Vosper 61601 45ft

Motor Launches (ML), Harbour Defence Motor Launches (HDML) & Rescue Motor Launches (RML)
Vosper61601
Seaman
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 5:18 pm

Vosper 61601 45ft

Postby Vosper61601 » Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:12 pm

Hi, (First post)
I am the current custodian of the above craft supposedly a RN refueller during WWII, but can find little to verify this, particularly given she is just 45ft.
I would love to find out more and hope some vets and/or experts on here can point me in the right direction - i can obviously post a current picture if useful.
Thanks in anticipation

Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 501
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:40 pm

Re: Vosper 61601 45ft

Postby Admin » Fri Oct 02, 2015 3:46 am

Hello

Welcome to the forum. I've not heard of such a boat myself in relation to Coastal Forces but an internet search makes mention of such a thing in use with the RAF Air Sea Rescue Service and the Air Sea Rescue and Marine Craft Section site contains photos of some of these, if they look familiar. Other forum members may be able to add something to this.

Regards
Admin

David Carter
Sub Lieutenant
Posts: 93
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 6:06 pm

Re: Vosper 61601 45ft

Postby David Carter » Fri Oct 02, 2015 2:12 pm

Hello "Vosper" Glad you could join us. I have a friend who has a flying boat refueller (transformed into a launch). If you could post pictures of yours, I can see if they are similar. Regards David Carter

Vosper61601
Seaman
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 5:18 pm

Re: Vosper 61601 45ft

Postby Vosper61601 » Fri Oct 02, 2015 2:42 pm

Thank you for your help so far gentlemen - i had not seen the Air Sea Rescue site pictures, alas those there do not seem to tie up with the profile of my Vosper. This is how she currently looks ;
IMG00652-20121014-1349.jpg

David Carter
Sub Lieutenant
Posts: 93
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 6:06 pm

Re: Vosper 61601 45ft

Postby David Carter » Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:19 am

My friend who owns Lindsey, a 50ft. Mk1 RAF Refueler, has written to say the boat in the photograph doesn’t look like yours, and that it may be an earlier type that had twin petrol engines. The Mark 1’s had 4 cylinder Crosley diesel engines (however, there was prototype that was fitted with twin Crosleys). My friend will make further enquiries and then get back to me.

Regards
David
lindsey-at-richmond.jpg
RAF Flying Boat Refueler Lindsy at Richmond
lindsey-at-richmond.jpg (99.01 KiB) Viewed 16206 times

Vosper61601
Seaman
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 5:18 pm

Re: Vosper 61601 45ft

Postby Vosper61601 » Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:38 pm

Very kind David, thank you.
What he says would make sense as 61601 is reported as originally being built in the 30's for the Dutch navy, but no documentative evidence was passed to me. Nor do the modern reincarnation of Vospers ltd hold any record of her, despite her ID plates as shown.

Lindsey is lovely, and looks a fairly typical Mk1 as depicted on the RAF ASR&MC site - i look forward to hearing any more from your friend.
Rgds,
David Spring
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