Type 142 Zobel class fast attack craft - The last German torpedo boat

[de Radio Demon@live 266]

                                                                                          Type 142 Zobel class fast attack craft - The last German torpedo boat

                                                                   

 

                                                                                                                                  Background

The Zobel class fast attack craft was a class of 10 fast attack craft or otherwise known as torpedo boats, the class themselves are somewhat similar to the Jaguar class fast attack craft as they were a modified version of the former class with the main difference being the superstructure with the vessels including a rear superstructure, new bridge design as well as new mast, and later on they also received newer radar and systems. The Zobel's themselves were the last of the German torpedo boats as the Gepard class of the 1980's replaced them and in which case the Gepard's were of a subclass to the Albatros class fast attack craft.

                                                                   

                                                                   

As the Zobels are based of the Jaguar class they were armed with 2 40mm/70 Bofors as the primary gun armament, they also came with 4 533mm however this can be reduced to 2 torpedo tubes, as for other weapons these vessels could carry 4 depth charges as well as up to 23 naval mines which were on mine laying rails however the mine rails could only be installed when the aft 2 torpedo tubes were removed. Though their capabilities were comparable to that of the Jaguars they later on they had their torpedo tube mounts reduced to 2 with the ships using now the Seal torpedo tube which were side launched like the Albatros class as well as that they had new radar sets that gave them a more distinct profile as given by the new radar dome, additionally they no longer had the abilities to lay mines due to the changes. 

                                                                   

                                                                   

 

                                                                                                                                     Specifications

Displacement:

(As built)

172.5 tons standard

190 tons full loaded

(1970's Modernization)

213 tons standard

219 tons fully loaded

 

Length: 42.6 m (140 ft)

 

Beam: 7.1 m (23 ft)

 

Draft: 2.3 m (7.5 ft)

 

Propulsion:

4 × Mercedes-Benz MB 518 B diesel engines, 3000PS each

4 × propeller shafts, driving three-bladed propellers of 1.15m diameter

 

Speed:

(As built)

42 knots (78 km/h; 48 mph)

(1970's Modernization)

38.5 knots (71 km/h; 44 mph)

 

Range: 700 nmi at 35 knots

 

Complement: 39 

 

Sensors and processing systems:

(As built)

Decca 1226 radar

(1970's Modernization)

Kelvin Hughes 14/9 radar

2x M20 radar

 

Armament:

Primary armament:

2 × Bofors 40mm gun

Torpedo tubes:

(As built)

4 to 2 × 533mm torpedo tubes (reduced to 2 if mines are in use)

(1970's Modernization)

2 x 533mm torpedo tubes (uses different torpedo tubes)

Other weaponry:

Up to 23 Naval mines *(Mines cannot be carried unless rear torpedo tubes are removed, mines cannot be used in the 1970's modernization)

4 x Depth chargers 

 

Sources:

Spoiler

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zobel-class_fast_attack_craft

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zobel-Klasse

https://www.seaforces.org/marint/German-Navy/Patrol-Vessel/Type-142-Zobel-class.htm

https://www.navypedia.org/ships/germany/ger_cf_zobel.htm

Image Sources:

Spoiler

http://www.foerderverein-museums-schnellboot.de/s-boote/bundes-dt-marine/s-flottille/7sgschw.htm

http://www.ship-model-today.de/kranich1

https://www.seaforces.org/marint/German-Navy/Patrol-Vessel/Type-142-Zobel-class.htm

https://www.navypedia.org/ships/germany/ger_cf_zobel.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zobel-class_fast_attack_craft

 

Edited December 17, 2021 by de Radio Demon@live

[ItssLuBu 1,798]

Approved and open for discussion. 

[Milocat 4,848]

+1 for sure!  Very cool!