- 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 specific ship of the Dutch TM 51-class.
This is the HNLMS Panter (MGB 46)!
HNLMS Panter (MGB 46)
Source: Foto's
History
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HNLMS Panter (MGB 46) in her original configuration as the HNLMS TM 51
Source: Foto'sFirst a bit about the origins of this boat:
At 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.
The 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.
Once the HNLMS TM 51 was finished and send over to the Netherlands where it was then tested and studied so that it’s design could then be copied and manufactured in the Netherlands.
But before any other boats of the TM 51-class could be finished Germany invaded the Netherlands in 1940 and would end the construction of the TM 51-class. So the HNLMS TM 51 was the only TM 51-class to be operational.
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.
This then now bring us to the topic of this suggestion. Once the HNLMS TM 51 arrived in Britain she was handed over to the Royal Navy. In their hands the torpedo boat was turned into a gunboat with her torpedo tubes removed and an extra 20mm autocannon added to the rear. She went into service as the HMS MGB 46.
Later from the 2nd of June 1941 till the 25th of November 1942 the boat was back in Dutch service, and was now given the name HNLMS Panter, which means Panther (Should not come as a big suprise right?). The MGB 46 name was also kept, and we can see the 46 numbers on the sides and rear of the boat.
Her service carreer in sadly pretty much unknown. She most likely served allongside other Dutch operated torpedo and gunboats. What we do know is that she hit a mine in 1942 which did not fully destroy her, but still she was put out of service. She would be replaced with a newer British MGB, the MGB 114, and the last thing we know about HNLMS Panter is that she was used as a training boat for a short time before being scrapped.
HNLMS Panter (MGB 46) moving at speed
Source: Foto's
Design
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A blueprint of the TM 51-class showing the shape of the hull
Source: | Nationaal ArchiefHNLMS Panter (MGB 46) was 21,3 metres long, had a beam of 6,1 metres and a draft of 1,4 metres, and displaced 32 tons. She had a crew of 10 men and was able to reach a top speed of 39 knots.
The boat was powered by three 1.000 hp Rolls Royce Merlin engines.
She 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 HNLMS Panter (MGB 46) had exactly.
On top of these two 20mm Hispano 404’s there was also a third 20mm autocannon added to the rear of the ship. This was a 20mm Oerlikon mounted in a Mark I mounting.
A nice side view of the HNLMS Panter (MGB 46), giving us a good view of the guns
Source: Foto'sThe final bit of weaponry onboard were four depth charge mounts, with two on either side of the boat.
Ingame
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HNLMS Panter (MGB 46) would be a cool little addition to the game in my opinion. The boat not having any torpedoes means it’s only usefull in reserve to low BR games, but luckily the Panter does have speed on her side. Also the combination of the higher firerate Hispano 404’s and the 20mm Oerlikon would be interesting to play with ingame. I think the Oerlikon is a nice addon to the boat since it would be able to fire for longer whilst the Hispano’s are reloading.
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 HNLMS Panter (MGB 46) would be a good addition because it’s strictly a motor gunboat. France only has one motor gunboat in their coastal tree right now (The VTB-13), so adding the HNLMS Panter (MGB 46) would add another fun boat like it. I also wouldn’t mind seeing HNLMS Panter (MGB 46) added as a premium boat.
Specifications
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A blueprint of the TM 51-class, keep in mind this is showing us the torpedo boat layout. For the HNLMS Panter (MGB 46) remove the torpedo tubes and ass a 20mm Oerlikon to the back
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
1 x 1 20 mm Oerlikon in a Mark I mount
4 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.
A very nice rear shot taken of the HNLMS Panter (MGB 46)
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:
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Blueprints: