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by Pioneer
Tue Jun 07, 2011 3:58 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: ML 155 - 7th Flotilla?
Replies: 3
Views: 13851

Re: ML 155 - 7th Flotilla?

Hello again 'ScottishManx'
Our database will show the brief info that we have on this vessel (just type in the boat number and click Find Boat).
Hopefully someone can fill in the details of her in the 7th Flotilla.
by Pioneer
Tue Jun 07, 2011 3:53 pm
Forum: Motor Gunboats
Topic: MGB 330
Replies: 13
Views: 36367

Re: MGB 330

Welcome Aboard 'ScottishManx'
Our Data Base shows that MGB 33O was a 'C' class Fairmile MGB built by Tough Bros of Teddington. She survived the war to be eventually destroyed, as a target vessel, in 1946. I'll try and dig out some more info on her.
by Pioneer
Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:16 am
Forum: News & Events
Topic: Visit to Vis - 2011
Replies: 2
Views: 15168

Re: Visit to Vis - 2011

The Daily Telegraph recorded interviews with veterans on this particular visit.
This video may not be viewable outside of the UK.(the preamble advert lasts a few seconds only).
by Pioneer
Mon May 30, 2011 9:26 am
Forum: Newsreel Footage
Topic: Surrender of E-Boats
Replies: 2
Views: 16850

Re: Surrender of E-Boats

Part 2 of the surrender of E-boats.
Another fascinating glimpse of the German surrender as remembered by Lt Shadbolt and others. Surprising to hear that these beautiful craft had no Heads ? (toilets).

by Pioneer
Fri May 20, 2011 7:19 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Jack Pleasance
Replies: 4
Views: 10199

Re: Jack Pleasance

Welcome aboard Les It was MTB 44 that was involved with trying to thwart the German 'Operation Cerebus', known as the Channel Dash. There is a Channel Dash Association where you can read more about the Coastal Forces attempt to hinder the movement of the German capital ships. MTB 46 was one of the t...
by Pioneer
Sun May 08, 2011 9:13 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer
Replies: 13
Views: 39297

Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

Welcome aboard 'Thomas Duncan Brown'
May I make a suggestion here - that you send 'Karen' a Private Message?
That way she will be made aware, via the automatic notification system of this Forum, that someone (you) are trying to contact her - she may not visit the Forum regularly. Best of Luck
by Pioneer
Tue Apr 12, 2011 3:35 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: Saunders Roe Minesweepers
Replies: 4
Views: 11925

Re: Saunders Roe Minesweepers

Although strictly not Motor Launches - (though many minesweepers certainly carried the 'ML' pennant during their war time careers) - some of these later build craft were crewed by HM Coastal Forces personnel before this unique branch of the Senior Service disbanded in 1957.
by Pioneer
Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:16 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: Photos of MTB Officers in Bastia, 1944
Replies: 4
Views: 11683

Re: Photos of MTB Officers in Bastia, 1944

Welcome Aboard Jeffrey - thank you for the image and a very interesting story. As an interested 'Brit' can you tell me what the initials RON actually stand for? I realise that they relate to American PT squadrons, I have seen shoulder patch badges identifying certain RON's, but the initials baffle m...
by Pioneer
Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:31 pm
Forum: Fast Patrol Boats
Topic: The British 'Dark' class
Replies: 31
Views: 113076

Re: The British 'Dark' class

These photo's certainly raise a few questions for me Dave - Can you remember any RN crew present on that trip down the Menai Strait to Port Dinorwic? - if so, then I was one of them. If not, this craft had 2 launchings - maybe this craft was the one that needed the engine change - and it was the sec...
by Pioneer
Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:40 pm
Forum: Newsreel Footage
Topic: Ex P1041 HMS Gay Archer
Replies: 2
Views: 17509

Ex P1041 HMS Gay Archer

This YouTube clip gives just a glimpse of the dedication that was required to restore a postwar Fast Patrol Boat - HMS Gay Archer.
This craft is currently moored at Watchet Harbour Nr Minehead Somerset UK

by Pioneer
Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:08 pm
Forum: Newsreel Footage
Topic: E-Boat Training Squadron
Replies: 0
Views: 14197

