Construction delays gave the Le Fantasque class time to incorporate changes beyond the preceding destroyer design. Its new 138.6 mm gun offered greater accuracy and a theoretical range of 20,000 metres, although observing shell splashes at that distance remained difficult. The longer barrel increased recoil forces and blast, placing greater demands on the mounting. Delays to the ships intended to test competing propulsion arrangements forced the machinery choice to rest on theoretical assessments. Trial speeds were exceptional: Le Terrible exceeded 45 knots and all six ships exceeded 43 knots.
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Le Fantasque combined gun range with exceptional trial speed
Gunnery changes and machinery choices improved performance, with trial speeds distinguished from practical fighting conditions.