The Legendary Tale of the Motor Gun Boat 81: The Ineluctable Phantom of the Sea

In the thick of the Second World War, while Britain bravely held off enemy invasions, a dire threat arose. Convoys of ships bringing essential supplies were falling prey to deadly torpedoes from German E-Boats. Enter Hubert Scott-Paine, a former powerboat racer and founder of the British Powerboat Company armed with an ingenious solution — the Motor Gun Boat 81.

This 70ft high-performance gun boat was equipped with a wooden hull designed for planing and three powerful Packard 1,250hp petrol engines. The result was a craft capable of an incredible 40 knots — a speed unheard of for boats of its size even in today’s standards, let alone nearly a century ago. For armament, it sported a two-pounder gun capable of firing over 100 rounds a minute at a range of over two miles, and depth charges that could strike underwater foes.

After actively serving during the war, the boat was sold off in 1945, ending up as a houseboat in Gosport. However, between 1999 and 2002, the British Military Powerboat Trust restored it to its former wartime glory. And then again, in 2018, this remarkable craft underwent another major refit at Berthon International in Lymington, funded by a Government LIBOR grant.

The model’s original roaring petrol engines had been replaced by MAN diesels, which were later upgraded during the refit to triple FPT 825hp diesels. Nowadays, separate triple levers for gears and throttles give direct control, as against the original model that needed two engineers huddled in the tiny engine bay, operating gears and throttles in response to commands from the bridge.Boating a top speed of a more modest 30 knots now, the boat is nonetheless an awe-inspiring sight.

What truly stands out about the MGB 81 is not just its combat history or high performance but its timeless design. With a flared bow, arching sheerline, and narrow transom, it embodies a style that’s enchantingly appealing despite its conception as a war machine. This dualism of form and function underscores that utilitarian design can be far from plain or uninspiring.

As it stands today, the MGB 81 indeed is a beautiful example of how style, efficiency, and a sprinkle of history can blend together to create something truly extraordinary.