MGB 502 - 509

Is that really how the blockade runners were outfitted?  They had three petrol engines I thought.

The Gas Turbines were not used till later, correct?  Was that a picture of the converted vessels after the war?  

The MGB’s 502 -508 were powered by Paxman V12 Diesels while MGB509 was powered by 3 Packard Petrol Engines – it was this boat (509) that was selected to test the ‘Gatric’ Gas Turbine engine in 1947.

502 and 503 were completed and remained as heavily armed (but no Tubes) RN MGB’s .

For Political reasons 504 -508 were completed as Merchant Ships and given the names of ‘Hopewell’ –‘Nonsuch’ – ‘Gay Viking’ – ‘Gay Corsair’ – ‘Master Standfast’ (no prefix of HMS). These craft were only ‘lightly armed’ (as a ‘norm’ for Merchantmen of that time) but no Tubes or heavy armament, these 5 having major below Deck modifications to accommodate cargo in Holds. Crewed by civilian’s – Trawlermen from Hull and Officers from the Ellerman Wilson Coy staff – operating under the Merchant Red Ensign – it was these 5 craft that had a notable career as ‘Blockade Runners’.

509 was completed as an RN MGB with the 3 Packard motor’s – the ‘Gatric’ experiment with marine Gas Turbines being planned as long before as 1943 (before launch of the boat). Some doubt as to what was the first GT powered craft – this or HMS Grey Goose.

Sources:-

Accession Number : ADA037686 Title :   The Marine Gas Turbine--The UK Provides a Case Study in Technological Development,

and

Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co. Ltd. 1899 - 1949
by John Dummelow M.A., A.M.I.E.E.

Armament 2 twin Oerlikon 20mm, 2 twin and 1 quadruple .303 Vickers.

Man thanks alot you guys walk on water... Now all I want to do is figure out how to make a model of it.  Thanks again.

Any pics of diagrams of the bridge?  Wonders where they put all that armament.  I see what looks like dual 303s on the after deck a mabye a single 20 mm..

Any Country posing as a 'Neutral' would be under some scruitiny by both 'sides' to make sure that - the other 'side' - was not gaining any advantage. (ie Montivideo and Graf Spey). A Warship would only be allowed to stay for a very limited period for repairs to make it seaworthy - after which it would be interned. Technically 4 of that class were Registered as Merchantmen but it would obviously be a moot point to argue - as I am sure it was- that any ship bristling with armament would/could be breaching any Neutrality Law's - At that stage in the War it really was not seen that Germany would 'lose' and Sweden- no matter where her sympathy lay - would not wish to risk having herself 'occupied'. It would be interesting to hear from anyone with knowledge of the finer points of Neutrality law's then in force. All of the surviving members of the 'Merchantmen' of that class were taken over by the RN - dropped their 'disguises' - and became MGB's in 1944.

Good luck with the Model Richard - don't forget to post some pictures of the build for us all to see. (If you go to - Where Are The Personnel Now - and read O/S Tom Chapman - he made a very similar model of a Camper Nicholson)

Regards