Original design;
4 4" guns (4x1)
2 2pdr AA (2x1)
6 21" torpedo tubes (2x3)

Fast escort;
4 4" AA guns (2x2)
8 .5" AA (2x4)

Short range escort; 3 4" guns (3x1)
1 3" AA gun
2 2pdr AA (2x1)
3 21" torpedo tubes (1x3)

Long range escort;
2 4" guns (2x1)
1 3" AA gun
2 2pdr AA (2x1)
1 Hedgehog 

Most of these vessels were reduced to reserve before the Second World War. During the early part of the war these ships served on fleet duties as well as convoy escort. As the war progressed their fleet duties were taken over by new, more modern destroyers and they were only used as convoy escorts.

In 1937 the Admiralty recognized the need for ships with a good long-range anti-aircraft armament and it was decided that a number of the old V&W-class destroyers were to be converted to fast escorts.

In the early stages of the war some of the V&W class destoyers were slightly modified to suit them more to their role as convoy escorts. The aftermost gun was landed to allow more depth charges to be fitted and an 3" AA gun replaced the after bank of torpedo tubes to increase the anti-aircraft armament. These ships were known as the short range escorts.

By 1941 the Admiralty was forced to employ every available warship, suitable or not, to the task of convoy protection. Destroyers were not ideal for this task. They were to fast and therefore they had a lack of endurence and were over gunned. With more and more purpose designed escorts arriving on the Atlantic battlegrounds some of the V&W class destroyers could be spared to being refitted to make them more suitable as convoy escort in the future. These ships beceame the long range escorts. The modifactions included the removel of no. 1 boiler and its funnel. This modification reduced the speed of these ships to 25 knots. The space that became free was used for increased bunkerage and extra accomodation. 'A' gun was landed and replaced by a Hedgehog ASW mortar. All remaining torpedo tubes were removed and increased depth charge armament was fitted. Also the anti-aircraft armament was increased but this varied per ship. 

Admiralty V & W class ships hit by U-boats (3)