RAF HIGH SPEED LAUNCH 121

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aukepalmhof
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RAF HIGH SPEED LAUNCH 121

Post by aukepalmhof » Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:37 pm

In 1990 Isle of Man issued 6 stamps for the Battle of Britain of which the 15p shows us the Air-Sea Rescue High Speed Launch 121 of the RAF.

Built by British Power Boats Co., Hythe and operated by RAF, U.K.
Displacement 21.5 ton, dim. 19.20 x 5.33 x 1.03m. (draught).
Powered by three Napier Sea Lion engines each 500 hp, speed 36 knots.
Range 500 miles.
Armament 2 – 0.303 MG. (On the stamp it looks that she is not armed)
Crew 9 including a medical orderly.

This class of launches was designed in 1937 by Hubert Scott founder of the British Power Boat Company at Hythe. Around 70 launches were built between 1940 and 1942.
The type was known as the whaleback from its distinctive curve to its deck, and during the Second World War used in the air-sea rescue to save Allied aircrew from the sea after they were shot down.
She has a low-set cabin containing the wheel-house, chart room and a sickbay. On top of the cabin two MG,s were fitted.

The 121 was stationed 07 July 1940 at Caslshot. August 1940 in Newhaven.
April 1941 again in Calshot and May 1941 in Ramsgate.
September 1941 stationed in the Middle East.
April 1942 stationed in Port Said.
December 1942 Eastern Mediterranean.
July 1945 in Port Said.
31 December 1945 disposed in the Middle East, fate unknown.

Isle of Man 1990 15p sg450 scott427.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Po ... _63_ft_HSL and various other internet sites.
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