Allied Warships

Light cruisers

Leander class

6 ships


The light cruiser HMS Orion (85) of the Royal Navy.

Technical information

TypeLight cruiser
Displacement 
Length554.5 feet (oa) 
Complement550 men 
Armament8 6" guns (4x2)
8 4" AA guns (4x2), 4 4" AA guns (4x1) in Achilles
12 .5" MG AA (3x4)
8 21" torpedo tubes (2x4)
1 aircraft
1 catapult 
Max speed32.5 knots
EnginesGeared turbines, 4 shafts 
Power72000 HP 
Notes on classAchilles retained her single 4" AA guns until late in the war, she was only fitted with twin 4" mountings in 1944. The light Anti-Aircraft armament was gradually increased as the war progressed. 


All ships of the Leander class


Royal New Zealand Navy Royal New Zealand Navy (more on Royal New Zealand Navy)

HMNZS Achilles (70)
HMNZS Leander (75) (Returned to the Royal Navy as HMS Leander)


Royal Navy Royal Navy (more on Royal Navy)

HMS Ajax (22)
HMS Leander (75)
HMS Neptune (20) Lost on 19 Dec 1941
HMS Orion (85)


6 Light cruisers of the Leander class. 1 of them was lost.

Full wartime service history on this vessel.

See all Light cruiser classes.


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