- 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 Motor Torpedo Boat.
This is the first prototype of the TM 51-class, the HNLMS TM 51!
HNLMS TM 51 with an improvised camouflage scheme shortly after fleeing the Netherlands. Some bullt holes can still be seen in her hull
Source: Foto's
History
Spoiler
HNLMS TM 51 getting ready to be shipped to the Netherlands in August 1939
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.
The HNLMS TM 51 also differs in torpedo armaments compared to what was planned for the rest of the TM 51-class boats. HNLMS TM 51 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.
However it wouldn’t be long before Germany would invade the Netherlands during the second world war. And when this happend the other ships of the TM 51-class were not finished yet. And so HNLMS TM 51 remained as the only operation TM 51-class boat.
This then now bring us to the topic of this suggestion.
The already operational HNLMS TM 51 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 actaully be handed over to the Royal Navy. In British service she had her torpedo tubes removed and was turned into a Motor Gun Boat, only to then return to Dutch service some time later as the HNLMS Panter (MGB 46).
HNLMS TM 51 after she arrived in the Netherlands
Source: Foto's
Design
Spoiler
A blueprint of the TM 51-class showing the shape of the hull
Source: | Nationaal ArchiefThe HNLMS TM 51 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.
She was powered by three 1.000 hp Rolls Royce Merlin engines.
HNLMS TM 51 was armed with four 450mm torpedo tubes. The torpedoes planned to be used on these tubes are unknown. My best guess is that the later so called “150 series” 45cm Whitehead torpedoes would be used. This torpedoes had a TNT warhead size of around 85 - 180 kg, and a range of 1.000 - 3000 meters at 40 knots, and a range of 2.000 - 8000 meters at roughly 26 knots.
HNLMS TM 51 dropping a dummy torpedo during a test
Source: Foto'sHNLMS TM 51 was 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 TM 51 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
Spoiler
The HNLMS TM 51 would be an amazing addition to the game in my opinion. All round the boat is of a very standard design but with unique 20mm armaments. HNLMS TM 51 specifically also stands out from the normal TM 51-class in that she’s got four 450mm torpedo tubes instead of two 533mm. So you trade explosive damage for two more torpedoes. An excellent trade of for when you’re dealing with lot’s of larger enemy river boats.
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 TM 51 would actually be a very good addition. The Rank 1 boats for France are a bit on the weaker side, and the HNLMS TM 51 would go a long way to make the Rank 1 experience a lot better. I wouldn’t mind seeing her ingame as a premium boat because the production models of the TM 51-class can be in the tree, whlist HNLMS TM 51 is more unique so it can be a premium.
Specifications
Spoiler
A blueprint of the TM 51-class, note the two 533mm torpedo tubes as was planned for the TM 51-class. The boat I’m suggesting in this post, the HNLMS TM 51, had four 450mm torpedo tubes
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
4 x 450 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
Spoiler
History and information:
Extra sources:
- “Marine-torpedodienst 1875-2000” book, by J.M. Mohrmann
- TM-51 class motortorpedoboat
Photos:
Blueprints: