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by Pioneer
Fri May 14, 2010 7:32 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: MGB 647 - Dicky Bird
Replies: 7
Views: 26843

Re: MGB 647 - Dicky Bird

Hello again 'bevbird'
Peter B has stated that he would like to make contact - please send a Private Message to me and I will pass on details etc.
Regards
by Pioneer
Tue May 11, 2010 7:12 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: MGB 647 - Dicky Bird
Replies: 7
Views: 26843

Re: MGB 647 - Dicky Bird

Hello again 'bevbird' I have had some contact with Peter Bickmore BEM - I quote from an e-mail that I received ...."It is with interest I learn of "Dicky Bird " he was a great stalwart of the CFVA in its early stages although I never knew him on board MGB 647 it was one of those sad s...
by Pioneer
Mon May 10, 2010 7:02 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: MGB 647 - Dicky Bird
Replies: 7
Views: 26843

Re: MGB 647 - Dicky Bird

Hello 'Bevbird' - welcome aboard.
As you may know we have Peter Bickmore BEM as one of our esteemed members, 647 was one of the boats that he served on.
I shall let him know of your post - hopefully he will be in touch.
by Pioneer
Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:50 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 682 Operating From Mantis
Replies: 4
Views: 16433

Re: MTB 682 Operating From Mantis

Hello 'rammy' Welcome aboard. Currently what we have on MGB 682 is- A Fairmile D Motor Gun Boat, constructed by Wallasea Bay Yacht Yard of Rochford, UK on 00.05.1943. To RAF 1945 LRRC 029. We have her at Portsmouth ('Hornet) from May 1944. During 14-16th July 1944, attached to the 55th Flotilla, she...
by Pioneer
Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:40 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: Fairmile B
Replies: 5
Views: 15298

Re: Fairmile B

Operate Blowers for 5 mins before starting Engines
The notice in the lower picture on the bulkhead says it all really. These were very dangerous vessels to get under way if they had been moored and closed down for any length of time.
by Pioneer
Fri Mar 05, 2010 4:03 pm
Forum: Motor Launches
Topic: 3rd Flotilla ML Malta
Replies: 15
Views: 57024

Re: 3rd Flotilla ML Malta

Hello 'jdcboss'
That is a cracking photo - thank you for posting. I am sure that Dockside shots, and engine changes would be very interesting to see - looking forward to seeing some.
Cheers
by Pioneer
Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:30 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 629
Replies: 3
Views: 11607

Re: MTB 629

Hello 'Skier' Welcome aboard. MTB 629 is mentioned several times in Leonard Reynolds' book 'Dog Boats at War. I would certainly recommend it. One piece of info not in the book - 27th May 1943 Ty P.O. J Marshall DJX 135110 was killed during an action off Terschelling, the only casualty that I can fin...
by Pioneer
Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:58 pm
Forum: Fast Patrol Boats
Topic: The Former HMS Gay Archer
Replies: 10
Views: 41356

The Former HMS Gay Archer

Messrs ZAGREUS FILMS have stated on behalf of Paul Childs (boat owner) that the ex HMS Gay Archer will be open to visitors through out the rest of February (2010). Admission is free but as the boat purely survives on self-raised finance any donation would be more than appreciated. Here is a recent i...
by Pioneer
Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:29 pm
Forum: Newsreel Footage
Topic: MGB 81 on the BBC
Replies: 1
Views: 18670

MGB 81 on the BBC

Recent news footage from BBC News of MGB 81 and HSL 102E (may not be viewable outside of UK)
by Pioneer
Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:45 pm
Forum: Coastal Forces Models
Topic: Op Chariot MLs
Replies: 2
Views: 20941

Re: Op Chariot MLs

This YouTube series has come to light. In 5 parts, it tells the story of the raid on St Nazaire. (Do not 'click' 'View All Parts" when advised, they are here.)








by Pioneer
Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:50 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: MGB 646 Robert Alan Forbes
Replies: 8
Views: 25876

