BNC MMS-class (120ft) 'M947' - Extra long motor minesweeper

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The M947 (ex-HMS MMS 1020) is a Belgian MMS-class motor minesweeper, originally built for the Royal Navy during World War II. It was transferred to Belgium in 1946 and served primarily in coastal mine-clearing, hydrographic research, and fishery protection. Its Belgian armament consisted of 2× 20 mm Oerlikon cannons and 2× 12.7 mm machine guns. M947 is notable for its post-war service in the Belgian Navy until 1955 and as a representative of belgian WWII elongated coastal mine warfare vessels.

TL;DR: WWII-era MMS-class 120ft motor minesweeper in Belgian service (MMS 947). Belgian fit: 2×20 mm Oerlikons + 2×12.7 mm MGs. Served 1946–1955 for minesweeping, hydrography, and fishery protection.

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(MMS 947 ex-HMS MMS 1020)

History

History

Origins & Royal Navy service. Built by J.W. & A. Upham, Brixham, UK. Launched 1 October 1943 and commissioned 14 February 1944 as HMS MMS 1020. Served the Royal Navy as a coastal minesweeper during the later years of World War II under RNVR command.

Belgian service. Transferred to the Belgian Navy on 9 May 1946. Served as M947 between 1950–1954 in the Belgian Naval Force. Used for mine-clearing, coastal patrol, hydrographic survey, and fishery protection. Commanded sequentially by officers including T/Lt. Llewellyn Ross Llewellyn, Lt. E.C. Herremans, Lt de Vaisseau Geinaert, and Aspirant Crepin, among others.

Decommissioning. Sold for scrap on 25 August 1955 to A.R. Challis Ltd, London, England, marking the end of its service.

Specifications

Belgian service (M947)

  • Builders: J.W. & A. Upham, Brixham, UK.
  • Length: 42.60 m
  • Beam: 7.92 m
  • Draught: 3.80 m
  • Displacement: 255 t standard, 290 t full load
  • Speed: 10 kn
  • Propulsion: 1 × 500 hp Harland & Wolff diesel engine, 1 propeller
  • Range: 4000 nmi at 9 kn
  • Crew: 2 officers, 18 ratings
Armament (Belgian fit, M947) Amount & Type Location
Main Battery 2× 20 mm Oerlikon Fore & aft
Machine Guns 2× 12.7 mm MG Midship

Place in War Thunder

M947 would be a Rank I (BR ~1.0–1.3) coastal minesweeper for Belgium, ideal for early-tier coastal defense missions, mine-clearing objectives, and historical campaign scenarios. Its post-war hydrographic and fishery patrol role could inspire alternate mission types.

Regarding nations

BeNeLux

Could appear in the independent BeNeLux tree or the France: BeNeLux subtree as a historical coastal patrol/mine-clearing vessel.

UK

Could appear as a British event vehicle, reflecting its original Royal Navy service as HMS MMS 1020.

Pictures

Pictures

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The interior

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As MMS 947

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At Gentse Droogdokken as MMS 1020

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As MMS 1020 on the 10th of March 1940

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In February of 1949

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In the Dry-dock for a last time.

Sources

Sources
1 Like
2

+1 for all Minesweepers, they’re often forgotten and imo have tons of personality.

2 Likes
3

+1 Shame gajin seems vehemently against most unique Belgian stuff

1 Like