Percy Blandford

[McNab]

I've always been a fan of PWB having learn't to sail a Gremlin Major as a 10 year old and seeing his practical tips in 'Small Boat' and 'PBO'.

I'd like to know more about the man! Did he ever get an MBE or any rcognition for introducing so many people to canoeing and sailing? Is he still alive? Has PBO ever done an in depth biography?

 

[Slinky Spring]

I learned to sail in a Foamcrest, another Blandford design and learned to canoe in a cold moulded, canvas decked PBK 59 canoe. Very little revealed by a google search other than a suggestion from a couple of years ago that he was still alive and in his 90s.

 

[oldharry]

Have a look at http://www.lysander.org.uk/ a thriving Owners association for Blandfords boats.

 

[Searush]

I have a couple of his canoes, a single seater PBK15 and a double PBK20. The single is just a frame, and was never covered - it would look great in a clubhouse/ pub or bar if any one wants to make me an offer. The canvas on the double has rotted from within so that needs re-canvassing anyway.

They are quite attractive artifacts & very redolent of the 1950's so recently mourned in a thread on the lounge.

 

[sailorman]

we built a double @ skool kept on a local stream, no L/Js needed @ that time /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

or supervision /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[bigwow]

My dad built me a PBK22 canoe in the late 50’s so I could go on the Scouts canoe cruise on the Avon and Severn, I still remember the blisters.