Model R.A.F Harbour Defence Motor Launch Boat 1944

Description

Model R.A.F Motor Launch Boat 1944. This is a lovely example of an R.A.F Harbour Defence Motor Launch, which was made by Jim Crooks after he worked on the original boat in 1944
The full size ship was built in the John Harper shipyard Knottingly in 1943.
He has made every detail even down to the pullys and cleats. The deck and hull are fully planked and is a great example of early model ship building.
The boat is 35” long and stand 18” tall.
Due to its age and condition of which is good, only on the hull itself is some paint cracking evident.

This item will not be free postage due to size .

During the war, 46 Harbour Defence Motor Launch boats were constructed, mainly by yacht builders, in the United Kingdom and a number of other allied countries. In view of their later expanded combat roles in some Commonwealth navies some HDMLs were re-designated as “Seaward Defence Motor Launches” (SDML) or “Seaward Defence Boats” (SDB).[2]

HDMLs were designed to accommodate a crew of ten. There were berths for six ratings in the fore cabin, which also contained a galley with a coal fired stove.[note 1] In the forepeak, there was a Baby Blake sea toilet and hand wash basin. The officers were berthed in the after end of the boat; the petty officers being in a cabin on the port side just aft of the engine room with their own separate toilet and hand wash basin. A small “Courtier” coal-fired stove provided heating.

British HDMLs were normally manned by Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) officers with temporary commissions, and “hostilities only” ratings. The crews, however, gained an enviable reputation for their skill and expertise in the handling and fighting of their vessels.[citation needed]