1941, two years into the war, saw the idea of an Airborne lifeboat put forward. Across the RAF people were applying a great deal of thought to giving ditched crew a greater chance of rescue. In Cowes Uffa was personally involved in the war and the same idea. Was there a way to enable aircrew to sail home rather than passively wait to be rescued?
Uffa already had government and military contacts. He was personally engaged in The Home Guard (he called his unit the ‘Uffashots’) and his boatyard relied on government contracts including building pontoons, folding canvas and plywood boats, paddles and other equipment for the services. The workforce included apprentices one of whom, Bobbie Sach, was to become Uffa’s stepson when Uffa married for the second time in early 1941. Bobbie joined the Air Sea Rescue services to combine service with his love of boats. Through this relationship Uffa became acutely aware of the challenge for ditched aircrew, first talking with Bobbie about how a boat could be got to ditched aircrew and then personally when Bobbie’s rescue craft was destroyed and Bobbie captured in early 1941. As a result Uffa applied himself to the problem, envisaging a boat which could be flown to ditched aircrew enabling them to actively sail out of danger. It is his trademark energy, enthusiasm, design skills and reputation which were key factors in driving the idea forward. Uffa came up with many ideas, some of which he trialled with models launched from the upper stories of his home. He worked tirelessly to get them accepted and was undeterred by criticisms, re-working his ideas as requirements were clarified. He writes about this in Joys of Life and More Joys of Living.
In 1940 Group Captain Waring, Commander RAF Lindholme, was actively engaged in the same problem. He had already been responsible for introducing the ‘Lindholme Gear’ to assist ditched crews. In late 1941 he enlisted the help of Lieutenant Arthur Robb RNVR (see profiles here and here) to develop ideas for a dinghy with motor, sails and emergency equipment which could be carried by aircraft to ditched aircrew. He submitted the idea to the Air Ministry for consideration.