- Yes
- No
- (independent) BeNeLux tree
- France: BeNeLux subtree
- other
- no/negative
- 1x twin 12.7 mm Browning (unique Belgian mount)
- 1x 12.7 mm Browning (unique Belgian mount)
- 1x twin 20 mm Oerlikon
- both versions
- other (please comment)
- no/negative
TL;DR: Belgian MSI-class inshore minesweeper, last preserved, Cold War service, light armament, specialized mine warfare.
History
History
M477 Oudenaarde was laid down on 3 May 1958 at the Mercantile Marine Yard, Kruibeke, Belgium, and commissioned on 25 April 1959. She carried the callsign ORHN and was sponsored by the city of Oudenaarde.
Throughout her career, she participated in Belgian coastal patrols, NATO exercises, and mine clearance operations. Notable events include:
- 1971: Training off Ramsgate (Feb 22–26) and participation in Norminex exercises (Mar 4–20), visiting Cherbourg and Le Havre.
- 1972: Exercises at Ramsgate (May 19–24).
Commanders included Wilfried Carlier, Jacques Crickx, Filip Focroul, Marc Gorts, and Herman Verhaeghe.
Decommissioned in 1988, M477 Oudenaarde was preserved as a maritime heritage ship at the Steen Maritime Museum, Antwerp and can be visited through visitation days. She represents the last fully preserved example of Belgium’s MSI-class inshore minesweepers.
Specifications
Displacement: 173 t (freshwater), 177 t (saltwater)
Length/Beam/Draught: 34.5 m / 6.7 m / 2.1 m
Propulsion: 2 × Nuove Reggiane TVG29 diesels (2 × 635 hp each), 2 shafts, 1260 hp total
Speed: 15 knots
Range: 2,300 nm @ 10 knots
Crew: 14–18 (2 officers, 4 petty officers, 8 conscripts/professional sailors)Armament Variants:
Version Weapons Initial 1 × twin 12.7 mm Browning HMG End of service 1 × 12.7 mm Browning HMG Alternate (in some exercises) 1 × twin 20 mm Oerlikon AA gun Mine Warfare Gear: Acoustic, magnetic, and mechanical sweeps for 4–10 m depth
Electronics: Decca 707 radar (1958–1970), Decca 1216 (1970–1992)
Construction: Wooden hull, non-magnetic fittings, double-hull reinforced for near-miss explosions
Generators: 2 × ACMT 6-cylinder inline Gardner diesels, 60 kW
Fuel: 24 t diesel (19,332 L)
Place in War Thunder
Regarding nations
M477 Oudenaarde would be ideal as a low-rank historical Cold War inshore minesweeper in the BeNeLux naval tree, or as a premium/event ship in the France: BeNeLux subtree. She could feature dual armament options as modification trees, reflecting the 12.7 mm and 20 mm configurations.
Her role in-game would be a support/minesweeper vessel, not for direct combat but for defensive and coastal gameplay scenarios.
Pictures
Pictures
1971
Portsmouth in 1972
M477 Oudenaarde, preserved at Steen Maritime Museum, Antwerp
The Single 12.7 mm Gunshield
Sources
Sources
Redirecting...
Inventaris Onroerend Erfgoed 2025: M477 Oudenaarde [online], https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/99089
Anrys, H., De Decker de Brandeken, J.-M., & Eygenraam, P. (1992). De zeemacht: van de admiraliteit van Vlaanderen tot de Belgische zeemacht. Tielt.
Gleissner, J. (2023). MSI Oudenaarde wordt paradeschip van Maritiem Patrimonium MPM. Ruimschoots, 23(3).
Hofkens, L. (2021). Officiële eigendomsoverdracht van de mijnenveger M477 Oudenaarde. Ruimschoots, 22(1).
Masset, F., & Grimbergs, E. (2015). MSI M477 Oudenaarde. Ruimschoots, 15(3), 21–23.
Van Beylen, J., et al. (1972). Maritieme Encyclopedie (Vol. 5). Bussum.
S.N. (2023). Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive [online], http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/0583.htm
S.N. (2023). Dragueurs de mines belges de type MSI [online], https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragueurs_de_mines_belges_de_type_MSI