M.T.M. Barchino With Crew

Italeri, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The explosive motorboat MT (Motoscafo da Turismo) also known as barchino (Italian for "little boat"), was a series of small explosive motor boats developed by the Italian Royal Navy, which was based on its predecessors, the prototype boat and the MAT, an airborne prototype.

Explosive motorboats were designed to make a silent approach to a moored warship, set a collision course and run into full gear until the last 200 or 100 yards to the target, when the pilot would eject after blocking the rudder.  At impact, the hull would be broken amidships by a small explosive charge, sinking the boat and the warhead, which was fitted with a water-pressure fuse set to go off at a depth of one metre.

By the end of September 1938 the Navy Department ordered six explosive boats.

The one-pilot vessels were built by the companies Baglietto of Varazze and CABI of Milan, which was also to supply the engines.

The most successful deployment of the 'Barchino' by the Italian Regio Marina, was the assault led by Luigi Faggioni on the Royal Navy heavy cruiser H.M.S. York at Suda Bay, Crete in 1941.*

Italeri originally released their M.T.M. Barchino in 2007.

This new boxing adds a seated pilot, changes the painting instructions (the bottom of the hull is black now) and the reference booklet has been deleted.

Italeri's 1/35 scale M.T.M. Barchino comprises just 49 parts in grey plastic, plus 40 photo-etchedbrass parts and a small decal sheet.

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Thumbnail panels:

Moulding quality is very good. A cockpit is included, as are two bulkheads and the option to open the panel at the top of the hull to display the explosives compartment.

Decals are supplied for the instrument dials and identification numbers.

A photo-etched fret supplies parts including the instrument panel, the screw, 30 butterfly nuts and other small details.

A simple stand is provided to ensure that the model can be displayed upright.

The two crew figures are nicely moulded. Both are wearing rubber suits.

The standing figure is moulded as a single part.

The pilot is broken down into seven parts. This includes the choice of two heads - one with a rubber helmet and one without headgear. The facial sculpting on these heads are particularly nice.

Construction should be very fast and straightforward.

The instructions are well laid out, and it is nice to see full colour painting guides.

Italeri's 1/35 scale M.T.M. Barchino is a unique, simple and interesting model with few enough parts to ensure a fast build. The stand and figures suggest some interesting diorama possibilities too.

* Historical summary courtesy of Wikipedia

Thanks to The Hobby Company Limited for the sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2022 by Brett Green
Page Created 6 September, 2022
Last updated 7 September, 2022

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