Fairmile B

Fairmile B
Specifications
Type	Coastal Patrol Boat
Armament	1 x 47-mm ROQF 3pdr deck gun, 1 x twin 20-mm Oerlikon cannon, 1 x single 20-mm Oerlikon cannon, 2 x single .303-in Vickers GO machine guns
Crew	8 total (Position: Role) 1: Helmsman 2: Port Lookout 3: Forward Deck Gun 4: Forward AA Gun 5: Starboard Lookout 6: Rear AA Guns 7: Port Machine Gunner 8: Starboard Machine Gunner
Weight	35.3 tons kg
Top Speed	20 knots

History

While the Type A motor launch had been designed entirely by Fairmile, the Type B design had come from Bill Holt, head of the Admiralty's DNC Boat Section. The hard-chine hull of the Type A had exhibited seakeeping and handling limitations, but Holt's round-bilged design for the Type B was a far more seaworthy form.

Like all Fairmile boats, production of the Type B was based on total prefabrication so individual components could be contracted out to small factories for production and these arranged as kits that would be delivered in stages to various boatyards for assembly & fitting out on a 'just-in-time' basis. Accordingly, the detailed design work for the Type B was taken on by Fairmile and modified to suit their kit fabrication principle - they then also handled production of component parts.

Altogether approximately 650 boats were built between 1940 and 1945. Like the Type As, the Type Bs were initially intended as submarine chasers, so the boats were fitted with ASDIC (sonar) as standard.

Their main armament initially reflected their anti-submarine focus, with 12 depth charges, a single QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss gun forward, and one set of twin 0.303-in Lewis or GO machine guns (frequently increased in number by the crew); early boats often received a Holman projector amidships. A common upgrade to gun armament by 1942-43 in many early boats was to add an aft bandstand mounting for either a 2-pdr Rolls gun or a 20mm Oerlikon cannon. The specifications given are for the original 1940 British version.

As the war moved on, the vessels were adapted to other roles and the armament was modified and upgraded such as the replacement of the 3-pounder with one or more 20 mm Oerlikon cannon and removal of the ASDIC dome for more clearance as minesweepers. Some boats were configured as motor torpedo boats. Able to be configured to many different roles and loadouts, these boats were very popular in service.

Game Play

The Fairmile B was designed to be a submarine chaser but its design allowed for rapid reconfiguration so that it could fill different roles. Its slow speed compared to other armed water craft limited it to primarily defensive operations, but it is well armed to provide AA cover for coastal operations and functions as a gunboat and stealthy commando drop vehicle in coastal and channel island territories.

In Service

In WWII Online the Fairmile is operating under a captured status in German maritime service. Until the faster and more capable E boats (S Bootes) make their appearance in the game, there was no real gunboat in German maritime service outside of the numerous slow Mine Layers and converted fishing type boats that were used frequently by the Kriegsmarine at the time. Its slow speed compared to other armed water craft limited it to primarily defensive operations, but it is well armed to provide AA cover for coastal operations and functioned frequently as a gunboat and stealthy commando drop vehicle in coastal and channel island territories.

Crew Insights

Here is a detailed explanation on the type of crew and the Armament it controls.

• Position 1. Helmsman - Not much explanation required, from here you can turn the Engine On/Off and navigate the Boat.
• Position 2. Port Lookout - Stood on the Left side of the Ship (Port) this Crew is Equipped with Binoculars.
• Position 3. Forward Deck Gun - This Position would be the 3 Pdr/47mm Anti-Tank Gun.
• Position 4. Forward AA Gun - Single 20mm Anti-Air Gun, found in the middle of the Boat.
• Position 5. Starboard Lookout - Stood on the Right side side of the Ship (Starboard) this Crew is Equipped with Binoculars.
• Position 6. Rear AA Gun - Eqiupped this time with a Dual 20mm Anti-Air Gun.
• Position 7. Port Machine Gunner - A .303cal LMG covering the Left Side.
• Position 8. Starboard Machine Gunner - A .303cal LMG covering the Right Side.