Key details
Dimensions and specifications
- Length (m / ft)
- 5.48 / 18ft
- Beam (m / ft)
- 1.4 / 4ft 7in
- Leeward
- None
- Masts
- 1
- Rig type
- Lateen
- Propulsion
- Paddle
Design and build
- Designer
- Warwick Aviation
- Design date
- 1944
- Date of build
- c.1945
- Place of build
- Warwick
Current status
- Present use
- Museum/NMMC
History
Built by Warwick Aviation c.1945 the Mark 7 was developed in 1944 from existing wooden sectional canoes. Expertise from the aircraft industry was use to design and build a similar craft from light alloy in response to the need for a more robust canoe for use in tropical conditions against the Japanese in the Far East.
The prototype was demonstrated at Hayling Island in August 1944 and by October a second prototype had been built and shipped to Sri Lanka for tropical trials. The trials were successful and 200 Mark 7s were ordered for service in the Far East. Some of these craft were used operationally before the end of the war in 1945.
The hull of the Mark 7 separates into three sections so it can be carried easily. Waterproof compartments at each end hold mines, guns and survival equipment. As well as being paddled, there was provision for a small mast and lateen sail, stability was provided by a pair of outriggers There are a number of examples existing today, very few are seaworthy and even fewer retain their original fittings.
GH February 2009