Crash Tender mast

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

Hi all, Just made the mast for my Crash Tender in brass. But I'm wondering,…where did the ropes go that the ensigns or signal flags are on? There's a single block on the trees of the mast, but how is the rope arranged? Is it a loop? After all a crewman standing by the mast could attach a flag without the ropes even moving. Where is such an arrangement belayed? Where does the other end go? And then there's the one at the top. I can see a cleat on one side of the hatchway, but once again where does the other end go to?

Same question for the flag staff aft.



Cheers,

Martin

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Martin

There are a few websites that are devoted to fire boats link link or RAF fire fighting link

You might find the answers to your questions on one of these sites

Paul

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Thanks for the link to those pictures Paul,

While crash tenders are being discussed, do we think the decks were natural timber planked ? I know must people paint them grey like the cabin sides

Regards Ray

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

Thanks, Paul, but no, they don't really show anything.

Ray, I don't know why they would have decided on bare decks. They were plywood, so were painted…Cerrux BS 861 Light deck grey Anti-slip. (I might have got the number wrong). It's on the Vospers drawing that mentions colours. Similarly white is crossed out and grey replaces it, but I tried that and it makes the boat look altogether too grey and naval, which I just can't take personally, so I have painted the roofs white after all, although I could be persuaded that the roofs and decks were the same colour and the sides were lighter, being Cerrux light grey "Smooth". But in the end, I think such a pretty boat deserves to be prettily finished, so for now, white it is, but yes, decks were definitely painted and with non slip too. You can see the inevitable congregated filth in the texture on the 2 good pictures.

Ensign hallyard, it seems was effectively a loop, which answers that question.

Cheers,

Martin

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Martin

I only suggested the sites as places that might help with your research, is it not worth posting your questions on these sites as the members might be more knowledgeable than we are.

Paul

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Thanks for the confirmation, shame really they look rather bland, nice bit of teak planking wood have been good

Regards Ray

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

Paul, someone I know is looking into how to contact any possibly remaining crew members, but the one we did hear from had obviously erroneous memories. I'm not sure you can ask things. They aren't forums.

Ray, I suppose a teak deck would have been good, but I get the impression these were not made to have a long life, being an AvGas bomb basically. I think some of the RAF's boats may have been a laid deck, but more likely the bigger ones which aren't my sphere of interest. I tend to like the smaller ones.

Cheers,

Martin

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

I think the potential blandness is perhaps why people are so ready to paint the cabin tops white. I can't say I blame them.

Mine is currently basking in epoxy, holding on (I hope) the rubbing strake and re-solidifying the spray rail, after 54 years.

These boats were born the same year as me!

Martin

[Ian Harrison 4Participant @ianharrison4]

Hi all, did you know that there is a small museum attached to The Flixton Aviation Museum, Nr Bungay, Suffolk dedicated to the Air Sea Rescue Service and run by a great guy who is in his 80's and was a member of a crew operating out of Gorleston, he usually is in attendance on Sundays and Tuesdays.. Loads of photos, information and models on show. We donated an early 1950's " Victory Models" Mighty Midget Powered Air Sea Rescue Launch in its original box and some 1940's war department maps, a model he had not got in the collection. He also has some very interesting information booklets available. The actual Aviation Museum contains dozens of full size aircraft, missiles, engines and anything connected with flight. You need a good 2 to 3 hrs to see it all, well worth a visit if in the area. The full museum does not open on a Friday or Saturday unless for a special occasion.

Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, The Street, Flixton, Bungay, NR35 1NZ. Tel: 01986 896644.

[email protected]

The museum was started many years ago by Commander Wallis of Autgyro "Little Nellie" fame

Best regards

Ian

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

Yes, I was aware of the Air Sea Rescue element of this excellent museum. Not sure how to contact the old chap, though.

The pub at the top of the land used to be owned by the "singer" in Billy Cotton's Bandshow, Alan Breeze. He was a mate of my Uncle, who was the bass player in that band for years.

Martin

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

Hi Martin

I have had a squint around the net and most photos I have seen do not show crash tenders with flags flying. However I did find the following

**LINK**

Cheers

Andy

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

You have a point, Andy, but flags or not, the rigging is still there. It seems that they use a loop system, even when they can reach every part of the hallyard!

Martin

[Ian Harrison 4Participant @ianharrison4]

I have made some enquiries and the curator of the Air Sea Rescue section is David Wright, usally ther Tuesday and Sunday and contactable via the museum. I hope that helps.

Ian

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

Ian, is that the Flixton Museum?

Many thanks,

Martin

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