Schnellboot typ S-100

Photos represent a plastic model of the German torpedo boat made in 1:35 scale from the Italeri kit. Pictures were taken at the 12th International Festival of Plastic Reduction Models Bytom 2015.

The Treaty of Versailles, signed by the victorious countries after the First World War, imposed large restrictions on the possession and construction of high-displacement ships on Germany. Then the career of the Schnellboots, small, maneuverable and fast units not covered by the treaty began. The first S-class boats were ordered by the German Navy in 1929. S-100 boats appeared during the Second World War in 1943.

The main place of activity of the Schnellboots during the war was the English Channel, where they attacked coastal shipping and set mines. They also fought in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and the Baltic Sea. They operated mainly at night. The Schnellboots were a very effective weapons.

It is believed that around 230 S-boats of various types were produced during the war. After the war, the surviving copies were taken over by the victorious countries and were further operated.

When it had invented the guided missiles, torpedo boats were replaced by missile boats. It took place in the 1970s.

Specifications (S-100):

• Length: 32.76 m (107.5 ft),
• Width: 5.06 m (16.6 ft),
• Draft: 1.47 m (4 ft 10 in)
• Speed: 81.1 km/h (43.8 kn; 43.8 nmi/h),
• Max displacement: 100 ton (UK-98.42 t, USA-110.23 t),
• Powerplant: three 20-cylinder diesel engines with a total power of approximately 3960 HP (2953 kW) ¹,
• Range: 1,500 km (800 nmi) at speed 56 km/h (30 kn),
• Crew: 25-30.

Armament:

• 2 torpedo tubes,
• 4 torpedoes cal. 533 mm (20.98 in),
• 20 mm (0.79 in) gun in the bow,
• Double 20 mm (0.79 in) gun amidships,
• 37 mm (1.46 in) gun at the stern,
• Sea mines.

Sources:

• Manual-instruction issued by Italeri and included with the model, and published on the website: https://www.mojehobby.pl/products/Schnellboot-Typ-S-100.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-boat
• ¹ „Exercise Tiger: The Forgotten Sacrifice of the Silent Few” autor: Wendy Lawrance, Fonthill Media Limited, United Kingdom 2013.

27 Jan 2018