This amazing graphic of a Dark Class Fast Patrol Boat is from the Eagle Comic dated July 1958. More detail can be seen on the web site here http://www.bmpt.org.uk/boat%20histories/Dark%20Class/illustration.htm - http://www.bmpt.org.uk/boat%20histories/Dark%20Class/illustr ation.htm

I have downloaded the following images of DARK CLASS boats during service. When I can find the link to the web site I will add, as it is highly recommended.

P1101 - DARK ADVENTURE

P1102 - DARK AGGRESSOR

P1103  - DARK ANTAGONIST

P1104 - DARK BITER

P1105 - DARK AVENGER

P1106 - DARK HERO?

P1107 DARK ROVER

P1108 DARK BUCCANEER

P1109 DARK CLIPPER

P1110 DARK HIGHWAYMAN

P1111 DARK KILLER

P1112 DARK HUSSAR

P1113 DARK FIGHTER

P1114 DARK GLADIATOR

P1115 NO IMAGE

P1116 NO IMAGE

P1117 DARK HUNTER

P1118 DARK INTRUDER

P1119 NO IMAGE

P1120 DARK SCOUT

P--- DARK INVADER

Up till about three years ago there were two Dark class boats still in existance on Malta.  Both were in the grounds of the former Benghisa Transmitting Station (RN).  They were in a very poor state of repair.  One of the boats was broken up and the other was said to have been earmarked for conversion to a tourist cruise boat. I'm uncertain as to whether this actually got off the ground. 

These vessels were paid of and disposed of in Malta.  Apparently they were then used in the making of a film, The Hellboats.  they then spent a large number of years languishing at Kalafrana. Kalafana was an RAF seaplane base, changing over to a Royal Naval Aircraft Repair Yard.  HSL's were stationed there during the war.  A book by a Maltese author details the exploits of these HSL's, its called Callout.  As the former seaplane base was developed into a container terminal, the Dark class boats were moved up the road to the former Transmitting station, it must have been in the early nineties.  My brother attempted to get the Malta Maritime Museum interested in saving at least one of these boats, but their reply was that they did not have the resources to do so.  It is a pity, as now one has definately gone for ever and I haven't heard of the fate of the remaining boat.  My brother salvaged some bits from the one that was broken up, nothing earth shattering, just a couple of junction box covers and the Kernichief Log repeater.  Most of their equipment had long since been removed.  I really would love to know what became of the awesome Deltics! 

Hello 'Outpost'

The boats that were at Radio Beacons Malta were photographed and one was ID'd as being ex-Dark Clipper. There is rumour that one may still exist in Scotland - but I would not - just yet - put much credence to it as another person has ID'd it as an ex-Nasty class (no photo's as yet) That unique Deltic sound can still be heard I am told as a 'Nasty' class is still running as a Private Yacht - based in Cornwall UK - complete with original power plants (the later modified and 'blown' versions). We may yet hear of an original 'Dark' - still out there somewhere - fingers crossed.

Regards

'Blown' Deltics? Wow!  I was under the impression that the normally aspirated ones were powerful enough!  What an engine!  I've never had the opportunity to hear one on a boat, the only ones I've heard were on the old Deltic diesel locos.  I've only ever seen one of these engines 'in the metal' at the National Railway Museum in York.

There are still a number of ex British motor launch hulls around Malta, albeit in modified configurations.  I'm afraid I'm not up to speed on recognition though.  I have heard that they were minelayers, gunboats and rescue launches in their day. 

Hello again 'Outpost'

If you can trawl through this site you will find quite a lot of info regarding the boats that are still around in the Med. The member 'Christian' from Gibralter is a mine of information on the ML's while the 'taxi' service at Malta I understand still has ex British Power Boat craft (ex MTB's of the Proud class) working. 

The 'blown' Deltic 'Nasty's' were used by the Americans in Cambodia and there is an active web site - http://www.ptfnasty.com - www.ptfnasty.com  a few American enthusiasts are still running a couple I'm told Regards

Hello folks It`s me Drum1

   During my time at Hornet I can only remember Dark Aggressor and Dark Avenger being resident between 1954 and 1956 as I did some enging trials in the engine room with the Napiers engineer on Dark Aggressor. And I still have my Deltic course book. These two Dark boats had standard Deltic engines fitted, thought to have been causedby the screws coming out of the water at speed, untill one blew up followed a few weeks later by one of the engines on British rail. on investigation by Napiers the faolt was found to be in the oil supply to one side of the engine. This was rectified and there has been no more trouble since.

