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MM Fulmine 499 (1966)
The Motocannoniera “Fulmine 499”, is the result of several modifications made to the anti-submarine corvette “Sentinella”, over the years from 1956 to 1960. After countless modifications made to the hull (the ship “Sentinella” had the tendency to raise the bow too much at high speed with consequent loss of speed due to excessive effort), to the propulsion system and to the armament, in 1960 the penultimate configuration was reached, the transformation works began at the Taranto Arsenal, during which the inconveniences that had manifested themselves in the first years of service were completely eliminated, with the bow completely rebuilt, the elimination of the spray skirt and the modification of the extreme stern with the elimination of the cantilever structure and the addition of a slightly curved transom. The length was increased to 51.10 meters and the displacement reached 344 tons. During the works, the four MB 511 engines of 2,500 hp each were replaced with four new Daimler MB 518 diesel engines of 3,000 hp each, with a new maximum available power of 12,000 hp, with a consequent increase in speed that reached 32 knots (59 km/h). The armament consisted of a double Bofors 40/56mm cannon positioned aft, a Breda 8mm machine gun, two anti-submarine bomb launchers, a porcupine and a depth charge discharger. The navigation and discovery RADAR was maintained. At the end of the works, the ship, reclassified Motocannoniera, returned to service in May 1965 with the optical distinctive P499 and was renamed “Fulmine”. At the beginning of 1966 some adaptation works were carried out, all the anti-submarine armament was eliminated, the double Bofors cannon and the Breda machine gun were maintained, and the new OTO-Melara 76/62mm Compatto automatic cannon was added to the bow (on an experimental basis), the experimentation lasted until 1968, in 1970 the Motocannoniera “Fulmine” was decommissioned.
Specifications:
Spoiler
Crew: Officers, Second Chiefs, Sergeants and Seamen: 70
Displacement Full load: 344 tons
Dimensions:
Length: 51,11m
Width: 6,97m
Full Load Draft: 2,10m
Engine System:
4 Daimler MB 518 Diesel engines
4 Propellers
Power: 12000 hp / 8826 kW
Speed: 32 knots (59 km/h)
Autonomy: 2900 NM (5370 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h)
Armament:
1 x OtoMelara 76/62mm Compatto Gun
2 x Bofors 40/56mm Gun (1 twin systems)
1 x Breda 8mm Machine Gun
Electronic equipments:
1 x Naval Navigation and Discovery RADAR
Photos:
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