Unknown minesweepers

[Valtoro]

This picture is not the best, but I'm looking for some ID of some KM minesweepers in Norway. Type of class, etc..

[stril]

Hello
They look as R-boats, but not so sure if thats correct. Have some pictures of similar boats in Norway(not identical), painted with large mouth/teets at the bow, as a dragon(Drache). My suggestion is as you mention, small minesweeper used as the Knirps, Gnom and Drache boats in Norway.
regards
stril

[Takao]

I concur that they are R-Boats. They look like a very early Type, possibly the R-17 series.

Photo of R-18 - 3rd picture: http://members.aol.com/RKolmorgen/oslofjord.htm

[Valtoro]

Thanks for the replies! The picture is taken in Kragerø (SE in Norway). Could these boats have been used in convoy duties on the route Oslo - Kristiansand? Also looking for any good reference pages on Raumboote (have this http://www.german-navy.de/kriegsmarine/ ... index.html)

[stril]

Helllo
added a picture of one of the Drache boats. Not similar to the ones on your picture.
regards
stril

[Valtoro]

The superstructure looks a bit similar perhaps. They surely looks very fragile....probably just an walkover for a "Mossie"...

I will try the scan the picture later. (it's only a xerox copy, so the quality is not the best)

[kgvm]

Knirps- and Gnom-boats were former Norwegian fishing vessels. I don't think they had any resemblance to any of the two pictures.
Drache-boats were former Norwegian motorboats of several types and owners, so the fact that stril's picture shows a differently looking boat doesn't exclude valtoro's picture showing Drache-boats.
Nonetheless I assume the picture is not showing former Norwegian ships, but German R-boats: they are looking all the same.

[stril]

Hello

Drache-boats were former Norwegian motorboats of several types and owners, so the fact that stril's picture shows a differently looking boat doesn't exclude valtoro's picture showing Drache-boats.

No it doesnt. As mentioned "used as the Knirps, Gnom and Drache boats in Norway".
Most pictures i have seen of those drache boats show a fragile looking boat. They look similar, but as you say they are different.
Added part of a picture showing the side of a drache boat. Its quite larger than the one in the first picture.
regards
stril

[Valtoro]

As promised.

http://img83.imageshack.us/my.php?image ... atsok6.jpg

[Valtoro]

Seems to be the same type, taken from a expired ebay auction.

[kgvm]

The last picture shows without any doubt German small minesweepers of the early series (up to R 20).

[Valtoro]

Ok, thanks for the ID.

The last picture shows without any doubt German small minesweepers of the early series (up to R 20).