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[Reade Models]

Can anybody living in the far east help with this one please?

When BECC were researching the details for the RAF Fire Tender decal sets that we market, we were told that a contact in the RAF Museum at Hendon had indicated that there was actually a third Fire Tender built and that it was still afloat, in a harbour somewhere out in the far east, possibly Singapore?

We were told that this this example was painted in tropical colours, and had black numerals on a white hull?

If anybody is aware of the existence of this third Fire Tender, would they kindly respond please - if any body has photographs, better still.

All feedback would be welcome and appreciated.

Many thanks

Malc

[riggers24]

The crash tender that aerokits made was classed as the MKII and the queston about the MKI has been floating around for awhile.
There is a member on this forum with RAF in his username that I am sure could help, but the old grey matter isn't working at the minute.

I do have a contact in the library at vosper wether he still works there is a different matter, I have PM'ed his details to you

Marc

[DickyD]

Try contacting Christian he's the expert on launches and all things Vosper etc.

Hes cdsc123 on the forum.

[cdsc123]

Malc, HS93 is the man to talk to about 46ft MKII Crash Tenders. As far as I know only 2 were ever built, numbers 93 and 94. Bear in mind these boats were officially designated Fire Floats, and many Seaplane Tenders were re-designated as Fire Floats. Several of these would have served in the tropical colours as you describe, for example number 91 as pictured below. I imagine it is one of these latter vessels which has caused the confusion.

[Reade Models]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for a fantastic response. 

I would like to let this thread run for a while and see if anything futher develops?

Riggers24 was quick to point out the lack of a constructed MKI Crash Tender.  My thread was prompted by an E-mail from a researcher who was thinking much along the same lines - i.e. was the elusive eastern Crash Tender possibly a MKI?

Can anybody throw any light on the correct nomenclature for these boats?  They seem to be variously referred to as Fire Tenders, Crash Tenders, Fire Floats etc? It's all a bit confusing.

Regards and thanks to all

Malc

[red181]

Hi Malc,
If I knew how to attach a picture I have then you would have the evidence, its a "46ft FIREFLOAT MK11"(two, not eleven!) At the last fireboat funday, a guy did have a model of what was believed to be the mk1. Single monitor, and if I remember right there was no rear sunken well like the mk2. I am sure I have a pic somewhere. Try www.modelfireboats.co.uk. If I find the mk1 pic I will bring it to Ellesmere.
The next bi-annual fireboat funday is weekend after this, At Branston Water Park. These old boats seem to have quite a good following, mine is now 48 years old! and undergoing its 3rd refurb!

[moonlight]

Can anybody throw any light on the correct nomenclature for these boats?  They seem to be variously referred to as Fire Tenders, Crash Tenders, Fire Floats etc? It's all a bit confusing.

Hi Malc,

I have the original Air Ministry specification for these boats.

They are described as "46ft FIREFLOAT Mk2"

For further details about your mystery boat might I suggest two sources of info.

1. Hendon archive - open to the public by appointment
2. The ASR/MCS Club - brilliant when I was building my boat - these are the guys that actually crewed them - they have a web-site www.asrmcs-club.com

Pete

[moonlight]

Check out this photo of a Firefloat in Pembroke dock

Very different to the Mk2

http://news.webshots.com/photo/1052823905015060561snILoF

[kiwi]

Hi Moonlight,
That one at Pemberton, is a converted RAF seaplane tender.
They built some of these in New Zealand during WW2.
My Dad was mechanic on the ones at Hobsonville (flying boats) Airforce Base in Auckland, NZ, for a while during the war period.
Have a very slow build of No.45 going at the moment.
Kiwi

[kiwi]

OOPs,
It got away to soon.
The NZ ones where 40 feet long.
Kiwi

[Reade Models]

This just gets better and better - many thanks to all!

It's great to see the photographs too.

(pmdevlin - if you click on 'Additional Options' at the bottom left when you are writing a post, you can browse your hard drive for a picture to upload).

Keep them coming!

Malc

[barriew]

Malc,

Not sure what this is - a Seaplane Tender possibly. Its moored near Bucklers Hard, or was about a month ago

Barrie

PS you would be most welcome at the Fireboat Funday - with merchandise if you wish.

