Fairmile D motor torpedo boat
The Fairmile D motor torpedo boat was a type of British motor torpedo boat (MTB) and motor gunboat (MGB) designed by Bill Holt and conceived by Fairmile Marine for the Royal Navy. Nicknamed "Dog Boats", they were designed to combat the known advantages of the German E-boats over previous British coastal craft designs. They were bigger than earlier MTB or motor gunboat (MGB) designs (which were typically around 70 feet) but slower, at 30 knots compared to 40 knots. Boats The first twelve boats were ordered on 15 March 1941, becoming MGB 601 to MGB 612. The prefix was altered from "MGB" to "MTB" in September 1943. Another 28 boats were ordered on 27 April 1941, as MGB 613 to MGB 616, and ML 617 to ML 640, although the MLs were quickly reclassed as MGBs. All (except early losses 622 , 631 and 639) were reclassed as "MTB" in September 1943. Eight of these were handed over to the Royal Norwegian Navy in 1942. A further 60 boats were ordered on 18 November 1941, numbered from 641 up to 700, some with the "ML"prefix, others as "MGB" or "MTB", although all survivors later became "MTB". However, from No. 697 onwards, the boats were classified as combined "MTB"/"MGB"s. Another 23 boats were ordered on 7 April 1942 as MTB 701 to MTB 723, and then 48 more on 30 August 1942 as MTB 724 to MTB 771. Finally, 58 more were ordered on 26 March 1943 as MTB 772 to MTB 800, and MTB 5001 to MTB 5029 (although MTB 5027 was cancelled, the only Fairmile order not to be built). History Unlike the Fairmile B designs (many of which were built overseas), the "Dog Boats" were only produced in component form in Britain. Some were built for the RAF's Marine Branch for use in the long range air-sea rescue role for downed airmen. Altogether, 229 boats were ordered (and 228 built) between 1942 and 1945. Many versions were produced or converted from existing boats; MGB, MTB, MA/SB, LRRC and post-war FPB. Since the Fairmile D could be fitted out with a mix of armament that gave it the capabilities of both a motor gunboat and a motor torpedo boat, later-war examples were all completed with a heavy combined armament and universally classified as MTBs. By 1944, the MGB designation was largely dropped by the RN and most of the mid-war (earlier model) Type Ds which had survived were reclassified as MTBs even if they lacked torpedo armament. Mediterranean-based MGBs, however, seem to have retained their MGB pennant numbers to the end of the war. Two captured boats were put into Kriegsmarine service. Today the D-type is a popular choice among boat modelers. There are no known survivors, other than two abandoned wrecks, one in Chatham, England and the other in Ellingsøy, Norway. See also Fairmile A motor launch Fairmile B motor launch Fairmile C motor gun boat Fairmile H landing craft Steam gun boat Coastal Forces of the Royal