MTSM motor torpedo boat
MTSM on a trailer
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Class overview | |
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Name | MTSM |
Operators | |
Preceded by | MTS |
Built | 1941-1943 |
Completed | 100 |
General characteristics | |
Displacement | 3 tons |
Length | 28 ft (8.5 m) |
Beam | 7.3 ft 10 in (2.48 m) |
Draught | 2 ft (0.61 m) |
Propulsion | 2 x Alfa Romeo outboard motors for a total of 190 hp (140 kW) |
Speed | 34 knots at full load |
Complement | 2 |
Armament |
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The MTSM motor torpedo boat ( Motoscafo da Turismo Silurante Modificato) was a series of small motor torpedo boats developed by the Italian Royal Navy during World War II.
The vessel was an improved version of the Motoscafo da Turismo Silurante (MTS) motor torpedo boat. This was achieved through a larger sea-going hull with reinforced keel and a sharper stem. The MTSM were designed to be towed by larger motorboats into the target area. Once there, the MTSM could carry out a torpedo attack on moored or stationary ships. The boat could also be transported over land on trailers.
Early development
The Italian plans for an assault motor torpedo boat, the MTS, began in December 1939. The Italian Naval Command goal was a small, high speed two-seat motor torpedo boat based on the Motoscafo da Turismo Modificato (MTM), itself an improved version of the MT motorboat which used an explosive charge as the warhead. In addition to speed, seaworthiness and range should have made the motorboat capable of carrying out operations against anchored targets successfully. The MTS was armed with two 450 mm torpedoes.[1][2]
In the summer of 1940 Baglietto shipyards released the first four prototypes, MTS 1, MTS 2, MTS 3 and MTS 4. The motorboats were tested in an unsuccessful attack on Greek naval forces at Porto Edda, Albania, on 5 April 1941. After that it was clear that the MTS had indeed met the criteria, but due to its small wooden hull it was only partially seaworthy. The demand for a better and larger successor led to the development of the MTSM.[1][2][3]
Specifications and deployment
With a displacement of three tons, the MTSM had a length of 8.4 m (27 ft 7 in), a beam of 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in) and a draft of 0.6 m (24 in). They were propelled by two 95 hp (71 kW) Alfa Romeo AR 6c outboard motors and developed a maximum speed of 34 knots at full load.[2] The boats were fitted with radio equipment. Each MTSM was armed with a single 450 mm (18 in) torpedo amidships, behind the crew cockpit, and carried two 50 kg (110 lb) depth charges. The boat underwent its first test trials in the fall of 1941, and surpassed the expectations in terms of speed, maneuverability and steadiness.[4] More than 100 units were delivered by Baglietto between 1941 and 1943.[2]
Operational history
The main combat operational use of the MTSM was against the Allied supply line between
At German request, another motorized column, the "Moccagatta", was deployed to
The MTSMs were widely used in the Mediterranean theatre by September 1943, when Italy signed an armistice with the Allies. Ten units joined the Italian Co-belligerent Navy, while an unknown number was active with the navy of the Italian Social Republic, a fascist statelet in northern Italy which remained part of the Axis. Most operations of the latter units took place in the Adriatic Sea, sometimes with mixed Italian and German crews.[2]
See also
Citations
- ^ a b Greene & Massignani (2004), pp. 40-41
- ^ ISBN 3-930656-34-5.
- ^ Greene & Massignani, (2004) p. 72
- ^ Greene & Massignani (2004). p. 40.
- ^ ISBN 1-55750-072-X
- ^ HMS Eridge (L 68)
- ^ Greene & Massignani (2004), p. 122
- ^ "review of Italeri 1/35 MTM Barchino by Ray Mehlberger". Cybermodeler.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-19.
- ^ Borghese, pp. 178-179
References
- Greene, Jack; Massignani, Alessandro (2004). The Black Prince And The Sea Devils: The Story Of Valerio Borghese And The Elite Units Of The Decima Mas. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0306813114.
External links
- M.T.S. Marina Militare website