Know of an Airborne Lifeboat available to see and not listed on this site?
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You can see an Airborne Lifeboat and associated equipment and documentation at museums around the UK and online (the Imperial War Museum have a rich collection of online photos and documents). It is interesting to note that lifeboats in museums are Mark I or Mark IA lifeboats, except for the converted Mark II in the Scottish Museum.
In addition to the museums listed there are also several individuals and groups with lifeboats, including a Mark IIA and a Mark III. It is hoped that one or more of these may eventually be on public display.
Museums With Airborne Lifeboat Displays
Classic Boat Museum, Cowes
Based in Uffa’s town, the Classic Boat Museum has an extensive archive of the great man’s life and works. Well worth the visit. And the museum displays include a Mark IA lifeboat.
Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum, Flixton, South Norfolk
This excellent and ever expanding museum is staffed entirely by volunteers. It focuses on the history of aviation in the East of England with an extensive display of RAF aircraft and memorabilia. It has a large display dedicated to Air Sea Rescue, including a Mark IA lifeboat.
Museum of The Broads, Martham ,Norfolk
This museum includes a Mark IA lifeboat because so many lifeboats were built by yards in the area.
Scottish Maritime Museum, Irvine
Many of the lifeboats were converted to yachts after the war. This museum has one such Mark II on display.
R.A.F’S AIRBORNE LIFEBOATS © IWM (CH 13910)
Imperial War Museum, Online
The Imperial War Museum has an extensive online archive of photographs and documents. The Airborne Lifeboats and their aircraft feature amongst these.
Airborne Lifeboats Outside of Museums
RAF Harrowbeer Archive – Neville Cole’s Mark 1A
Michael Hayes, RAF Harrowbeer archivist, and Neville Cole have built an excellent display around Neville’s Mark IA lifeboat behind the Knightstone tea rooms in Devon.
‘Centipede’ Mark IIA Restoration
This Mark IIA lifeboat is being restored (rebuilt). It was converted to pleasure use after the war and spent many years on the North Norfolk coast. It was at Duxford for a while. It was bought by the daughter in the family who had it on the Norfolk coast. You can read all about and see the amazing work being done on their Facebook group ‘Airborne Lifeboat Mk IIa restoration’.
Shackleton Aviation Group Mark III Restoration
The Shackleton Aviation Group are preserving Shackleton WR963 with a view to getting it back to flight. They are also restoring a Saunders Roe Mark III lifeboat. Some words here You can read all about it on their Facebook group ‘Saunders Roe Airborne Lifeboat.