Ordered in 1939 on the brink of the Second World War, the M class entered service amid intense wartime demand in 1941-42. At roughly 1,920 tons standard displacement, the ships were about one hundred tons heavier than the Tribal class. Their unusual-looking but capable twin 4.7-inch gun mountings have widely spaced barrels that give the turrets a distinctive profile. Meteor's appeal combines useful fighting power, visual character, and a memorable name. Differences among British 4.7-inch weapons also complicate comparisons between superficially similar destroyers.
Notable Point · 4:25-6:25
HMS Meteor and the M-class destroyers
Number ten is HMS Meteor, an M-class destroyer whose large twin 4.7-inch mountings gave the class a distinctive wartime profile.