This post will be updated irregularly, check the change log below for more information
5/11/2020: added Beihai class gunboat, color change of No.414 in museum
7/24/2020: added Type 6623/Type 24 missile boat
For large ships of PLAN, visit this post:
http://www.shipbucket.com/forums/viewto ... =12&t=9876
---25 tonnes class gunboat---
After Japan surrendered in 1945, Japanese gunboats deployed in China were transferred to KMT government, at less 17 of them later revolted and joined the PLA. Original armament is a 13mm Type93 HMG(or 25mm Type96 in single mount) and a 7.7mm Type92 HMG. However, some of them were modified with Soviet made weapons in 1950s.
This one, No.414, won the honorary title of "Hero of Toumenshan Battle" due to sunk a ROC gunboat in 1951. The drawing above shows what it looks like after modification: Type93 HMG was moved back, a 72-K 25mm AA gun was installed to the spared place
This is what it looks like on display in Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution, Beijing now. (this drawing was updated since No.414 in the museum have been repainted recently)
---50 tonnes class gunboat---
The Japan made 25t gunboats were designed to operate in river, but PLA needed warship that could operate in the sea, so a new gunboat called Type 52A was designed to replace, mass production began in 1952. "Standard" armament including a 70-K 37mm AA gun mounted at the front, a 72-K 25mm AA gun mounted at the rear, and two DShK MG mounted one each side. But US or Japan made weapons were also selected depending on armament and ammunition store of different units.
In 1953, production of new gunboats called Type 53A began. It was based on Type 52A, but the whole upper structure was redesigned. Armament was still confused.
One year later a slightly modified version called Type 54A appeared. Armament was finally unified: a 70-K 37mm AA gun mounted at the front, a Oerlikon 20 mm cannon mounted at the rear, DShK MG mounted one each side.
Type 53A/54A were built in a great number, drew the attention of western intelligence agencies, NATO designated the reporting name "Huangpu" to them.
---75 tonnes class gunboat---
Type 55A gunboat (NATO reporting name: Shantou), much faster and powerful, designed and built after 1956. Main armament including 2 V-11 twin 37mm cannons and 2 DShK heavy MG.
This one, No.556, won the honorary title of "Sea Tiger", due to heavy damaged ROC ship PC-104 Tuo Chiang in 1958.
---100 tonnes class gunboat---
In 1958, several experimental gunboats (Type 0105, 0108, 0109, 0110) were built by different naval shipyards. They were similar in size, performance and armament. Type 0109 from Shanghai was the most successful one, 10 in total were bulit. Main armament including 2 S-60 57 mm AA gun (mounted in one turret), 1 V-11 twin 37mm cannons and 2 DShK MG. Those experimental ships were early prototypes of Type 62 series.
---Type 62 series---
In 1962, Type 0111 was finally adopted as Type 62 (NATO reporting name: Shanghai). The first mass production version was called Type 0111A. Its main armament including 2 Type 61 twin 37mm AA guns and 2 Type 61 twin 25mm AA gun (one each side), some boats may also mounted mortars or recoilless guns.
Type 0111CII is a improved version of Type 0111A, upper structure and power system were changed.
Type 0111S is an anti-submarine variant of Type 62 series, hull was extended, 3 РБУ-1200 rocket-assisted depth charge launchers (2 at the front, 1 at the rear) and sonar system were added.
After only 2 Type 0111S were built, its improved version, Type 0111SII quickly introduced. Depth charge launchers mounted at the front were reduced to 1, upper structure was changed to Type 0111CII's style.
NATO classifies Type 0111S and SII as new types of submarine chaser, and gave them a new reporting name Haizhui.
Type 62-1G is the final version of Type 62 series, based on Type 0111S's extended hull, but removed all the ASW equipment. Its manufacturing started in 1985, some may still in service as patrol boats at recent time.
---Beihai class gunboat---
Details of this gunboat are so rare, even it's official name or index are still unknow. On December 3, 1966, one Behai class, together with two Shantou class were sent to Macau, to put pressure on the Portuguese colonial government and support left-wing groups in Macao. During the confrontation, the local newspaper published a close-up picture of the Behai class, attracted the attention of Western intelligence agencies. Then NATO designated the reporting name "Beihai" to it. According details available now, it is probably a kind of harbor patrol boat.