Airborne Lifeboat

Current boat name

Airborne Lifeboat

Boat class

6839

Number

4105

Function

Service

Type

Length (m / ft)

7.01 / 23ft

Beam (m / ft)

1.78 / 5ft 10in

Leeward

Centreboard

Masts

1 Aluminium

Propulsion

Engine/sail/oar

Designer

Fox Uffa

Date of build

1943c

Present use

Museum/CBM

Concieved in 1941 by Uffa Fox following a suggestion from a Grp Capt Waring RAF and Lt Robb RNVR, the design was by his senior naval architect William (Bill) Thomas Waight.  Fully restored to her original wartime condition, this WW II Mk1 Airborne Lifeboat type was designed to be dropped by parachute from a Lockheed Hudson aircraft of Coastal Command A/SR. Aircrew were precious and highly valued: so these craft were fitted with oars, sails and (in the Mk.1) twin motors to get them home over long distances. 86 of these craft were built by Woodnutt’s at Bembridge. This Ranelagh-built example came to the museum converted to a sailing cruiser. Our workshops were able to restore her to her original state thanks to the previous owners' foresight in keeping all her original WW II fittings. Of the 598 airborne lifeboats built  98  were dropped operationally during WW II and saved an estimated 200-300 lives. Hull No.QIII, Service No.4105, this is believed to be one of only two Airborne Lifeboats restored to WW II condition on display anywhere in the UK. GH Apl 2011