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M.T.M. Barchino Walkaround

the m.t.m. "barchino"

"Also known as "Barchini" (little boats), the M.T.M represented an evolution of a fast surface attack vessel first conceived in 1936 as the M.A. (assault motorboat) and the M.A.T. (airborne assault motorboat), built by the Biglietto Varazze shipyard.

This same shipyard, in 1938-39, built two series of the new type M.T.; the first of 6 vessels, and the second, slightly larger and with a larger motor of 95HP, of 12 vessels.

This last construction period, in 1940-42, for the developement and building of the M.T.M. of which about 50 were built. From the M.T.M. derived, in 1942-43, the M.T.R. and the M.T.R.M. of which about 20 vessels were built, but only one entered service with the navy of the Republica Sociale Italiana.

Admiral Iachino, in his book "Sunset of a Great Navy" describes the M.T.M. as small motorboat-torpedo (M.T.S.M. invented by Capt. Guido Cattaneo), and commonly known as "barchini", piloted by a single man who would bail out of the vessel about 100 meters before hitting the target, abandoning the vessel in full speed.

Note from the Editor: The history part is a copy of Mark Smith's (Gunny) News Release - Thank you Mark!

The most famous target of MTM's: HMS York which was badly damaged at Suda Bay in Crete by two Italian barchini, small motor assault boats (or MTMs) launched by enemy destroyers Crispi and Sella of the Italian MAS on 26 March 1941.

Technical Specifications:

Shipyard~ Bagliette-Varezze and Stabilimenti Aeronautici S.I.A.E - Sesto Calende
Built Year~1940-42
Displacement~1200 Kg
Length~6.15 meters
Beam~1.70 meters
Drought~0.45meters
Engine~6-cylinder Alfa Romeo 3.500 cc 95 H.P.
Speed~31 knots
Range~85 miles @ 31 knots
Armament~330 Kg mine
Crew~1

m.t.m. "barchino" at the Museo Storico Navale - Venezia, Italia