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fighting ships of the world

REGIA MARINA / ITALIAN NAVY (ITALY)

COASTAL FORCES

"MS type 2" motor torpedo boats (1943)

MS75 1943

Names

MS51 - 53

MS54, 1.1949- MV614, 11.1952- MS614, 1.1954- P474 MS474

MS55, 1.1949- MV615, 11.1952- MS615, 1.1954- P481 MS481

MS56, 1.1949- MV616, 11.1952- MS616, 1.1954- P482 MS482

MS61 - 66

MS71

MS72, 1.1949- MV617, 11.1952- MS617, 1.1954- P483 MS483

MS73, 1.1949- MV618, 11.1952- MS618, 1.1954- P484 MS484

MS74, 1.1949- MV619, 11.1952- MS619, 1.1954- P475 MS475

MS75; MS76

Builders

CRDA, Monfalcone: MS51-56, 61-66, 71-76

Completed

2 - 6.1943: MS51 - 56, 61 - 66, 71 - 75

Losses

captured incomplete by Germany: MS76 (10.9.1943, commissioned 12.11.1943 as SA7)

MS51 (9.9.1943, later German SA4), MS62 (12.7.1943), MS63 (9.9.1943 German SA5), MS66 (3.8.1943), MS71 (10.9.1943 German SA6)

Transfers

Soviet Union 5 - 7.1949: MS52 (ÒÊ-970 [TK-970]), MS53 (ÒÊ-971 [TK-971]), MS61 (ÒÊ-972 [TK-972]), MS65 (ÒÊ-973 [TK-973]), MS75 (ÒÊ-974 [TK-974])

Discarding

1/1947: MS64

12/1962: MS475, 483

3/1963: MS482, 484

1965: MS475

1979: MS474, 481

  

Displacement standard, t

 

Displacement full, t

66

Length, m

28.0

Breadth, m

4.30

Draught, m

1.60

No of shafts

3

Machinery

3 Isotta Fraschini petrol engines

Power, h. p.

3450

Max speed, kts

31

Fuel, t

petrol 9

Endurance, nm(kts) 330(31)

Armament

MS51 - 56, 62 - 66, 71 - 73: (1 - 2) x 2 - 20/65 Breda 1935, 2 x 1 - 8.80, 2 - 533 TT (4), 2 - 450 TT, 8 DC

MS61: 2 x 1 - 13.2/76, 2 x 1 - 8.80, 2 - 533 TT (4), 2 - 450 TT, 8 DC

MS74, 75: (1 - 2) x 2 - 20/65 Breda 1935, 2 x 1 - 8.80, 2 - 533 TT (4), 2 - 450 TT, 2 SLC human torpedoes or 1 MTSM midget MTB or 1 MTM or 1 MTR explosive boat

Electronic equipment presumably hydrophone

Complement

19

Project history: Development of "I" type with strengthened, at the expense of installation of two 450mm torpedo racks additionally. Displacement growth has led to some decrease in speed. For elimination of this lack on last boat of a series (MS76) more powerful 4500hp motors were installed, giving 35kts speed. Two boats (MS74 and 75) are arranged as human torpedo and suicide boat carriers (2 SLS, either 1 MTR, or 1 ÌÒÌ, or 1 MTSM).

Plans of building of 44 more boats (types "III" and "IV", development of type "II") in connection with armistice signed in September, 1943 have appeared were not realised.

Modernizations: 1949, MV614 - 619: were armed with 3 x 2 - 20/65 Breda 1940

1952, MS614 - 619: + 2 - 533 TT (4), 2 - 450 TT, 8 DC

1961, MS474, 481: new diesels were installed (4500hp, 33kts); boats were converted to convertible MTB / MGB armed with 1 x 1 - 40/60 Mk 3, 2 - 450 TT, mines as MTB or 2 x 1 - 40/60 Mk 3, mines as MGB.

Naval service: MS74 and MS75 were captured by Germans 12 and 10.9.1943 respectively, transferred to RSI and returned to Italian navy in 1945.

MS474 1954

© Ivan Gogin, 2009-15