P8044, a Vosper Type II MTB

[Rachel]

Hello everyone, Looking for information on P8044, a Vosper Type II MTB(?). I believe she started out as MTB 531 when ordered but then was designated as CT 44. She was then reassigned as P8044 serving out of St Angelo in Malta.

My Father served on P8044 in the late-'40s in Malta. P8044 and P8045 were featured in the 'Spitfires of the Sea" #5 promotional video for "Senior Service' cigarettes. My father can be seen running onto the Bridge and handing out cigarettes (lol)

My father built a detailed model of P8004 that, after some neglect, I am trying to restore.

I am looking for any information on P8044 activities, where she might have ended up, and details of her deck layout, especially her mast and equipment configuration. (I have a few bits and pieces that I want to identify and correctly locate.)

In addition, I am confused as to her paint colours. When operating out of St Angelo in Malta, what would her deck and topsides paint colours have been?

In advance, Thank you.

[RogerFentem]

Hi
I wonder if you have looked at the various Facebook Groups that concern themselves with Coastal Forces? Two come to mind: Spitfires of the Sea; Coastal Forces MTB's, MGB's, ML's, ASR's, HSL's of WW2. The first is run by Peter Scott, the second deals mainly with models.
Roger

[Rachel]

Thank you. I will check out both of those.

[Admin]

Rachel

Thank you for your enquiry. I am currently away from home, and have had to extend my time away so have not had the opportunity to consult the literature I have. I wonder if the model was originally made from a plan by the late John Lambert, who also produced a very good volume on the Vosper boats, which may include some details on the postwar types with configuration details. I’ll check, and then get back to you in the New Year once I am home.

Regards
Admin

[David Carter]

Rachel,

There is a MTB of this type (albeit built by Whites of Cowes) under restoration on the Thames. If you would like to see it, please contact me. (cdcarter263@hotmail.com)

David Carter
(Secretary CFVA)

[Admin]

Rachel

I have looked at John Lambert's Allied Coastal Forces Vol II: Vosper MTBs and Us Elcos, and he does have a drawing of CTB 44, which I assume would have been the basis for one of his boat-building plans, if it is still available. The book has a basic side-on view, and shows an upturned dinghy in place of a fore gun on the deck in front of the wheelhouse, but no more specific than that. Of course precise configuration may have changed between the timeframe for CTB 44 and the later P 8044. It might be an idea to track down one or two boat modelling clubs as a source of possible information and advice, as military modelling, particularly of Coastal Forces craft, is quite widespread within that sphere.

Regards
Admin

[Rachel]

Thank you for your reply. I do have the book you mention and noted the excellent information within.

Thank you for following up with me. I am enjoying casting my net for information ever wider.

[alross2]

A Wolfe collection:

[Rachel]

Thank you for this great photo. It joins my collection. It also further supports my confusion over what were the topsides and deck paint colours used in the Med' on these boats during this period.
According to my research, Admiralty missives were Paint colours 507B (Decks) and 507C (Topsides) but tonally, they look nothing like the B&W images I have from that period (and your photo above.). I am going to put some test cards together and do some B&W comparisons comparing exposures and tonal variations.

[alross2]

If you are on Facebook, go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/562609010767534 and search for Alan Wolfe. As for color, the boat alongside is one of the BPB target boats, which was red. Since the control boat would normally be a color that would stand out, she may have been yellow. If you are on Facebook, please visit my SMALL NAVAL COMBATANTS group.

[alross2]

This is one of the boats she controlled.