The “Poluglisser” NKL-27 (Speedboat / Skimmer) was an militarized version of the NKL-17, a wooden pleasure speedboat that was very popular before the war. Made completely out of plywood with a 1.2 ton weight, driven by the 50hp engine of the GAZ-M1 "Emka" with a speed of up to 40 km/h and with a shallow draft of 50 cm, the NKL-27 were extremely maneuverable, reliable and capable of transporting of up to 15 men. With the need for fast boats rising these were outfitted with a machinegun on a pedestal behind the drivers seats. With two crew members skipper and the gunner which was able to replace the commander in combat. However the boats were completely unarmored and thus vulnerable to even the lightest gunfire. Originally scheduled for reconnaissance and communication tasks only, the NKL-27 proved their combat value on several occasions. The boat was not only used for recon purposes as it saw action on all waterways. It was used for communication, in the battle of Stalingrad as a water taxi for fresh troops, It served as a drop boat for commando’s. It attacked the Germans at the banks where possible. And with the capture of Berlin it patrolled the Spree River and was a quick means to get new troops to land.
