TK-972 motor torpedo boats (project 123K) (1951 - 1955)
TK-697 1949
TK-972 1951
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Names |
pr. M123bis: TK-697 TK-940-957 TK-980-999 + 3 unknown (42 boats) pr. 123K TK-1-3 TK-4, 1965- AK-4 TK-5, 1965- AK-5 TK-6 TK-8-12 TK-21-26 TK-29, 30 TK-173 TK-248 TK-250 TK-274 TK-275, 5.1966- T-275 TK-276, 5.1966- T-276 TK-277-301 TK-337-349 TK-405-416 TK-456 TK-460-471 TK-551, 5.1966- T-551 TK-552-558 TK-575, 576 TK-637-660 TK-662 TK-667-670 TK-712, 713 TK-721-771 TK-815-838 TK-972 (205 boats) also TK-95, 188-191, 317-320, 329-332, 352-380, 386-404, 482, 483, 511, 512, 599, 601-606, 609, 677-686, 691-696, 698-700, 776, 848 |
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Builders |
639 Yd, Tyumen': 17 pr. M123bis (Yard No 400-416) 831 Yd, Feodosiya: 25 pr. M123bis (Yard No 417-441), inc. TK981-996 831 Yd, Feodosiya: 205 pr. 123K (Yard No 500-704) |
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Commissioned |
1949-1951: pr. M123bis (42 boats) 1951-1955: pr. 123K (205 boats) |
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Losses |
none |
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Transfers |
Bulgaria: 1957- 1 pr. 123K China: 1951-1955- 90 pr. 123K Cuba: 1962-1964- 12 pr. 123K Cyprus: 1964- 4 pr. 123K, 1965- 2 pr. 123K Iraq: 1960s- 10 pr. 123K Korea (North): 1951-1970- 34 pr. 123K, 1974- 4 pr. 123K, 1979- 2 pr. 123K Romania: 1952- 6 pr. M123bis, 1953- 6 pr. 123K Syria: 2.1957- 5 pr. 123K, 1958- 3 pr. 123K, 1959- 3 pr. 123K, 1960- 2 pr. 123K, 1961- 3 pr. 123K, 1974- 1 pr. 123K Vietnam: 1961- 12 pr. 123K (TK-287, 294, 296-299, 317, 319, 320, 552, 553, 556) Yemen (North): 1970s- 4 pr. 123K Yemen (South): 1970s- 5 pr. 123K |
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Discarding |
1954-1968: 36 pr. M123bis 1966-1974: 4 pr. 123K 1975-1978: 10 pr. 123K |
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Displacement standard, t |
19 |
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Displacement full, t |
pr. M123bis: 22 pr. 123K: 23 |
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Length, m |
pr. M123bis: 18.7 pr. 123K: 19.3 |
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Breadth, m |
3.43 |
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Draught, m |
pr. M123bis: 0.76 pr. 123K: 0.77 |
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No of shafts |
2 |
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Machinery |
2 M-50 diesels pr. 123K Yard Nos 601-704: 2 M-50-2 diesels |
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Power, h. p. |
2000 |
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Max speed, kts |
50 |
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Fuel, t |
diesel oil |
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Endurance, nm(kts) |
pr. M123bis: 530(37.5) pr. 123K: 450(35) |
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Armament |
pr. M123bis: 2 x 2 - 12.7/79, 2 x 1 - 450 TT, 6 DC pr. 123K: 1 x 2 - 14.5/93, 2 x 1 - 450 TT, 6 DC |
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Sensors |
pr. M123bis: none pr. 123K: Zarnitsa radar |
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Complement |
7 |
Project history: This small MTB (MTKA) was designed by a new KB formed during the war in Tyumen. After developing plans for late-production G-5 class MTBs (Project 116 series XII and XIII, with US-supplied Packard engines and ahead-firing torpedoes rather than the earlier aft-firing troughs), it designed a new boat. The last Soviet stepped-hull planing craft, these aluminium boats were direct descendants of prewar Soviet MTBs initially based on seaplane practice. The most striking visual feature was the long foredeck, the cockpit being almost amidships.
Modernizations: 1950, TK-981 - as variant of Project M123bis: hydrofoils were installed (A-11 system), 56kts
1950, TK-982 - as variant of Project M123bis: fwd hydrofoil was installed (A-10 system), 555 kts
1951, TK-995 - under Project 123K variant A: - Zarnitsa radar
1952-1955, TK-289, 290, 551, 555, 557, 725, 996 - under Project K123K: fwd hydrofoil was installed (A-10bis system); 22/23t, 54kts
1965, AK-4, 5, 10 as gunboats: - 2 - 450 TT; + 2 x 2 - 14.5/93 2M-7
Naval service: No significant events.
© Ivan Gogin, 2015