E-Boat Training Squadron

This clip from YouTube is predominantly of Training Squadrons in the Baltic.
There are several types of S-boats plus some of R-boats shown and some classic shots of the S-Boats at sea.
(please be warned that the musical background is quite loud and may not be to ones taste)

by Pioneer
Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:36 pm
Forum: Newsreel Footage
Topic: Surrender of E-Boats
Replies: 2
Views: 16850

Surrender of E-Boats

A compliation of cine footage and still photography recording the surrender of e-boats at the end of the War. An interesting clip - even though some of the cine footage is of "D" craft from Lerwick?? - the interview with Lt James Shadbolt gives an interesting, if brief, insight of Coastal ...
by Pioneer
Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:55 pm
Forum: Fast Patrol Boats
Topic: The British 'Dark' class
Replies: 31
Views: 113076

Re: The British 'Dark' class

A very evocative view of the Burmese T201 for me - as I was onboard when this image was taken. At that time I was a Stoker 1c in the 7th Ferry Crew from HMS Hornet. We had just arrived to witness the launch - shortly before the shot was taken - those Naval personnel present - I was one - boarded for...
by Pioneer
Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:02 pm
Forum: Coastal Forces Models
Topic: Looking for a patternmaker
Replies: 2
Views: 20114

Re: Looking for a patternmaker

Hello Roger
Have you tried contacting Les Brown? He is seriously involved with small resin cast ships in the minor scales and also the author of The Small Warship Group newsletter

His e-mail address is at the bottom of the linked address - he may know of a UK based pattern maker.
by Pioneer
Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:11 pm
Forum: Fast Patrol Boats
Topic: The British 'Dark' class
Replies: 31
Views: 113076

The British 'Dark' class

The Royal Navy’s ‘Dark’ class had quite a long gestation period having been ordered in the mid to late 1940s. The rather severe box like design had had its origins on the drawing boards of the Royal Naval Constructors at Bath (UK) however, Messrs Saunders Roe were awarded the detail design contract ...
by Pioneer
Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:13 am
Forum: Fast Patrol Boats
Topic: MTB 539 (1602)
Replies: 12
Views: 43180

Re: MTB 539 (1602)

Another stunning shot of P1602, courtesy of David Mills, sandwiched between two London Transport double deck buses giving a perspective of the size of typical RN 'Short Boats'. Also, it gives a glimpse of the diversification required by company's to survive after WW2. (click image for full view) SA-...
by Pioneer
Fri Feb 18, 2011 4:20 pm
Forum: Actions & Operations
Topic: Operation Jubilee
Replies: 0
Views: 13890

Operation Jubilee

The mostly Canadian Combined Forces operation at Dieppe has recently been described as "... a test of German defences for the later Operation Overlord ..." but here is a very sobering version of events as seen from a Canadian viewpoint. We have been given permission to link to this version...
by Pioneer
Mon Feb 14, 2011 8:23 am
Forum: Actions & Operations
Topic: Ostend Disaster
Replies: 9
Views: 31726

Ostend Disaster

February 14th - anniversary of the Ostend disaster.
73 killed including civilian casualties, 65 naval personnel injured, 14 vessels destroyed; the greatest single tragedy for Coastal Forces during WW2.
by Pioneer
Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:35 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: Dad's Navy Service ML 170 ML 575 Malta
Replies: 8
Views: 26856

Re: Dad's Navy Service ML 170 ML 575 Malta

I have just found this excellent forum. I am researching my Dad's (1925-2009) wartime service (1943-1947). I have some information from the Navy. He served as an O/S then A/B on ML 170 and ML 575, mainly around Malta. I have photos of his HMS Collingwood class 1944, MTB 407, ML 554, ML 575, ML 176,...
by Pioneer
Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:07 pm
Forum: Books & Magazines
Topic: CFVA Archive Newsletters
Replies: 0
Views: 16959

CFVA Archive Newsletters

The web site has had this kind offer :- My father was George Heard (MTBs 723/5009). I have inherited his copies of the CFVA newsletters (June 1984 to Spring 2007). I have read them and would like to pass them on to someone else. I don't want anything for them, but they would have to be collected fro...
by Pioneer
Thu Dec 16, 2010 3:50 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Researching Ch Off Edward Bourne Ruffman DSC
Replies: 8
Views: 25076

Re: Researching Ch Off Edward Bourne Ruffman DSC

Hello Atta, welcome aboard.

