Basically from what little I have been able to find out these (F-Lighters) were Large Self-Propelled seagoing barges that were designed for the use of transport purposes initially before , and during the early days of the war. With the threat from Allied air increasing during the day, and from Allied P.T. Boats increased the Germans began applying armor and armament to many of these barges. This had the end result of turning them into formidable weapons platforms which they used for the escort of coastal convoys.
From what I understand the weaponry on these Craft included Two 88mm cannons protected inside gun houses. 37mm Flak mounts and I think something around 8 or more 20mm mounts. These Barges could easily outgun P.T. Boats. Combining that with the very shallow draft they had made it really very difficult to torpedo them.
In the Med. the Allies countered them by using mixed groups of Royal Navy Motor Gunboats and USN P.T. Boats and the M.G. Boats would take on the F-Lighters while the P.T.'s applied torpedoes to the bulk of the convoy the F-Lighters were trying to protect, and Help the M.G.B.'s deal with the F-Lighters.
I have been doing searches for a while. This is so far the only information I have been able to find out about them. Would any of you have or be able to help me to find any more out about them. The only pictures i've seen so far have been at an extreme distance an not much at all. Can someone find much closer pics of them or some drawings as to the Detail. This would be really a very nice project in 1/72 scale I think.
I do hope some of you out here can give me some help with this. Or point me to some sites that would have what I need. So I do hope you can find something to help out just a little with this. :) :) :)
Thanks so very much in advance
... Carl ..........
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