The Fairmile C was a pragmatic wartime bridge: the Royal Navy needed gunboats before the new hull tooling for the Fairmile D was available, so builders adapted existing Fairmile A jigs. Twenty-four boats were produced, with five lost to enemy action. MGB 314's participation in Operation Chariot at St Nazaire illustrates the class's use in close coastal operations. With about 26.5 knots of speed, a short 500-mile range at 12 knots, and a small crew, the design was not expected to chase every fast opponent. Its success came from fitting immediate jobs such as clandestine operations and close convoy escort, supported by 2-pounder guns, machine guns, Oerlikons, and depth charges.
Notable Point · 1:21:39-1:25:45
Fairmile C stopgap gunboats
The Fairmile C used available Fairmile A production jigs to fill an urgent gunboat gap before the more capable D design was ready.