n/a

Current boat name

n/a

Boat class

6915

Function

Military

Type

Length (m / ft)

5.48 / 18ft

Beam (m / ft)

1.4 / 4ft 7in

Leeward

Outriggers

Masts

One

Rig type

Lateen

Propulsion

Paddle/sail

Designer

Warwick Aviation

Design date

1944

Date of build

1945c

Present use

Museum

Built as a Mk 7 military canoe by Warwick Aviation 1945c 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 for use 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 7's 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 sea worthy and even fewer retain their original fittings. GH Feb 2009