- Yes
- No
- (independent) BeNeLux tree
- France: BeNeLux subtree
- other
- no/negative
- 1x twin 12.7 mm Browning
- 1x twin 20 mm Oerlikon
- both versions
- other (please comment)
- no/negative
The M479 Huy was an MSI-class inshore minesweeper of the Belgian Navy, commissioned on 24 March 1958. She was built at the Mercantile Marine Yard in Kruibeke, Belgium, designed for shallow-water mine countermeasure operations. Her wooden hull and non-magnetic fittings made her effective against contact, acoustic, and magnetic mines.
She could carry either a twin 12.7 mm Browning or a twin 20 mm Oerlikon mount. Her modest crew of 14 served to operate the vessel in rivers, estuaries, and coastal zones, primarily focusing on mine clearance rather than direct combat.
TL;DR: Belgian MSI-class inshore minesweeper, Cold War service, light armament, specialized in shallow-water mine warfare.
History
History
M479 Huy was laid down on 16 November 1956 at Mercantile Marine Yard, Kruibeke, and commissioned on 24 March 1958. Initially, she served as M91 for the US Navy in 1956 before being transferred to Belgium.
Her callsign was ORHP, and her sponsor city was Huy. She remained in service with the Belgian Navy until 1990, performing inshore mine clearance operations, training exercises, and coastal patrol duties.
Commanded by Paul A.C.R.A.L. De Maesschalck, Huy was part of the MSI class fleet that secured Belgium’s coastal waters and estuaries during the Cold War.
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 (2 officers, 7 petty officers, 5–7 sailors)Armament Variants:
Version Weapons Early 1 × twin 12.7 mm Browning HMG Alternate 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 with non-magnetic fittings
Place in War Thunder
Regarding nations
M479 Huy would be ideal for the BeNeLux coastal fleet, representing early Cold War mine warfare capability with shallow-draft operations. It could also appear as a premium or event ship in the France: BeNeLux subtree.
Pictures
Pictures
M479 Huy
Sources
Sources
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
Anrys, H., De Decker de Brandeken, J.-M., & Eygenraam, P. (1992). De zeemacht: van de admiraliteit van Vlaanderen tot de Belgische zeemacht. Tielt.