D3-class motor torpedo boat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 The D-3-class torpedo boat TKA-12 displayed in Severomorsk | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | |
| Operators | |
| Preceded by | G-5 class |
| Succeeded by | Project 123-bis class |
| Subclasses | 2 |
| Built | 1939–1945 |
| In commission | 1941–1950s |
| Completed | 73 |
| Lost | 28 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Motor torpedo boat |
| Displacement | 31 tonnes (31 long tons; 34 short tons) (standard) |
| Length | 22.4 m (73 ft 6 in) overall |
| Beam | 4.04 m (13 ft 3 in) |
| Draught | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Propulsion | GAM-34 or GAM-34BS or GAM-34FN petrol engines |
| Speed | 32–48 knots (37–55 mph; 59–89 km/h) |
| Complement | 9 |
| Armament |
|
The D-3-class, designated Project P-19, was a class of Soviet wooden motor torpedo boats (MTB) built before and during World War II. The D stands for Derevyanniy (Russian: Деревянный, wooden).
In 1935 the Soviet Navy begun working on larger MTBs that possessed higher endurance than the previous numerous G-5 class. In 1937, the specifications for were issued with 2 designs created, the wooden D-2 and the Steel SM-3. During testing the SM-3 suffered hull cracks at high speeds and the D-2 had poor stability so neither entered production. Nevertheless, both were commissioned into the Black Sea Fleet.[1]
The D-3 was a development of the D-2, with the prototype completed in 1939 and production ordered before trials of the prototype boat had begun. They were originally designed with 3 Mikulan GAM-34FN engines driving 3 shafts, but their unreliability and discontinuation in 1940 meant that the less powerful GAM-34BS engines were equipped instead. This reduced its speed from 48 knots to 32.
The boats were armed with 2 heavy machine guns of various types and 2 533 millimetres (21.0 in) BS-7 torpedo drop collars. Some ships were also fitted with lend-lease 20mm Oerlikon autocannons.[2]
Production
The boats were produced in two main series. The 1941 series with 26 boats built between possessed a noticeable lower speed 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph), and the 1943 series with 47 boats built that could reach up to 47–48 knots (87–89 km/h; 54–55 mph) thanks to lend-lease Packard engines. Engine shortages in wartime Leningrad led to some boats fitted with only a single GAM-34BS engine, with the other 2 shafts driven by much weaker ZIS-5 engines. These boats had a maximum speed of about 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph), and were converted to patrol boats as they were too slow to use as torpedo boats.[2]
Variants
In 1942, due to lack of large enemy ships operating in within range of Kronshtadt, the local No.5 Shipyard created the Project P-19-O subchaser, armed with more powerful guns and 16 depth charges, though without submarine detection equipment. This design was modified again into the Project P-19-OK.[2]
Additionally in 1942, the No.5 Shipyard and TsKB-50 design bureau submitted designs for an improved D-3, the Project P-26, with a modified internal layout and extra engines, and Project 158, a steel-hulled version of the D-3. These designs would culminate into Project 200, which was approved in November 1942 with 4 variants planned for production:[3]
- OD-200: Wooden subchaser, entered production
- OM-200: Steel subchaser, cancelled due to lack of available steel
- TD-200: Wooden torpedo boat, prototype completed in 1946 and produced as the TD-200bis (NATO reporting name: P 2-class) using Soviet engines instead of lend-lease ones
- TM-200: Steel torpedo boat, 24 produced
Lastly, another steel torpedo boat based on the original SM-3 design was created in 1943, the STK DD, designated Project 163. It was the first Soviet torpedo boat to use torpedo tubes and M-50 diesel engines, which would be featured in many post-war torpedo boat designs. However it wasn't able to reach its designed speed and only a single prototype was built.[4]