Built as a light ASW frigate by Boelwerf Temse, Belgium for the Belgium Navy.
Order placed in October 1973.
28 March 1975 laid down.
21 June 1977 launched under the name WANDELAAR (F912), named after a large sandbank off the Belgium coast. Wandelaar translated is walker, so most probably the sandbank position changed every time. She is one of the Wielingen class of which 3 were built.
Displacement 1.940 light, 2.430 full load, dim. 106.4 x 12.3 x 5.6m.
Powered by CODOG (combined diesel or gas turbine) one Royal Royce Olympus TM36 gas-turbine, 25.440 hp, two Cockerill 240 CO V 12 diesels, 6.000 hp., two shafts, and two Lips controllable pitch propellers. Speed 26 knots.
Radius 6000 mile at 16 knots.
Armament 4 MM38 Exocet, 1 – 8 cell Nato Sea Sparrow. 1 automatic 100mm DP gun., 375 mm ASW mortar, 2 – ASW torpedo launching racks. 2 – 533mm torpedo launchers.
Crew 14 officers, 84 NCO’s and 59 sailors.
27 October 1978 completed.
Two of this class are normally operational, with one in reserve/refit.
On 22 Dec. 1970 the Belgium government decided that the navy could proceed to order four escort vessels from Belgium yards to replace the six old Algerine-class escorts, the last of which was scrapped in 1969.
Plans were already drawn up in 1964 with the Dutch Koninklijke Marine providing technical support and advice. From 1971 this work was continued in cooperation with the two national shipyards, Boel at Temse and Cockerill in Antwerp. This would lead to the eventual building orders and the first ship was laid down on 05 March 1974 (WIELINGEN).
A name-contest was organized and a reserve officer of the navy provided the winning names, WIELINGEN, WESTDIEP and WANDELAAR, WESTDIEP and WIELINGEN are two navigable passages off the Flemish Banks.
As a testimony of the Royal Family’s interest in maritime matters, HRH Queen Fabiola is godmother to F910 WIELINGEN, HRH Princess Astrid (daughter of King Albert) is godmother to F911 WESTDIEP and HRH Princess Marie-Emerald is godmother to F912 WANDELAAR.
A rolling programme of upgrades started in 1996 and is planned to continued until 2005.
Sea Sparrows has been updated from 7M to 7P.
New diesel engines and alternators are to be fitted 2003-2005.
The class is fully air conditional, and fitted out with fin stabilizers.
2005 Sold to Bulgaria.
19 October 2005 she arrived for the last time under the name WANDELAAR in Zeebrugge, after sailing under Belgium flag for 521734 miles.
21 October 2005 handed over to the Bulgarian Navy, at Zeebrugge renamed DRAZKI. (41).
2009 In service under Bulgarian flag.
Belgium 1999 17f sg 3483, scott ?.
Source: Watercraft Philately 1999/79. Jane’s Fighting Ships 2003-2004. Marine News 2005/717.