Coastal Motor Torpedo Boat 216
As built by Steve Brown
Derived from the First World War Thornycroft 55ft Coastal Motor Boats, these boats were essentially improved versions with a hard chine bow and a different engine layout. Powered by two Thornycroft RY12 petrol engines these CMBs could achieve 40-42knots but were relatively fragile boats. Launched in January 1941 they were delivered to their new base at Suda Bay in Crete in March 1941. Mainly operating in covert operations by dropping off agents in Crete and Greece, they were all destroyed by German bombers in May 1941 when the island was attacked.Main armament was two 18inch torpedoes with two depth charges behind the cockpit and for self defence two 0.303inch Lewis machine guns were mounted behind the steering position. The torpedoes were launched by cordite charges pushing a ram which pushed the torpedoes off the stern, the CMB turning quickly to avoid being sunk by its own torpedoes!The model is scratch-built to 1/12th scale (1inch to 1ft) making it a relatively large model 55inches long and 11inches wide. It will be powered by two Bosch 12v car heater motors driving two 55mm cast bronze propellors. A homemade steering system is being constructed to allow the rudders to work as per the original boat.
This build log is being continued over on 'modelboatmayhem.co.uk' follow the link below
