63’ HSL’s How many are left

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   RAF HSL 125 :  Abandoned West Mersea
RAF HSL 2548  : Abandoned in Spain

RAF HSL 124 was on Taggs Island  until around six years ago - the new owner tried to give her away but there were no takers and so bit by bit he cut her up and burned her.

HSL165 Jalna broken last year at Shoreham.
HSL142 sadly broken up at Marchwood 2004.

Apparently two others were broken up at at Ash Island,and another at Bowling
Harbour.

HSL186 Robrina is still apparently at Shoreham.

Does anyone know about the two at Ash Island,and Bowling
Harbour.
Are they actually broken up or are they still there?

If HSL 125 is to have a chance, I need a carcass for timber.

Anyone know of any more scrapped, for sale or abandoned HSL's?

Thanks

Don

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dgray Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 November 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 580	Post Options Post Reply Quote dgray Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 63’ HSL’s How many are left Posted: 05 June 2006 at 9:47pm
	RAF HSL 125 : Abandoned West Mersea RAF HSL 2548 : Abandoned in Spain RAF HSL 124 was on Taggs Island until around six years ago - the new owner tried to give her away but there were no takers and so bit by bit he cut her up and burned her. HSL165 Jalna broken last year at Shoreham. HSL142 sadly broken up at Marchwood 2004. Apparently two others were broken up at at Ash Island,and another at Bowling Harbour. HSL186 Robrina is still apparently at Shoreham. Does anyone know about the two at Ash Island,and Bowling Harbour. Are they actually broken up or are they still there? If HSL 125 is to have a chance, I need a carcass for timber. Anyone know of any more scrapped, for sale or abandoned HSL's? Thanks Don
	Don Only a number, not even a name. How shall posterity hear of thy fame?

Christian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Christian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 June 2006 at 3:01pm
	Hi Don The West Mersea boat is HSL145,not 125. As mentioned on the other thread,Buccaneer HSL2550 is listed with the nhsc. The two at Ash Island;one is HSL124 at Taggs Is.,(next door)and the other was MGB84,also gone. I'll be finding out more about the Bowling wrecks soon,I'll let you know. Do you include the Miami in your 63ft HSLs or just Whalebacks-there are plenty of Miamis on brokers listings as we speak. Kind Regards,Christian

dgray Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 November 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 580	Post Options Post Reply Quote dgray Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 June 2006 at 3:13pm
	Hi Christian, Sorry, HSL 145 of course - it was late and big fingers....small keys I'm just looking for old HSL's to see if a wreck can be found to make to do up HSL145 or HSL145 to fix the wreck. I want to see if saving a whaleback is possible before they are all gone. The more original the better. Miamis are expensive (well ones I've seen are). Anything looking original out there? Thanks Don
	Don Only a number, not even a name. How shall posterity hear of thy fame?

Christian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Christian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 June 2006 at 3:54pm
	HI Don Let's see if we can do another two-pronged assault to find out about Buccaneer. Cheapest Miami is the AVR (wrongly listed as 62ft) for sale on www.Yachtworld.com I think they are pretty much taking offers on her.For pics you have to send a request,she looks OK but she's on the wrong side of the pond though. Regards,Christian

dgray Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 November 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 580	Post Options Post Reply Quote dgray Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 June 2006 at 4:50pm
	Hi Christian, Personally I'm a Scott Paine/Selman fan so US boats not of great interest to me although they look great. Do you think poor old 145 is nearly the last (other than 2548)? It doesn't look too good for her. Hopefully the ASR people may be some help..... How best to search for Bucaneer? Cheers Don
	Don Only a number, not even a name. How shall posterity hear of thy fame?

Christian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Christian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 June 2006 at 4:56pm
	Good question.I'll ask the nhsc where to start. Regards,Christian

Jim Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 April 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 116	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jim Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 June 2006 at 12:46pm
	Sorry guys Bowling Harbour is empty of interest,the whale back is only the keel. the other "boat" Is said to have been moved to sandpoint marina in Dumbarton taken out and worked on by a former crew members daughter....and there the trail goes cold!

Christian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Christian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 June 2006 at 2:17pm
	Hi Jim Sad news,as so much of it is when trying to track down the survivors.It looks like Don is quite right to be concerned that there will soon be no more of these iconic boats which have such legendary status and seem to embody the ASR service.Ask anyone in the street to name an MTB and they'll tell you Vosper,ask anyone to name an RAF Rescue Launch and they'll say Whaleback (Although this may be partly due to Messrs Airfix and Co).Someone is trying to contact owner of Buccaneer for me,I'll keep the forum posted on the outcome. Regards,Christian

Jim Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 April 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 116	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jim Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 June 2006 at 2:55pm
	Hi Christian I'm pretty sure the other hull was an early MTB/ASR as seen in "Fast Attack Craft" by Keiren Phelan & Martin H Brica....pages 80 & 88 (scaned page to follow) As I remember the two small cabins before the wheel house. I am still waiting to find out her fate!(The saved by his daughters boat?) As for the poor remains of the other,well sad to say it was the real deal....pity when I was younger i did not have the common Scence to photo these boats..Ah Well. Jim

dgray Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 November 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 580	Post Options Post Reply Quote dgray Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 June 2006 at 11:09pm
	Hello Jim, Thanks for all your excelleny input. Very much appreciated. If anyone else has current photos of old RN/RAF boats even if complete wrecks, please email me a photo and location and I'd be happy to put upa website with a rogues gallery showing details. It would be really great to know where they are now. Please everyone, send in ANY photos to don@rania.co.uk. Christian likes a challenge identifing these craft! Thanks
	Don Only a number, not even a name. How shall posterity hear of thy fame?