The one big problem with this engine so I am led to believe was that in the UK the Insurance companies would not insure these engines commercialy owing to the power weight ratio, which curtailed sales.

But I think it was a beautifull engine and should have been given a fair chance.

              Ted Childs Drum1

I served in Dark Antagonist and Dark Hunter as 2nd Coxswain. Both boats were SO 1st FPB Squadron Dark Hunter paying off in August 1957 as part of defence cuts. I was also trials and ferry crew Coxswain of Dark Highwayman. Major problems for the Class was screw cavitation (120 hours new 60 Hours retreads), buckling of frames in the forepeak and stiff steering over 10 degrees of wheel. This latter was solved by Vospers on Highwayman by offsetting the twin rudders.

Hello Ray - Welcome aboard.

I too was a member of a Ferry Crew (7th) between 1954-55 - (we then went on to 'Commission' Gay Dragoon.) I - being a lowly ER rating - can only remember the problems that were first experienced by the Deltic Engines of the Dark's - 'Antagonist I remember as being one chosen for several engine mods by the Napier engineers - I remember a fellow National Service rating on board 'Antagonist who had been under training on HMS Alaunia at the same time as me. As a 'Ferry Crew' we delivered T201 (Burmese all alloy Dark) to Weymouth for its onward shipment (as Deck Cargo) to Rangoon. The problems that you describe with the Hull Frames and Steering gear were endemic for the whole class and was also still being experienced by the Italian Customs when they acquired 6 off the RN - Good old day's? -

Regards

Ted

in 1970 Dark Buccanneer, was in Marsaxlokk Malta, if memory serves me correctly, it was in wet storage at Sliema and was disposed of to a civilian buyer, who towed it to the south of Malta.

The fitters at  RAF 1151 MCU  at Malta got it started for him, by purloining a couple of Plessey cartridge starters and cartridges from the unit.

last we heard it headed for N Africa.

Colin

Hello Colin,

The Dark classes were to wander all around the World but it seems that none now exist - The Japanese took delivery of one - Italy 6 - Burma 5 - Finland 2 while it was rumoured that Libya showed an interest as well. The trail of 2 supposedly lying in Scotland has gone cold - I wonder if the one that the RAF got started went to Libya? We now know that the 2 that were lying high and dry in Malta have been scrapped - quite recently too -2002 - but you can never really be sure - maybe one will turn up somewhere (fingers crossed)

Regards

Ted

Hi all

Interstingly I was in Crete a couple of years ago and found a builders model of a Dark Class in their Maritime Museum. It looked very much like one that used to be on show in HORNET. Either in the Office Block or the Wardroom Lobby. Staff on duty could give me no idea of its significance or how it came to be there..

Hello Ray,

You wouldn't have the model's pennant number would you? - The reason I ask is that Dave Abbot - professional model builder for some magazines etc - made a superb scratch build model of P1101 HMS Dark Adventurer, this model was sold a few years ago at Christies for a 4 figure sum - might it be the one?

Regards Ted

Hi Ted

Here it is;

http://www.lutonmodelboat.co.uk/gallery_dark.html - http://www.lutonmodelboat.co.uk/gallery_dark.html

It is EXCELLENT.

Regards,Christian.

Hello Christian.

     Was this a working model or just an ornament for show only.

Also where can I get hold of the drawings as I would like to make a Dark Class the next model after I have conpleted the Gay Charger in about a year`s time

Ted Drum1.

Hi Ted

A very good question, I had assumed working just because it is pictured on the water. Perhaps the secretary of Luton Model Boat Club will know. Regarding plans, I too would like a set so hopefully between us we can find something. I have tried to get in touch with Dave Abbott through John Cundell but with no joy.

On another note, what did you make of the contraption on the bows of the Vosper?

Regards,Christian. 

Hello Ted and Christian,

The Sec of Luton Boat Club is Mr Graham Rumble. The model of the Dark was(is) a sailing model - I shall be visiting the Club on Thursday week and will ask Dave Abbot to contact you both via e-mail - he is the Club's President/Chairman.

I understand that he paid quite a large sum to the Greenwich Museum for a copy of the original plans - he photographed various stages in the building of his model - I shall try and persuade him to share them with us.

Regards