[Model Boats Website]

Hi Malc,

Here a plan of what is most likely to be the MK1 version of the fireboat, I've got more details on the website about this but you can see the design is very similar to the fireboats 93 and 94.

As was mentioned in the article along side this it only has one fire monitor, this could be a sign that the original MK1 version did not have sufficient pumping capacity to meet the requirements they needed.

You can also see on the drawing that the craft would have been powered by two rover meteorite engines which matches up again with the MK2 version.

Fireboat :)

[Reade Models]

Thanks again gentlemen.  Some fantastic pictures, and ones that I've not seen before.  The questions are still unanswered though, and I suppose that the rumors will persist ...

Was a MKI ever built?  If it was, where is it now?  Was it sent to the far east?  Was it painted in tropical colours? Are there any pictures of it?

I must say that this is an absolutely fascinating thread - even if I did start it myself.

Moonlight's link to the Pembroke Dock photographs shows a different type of fire float altogether - with a completely different numbering sequence.  Kiwi's pictures were a revelation.  It just goes to show that although numbers 42 & 43 were the MKII's that have found fame in the model world, there were actually many other similar boats built.  I'm now beginning to learn a little about these wonderful boats.

Thanks to Barrie for his invitation to the Fire Boat Fun Day - I'm sorry that we can't make it this year but we hope it's a really good day for all who do attend.

Keep 'em coming - and thanks to all once again.
 
Malc

[riggers24]

Knew it would come to me, it is a member on this forum call modelmaker and I got his details from the target towing launch thread

Donald Smith
RAF MARINE CRAFT HISTORIAN
[email protected]

He was really helpful with details for the MkII I am building.

[Reade Models]

It was Donald who wrote to me and prompted this thread.

Malc

numbers 42 & 43

Sorry Guys - showing my ignorance - Numbers 93 & 94

Malc

[kiwi]

Hi all,
A bit more info on the Scott-Paine craft

"ST-206 - 37½ FT SEAPLANE TENDER Mk I
 
ST 206 was ordered in May 1931 under contract 104561/31 and was taken on charge into RAF service in March 1932. She was then despatched to Catfoss where she saw service through to 1942. On the 10th March that year she was at 85MU, Bridlington, listed for conversion to a Firefloat, which was completed and the RAF changed her designation to FT1. On completion she was returned to Catfoss and thereafter to Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland, where she was used by RAF Coastal Command. FT (ex ST 206) was further moved not far to Lough Erne in support of the Flying Boat base there on the 16th July 1942.
Her service career then got a little confused, as at first she was listed as being transferred to 62MU Dumbarton on the 1st August 1944, but this was cancelled on the 14th of the same month. In the meantime she was allocated to 26EU at Freetown, West Africa on the 8th August 1944, and again to 24EU at Durban in South Africa on the 14th August. All her "overseas allocations" were cancelled on the 20th October 1944 as Firefloat FT1 ended up being allocated to 213MU at Dumbarton in November 1944 where she was received in May 1945, and where she was maintained for Coastal Command on establishment from the 11th May 1945. FT1 (ex ST206) was earmarked for disposal through the Admiralty on the 26th September 1946 and left Dumbarton in November the same year.
Her history and whereabouts from 1946 through to 1990 are not known, however she was located in Gweek, Cornwall that year in a seriously dilapidated and almost unrecognisable state due to a series of modifications, which were part complete and out of keeping with the original design. At that time the paint was removed from her bows revealing her original RAF markings. ST 206 was subsequently acquired by Phil Clabburn who completely rebuilt her, restoring the craft to her original Seaplane Tender condition. She was re-launched at Hythe on the 17th July 1993, and is thus the first of the Powerboat Restorations craft to have been restored.
In her present guise, she has twin Cummins diesels fitted and has had her hull glass sheathed, otherwise she appears as she would have done over 60 years ago. ST 206 now represents the BMPT at numerous events and often accompanies HSL 102."

Nice looking little craft
kiwi

[red181]

I think moonlights fireboat pic has "909" on it. an editorial I have states that 909 was the intended replacement fo the mk2  number "94"