Naval Fast Strike Craft and Patrol Boats


Printed:	1979	Author:	Roy McLeavy
Publisher:	Blandford Press Ltd	ISBN:	0713708662
Suppliers:

Hard back, 176 pages.
Publisher's blurb:
At no time in history have the navies of the world had so varied an assortment of warships and weapons at their disposal. Not only are today's warships more powerful, faster and more seaworthy than in the past, but the weight of their offensive fire-power has increased to such an extent that they bear scant resemblance to their predecessors.
Fast strike craft pack a weapon which has revolutionised naval warfare - the anti-ship missile. These vessels can launch these highly lethal weapons at a distance of up to fifty miles from their quarry, then turn and escape at 40 knots or more while the missiles are still hurtling towards the target at wave-top height, just bellow the speed of sound. For the first time in naval conflict one of the smallest surface combatants can engage with the largest fleet units on almost equal terms. Fast strike craft also enable the smallest nations to threaten the sea communications of the major powers at relatively low cost.
Fast Strike Craft and Patrol Boats examine a wide range of small warships - missile craft, fast patrol boats, torpedo-boats and fast gunboats - either in or about to enter service with the world's navies. This book provides both a recognition guide and the essential technical detail on these vessels and includes information on their power plants, defensive weapons, surface-to-surface missiles and their guidance systems.
ROY McLEAVY is editor and compiler of Jane's Surface Skimmers. A technical and marketing consultant for ACV and hydrofoil projects, he is also the author of several books on aviation and kindred subjects.
Personal remarks:
Whilst the illustrations are entertaining there are some doubts on my part concerning the technical descriptions. Having spent several years working on patrol boats Type 143, the article and illustration concerning that vessel due to crass inaccuracies, disappoints. My knowledge is limited only to that class so I cannot judge the descriptions of the other patrol boats.