Coastal Forces Veterans

Posted: **Wed Aug 06, 2014 1:07 pm**

I am currently writing and illustrating a book on MTBs, which will be published later this year. It will cover Vosper boats to 538, and the flush-deck White boats.

I would appreciate any information on what engines were fitted to MTBs 41 to 48, and indeed to MTBs 252 to 257. What information I have is either sketchy, or conflicts with other sources.

Were 41 and her sisters fitted with Sterling Admirals, or Hall-Scott Defenders? Were they refitted with Packards?

Posted: **Sun Aug 10, 2014 8:46 pm**

Geoffrey Hudson, the official historian of the former Coastal Forces Veterans Association (CFVA), recorded the following information on the White-built MTBs, in a piece originally written by him for the 2001 CFVA Diary.

MTBs 41–48

Intended to be engined with three 1,150 bhp Isotta Fraschini engines, giving a maximum speed of about 36.5 knots, but the supply of Isotta engines ceased with Italy's entry into the war in June 1940. Thus MTB 41–43 entered service with three 800 bhp Isotta Fraschini engines, giving a maximum speed of only 29.5 knots, and MTB 44–48 entered service with three 800 bhp Hall Scott engines, giving a maximum speed of 28 to 29 knots. MTB 42 and 43 were later re-engined with three 1,200 bhp Packards, giving a maximum speed of 38 knots

MTBs 252–257

Further MTBs constructed by White at Cowes during the war were MTB 201–212 and 246– 251, built to the 71ft Vosper 1940 design and MTB 252–257 and 424–429 (Polish manned, as S5–10) built to a new 71ft 6in White design.

Apart from MTB 201–204 which received their intended Packard engines, all these later White MTBs were powered by three 1,125bhp Sterling Admiral petrol engines.

Regards
Admin

Posted: **Mon Aug 11, 2014 8:30 am**

Many thanks for that, which has filled in many gaps!

Coastal Forces Veterans

J.S White MTBs 41 to 48

J.S White MTBs 41 to 48

Re: J.S White MTBs 41 to 48

Re: J.S White MTBs 41 to 48