HMS Sabre
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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.
Fred
Fred
http://www.bmpt.org.uk/boats for sale/Ex british Fast Vessel.pdf
link to HMS Sabre today
link to HMS Sabre today
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
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!
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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!
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I was part of the crew that manned her when she was towed stern first from Portland to Portsmouth after her 'bump'
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.
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.
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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.
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Hi Fred, they were a magic draft mate, great fun and anyway what did we need excocet for in peacetime.
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Hi Enri
I am the ex yachty who served on HMS Sabre, and are still working on the ferries down in Dover. Trying to work out who I would know you as.
I am the ex yachty who served on HMS Sabre, and are still working on the ferries down in Dover. Trying to work out who I would know you as.
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Hi yes I still have fairish hair and still stocky, we must have served on Sabre together and trying to work out who you are too.
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not too disimilar in profile to the sabre today, still tasked being a patrol boat, nice pic too.
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