MSI Ham Type Herstal-class inshore minesweeper, BNC M472 Kortrijk

Suggestions Naval
1
Would you like to see this in-game?
  • Yes
  • No
0 voters
Where would you like to see this vehicle?
  • (independent) BeNeLux tree
  • France: BeNeLux subtree
  • other
  • no/negative
0 voters

The M472 Kortrijk was a Belgian MSI-class (dragueur de mines de petit fond) inshore minesweeper, laid down in March 1957 at the Mercantile Marine Yard, Kruibeke, and commissioned in June 1958. Designed for operations in rivers, estuaries, and shallow coastal zones, she was one of the longest-serving Belgian MSI-class ships, remaining in naval service until 1989. Armed with a twin 12.7 mm Browning mount, she combined modest defensive firepower with effective Cold War mine countermeasure capabilities.

With more than 30 years of Belgian Navy service, Kortrijk is notable for being among the last active MSI vessels, outlasting most of her sister ships. Sold in 1990, she closed a long chapter in Belgian wooden-hulled mine warfare history.

TL;DR: Belgian MSI-class minesweeper M472 Kortrijk, armed with twin 12.7 mm Browning In Belgian service from 1958 to 1989.

image

M472 Kortrijk – Belgian inshore minesweeper.

History

History

The M472 Kortrijk was laid down on 16 March 1957, launched and commissioned on 13 June 1958 (Van Beylen et al., 1972). Sponsored by the city of Kortrijk, she bore the callsign ORHI.
image

Like all MSI-class ships, she featured a wooden hull and non-magnetic structure, allowing her to counter modern naval mines in shallow waters. Her propulsion came from two Nuove Reggiane diesel engines driving twin screws, with a combined output of 1260 hp, giving her a top speed of 15 knots.

Commanded in her early years by Antoine Paul A.E.G., she entered the Belgian Naval Force at the height of the Cold War. Unlike many of her sisters, the Kortrijk remained in active naval service for more than 30 years, serving until 1 August 1989, making her one of the longest-serving Belgian MSI. On 4 April 1990, she was sold, marking the end of her career.

Specifications (M472 Kortrijk)

Displacement:

  • 173.12 t (freshwater, full load)
  • 177.55 t (saltwater, full load)

Dimensions:

  • Length overall: 34.44 m
  • Length between P/P: 32.46 m
  • Beam: 6.65 m (max) / 6.58 m (waterline)
  • Depth: 3.65 m
  • Draught: 1.80 m (2.10 m max)
  • Waterline length: 12.20 m
  • Range: 2,300 nm @ 10 knots

Propulsion:

  • 2 × Nuove Reggiane diesels, 2 shafts
  • 1260 hp total
  • Fuel: 18 t diesel

Speed: 15 knots

Crew: 18 (2 officers, 7 petty officers, 9 sailors)

Electronics:

  • Decca 707 radar (1958–1970)
  • Decca 1216 radar (1970–1989)

Armament:

  • 1 × twin 12.7 mm Browning MG
  • 1 × twin 20 mm Oerlikon AA gun

Mine Warfare Gear: Acoustic, magnetic, and mechanical sweeps
Construction: Wooden hull, non-magnetic fittings

Place in War Thunder

Regarding nations

BeNeLux

The Kortrijk fits naturally into a BeNeLux coastal fleet, offering a well-armed MSI with both .50 cal Browning MGs and 20 mm Oerlikon firepower.

France (BeNeLux subtree)

Alternatively, she could be added under the French tree as part of a BeNeLux subtree.

Pictures

Pictures

image
image

Sources

Sources

Anrys, H., De Decker de Brandeken, J.-M., & Eygenraam, P. (1992). De zeemacht: van de admiraliteit van Vlaanderen tot de Belgische zeemacht. Tielt.

Dragueurs de mines belges de type MSI. (2023). Wikipedia. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragueurs_de_mines_belges_de_type_MSI

NavSource Naval History. (2023). Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/0583.htm

Van Beylen, J., et al. (1972). Maritieme Encyclopedie (Vol. 5). Bussum.

Belgian Navy Forum. (n.d.). MSI mine sweeper inshore. Archived at: https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.belgian-navy.be%2Ff13-msi-mine-sweeper-inshore

Belgian MSC/MSI Archive. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.marinebelge.be/msi472.html