Re: MGB 646 Robert Alan Forbes

Hello again 'esbw' Just to whet your appetite a little further - Geoffrey Hobday's book "In Harm's Way" (ISBN 0 901627 30 5) mentions his aquaintance with Lt 'Tufty' Forbes on several pages. He also mentions that he (Lt 'Tufty' Forbes) picked up the boat (646) from new - (built by Risdon B...
by Pioneer
Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:35 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: MGB 646 Robert Alan Forbes
Replies: 8
Views: 25876

Re: MGB 646 Robert Alan Forbes

Welcome aboard 'esbw' - hope that you enjoy the trip The excellent book by Leonard Reynold "Dog Boats at War' ( ISBN 0 - 7509-1817-9) mentions MGB 646 several times. Lt R A "Tufty" Forbes is also mentioned as the Commanding Officer in earlY '43, the boat is later shown as under the co...
by Pioneer
Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:46 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: Malta Coastal Forces
Replies: 8
Views: 33975

Re: Malta Coastal Forces

This is rather a cloudy image of the trots at HMS Gregale in 1945. I am not sure of the originator of this photo and am unable to give due credit, What can be said is that all these were Licence built Vosper craft. As an example, MTB 410 (with some washing hanging out to dry :roll:) seen here almost...
by Pioneer
Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:25 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: Malta Coastal Forces
Replies: 8
Views: 33975

Re: Malta Coastal Forces

Hello faulkner Welcome aboard. I am sure that you will get some of your queries answered here. Just for starters - during the early phase of WW2, MTBs were berthed at St Angelo. A base had been authorised for construction in early 1939 - this was to become HMS Gregale - but the first MTBs to arrive ...
by Pioneer
Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:08 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: Abbreviations
Replies: 4
Views: 23015

Re: Abbreviations

Further to the above John - here is an image from an old Royal Navy book circ 1944/5. The illustrations at 25. 26. are for a 'Submarine Detector Operater and Submarine Detector Instructor. Your S.D ??
by Pioneer
Sat Dec 05, 2009 4:03 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: Abbreviations
Replies: 4
Views: 23015

Re: Abbreviations

Hello again 'JOHNB'
You will find a very large list Here - Rating ranks are about halfway down. Not sure about S.D. but noticed that SB could also mean 'Signal Boy' :lol:
by Pioneer
Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:46 am
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Joesph Fox MTB 636
Replies: 3
Views: 10172

Re: Joesph Fox MTB 636

Hello again ‘mjfox7’ As stated, your Grandfathers Record would be showing where the accounts were held for the 32nd Flotilla - St Angelo (Malta) then Hannibal (Algiers) – then after the disbanding and restructuring of the Flotilla on the 31st December 1943, were back in St Angelo (Malta). The sinkin...
by Pioneer
Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:06 pm
Forum: Personnel
Topic: Joesph Fox MTB 636
Replies: 3
Views: 10172

Re: Joesph Fox MTB 636

Hello ‘mjfox7’ Welcome Aboard. As you may know, the 32nd Flotilla was formed December 1942 – disbanded in December 1943 with any remaining boats spread between the 56th, 57th, and 61st Flotilla’s. During September 1943 the boats of the 20th MGB and the 33rd MTB Flotillas were attached to “Task Group...
by Pioneer
Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:57 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: Coastal Forces Bases
Replies: 12
Views: 38205

Re: Coastal Forces Bases

Hello Len Thanks for that information. Do you know where those temp base staff originated from? (HMS Hannibal or HMS Hasdrubal, or else where?) Likewise we know that the cruiser HMS Colombo placed a temp base, during the latter stages of the war in the Adriatic, at Zada, Croatia. We are hoping to tr...
by Pioneer
Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:30 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: HMML to Q boat
Replies: 4
Views: 22117

Re: HMML to Q boat

Hello again JOHNB I would think that the complete answer may be difficult to get - as you say "Allied Coastal Forces of WW2" show various examples of this anomaly of ML and Q - it possibly was an easy way to visually ID the type of craft. Radio comm's would normally give the Flag Superior ...
by Pioneer
Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:11 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: HMML to Q boat
Replies: 4
Views: 22117

