Transom Ted

Hi John First I have to say that the Mk1 was fitted to the Hudson Bomber. The Lanc carried the Mk2a which has a different hull. It’s length is 30ft and it has a single prop In a tunnel where as the Mk1 and 1a had twin outboard drive units mounted forward of the midship point. Hopefully attached is a photo borrowed from the Facebook page of the Airborne Lifeboat Mk2a Restoration. There’s some good reference pics to help. Regards Ted

That answers all the questions Nev! If you contact this email address - it’s my junk address, I’ll answer your other questions. [email protected]. Cheers Ted

Hi Nev Wow, lots of interesting info there - some of which I’ll be discussing with Nicola, our curator about how authentic to the keel number we should be. I’m not in a hurry, the line launchers will be put on hold as we have to build and move reception to the boat shed next door as soon as we’re allowed back and complete the archive store upgrades. I have studied the Flixton images, which give me quite a good idea of the construction, but if you could send the AP image that would be excellent. It would have been interesting to chat with you when you visited - we are open to learning too! I seem to have managed posting images from Flickr by copying and pasting the URL address directly in to the text and not using the ‘Insert image’ box - don’t know if that’s correct but it seems to work. A couple of images from my completed lifeboat display work. Many thanks Ted

Many Thanks Nev. When making something with only pictures for reference, eg T1333 transmitter, I like to understand how it works so that I can work out the details. Your description certainly does that and together with the picture, I can see the spring mechanism tucked into the corner of the recess, and can make a reasonable assumption of what it needs to resemble. Just to clarify, the rocket ratchets are not locked down but raise when released from the aircraft? I take it you have been to visit us, you sound familiar with our boat. I believed it to be a Mk 1 from lack of aft fin slot and as for distinguishing the gunwales for a Hudson or Warwick??? Guidance was provided by one of our members who served his apprenticeship building these and Mk2’s at a local yard during late WW2 and the deck arrangement is taken from Air Diagram 3983 Mk1 Equipment. When I suss how to attach some images of items I produced for the display, I’ll post. Once again, thank you. Regards Ted

Dinghy Cole - excellent information - I hope you may be able to help me. I volunteer at the Museum of the Broads and we have a Mk1 on which we are enhancing the display. Trolling online has found masses of info and some pics but the Schermuly floating lines launching apparatus less so. Do you have, or can you point me in the direction of, any details or pics for that apparatus. It is stowed on the port side of the boat ( unlike the Mk1a at Hendon, central) and presumedly, would be stowed with the rocket launchers ‘down’, until landing in the sea and then released into the firing position. Its general construction, I imagine, would be similar to the Mk1a using spring tension, so are they released by a inertia type release and fired electrically or released electrically and fired by the launcher striking a firing pin when sprung into the ‘up’ position? The Schermuly history site has helped me model a rocket, based on the extended Very pistol, but the same as the floating lines rocket. To establish my modelling credentials, from the items of equipment stowed on the Mk1, I have reproduced a T1333 transmitter, Bigsworth chart board, Molens 1” flare gun, Everhot bags and Mk2 smoke floats plus a few smaller items still on the ‘bench’. Anyone on this forum with any info would also be great fully received. Ted