The Abdiel class historically combined minelaying capacity with exceptional speed and a six-gun four-inch battery. High-angle 4.7-inch guns would retain air defence and add a much more serious surface punch. Radar-directed fire and nearly 40-knot speed could make the ship dangerous to German Schnellboote in Channel operations. Chasing such fights could still expose an expensive specialist minelayer to avoidable danger, so the extra capability would demand sound operational judgment.
Notable Point · 27:06-29:44
An Abdiel-class minelayer with six 4.7-inch guns
A fast Abdiel-class minelayer illustrates how a dual-purpose 4.7-inch mount could make a specialist ship dangerous to both aircraft and fast coastal craft.