The Piri Reis is a welcome addition to the growing number of submarines depicted on stamps. She was formerly the U.S.S. Mapiro, of the "Balao" class, built by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, launched on November 9, 1944 and completed on April 30, 1945. She is of all-welded construction with a high standard of accommodation, including separate messing and sleeping compartments. She was transferred to Turkey on March 18, 1960 at the San Francisco Navy Yard and renamed Pin Reis after a seaman and geographer who lived From 1475 to 1554. Reis participated in the Spanish campaign during which he rose to the rank of vice-admiral.
The submarine now carries the NATO pennant No. 5343. She has a displacement of 1,526 tons (standard), 1,829 tons (surface), and 2,424 tons (submerged). Her dimensions are 311 ft. 8 ins. x 27 ft. 2 ins. x 13 ft. 8 ins, and she is fitted with two 5-in., two 40-m.m. and four machine guns. She has ten 21-in, torpedo tubes (six bow, four stern) and carries 24 torpedoes; her machinery consists of General Motors 2-stroke oil engines of 6,500 b.h.p., giving a surface speed of 194 knots, with electric motors driving her at nine knots submerged. There is provision for 200 tons of fuel oil and she has an operational limit of 12,000 miles at 10 knots. Her complement is 78 to 85.
SG2129 Sea Breezes 3/66