Nuoli-class fast gunboat



The Nuoli class motor gunboats (Arrow) was a series of thirteen fast attack craft (gun) of the Finnish Navy. The ships were constructed in 1961 by Oy Laivateollisuus AB in Turku, and modernized in 1979. The ships were stricken from the navy lists in 1984, and sold on the private market.

There are two distinctive versions, 1-10 and 11-13. The former could be distinguished by having a higher superstructure. All were equipped with three Soviet V-12 engines (the same ones as used in the T-55 tank). There was no separate cruise engine, except from a small auxiliary engine that produced electricity. The vessels were first equipped with large screws, but later changed to smaller, albeit equally effective screws, manufactured by Finnscrew.

Finland were forbidden to have torpedo boats after World War II, but the Nuoli class could quickly be converted into such, if need arose.

The vessels are today spread all over Finland, one is in Germany (Nuoli 12). Nuoli 8 is preserved at the Turku marine museum Forum Marinum.

Vessels of the class

 * Nuoli 1: (Pennant number: 31)
 * Nuoli 2: (Pennant number: 32)
 * Nuoli 3: (Pennant number: 33)
 * Nuoli 4: (Pennant number: 34) Scrapped in 1979
 * Nuoli 5: (Pennant number: 35)
 * Nuoli 6: (Pennant number: 36)
 * Nuoli 7: (Pennant number: 37)
 * Nuoli 8: (Pennant number: 38) On display at the Turku marine museum Forum Marinum
 * Nuoli 9: (Pennant number: 39) Scrapped in 1980
 * Nuoli 10: (Pennant number: 40) In Private ownership berther in Helsinki, Finland.
 * Nuoli 11: (Pennant number: 41) In private ownership by Servo Engineering Ltd,berthed in Exeter, UK (http://www.servoeng.com/marine.htm)
 * Nuoli 12: (Pennant number: 42) build 1964, now in use as "Traditional Boat" in Germany, rebuilt near to origin state, Non-Profit association "Traditionsschiff NUOLI 12 e.V.", see website www.seefahrtstradition.de
 * Nuoli 13: (Pennant number: 43)