What is this Beauty?

[bazobeleza]

This cracker came and anchored alongside us this summer, forget your topless girls, this had my tongue hanging out, but what is she? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Forgot the photo, oops!

 

[epervier]

almost looks like a converted WW II MTB!

and agree with you lovely lines.

 

[nonitoo]

Could be a beautifully converted WWII RAF type II Whaleback ASR launch, and if it is 63' long then it is even more likely to be one.

See http://www.raf-lincolnshire.info/marinebranch/airsearescuephoto9.htm

Tom

 

[DoubleVision]

I agree with Dave and Tom. Definately a very nice ww2 mtb or similar conversion. Well spotted. Would be very interested to find out what engines she is running on now. I`ll bet 20p that she aint got the triple Merlins now. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[nonitoo]

In the late fifties, near my school, there were about 20 of these and similar, hauled out on a spare bit of land beside the River Leven and rotting away slowly.

We used to play on them, imagining all sorts of scenarios. I do remember that the engines were gone and most of the instrumentation as well.

It's a long time ago but IIRC the MTBs had flat decks and the tubes were still installed, the MLs and ASR launches had the curved decks.

I wonder what the fuel consumption of the triple Merlin engines would be ?

Happy memories.

Tom

 

[epervier]

[ QUOTE ]


I wonder what the fuel consumption of the triple Merlin engines would be ?

Happy memories.

Tom

[/ QUOTE ]

even if we could step back in time and make petrol 3/11d a gallon I still couldn't afford to run her /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[nonitoo]

A bit of Googling brings this up

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/British-Power-Boat-Company-Type-Two-63-ft-HSL

Here http://www.bmpt.org.uk/boat%20histories/HSL-142/ you can see the strong double diagonal hull construction. It also mentions them being laid up in Dumbarton where I saw them.

I too thought that they were fitted with Merlins but apparently not, maybe only the MTBs were.

Beautiful boat though.

Tom

 

[ningram]

A friend of mine owns and lives aboard this

When it was powered by triple merlins it was rated at 148 GPH.... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Tranona]

Napier Lion was even more of a monster even if not as powerful as a Merlin as previous generation design aand I think not supercharged. W12 configuration.

One is fitted to a Railton chassis for Brooklands and as far as I know still exists in working order. Used to see it a lot at VSCC meetings at Silverstone in the 60's and 70's spurting the odd flame out of its 3 exhaust pipes and burning rubber as it tried to get grip coming out of corners.
Happy days!

 

[burgundyben]

I think thats the one that is for sale.

Its a BPB Whaleback for sure.

Still one whaleback houseboat on the Hamble.

I think originally wouldc have had 3 Napier Lions.

 

[Perry]

What a nice bit of kit

 

[No Regrets]

Agreed, lovely lines!

The range of the HSL was apparently 500 miles, imagine the fuel sloshing around in that, and the fear of those on board of being hit by a stray bullet...WHOOOOMPH!

 

[bazobeleza]

63' is about right, it definitely did'nt sound like a diesel, it was the sound that made me come up to look. the sheer line is lovely, the sheer line of the white Mtb looks a lotter flatter.

 

[Divemaster1]

[ QUOTE ]
..... it definitely did'nt sound like a diesel, ........

[/ QUOTE ]
For her age, she may have been re-engined with Detroit Diesels, which do have a bit different exhaust note......

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb0ZGaGeAJM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=inmJyTQOVjg

 

[grumpy_o_g]

That sounds about right. About 1/2 lb/hp/hour (on AvGas 100LL, not cooking) from what I can remember of Shackletons. Most un-modded Merlin's produce around 1,000 hp at cruise at sea-level, depending on the version of course.

 

[burgundyben]

She is for sale here

http://www.freewebs.com/asangyo/index.htm

and here

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/3248

 

[nonitoo]

She does look soooooo much better with the dark hull in the first picture.

Tom

 

[bazobeleza]

The dark hull was this august, so unless she's been recently repainted it must be an old photo set they've used.