K-U-K MARINE - AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN NAVY (AUSTRIA-HUNGARY)

Project history: In January 1917 the naval architect Max Szombathy, who had already participated in the design of Müller's hovercraft, presented the design of a 4-shaft hydroplane in both a torpedo-boat and gunboat configuration. On 2 February the Naval Section ordered two trials units to be built, after the supply of obsolete 150bhp aircraft engines was cleared. No I was to be built in the gunboat configuration with 1 66/16 gun, 2 MGs and 4 DCs, No II as a torpedo-boat with one 356mm torpedo and 4 MGs. One year later No I was 95% ready, but Wo II was only 30% complete. The slow progress in construction was caused by the acute shortage of manpower, as every hand was needed for repairs to the fighting units.

On 15 April 1918 No I was launched, and on 11 May a first trials run was held; a second trial held on 13 June was cut short when four clutches broke down. Further trials in June 1918 achieved speeds of 33.6kts-33.8kts. On 7 September 1918, the boat was handed over to the submarine chaser flotilla, her armament consisting of 4 DCs and 4 MG; her 66mm gun had not been installed. Boat No II was probably launched in September 1918, but was completed only at the end of war. Four further boats. No III-No VI, of this 6t Szombathy type were in the early stages of construction at the end of the war.