A most peculiar type of riverine and estuary craft was also developed by the Russians. This was the 1124 and 1125 class of armoured rivercraft or Bronekater. These shallow draught craft, drawing only 2-foot of water, could penetrate river systems and lakes, even being moved by rail and lorry to new locations. Some featured numerous armoured turrets, even T-34 tank turrets, and again, frequently equipped themselves with rails for the Katyusha launchers. They were tough little boats capable of receiving and dishing out punishment, though they had a small crew and were slow and poor deep watercraft.
The D-3 class was built in wood, and carrying torpedoes openly on deck could attain speeds of 32 knots(59 km/h, 37 mph). Later boats in the series had improved engines increasing operating speeds to 48 knots (89 km/h, 55 mph)!
Although not many D-3s served in the Black Sea they were quite active, sinking German Barges and an Italian midget submarine. A most notable action was the sinking of the Elbing-class large torpedo boat T-31 in the Battle of Nerva Island.
Often referred to as the “riverine tanks” or “Bronekater” the gunboats of the project 1124 and 1125 series played an important role in securing the large system of waterways of the Soviet Union.
Transportable by train from a river to other, it was designed to enter tunnels and cross bridges aboard wagon trains.
Bronekater pr.1125
This model represents Soviet Bronekater pr.1125 with M-13-M Rocket Launcher (Katyusha), 76.2mm F-34 T-34 Cast Turret and DShKM-2B Duel 12.7mm DshK Machine guns.
This model is of a rare ship that saw action as part of the Asov Flotilla during the Kerch-Eltigen Amphibious Operation, Kerch peninsula, Krim, November 1943.
The Soviet Bronekater pr.1125 with Katyusha comes in a pack of two to boost your Soviet Navy coastal forces.
The Soviets used many captured craft and received British and American MTBs that were used in their light flotillas. Their home-grown efforts, however, produced the peculiar looking G-5 light torpedo boats. They built scores of these aluminium boats, a material which was vulnerable to salt water.
They were small and initially not very fast, but later models were 16 tons in weight and could manage 38 knots. Later G-5s could even achieve speeds of up to 40-48 knots if well maintained. They had a petrol engine. The late series even got up to 53 knots!
Their main strike weapon was two torpedoes, stern launched, which was rare in WWII. They were dropped tail first into the water, so a sharp turn was necessary on launch to get out of the way. Unlike most other nations, the boats carried no cannon but were armed with one 12.7mm machine gun and normally two 7.62mm MMGs.
£3.16
