Type-055A Shantou class
NATO: Swatow
Overview
Type-055 Shantou class
Chinese Type-055 Shantou class motor gun boat.
Source: Chinese internet -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Swatow class (NATO reporting name)
Vietnam
North Korea
Description
Introduction
The Shantou class is an early Cold War motor gun boat of Chinese origin. It was developed in the mid 1950's as a variant of the P-6 motor torpedo boat of Soviet origin. In the West the Shantou class is better known by its "Swatow class" NATO reporting name. The Shantou was replaced in production with the Shanghai class that was produced in much larger numbers.
Layout
The Shantou has the same hull as the Soviet P-6 motor torpedo boat that was also produced in China. The hull is made out of steel instead of wood and thus increasing both the level of protection and overall weight. To keep the weight down two of the four large engines in the P-6 have been replaced by two smaller ones with reduced top speed as a result. Two large turrets are fitted on the front and aft deck.
Firepower
The main armament consists of two powerful twin gun 37mm L/63 V-11M turrets. The guns are manually loaded, aimed and fired and can be used against surface targets and aircraft. Some vessels feature a 12.7mm Type 54 heavy machine gun on each side of the cabin. Others have two 75mm Type 52 recoilless rifles at the bow. Depth charge racks are present on all versions.
Mobility
The Shantou has a much reduced mobility than the P-6 class. The steel hull increases the weight and the engine setup consists of two 1.200 hp diesels and two smaller 300 hp diesels. The loss of 40 percent of the original power results in maximum speed of 28 knots whereas the P-6 may reach 43 knots. When travelling at 28 knots the operational range is 500 nm.
Users
The main user of the Shantou class was China. The class was soon superseded by the local Shanghai class but remained in limited use until the 1980's. From the 1980's onward many ships were deleted or transferred to the police with the last being in use in 1993. The Shantou class was exported to various Chinese allies.
Details
Media
Shantou class
Blurry photo showing the large manned twin 37mm autocannon turrets.
Source: www.warboats.org (PLAN via Chip Marshall)
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Type-055 Shantou class
Artist impression of Type-055 Shantou class motor gun boat.
Source: Chinese internet
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Shantou class
Side view of the Shantou class motor gun boat.
Source: www.warboats.org (PLAN via Chip Marshall)
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Shantou class
Line diagram of Shantou class clearly showing the large twin 37mm gun turrets.
Source: www.ptdockyard.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Subcomponents
37mm V-11
The main armament of the Shantou are two twin barrel 37mm V-11 naval turrets.
Type 54
Some Shantou are armed with a 12.7mm Type 54 heavy machine gun on either side of the bridge.