discussion Airborne Lifeboat RAF WW2

[Guest]

Reading Day Bomber by Arthur Ayton Jones and it is a very simple book but where he goes into detail.

So any body able to give info on this (relying on you I suspect Steve"Stona").

The three crew were on a mission in a Boston. They were attacked by three ME410s.

Into the drink they went in two blow up dingys which soon became not blown up which in general terms gives an indication that things are not good.

But over came all of a sudden 3 Beaufighters guarding a couple of Hudsons. One of the Hudsonsq dropped them an airborne lifeboat. I have not come across this one.

This was a blow up thing as well. With a difference it had two outboard motors encased in it. Probably Seagulls. Very simple wartime venture nice as well still going in 1970 I bought a new one. It had a cord to wind around the top of the fly wheel to start.

Continues story ! Also had a sail. A tiller. Oars. Two self righting canopy in case the thing turns turtle. 14feet by 5 feet. Plus a wireless. Self draining. Wooden deck. Sides were lined with foam.

With a small deck compass they set out at a cracking 8 knot approx. 10 mph. Then disaster hit them the engines were flooded and they had to use the sail as a drogue to keep the craft stable in the gale force conditions. Eventually they were saved.

Has any one any info on this remarkable craft especially pictures. All I can find is it being introduced in 1942.

Laurie

 

[Ian M]

Hmm. Try searching for Uffa Fox life boat. I think that is what you are after. Saunders roe made another type as well.

The Uffa boats where dropped from, among others the Lacasters attached to coastal Command.

Ian M

 

[Guest]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_lifeboat

Well done Ian. The Uffa Fox is the one. And there is the picture.

The Sanders Roe was apparently all aluminium.The author of the book details the deck as wood.

Make as very nice model if you can get the detail.

Laurie

 

[Ian M]

http://www.uffafox.com/motor01.htm

Just tell them the one you are after.....They'll sell you the plans

Ian M

 

[Guest]

OK Ian I will get them you build !

LAurie

 

[Ian M]

LOL don't tempt me.... And you buy the materials...

It'll be a bugger to post though. besides the wife is at the head of the cue. She wants a sports row boat.

Ian M

 

[Guest]

Ok Ian. You are on.

But not full size. I will go to 1/32. Yes ?

Laurie

 

[Ian M]

Orv, I thought you meant a real one.

Ian M

 

[flyjoe180]

Have you seen these Laurie? =Photograph&section[0]=collections&format=list']

=Photograph&section[0]=collections&format=list']

=Photograph&section[0]=collections&format=list']http://www.awm.gov.au/search/all/?query=Hudson lifeboat&op=Search&relatedFilter=related_events&filter[type]=Photograph&section[0]=collections&format=list

=Photograph&section[0]=collections&format=list']http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/hampshire/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8441000/8441810.stm

A quick search online shows hundreds of links to plans and pictures of Uffa Fox Airborne life rafts.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Joe very interesting. Must have a search. On holiday otherwise I would have been all over it.

Laurie