According to the London Gazette, your Uncle was also Mentioned In Despatches.
Mr. Edward Bourne RUFFMAN, D.S.C.
For courage and skill while serving his Country with Light Coastal Forces in successful engagements
with enemy shipping
Hope this helps a little.
by Pioneer
Tue Dec 07, 2010 8:26 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 476
Replies: 7
Views: 13687

Re: MTB 476

MTB 476 was attached to the 30th Flotilla. She is mentioned in "Home Waters MTBs and MGBs at War 1939-1945" by L Reynolds ISBN 0 7509 2518 3 She was involved with the sinking of E-Boat S185 22/23 Dec 1944 also had a fatal injury to A/B Sam Randles when in action on 20/21 August 1944. MTB 4...
by Pioneer
Sat Nov 27, 2010 4:37 pm
Forum: Coastal Forces Models
Topic: MGB 673 Dogboat
Replies: 2
Views: 18758

Re: MGB 673 Dogboat

Viewers may wish to know that a Search Data Base has been added to the main site as another glimpse of future content.
by Pioneer
Tue Nov 23, 2010 8:41 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: Coastal Forces Bases
Replies: 12
Views: 38180

Re: Coastal Forces Bases

HMS Orwell's war was confined to Home Waters according to Naval-History Net. A very active war at that!! but not a CF base ship.
by Pioneer
Tue Nov 23, 2010 4:17 pm
Forum: Coastal Forces Models
Topic: Dark Class Model
Replies: 1
Views: 21673

Dark Class Model

A superb model kit of P1104 HMS Dark Biter is now available from Messrs Nautical Marine Models . Considering the almost Exhibition standard of accuracy which can be achieved, with permission we have been able to illustrate this with a couple of images of what is truly a splendid and reasonably price...
by Pioneer
Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:45 pm
Forum: Television or Film Production
Topic: A History of the Royal Navy's Coastal Forces
Replies: 0
Views: 14029

A History of the Royal Navy's Coastal Forces

Hope that we can develop this particular topic to include any good dvds or videos
First on our list is A History of the Royal Navy's Coastal Forces, go to Shop.
history-coastal-forces-dvd.jpg
history-coastal-forces-dvd.jpg (30.73 KiB) Viewed 14021 times
by Pioneer
Sat Oct 30, 2010 8:10 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 59
Replies: 3
Views: 9237

Re: MTB 59

Hello Charles MTB 59 was part of Order No 8B/20689/40 for 10 units given to Messrs Vosper on 26 February 1940. (57 – 66). These craft were originally fitted with 3 x Hall Scott “Defender” petrol engines but before delivery were refitted with 3 of the more powerful (and lighter) US built Packard 2500...
by Pioneer
Sat Oct 30, 2010 9:47 am
Forum: Fast Patrol Boats
Topic: MTB 539 (1602)
Replies: 12
Views: 43180

MTB 539 (1602)

Some astonishing images and drawings have come to light of MTB 539 on David Mills' web site This craft was certainly the precursor to the Royal Navy Dark-class of the 1950s, being of all alloy construction, but she was an entirely different animal and more pleasing to the eye in my opinion. A couple...
by Pioneer
Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:40 am
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: HDML Medusa
Replies: 6
Views: 18660

HDML Medusa

On Trafalgar Day of this year (2010), the HDML 1387 Medusa was rededicated in Portsmouth Naval Base with the Princess Royal as guest of honour. The Medusa Trust was presented with new colours by the Princess with the craft being accepted as the first member of the UK National Historic Fleet and now ...
by Pioneer
Sat Oct 16, 2010 5:24 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer
Replies: 13
Views: 39297

Re: James Kirkhope Duncan OBE Chief Engineer

I have been searching around and found that the official ships number for mv "Nonsuch" was 169582 and for "Gay Viking" 168481. All Merchant Ships have had an official number (since the 1800's at least). These numbers may help you to trace Crew Lists. I have tried the usual free '...

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