- Yes.
- No.
- In a future Dutch/BeNeLux techtree.
- In the French BeNeLux sub-tree
- Other (Please explain in the comments).
- I said “No” in the first question.
Today I’m going to suggest a class MTB’s designed by the British Power Boat Company for the Netherlands Navy.
This is the TM 51-class!
The Prototype TM 51-class boat, HNLMS TM 51, during testing trials in Britain in August 1939. This Prototype had four 45cm torpedo tubes instead of the two 53cm torpedo tubes planned for the class
Source: Foto's
History
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HNLMS TM 51 getting ready to be shipped to the Netherlands in August 1939
Source: Foto'sAt the end of the 1930’s the Dutch Navy wanted to make a serious attempt at making small but fast Motor Torpedo Boats The Dutch Navy operated these types of boats already, but these were in use in the Dutch East Indies. The plan now was to start making them in the homeland.
But there was a problem, the ship builders in the Netherlands had to experience with building small MTB’s. So it was decided to order one Prototype boat from the British Power Boat Company which would then form the basis of what would then be built in the Netherlands.
HNLMS TM 51 after she arrived in the Netherlands
Source: Foto'sThe Prototype boat made by the British Power Boat Company was the HNLMS TM 51. It’s design was pretty much identical to any other Power Boat they made. However it’s weaponry was different then that used by the British. The Dutch Navy started to take the 20mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 autocannon into service, and so this new class of MTB’s were to be armed with two of them.
Also the prototype boat was armed with four 45cm torpedo tubes. For all the other TM 51-class boats it was planned to use two 53cm torpedo tubes.
Once the HNLMS TM 51 was finished and send over to the Netherlands it was then tested and studied so that it’s design could then be copied and manufactured in the Netherlands.
At first two exact copies of the HNLMS TM 51 would be made, followed by an extra order of eight more to a slightly bigger design. But this was soon changed to another eight more. Comming up to a total of 19 TM 51-class boats.
Let me sum it up just to make it simple to understand:
- Original Prototype: TM 51
- Copies of the Prototype: TM 52 - TM 53
- Larger Production models: TM 54 - TM 61 and TM 63 - TM 70
Construction on the larger production versions would never properly begin, so this suggestion is for the design of the prototype copies. The HNLMS TM 52 and 53.
However it wouldn’t be long before Germany would invade the Netherlands during the second world war. And when this happend the TM 52 and 53 were almost finished but not launched yet. An order was put through to destroy the boats to avoid capture, but due to indecisiveness, doubt and a lack of forceful action this was not done and the boats would end up getting captured by the Germans.
As for the proposed production versions these were no where near finished.
However the already operation HNLMS TM 51 (The Prototype) was able to put up a fight against the Germans. During the invasion she fired upon German paratroopers with her 20mm autocannons. She was also fired upon after which a crew member sadly died.
In need of repairs she returned to port, but proper repairs could not be made. On the 14th of May she fled to Britian just like many other Dutch Navy vessels. And once she arrived there she was able to be repaired and would continue to have an active service during the war.As for the captured TM 52 and TM 53, they were send to Germany for evaluation but were found to be unsatisfactory. They would end up in Bulgarian service according to some sources.
The unfinished production models of the TM 51-class would also end up in German hands. The dockyard making them were ordered by the Germans to continue work and finish the boats.
The TM 54 up to 61 would go into German service as the S 151 up to S 158.
The TM 63 up to 70 would not be finished by the Germans. Instead six of them would end up getting sold to the Romanian Navy, and the other two were sold to the Bulgarian Navy.
Design
Spoiler
A blueprint of the TM 51-class showing the shape of the hull
Source: | Nationaal ArchiefIn this suggestion I’m suggesting the initial design of the TM 51-class, not the planned larger production design.
The initial TM 51-class boats were 21,3 metres long, had a beam of 6,1 metres and a draft of 1,4 metres, and displaced 32 tons. They had a crew of 10 men and were able to reach a top speed of 39 knots.The boats were powered by three 1.000 hp Rolls Royce Merlin engines.
The TM 51-class were armed with two 533mm torpedo tubes. The torpedoes planned to be used on these boats in unknown. My best guess is that the same torpedoes seen on the Flotilla Leader HNLMS Tromp would be used. This was the Whitehead Type V torpedo. This torpedo had a 350 kg TNT warhead, and a range of 4000 meters at 45 knots, and a range of 12.000 meters at 28 knots.
The boats were armed with two 20mm No. 1 or No. 2 autocannons turrets located just behind the bridge. These are 20mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 autocannons. The No. 1 or 2 name stands for the mounting the gun is in. But sadly I do not know the exact differences between the two mount types, so I cannot say which one the TM 51-class had exactly.
The 20mm No. 1 or 2 guns onboard HNLMS TM 51
Source: Foto'sThe final bit of weaponry onboard were two depth charge racks at the rear of the boat.
Ingame
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The TM 51-class would be an amazing addition to the game in my opinion. They are all round very standard boats but with unique armaments. Also they are an important step up for the Dutch Navy. Since the Motor Torpedo boats they operated before this were all armed with small machine guns, the TM 51-class would be a nice improvement with it’s 20mm autocannons.
Now where should these boats go to? As usualy with my Dutch vehicle suggestions, I ofcourse want to see this ingame in a Dutch or BeNeLux techtree. Ofcourse the BeNeLux has been added to France, so this is now the only option where Dutch vessels will go to. But it must be said that the Netherlands and France have nothing in common, and do not make sense to combine together ingame.
In the French tree the TM 51-class would actually be a very good addition. The Rank 1 boats for France are a bit on the weaker side, and this TM 51-class would go a long way to make the Rank 1 experience a lot better.
Specifications
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A blueprint of the TM 51-class, note the two 53cm torpedo tubes instead of the four 45cm that was fitted to the first ship of this class, the HNLMS TM 51
Source: | Nationaal ArchiefDisplacement: 32 tons
Length: 21,3 m
Beam: 6,1 m
Draft: 1,4 m
Powerplant: 3 x 1.000 hp Rolls Royce Merlin engines
Maximum speed: 39 knots (72.23 km/h)
Crew: 10 menArmament:
2 x 1 20 mm No. 1 or 2 autocannons [1] ← Hispano-Suiza HS.404 autocannons
2 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
2 x Depth charge racks at the rear[1]: I do not know the differences between the No. 1 and No. 2 mount, so I can’t say for certain which one it is.
HNLMS TM 51 during trials in the Netherlands. Again note the use of four 45cm torpedo tubes which only the TM 51 had. All other ships of the class were to use two 53cm torpedo tubes
Source: Foto's
And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed reading about this little boat.
See you on the battlefield!
Sources
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History and information:
Extra sources:
- “Marine-torpedodienst 1875-2000” book, by J.M. Mohrmann
- TM-51 class motortorpedoboat
Photos:
Blueprints: