1:35 M.T.M. Barchino with crew

Item No.: 510005623
Description: 1:35 M.T.M. Barchino with crew. Following its operational successes in World War I, the Italian Regia Marina continued the development of various underwater and surface attack vehicles in the post-war period. The Motoscafo da Turismo Modificato (M.T.M.) was designed to ensure a stealthy and rapid approach to targets with a low risk of detection by enemy forces. As the target was approached, the pilot adjusted the rudder to maintain direction and brought the fast small boat onto a collision course. The pilot, positioned at the stern, jumped out of the vehicle at a safe distance before the collision occurred. The high-explosive charge, placed in the bow of the Barchino, detonated upon impact with the target. The most successful operation of the Barchino by the Italian Regia Marina was the attack led by Luigi Faggioni on the heavy cruiser HMS York of the Royal Navy in Suda Bay, Crete, in 1941.