FAST WATER CRAFT
New German Secret
Weapon (8.0.W.) RUGBY, May 22. “Swinging at anchor in Lubeck Bay, I saw a strange mothlike structure,” writes a correspondent. “It is classed as one of Hitler’s secret weapons, and the official German naval title is V. 6. Its German inventor calls it' ‘the 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 folded moth wings running along each side from stem to stern. The vessel is also equipped with water floats at the stem, and at speed 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 standstill from cruising speed in 10 seconds. “Its semi-aeronautical design enables the craft, apart from a specially designed propeller, to keep practically clear of the water, thus minimizing 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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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19450524.2.65
Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 25680, 24 May 1945, Page 5
Word Count
192FAST WATER CRAFT Southland Times, Issue 25680, 24 May 1945, Page 5
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