part of the Royal British Navy 1946-194, sold to India in 1948 becoming the HIMS Delhi, commissioned on 5 July 1948, decommissioned on 30 June 1978 and finally broken up in 1978.

Pennant 70. Of the Leander-class light cruisers consisting of the Leander, Orion, Neptune, Ajax, Achilles, Amphion, Apollo and Sydney). With the Leander and the Perth-Sydney-Hobart forming sub classes. Preceded by the Emerald class and succeeded by the Arethusa-class.

Displacement 7.270 (standard)-9.740 (full load) tons and as dimensions 169,1 x 17 x 5,8 metres or 554.9 x 56 x 19.1 feet. The 4 Parsons geared steam turbines and 6 Admiralty 3-drum oil-fired boilers supplied 72.000 shp allowing a speed of 32,5 knots and a with a speed of 13 knots a range of 5.730 nautical miles. Crew numbered 550 (peace)-680 (war). The original armament consisted of 4x2-16,2cm/6” Mk XXIII naval guns, 4x1-10,2cm/4” guns (since 1937 2x2), 12-0.5 Vickers machineguns, 8-53,3cm/ 21” torpedo tubes. In 1945 armed with 4x2-16,2cm 6” guns, 8-10,2cm/4” guns, 16-4cm Bofors guns and 2x4-53.3cm/21” torpedo tubes. Fitted out with one plane. Originally a Fairey Seafox later replaced by a Supermarine Walrus. The armour consisted of a 6,4cm (end)-10,2cm/2.5”- 4” thick belt, a 6,4cm/2.5”, a 3,2-5,1cm/1.25-2” thick deck with the turrets protected by 2,5cm/1” thick armour.