GERMAN “WATER SKATE”
ONE OF ENEMY’S SECRET WEAPONS RUGBY, May 22. “ Swinging at anchor in Lubeck Bay, I saw a strange moth-like structure,” writes a correspondent. “It is classed as one of Hitler’s secret weapons, and the official German naval title is V Six. Its German inventor calls it a ‘ water skate,’ and claims that it can reach the greatest speed yet achieved by any water surface craft. “ It was originally intended to take medical and other necessary supplies to the garrison in the Channel Islands. The craft has fins like a folded moth, the wings running along each side from stem to stern. The vessel is also equipped with water floats at the stern, and at speed it literally skims on the surface of the water. It is reported to be able to reach a speed of 50 knots in 10 seconds, and come to a standstill from a cruising speed in 10 seconds. Its semi-aeronautical design enables the craft, apart from its specially-designed propeller, to keep practically clear of the water, thus minimising the water drag to almost zero. It is now revealed that British naval experts have been developing a craft on similar lines. >
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 25852, 24 May 1945, Page 5
Word Count
197GERMAN “WATER SKATE” Otago Daily Times, Issue 25852, 24 May 1945, Page 5
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