Italeri M.T.M. "Barchino" 1:35

telepatu · June 8, 2023

As my entry to the group build I selected the small motor boat from Italeri, M.T.M. Barchino. These small modified recreational motor boats were designed to be driven towards an enemy ship. The boat would break up upon collision with the target and the 300+ kg depth charge like device would sink under the ship and detonate a few meters under water.

Italians were not doing any kamikaze runs, the idea is to eject before impact. The driver would float on the surface on the provided floating device and avoid the effects of the underwater explosion. The boat driver would most likely be captured, as the poor pilots early implementation of a SUP board doesn't even have a paddle.

In May 1941 three MTMs managed to sneak into Suda Bay harbour in Crete and cripple the heavy cruiser HMS York and oli tanker Pericles. There were six boats in the attack, but three had to abandon the attack. All six Italian sailors survived the attack, but were captured by the British.

The driver figure is here for showing the scale. Figure painting was a new thing for me. I have watched some youtube tutorials, but there's so much to learn. Black rubber suit doesn't make it any easier to make it less boring. Not entirely happy with it, but now it is time to move on to next builds.

There are some really nice works of the kit around the internet so this kit has a lot of potential for skilled model builders.

This was fun build and I'm happy to call it ready.