MSI Ham Type Herstal-class inshore minesweeper, BNC M474 Turnhout - Compos Sui and Saint Nicholas

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The M474 Turnhout was one of sixteen Belgian-built MSI Herstal-class inshore minesweepers, laid down in 1957 at Kruibeke and commissioned in 1958. Like her sisters, she featured a wooden hull with non-magnetic fittings, enabling safe operation against acoustic and magnetic mines. Designed for Cold War mine countermeasure duties in Belgium’s shallow waters, rivers, and estuaries, Turnhout served nearly 30 years before being decommissioned in 1987 and sold in 1992.

She carried either a twin 12.7 mm Browning HMG or a twin 20 mm Oerlikon gun, giving her modest defensive armament while remaining focused on her specialized role as a minesweeper. She became particularly well remembered for hosting events such as Saint-Nicolas’ visit in Ostend (1970), underscoring the symbolic presence these ships held in Belgian naval tradition.

TL;DR: M474 Turnhout – Belgian Cold War inshore minesweeper (MSI-class), armed with twin 12.7 mm or 20 mm AA guns, operated 1958–1987.

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M474 Turnhout underway – mid-Cold War service.

History

History

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  • Laid down: 07 September 1957
  • Commissioned: 29 September 1958
  • Decommissioned: 01 February 1987
  • Fate: Sold in 1992 to “Nelson Sweepers” (Louvain)

Commanders included:
René Boehme, Jean De Pape, Georges Jonckheere, Frank Loones, Marc Renson, Claude-Adolphe Sedeijn, Robert Servais, André Van der Elst, Gustaaf Van Dyck, Frederic Van den Haute, and Josef Vindevogel (1964).

Notable Service Events

  • 1969–70: Regular Cold War patrols in Belgian waters.

  • 25 Nov 1970: Hosted Saint-Nicolas in Ostend, a symbolic public event.
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  • 07 Apr 1993: Photographed post-service prior to scrapping.
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Turnhout’s long service exemplified the utility of the MSI-class as Belgium’s shallow-water mine countermeasure fleet.

Specifications

Displacement: 173 t (freshwater), 177.5 t (seawater)
Length/Beam/Draught: 34.4 m / 6.65 m / 2.1 m
Propulsion: 2 × Nuove Reggiane diesels, 2 shafts, 1260 hp
Speed: 15 knots
Range: 2,300 nm @ 10 knots
Crew: 18 (2 officers, 7 petty officers, 9 sailors)

Armament Variants:

Version Weapons
Early 1 × twin 12.7 mm Browning HMG
Alternate 1 × twin 20 mm Oerlikon AA gun

Electronics: Decca 707 radar (1958–70), Decca 1216 radar (1970–92)
Mine Warfare Gear: Acoustic, magnetic, and mechanical sweeps
Construction: Wooden hull with non-magnetic fittings

Diagram

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Place in War Thunder

Regarding nations
  • BeNeLux naval tree: Turnhout would be a strong candidate as part of the Belgian contribution to a BeNeLux naval lineup.
  • French tree (subtree): Could be included as a premium/event vessel under France, following the BeNeLux subtree precedent.
  • Gameplay role: Low-rank coastal vessel with light AA armament and mine-clearing heritage, more historical/collectors’ appeal than frontline firepower.

Sources

Sources
  • Dragueurs de mines belges de type MSI. (2023). Wikipedia.
  • Inventaris Onroerend Erfgoed. (2025). M474 Turnhout – Belgian Navy Archive.
  • Anrys, H., De Decker de Brandeken, J.-M., & Eygenraam, P. (1992). De zeemacht: van de admiraliteit van Vlaanderen tot de Belgische zeemacht. Tielt.
  • Belgian Navy Forum (archived). MSI Turnhout – service record.
  • Belgian MSC/MSI Archive (archived, 2007).