Minotaur Light Cruiser Summary

This is a 3D printed sculpt of the Minotaur Class light cruiser by EBard Models.

The Minotaur-class was the final all gun cruiser design of the Royal Navy. Based off a design memo from the United States regarding a need for light cruisers for escort duties, the design was as a modified version of the Fiji class incorporating war modifications and  more sophisticated weapon control and integration of command and control. 

Marking a significant change in British cruiser design, the Minotaur-class was intended as an AAA platform (similar to the role of the USN Atlanta class). The Minotaur marked a move from triple turrets of the preceding Neptune-class to a unique (5x2) dual purpose 152mm turrets. Additionally, the Minotaur-class was equipped with 8x2 3in guns.

The class was originally to have consisted of nine ships, authorized in 1941 and laid down in 1943. By 1944 the seven Minotaurs under construction represented four distinct groups, which were so significantly different that they should probably be regarded as four separate classes of cruiser.

In spite of the heavy loss of cruisers, construction was given relatively low priority and only three were completed by the end of World War II. They played no significant part in the war, though Swiftsure was selected to hoist the flag for the Japanese surrender at Hong Kong. 

Ships of Class:

• Minotaur - Transferred to Royal Canadian Navy July 1944 (renamed HMCS Ontario)
• Swiftsure
• Superb

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