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[RipSlider]

Hello all.

Looks like end of december and most of Jan will see me at a number of naval dockways in India. I have secured permission and authority to take any photos of any ships, apart from subs, that I want to.

The Indian fleet has a number of ships from more "popular" navies, such as UK, France, Russia ( it has a Kirov derivative) and China.

If anyone has specific images of ships that they want/need photo's of, let me know within the next couple of weeks, egarding what vessel, what you want pictures of etc etc, and I'll get them if they are in port or accessible.

If anyone needs/wants images of the more traditional commercial vessels, such as dhows, fishing boats etc, then I can get these as well, as I'll be spending pretty much all my free time on baot a number of these trying to catch sharks and so will have plenty of oppurtunity for photos.

Steve

[cdsc123]

Hi Steve
Apparently a number of ex RN HDMLs survive (perhaps Fairmile Bs too) although they may be heavily converted above decks. Please take a snap or two if you come across anything you think may be one of these, they'd be much appreciated.
Thanks,

[RipSlider]

Are these not WWII era boats? Or am I being thick?

Have sent a mail across to India enquiring if any are available. Having been around Mumbai dockyard before, even if they are WWII class, I am willing to bet that there is probably an example or two out of the water and rusting away in some neglected corner. There is a LOT of scrappy vessels from years gone by out there....

Will print some pictures of HDML's and Fairmiles, and if I see anything similar, I'll take pictures.

Is there anything you especially want photo's of? I.e hull lines, detail, interior etc etc?

Steve

[gingyer]

If possible any of
the russian ships as info and pics are hard to
get a hold of

THANKS

Colin

[cdsc123]

Hi Steve
Yes, these are WW2 era vessels, but have proved long-lived. Any survivors will certainly be in private hands, usually they masquerade as tourboats, houseboats, workboats or yachts. I have heard there are a few of the smaller HDMLs, although I do not know exactly where they may be found!

[RipSlider]

According to Wiki the indian navy had, at some point, the following HDML's

    * HDML 1110
    * HDML 1112
    * HDML 1117
    * HDML 1118

   

    * HDML 1261
    * HDML 1262
    * HDML 1263
    * HDML 1266


All were sourced from WWII stocks, mostly UK's.

I have been granted fairly wide access due to a friend of a friend of a friend having a chat with the Commander of the Naval dockyards (India is *brilliant* if you want to get things like that sorted out - just need to know 1 person on the entire sub-continet, and there is a network of favours that spreads accross the entire country ).

You do realise though that when the Indian guys see me taking pictures of lumps of rust, they will make my life hell? They already think I'm crazy for going fishing as a hobby.

Do you happen to have any photo's of *converted* fairmiles or HDML's so I have an idea what they can look like wne disgiused?

If I do find one, what sort of photo's do you want?

Gingyer

I know for a fact that the Indian fleet has brought a number of russian boats, along with a very heavily customised Kirov class air craft carrier. I've been told the Kirov based boat won't be in Mumbai for at least 12 months, but I'll be going to 6 different yards, so I might get lucky. I'll try and take pictures of anything I'm told is originally from russia.

Again, you need to let me know what sort of shots your are looking for. Hull lines, detail etc etc

Thanks

Steve

[gingyer]

Hi steve
some detail pictures of the ships
so I can get a clearer picture of how the
boats are kitted out so I can refer to the
drawing and get a better idea

Colin

[cdsc123]

Hi Steve
For me, hull/superstructure photos would be super, I'm trying to catalogue all HDML etc survivors around the world.
See the survivors list here;  http://www.hmsmedusa.org.uk/  there are a few photos I have managed to help scrounge.
As you can see, the modifications sometimes obscure the original deckhouse shape, but as several Indian Navy HDMLs were in service right up until 1992 they may still be fairly original looking.
There's plenty of Fairmile B tourboat conversions here, but I think it unlikely you will see any out there;
http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Fairmile-B_Header.html
Thanks,