These boats were completely unarmed. They were used at Portland to simulate fast patrol boat attacks on RN major warships. Always seemed to me to be a bit of a farce. The German Navy sent real Fast Attack Craft armed with Excocet and OTO Melara 76 mm Guns to train at Portland.
Thanks ******, as you can see they have ID letters, SA for Sabre and CT for Cutlass, any ideas what Scimitars letters were or did she have any???? By the way the RFA in the background was Olna.
Rgds Neill
Not sure about the ID letters on Scimitar, I have found an overhead picture in an old 70's reference book, the caption is HMS Scimitar but the code is clearly SA (no pennant number visible), that doesn't make much sense does it? I reckon Scimitar's code was SC but I'm sure somebody can confirm that. The RFA looks like the Tidespring or Tidepool though with the funnel extentions?
I know I have a picture of the Olna, but the brain cells are a bit slow these days. However in my old log book there was a Wessex HU.5 helo on Portland airfield with the code TP/347 which was Tidepool Flight.
I am not sue about SC as Scimitars code/deck letters because SC was used by HMS Scylla at the time and ST was Stromness.
Rgds Neill
Just found a picture of Scimitar on www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk. There is a nice shot of the trio with Scimitar closest to the camera. It certainly looks like SC. I guess the code could be used on more than one ship? Not much chance of confusing them visually!
I served in HMS Sabre for a couple of months in late 1979. She wasn't completely unarmed - she had mounts for a GPMG on each bridge wing, and we had an AB gunner ex Royal Yacht who loved to use his toys!
Hello Sabre Snotty,
I think the ex Royal Yachty was Ray Scott. He currently works, or maybe worked, (I left last year, and have heard since there is to be a clear out of QM's, the rank at which he was signed on), on the ferries at Dover.
Sailed with Ray for a number of years, and he spoke happily of his time on the Sabre.
Enri.
That makes sense - he'd have been about 12-15 years older than me, I'd guess. He was quite stocky, fair-ish complexion, fairish hair as a I recall. Somewhere I must have some pictures of my time in her.
I remember an RN poster showing one of these boats at speed. A spectacular picture. I could have gots loads in my Sea Cadet days, but unable to find one now.
Ooops!... Missed the old post giving the same link to the refurbished Sabre.
As a further point - An old oppo of mine was Bob Gatland who I am informed was Chief of the boat on Scimitar & accompanied her to HK in the late seventies.
I lost contact with Bob, but have recently become re aquainted with his widow.
For anyone who knew him, Bob sadly passed away over six years ago.
Tenacity was around at the same time, and was faster I think? Though according to Janes' she and the 3 'Training Boats'. they were all listed as 40 knots max speed.
As they say here "Yeah, Right".
Nick
HMS Tenacity was an entirely different 'animal' to the 3 boat class of which 'Sabre', 'Cutlass' and 'Scimitar' belonged.
HMS Tenacity was a private venture craft (built by Messrs Vosper Thornycroft in 1969) and was not purchased by the RN until 1972. She was powered by 3 Proteus Gas Turbines, over 144ft loa, displacing 220 tons - (by far, much larger than the Scimitar class) - her RN service was in Fishery Protection. You can read more of her history from Here
Regards
Ted
That's right,she was a much larger boat. I seem to remember that she played escort for the Cowes to Torquay offshore powerboat race. The crew were a bit too enthusiastic, and arrived at Torquay, and then back at Cowes before any of the "real racers". 1 - 0 to the RN !
If the RN continues contracting/downsizing/maximising potential to a what appears to be a brown water Navy, a few boats like Tenacity, and the Cutlass Class would probably be a worthwhile investment. At least we could patrol the English Channel. Might appeal to some of the youngsters of today.
The three fast patrol boats - based in Portland - were used in the Thursday War - as, at that time FOST (Flag Officer Sea Training) was based at Portland. During the week - if no suitable Naval Vessels were around - the squadron used to launch attacks on the Sealink Ferries Very spectacular very close high speed passes - sometimes on both sides of the ferry at the same time - very spectacular and great entertainment for the passengers. I believe the patrol boat bridge team used to put themselves in black bin liners as they were often covered in heavy spray.
I can never understand why Britain, with a very long coastline, does not have a proper squadron(s) of fast patrol craft strategically placed around our coasts for port defence ( I do not count the current small plastic launches used by the University Training Units).
Hi , just finishing building a model of the scimitar, as my wifes father served on the Scimitar when it was based at Portland, and will be 25 years on 21-01-2011 whan Brian James Lake alias 'Swanny/jim died . My wife wanted a model and will be 'launching' on 21-01-2011 to remember her Dad and thank the armed forces for what they did and still do.(Thumb)
Hi , just finishing building a model of the scimitar, as my wifes father served on the Scimitar when it was based at Portland, and will be 25 years on 21-01-2011 whan Brian James Lake alias 'Swanny/jim died . My wife wanted a model and will be 'launching' on 21-01-2011 to remember her Dad and thank the armed forces for what they did and still do.(Thumb)
Hello greasymonkey, its been a long time but I remember Swanny Lake, sorry to hear he passed away.
I served with him on the Scimitar (1972-74), I was the boats R.O. known as Sparker, I seem to remember he left the R.N. and missed the life, so re-enlisted. That must have been the best time of my life in the R.N.
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