Re: HMML to Q boat

Hello JOHNB
According to this Naval Pennants web page all Royal Navy craft had an identity category letter. Scroll down to the bottom of page and you will see the letters allocated to Coastal Forces craft.
by Pioneer
Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:02 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 638
Replies: 47
Views: 341834

Re: MTB 638

Hello 'smurf55t' Welcome aboard mate - nice to see that you have found us. :tu: Keep 'popping' back, someone may see your request How's about this for starters. Off our old Home Page, it shows one the last RN type of 'D's', (built during March 1945). Fairly bristling with armament, shame that none s...
by Pioneer
Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:30 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: Coastal Forces Bases
Replies: 12
Views: 38205

Re: Coastal Forces Bases

Thank You 'Julie',
We shall be updating the maps pages very soon. Information regarding the Mobile Base Units, in the Mediterranean Theatre in particular, is proving to be quite a challenge. We are confident with our research team and shall 'update' the pages as soon as possible. Thanks again Julie.
by Pioneer
Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:34 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 754
Replies: 5
Views: 10316

Re: MTB 754

Hello Si
Yes, please do post any info that you find - I'm sure that the Record's will throw up something - Best of Luck
Regards
by Pioneer
Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:12 am
Forum: Coastal Forces Models
Topic: Modelling a Gay Class
Replies: 1
Views: 25981

Re: Modelling a ’Gay’ class

Some of the latest views of the superb model by Veteran Ted Childs
Ted's Model 1.jpg
Ted's Model 1.jpg (44.87 KiB) Viewed 25588 times
Ted's Model 3.jpg
Ted's Model 3.jpg (44.35 KiB) Viewed 25588 times
Ted's Model 2.jpg
Ted's Model 2.jpg (40.11 KiB) Viewed 25588 times
Ted's Model 5.jpg
Ted's Model 5.jpg (43.87 KiB) Viewed 25588 times
by Pioneer
Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:30 pm
Forum: General Organisation
Topic: Coastal Forces Bases
Replies: 12
Views: 38205

Re: Coastal Forces Bases

Our maps page has now been extended to cover the Mediterranean War Theatre. Can you ID any that may be missing?
If so please contact us.
by Pioneer
Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:26 am
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 754
Replies: 5
Views: 10316

Re: MTB 754

Hello again 'Simon H'
Unfortunately, what you have above is the total of what is in the two volumes on that particular 'boat 754.
However, they both do give an excellent view of both the 'boats (Lambert and Ross) and their War (Reynolds)
Highly recommended.
by Pioneer
Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:10 pm
Forum: Motor Torpedo Boats
Topic: MTB 754
Replies: 5
Views: 10316

Re: MTB 754

Hello Simon, Welcome aboard. MTB 754 - a late build - December 1944 - by Messrs Solent Shipyards. Burlesdon Bridge. Sarisbury Green Hants. To 68th Flotilla - then at Yarmouth (HMS Midge). Senior Officer- Lt Cdr D.G.Dowling RNVR. Flotilla moved to Ostend early 1945 - CFMU.1. (Coastal Forces Mobile Un...
by Pioneer
Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:25 pm
Forum: Newsreel Footage
Topic: MTB 18
Replies: 0
Views: 13871

MTB 18

This short video clip shows the damage to MTB 18 after ramming an enemy boat. Best viewed in 'Large Screen' This unique example of silent video footage is from British Pathe. We are hoping to secure a license with which we hope to add similar clips in the future. According to Leonard Reynolds in Hom...
by Pioneer
Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:34 am
Forum: Coastal Forces Models
Topic: RTTL Model
Replies: 2
Views: 20999

Re: RTTL Model

What is clever about the illustrations of this kit is that by just running your cursor over the titles at the bottom of the images - eg "pic 2" etc - you will see stages in the kits construction. Very clever! :tu:

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