Demand for greater North Sea ASR capability raised.

AOCinC Bomber Command (Air Chf Mshl Sir Edgar Ludlow-Hewitt) highlighted need for better ASR due to increased fights over North Sea as part of war plans being made. Although crews had dinghies they were not much use if they couldn’t be picked up and new launches were ordered.

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First operational High Speed Launch for ASR Operations

RAF High Speed Launch

Fifteen Speed Launches were ordered and allocated to Coastal Command and overseas stations. The first was allocated n August 1935.  As the war developed and demand grew the RAF found themselves in competition with the Royal Navy for boatbuilding resources which slowed growth of the rescue capability. There is very good description of the birth… Continue reading First operational High Speed Launch for ASR Operations