Key details
- Current boat name
- Queen Gull
- Boat class
- 7407
- Function
- Military
- Type
Dimensions and specifications
- Length (m / ft)
- 3.81 / 12ft 6in
- Beam (m / ft)
- 1.4 / 4ft 7in
- Leeward
- Keel
- Masts
- None
- Propulsion
- Engine
Design and build
- Designer
- British Power Boat Co
- Design date
- 1943
- Date of build
- 1943
- Place of build
- Marchwood
Current status
- Present use
- Museum/CBM
History
QUEEN GULL was a radio-controlled target boat that was designed and built in some numbers to a War Office specification. It was used to train Royal Artillery gun battery crews in defence of harbour entrances against fast German motor gunboats. The hull was built mainly of ply. It was powered by a Ford 10 'C' Industrial Unit which gave a straight drive to the two-bladed propellor (no gearbox) and enabled the unmanned boat to reach speeds of up to 21 knots. A Marconi radio controlled the ignition, throttle and rudder. This particular vessel was modified in the late 1950's for use in water skiing by fitting a steering wheel and cockpit. Now on loan to the CBM. GH Jan 2012