RAF Launch question

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

Hi all, I'm in the last few months of building Thorneycroft 67 ft launch 2655. I have reasonable plans and there are some pictures on the web to help. The bit I'm stuck with at the moment is the compass tabernacle. I've never seen one or pictures to help so building it is a problem. I am guessing that it is a wooden pole / stand around 7 or 8 feet high with a compass in a binacle on top with some way of sending the bearing to the wheelhouse.

Can anyone give me some help, or even a picture to guide me?

Chas.

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Chas

The National Maritime Museum has a super model of 2508 link they might be able to help you.

Paul

Edited By Paul T on 07/12/2017 16:45:21

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Charles, are you working from John Pritchard's plan in June 1982 Model Boats depicting No 2507? This shows the compass pole in profile with the bearing compass on top. It is quite a substantial elongated pyramid section structure some 7 feet high and a foot wide at the base but there is no obvious indication of how it was accessed by the crew.

Colin

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

Hi Paul and Colin. Paul, the beautiful model in the picture is a different variation and doesn't seem to have the compass structure, but thanks for the link, I've not seen that one before.

Colin, yes I started with Johns plans and chose a different prototype. The hull and general arrangement are the same, but a lot of detail is different, most obviously the gun turrets are open, no domes on them.

You have pinpointed my problem with the compass, no detail. If I end up guessing I'll make the mount and plonk a compass on top, but I bet that's not right. I can't imagine the crew shinning up to the compass to get a bearing, but I bet new crew were told to.

Chas

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Deans Marine appear to have used the Pritchard plan, you can see their model here which shows the bearing compass mounting as drawn.

**LINK**

Doesn't get you any further regarding accessing it though!

The RAF museum at Hendon might be worth checking if you have not already done so.

Colin

[John W EParticipant @johnwe]

Hi ya Chas – a guy you could contact is Christian he owns MTB Hulls and he also has a website. The gent has a lot of access to information on Coastal Forces Launches and he will more than likely be able to help with your enquiry. He also has a website which you may be able to contact him through. He sometimes frequents this forum and also on Mayhem. He has furnished me with several images of these launches – but at the moment due to the fact I have this new computer which doesn't seem to like files from me old computer – so it will be a bit of a time before I can download all me files regarding these type of launches. John

 

Edited By bluebird on 08/12/2017 18:40:22

Edited By bluebird on 08/12/2017 18:45:48

Edited By bluebird on 08/12/2017 18:49:10

[John W EParticipant @johnwe]

http://www.mtbhulls.co.uk

Here's a link Chas, to Christian's website.

John

Edited By bluebird on 08/12/2017 18:47:50

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

Many thanks Bluebird, that is all very helpful, I'll get in touch with him. I love the picture with the flying boat, never seen that one before and really good quality. So many of the pictures on the web are indistinct so seeing a new one is great. I bet firing the rear gun shook the whole boat. 20 mm oerlikon?

Chas

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