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10 Mar 2004, 22:11 (Ref:901364) | #1 | ||
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Alfa Romeo race engined suicide speed boats during WWII
Here's an unusual one. The other night I was watching the history channel and they had something on about the early years of WWII.
I had to take call so I couldn't pay attention to the telly, but there was something about the Italians building speed boats fitted with Alfa race car engines. They stuffed 'em with explosives and the pilots would aim them at a large ship, go full speed and jump out of the boats before impact. A sort of kamikaze manouvre, but the pilots saved themselves and surrended afterwards. They sunk an English cargo ship (didn't get the name of the ship) in the port of Alexandria. I'd like to learn more about this episode in Alfa Romeo history. Anyone out there got more info on this? Cheers, Pierre. Last edited by Pierre Martins; 10 Mar 2004 at 22:20. |
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11 Mar 2004, 13:06 (Ref:901902) | #2 | ||
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Is this it?
Here are some details of the MTM "Barchino" which I think is the vessel to which you refer.
What a waste of a 6C Alfa Engine! Unfortunately they scored at least one success - here is HMS York after being attacked. The loss of life in war was so much more of a waste than the waste of the engine. HTH Duncan |
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11 Mar 2004, 14:18 (Ref:902009) | #3 | ||
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I believe that it was also the same sort of vessel which made an (unsuccessful) attack on Grand harbour in Malta. Sad but courageous and dashing.
Regards Jim |
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11 Mar 2004, 18:27 (Ref:902219) | #4 | |||
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Quote:
Duncan PS Would the VSCC allow me to build a special using one of these engines? |
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11 Mar 2004, 19:29 (Ref:902284) | #5 | ||
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Another curiosity, is that in the Narrative piece of the link, it mentions 6 units and 12 units. I have seen this translation in another Italian book on aero engines, where unit meant cylinder. Does this imply they also used a version of the later Alfa Romeo 12 cylinder motor ? I am sure the one in the picture is a six.
Chris. |
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11 Mar 2004, 19:39 (Ref:902289) | #6 | ||
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Quote:
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12 Mar 2004, 20:17 (Ref:903709) | #7 | ||
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Poor guys, what a waste of life.
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