Nasty Class PTF

[Shar2]

Nasty Class PTF

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History

Design of the PTF began in the late 1950's when the prototype motor torpedo boat NASTY was developed for the coastal anti-invasion mission of the Royal Norwegian Navy, as a follow on to their U.S. built PTs and British Fairmile "Ds". It was a private venture financed by shipyard entrepreneur Westermoen.

The NASTY was designed by Jan H. Linge in close cooperation with World War II experienced officers of the Royal Norwegian Navy. Linge used a computer to analyze the features of the best patrol boats developed up to that time and to test improved designs. The prototype was completed in Autumn of 1957 and it was successful in tests by the Royal Norwegian Navy.

In the Spring of 1958 an order was placed for 12. Lead boat KNM TJELD (P-343) was commissioned in June of 1960 (tjeld is a type of seabird). This class was designed to fit guns, torpedoes, mines and/or ASW weapons. These craft have proven to be very fast, with a burst speed of 46 knots fully laden in calm water. Top speed varies slightly from boat to boat due to small differences in the construction of their wood hulls. Initial cost was relatively low, as is the cost of operation and maintenance.

Survivability features include low silhouette and low radiated signatures (magnetic/IR/acoustic). There is redundancy in the engineering plant, with manual backups for pumps and steering. Watertight compartmentalization includes features of fire and flooding control, as well as protection from nuclear, biological, and chemical contamination. The extremely wide beam (about 1/3 of the length) incorporates a "V" bottom, hard chine after part with a round bottom forward.

It efficiently carries heavy loads and a large crew of 19 plus two squadron staff members. Due to her long range capability of over 1000 miles, seats are provided for the steersman and commander. During cold weather operation, heated suits are worn by those in the open bridge.

The NASTYS feature British Napier (now Paxman) Deltic turbo-charged opposed piston diesel engines (18 cylinders). They have integral gear boxes which connect to "V" drives, with a ratio of 1:1, and develop 3100 S.H.P. each. These fresh water cooled engines are made mostly of aluminum, have low magnetic signatures, run cool to the touch and weigh only 13,000 pounds. They were developed based on fast patrol boat experiences of World War II. First fit in the Royal Navy DARK class in 1953, these engines have since served in 18 navies, and have operated from the arctic to the tropics. Most engine exhaust is directed underneath the hull to muffle noise, minimize infrared (IR) signature, and reduce water resistance. Royal Norwegian Naval experience with the engines has been excellent, with overhauls scheduled after normal operations of 1,500 hours a year. The engines can be lifted out and replaced easily to minimize boat downtime.

Selected for Vietnam

In all, 42 NASTYS were built in Norway: 20 for their own Navy's use, six for Greece, two for Turkey (as war reparations from West Germany), and 14 were built for the US. Designated PTF, these 14 were bought for use in Vietnam. Six more PTF's were built in the U.S. by John Trumpy and Sons of Annapolis, Maryland (some parts, such as the keel and stem were imported). In Vietnam they operated out of DaNang, were crewed by the South Vietnamese Navy, and carried 12 man Vietnamese Army SEAL Teams. The NASTY PTFs supplemented a large U.S. force of aluminum hulled patrol boats.

The Model

The kit arrives in a small, strong cardboard box which upon opening seems to be filled with polystyrene chips, but once these are removed the separately bagged resin parts are revealed. \at the bottom of the box is a well folded instruction sheet and beneath this, the etch fret. Once unfolded, the instruction sheet is in the standard White Ensign A4 format giving clear guidance on the constructiona and painting of this small, but perfectly formed model.

The main hull, which is around 1.5 inches, (37.5mm) long, is in one piece and is beautifully moulded item, although the reveiw example had two very small pin holes and a slight moulding stub on the bow and transom, but these are all below the waterline so when using in a diorama they may well be ignored, unless the modeller is really picky, even then they will easily be removed. The rest of the hull and "superstructure" is very clean and nicely done.

Another small bag contains the rest of the resin items, these are the 40mm gun, two liferafts, radar, dinghy, and propshafts. These items have a small amount of soft resin flash and pour stubs which are reaily cleaned up. Otherwise they are once again nicely moulded.

The rest of the kit parts are contained on the etch fret which is up to the usual White Ensign fabulous standard. The sheet contains an alternative 40mm cannon, two 20mm cannon, railings, propellers, rudders, masts and bridge fittings. These make for a very fine and detailed looking model. The parts are very small, but with patience and a steady hand, should cause few problems.

Conclusion

Another lovely little kit from White Ensign, which, whilst perhaps more famous for their larger subjects, should be commended for releasing these small, but no less important warship designs within their Narrow Seas range. Because of their size, these models make nice subjects for small dioramas and would be a good starting point for modellers new to this genre.

Review sample courtesy of John at

[Dads203]

Nice review Dave, WEM have put great detail on the fittings for such a small kit.

Cheers

Dan

[Shar2]

Thanks Dan. These Narrow Seas kits are great little models.