BNC Algerine-class Minesweeper, M903 A.F. Dufour / N'Zadi

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Where would you like to see this vehicle?
  • (independent) BeNeLux tree
  • France: BeNeLux subtree
  • Belgian-Congo flagged N’Zadi
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What versions would you like to see?
  • 1 × 102 mm + 4 × 40 mm Bofors (1951–1957 fit)
  • 5 × 40 mm Bofors (1965–1970 Belgian-Congo fit)
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The M903 A.F. Dufour, later renamed N’Zadi, was another Algerine-class minesweeper purchased by Belgium in 1951. Like her sister ships, she combined a single 102 mm/50 Mk XIX gun with multiple 40 mm Bofors for anti-air and anti-surface defense. In 1957, she was renamed N’Zadi and permanently stationed at the Banana naval base in the Belgian Congo, where she served as a training ship for Congolese personnel until independence in 1960.

This dual identity — first as a Belgian North Sea minesweeper, later as a Congo-based naval school ship — makes her particularly interesting for War Thunder, where she could be represented in both her 1950s 4 × 40 mm version or her later 5 × 40 mm fit.

TL;DR: Another Belgian Algerine with a Congo twist — same 102 mm firepower, but with either 4 or 5 single 40 mm Bofors depending on the period.

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Belgian Navy service, as M903 A.F. Dufour, early 1950s.

History

History

Built at Blyth Dry-Docks Shipbuilding (Northumberland), the ship was laid down on 22 July 1942, launched on 5 April 1943, and commissioned as HMS Fancy (J308) into the Royal Navy on 21 November 1943. After the war, she remained in service until sold to Belgium in August 1951, where she was renamed M903 A.F. Dufour.

Between 1951–1957, she served in the Belgian North Sea fleet, carrying the same armament fit as her sister ship M901 Lecointe: a 102 mm dual-purpose gun and 4 × 40 mm Bofors.

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N’Zadi stationed at Banana, Congo (1958). Photo: Jacques Dziechciarek

In September 1957, she was renamed N’Zadi and permanently stationed at the naval school in Banana (Congo) to help train Congolese naval cadets. After Congo’s independence in 1960, the ship was abandoned, later salvaged and briefly reconditioned by South African forces.

Despite her short career under the Belgian flag, her dual Belgian–Congolese service makes her a distinctive Cold War naval vessel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_7dpIunvFE

Specifications

Shipyard: Blyth Dry-Docks Shipbuilding, Northumberland, UK
Laid down: 22 July 1942 — Launched: 5 April 1943 — Commissioned: 21 Nov 1943 (RN)
Belgian Service: 1951–1960 (as Dufour, then N’Zadi)
Displacement: 950 t standard / 1,250 t full load
Dimensions: 68.6 m length × 10.8 m beam × 3.5 m draught
Propulsion: 2 steam turbines, 2,000 hp, 2 shafts
Speed: 16.5 knots max / 12 knots cruise
Range: 4,000 nm at 10 knots
Crew: ~106 (7 officers, 36 NCOs, 63 sailors)
Electronics: Radar types 271, 242, 253; ASDIC sonar

Armament Versions

Period Main gun Secondary AA ASW Notes
1951–1957 (M903 Dufour) 1 × 102 mm/50 Mk XIX 4 × 1 40 mm Bofors 2 DC rails + 4 mortars Belgian North Sea service
1965–1970 (N’Zadi, Congo) - 5 × 1 40 mm Bofors 2 DC rails + 4 mortars Congo naval school, Banana base

Place in War Thunder

The M903 A.F. Dufour / N’Zadi would fit perfectly at Rank II–III coastal forces.

  • In her 1950s Belgian service, she mirrors M901 — balanced between a destroyer escort and a heavy minesweeper.
  • In her Congo fit (1960s), the extra 40 mm Bofors would give her slightly stronger AA firepower, putting her closer to BR 3.7.
  • As a BeNeLux subtree candidate, she also helps showcase Belgium’s naval presence outside Europe, offering a unique colonial Cold War vessel to the roster.

A good placement would be Rank III*, depending on which version is chosen.

Pictures

Pictures

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  • N’Zadi at Banana (Congo), c. 1958 — photo by Jacques Dziechciarek.

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Belgian Navy service, as M903 A.F. Dufour, early 1950s.

Sources

Sources

Belgian Navy Forum. (n.d.). M903 A.F. Dufour / N’Zadi. Retrieved August 26, 2025, from http://www.belgian-navy.be

Marine Belge. (n.d.). N’Zadi. Retrieved August 26, 2025, from https://www.marinebelge.be/nzadi.html

Chesneau, R. (Ed.). (1980). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press.

Minesweepers.org. (n.d.). Algerine Class Minesweepers. Retrieved from http://www.minesweepers.org.uk/algerine.htm