Michael Hayes has researched the history of the RAF Harrowbeer airfield near Yelverton, Devon. He has built a large archiveaccessible via ‘ Abigail’s at Knightstone Tearooms ‘. At the tearooms ask for Michael Hayeswho will be happy to talk to you and show you around the archive. The website includes information about RAF Harrowbeer and how to get in contact.
The archive includes the Mark 1A lifeboat owned by Neville Cole. Neville is a very knowledgeable fan of the Airborne Lifeboat and has built an exhibition around his lifeboat. The boat and storyboards are always available and Neville adds his collection of related equipment and other exhibits on open days throughout the year. Details of these are published on the RAF Harrowbeer Archive News and Events page.
Neville introduces his lifeboat in the attached video:
(c) RAF Museum Publications
(c) RAF Historical Society
(c) Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum
(c) Museum of The Broads
(c) Scottish Boat Museum
Lancaster aircraft with Mk.IIa lifeboat
Mark II on a Warwick
Flying Fortress
(c) Classic Boat Museum
(c) Neville Cole
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
(c) Richard James
Classic Boat Museum Facebook Page
(c) Classic Boat Museum
(c) Imperial War Museum
Museum of the Broads Mark I lifeboat
Avro Lancaster ASR with Lifeboat
Airborne Lifeboat Mark 1
Airborne Lifeboat Mark II Design
Royal Navy Airborne Lifeboat RN-1 Design
Mk I line drawing profile
Mk II line drawing profile and plan
Mk III plan view
Lifeboat Build Numbers
Mk II deck layout
Flixton Mk I line rockets
Mk I/IA Canoe Stern
MOTB Middy Engine
airborne-lifeboat-mk.1-w
Scottish Maritime Museum Mk I bought as pleasure vessel
Bircham Barrel
Early Type C triangular dinghy
Flying Fortress and A1 lifeboat
Mk 1 or 1a under aircraft
Mk I IA Middy Inboard Outboard
Mk IA bombed up to Warwick
Mk Ia Stowage Positions
Mk II Building Line Broads Haven
Mk II ready for trials Broads Haven (c Jeanne Lee, daughter Herbert Woods)
Mk II trials R.Thurne (jeanne Lee)
Mk III at Saunders Roe (Laird Anglesey Ltd)
Mk III on SAAF Shackleton (Saunders Roe)
Mk III Shackleton 2 at Farnborough 1953 (AVRO)
Mk III Trials Holyhead (Laird Anglesey Ltd)
Mk.II Construction 5 (from Neville Cole)
Mk.II Construction
Parachute Detail
RN1 16ft 9in on Barracuda trial Fleet Air Arm January 1945 (c) Fleet Air Arm
Symbolic picture of classroom for School of Air Sea Rescue
Builders of Uffa Fox designed Airborne Lifeboats
(c) Shackleton Aviation Group
(c) Nina Plumbe
From Caird Publications https://cairdpublications.com/scrap/survgearbit/survgearbit.htm
(c) IWM (NA 18345)
Mark II Equipment Stowage
Uffa and his lifeboats at Puckaster (from the Uffa Fox Archive)
Uffa sailing one of his lifeboats (from the Uffa Fox Archive)
Lifeboat trials at Puckaster (photo: from the Uffa Fox Archive)
Uffa and team with lifeboat loaded on his car (photo: from the Uffa Fox Archive)
Lifeboat as sailing yacht (photo: from the Uffa Fox Archive)
Lifeboat as sailing yacht (photo courtesy: Mike Dixon)
RN1 Lifeboat on a Barracuda (from the Uffa Fox Archive)
RN1 Lifeboat (photo: from the Uffa Fox Archive)
from the Uffa Fox Archive
RN1 Lifeboat (photo: from the Uffa Fox Archive)
Uffa sailing one of his Airborne Lifeboat (photo: from the Uffa Fox Archive)
RAF Harrowbeer Archives
Airborne Lifeboat Locations
2 comments
Hello, just an update to the information above. Abigails Tearoom as now closed. Mr & Mrs Hayes, the proprietors have taken the decision to re-open the Tearoom two days a week, but the main function will be as an educational centre (schools) and a small Museum within the confines of the building alongside Harrowbeer Archives. The lifeboat & story boards remain on site, and can be viewed when the archives are open. Please contact Mr Michael Hayes via the telephone number 01822 853679. (Especially if intending to make a special visit). Thank you, Regards, Neville Cole.
Hello again, sorry. I didn’t quite make it clear. Knightstone Tearoom, will be serving hot & cold drinks & light snacks (available during the limited opening hours), Apologies for that omittance,
Regards, Neville Cole.
Hello, just an update to the information above. Abigails Tearoom as now closed. Mr & Mrs Hayes, the proprietors have taken the decision to re-open the Tearoom two days a week, but the main function will be as an educational centre (schools) and a small Museum within the confines of the building alongside Harrowbeer Archives. The lifeboat & story boards remain on site, and can be viewed when the archives are open. Please contact Mr Michael Hayes via the telephone number 01822 853679. (Especially if intending to make a special visit). Thank you, Regards, Neville Cole.
Hello again, sorry. I didn’t quite make it clear. Knightstone Tearoom, will be serving hot & cold drinks & light snacks (available during the limited opening hours), Apologies for that omittance,
Regards, Neville Cole.