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Vosper Motor Torpedo Boat 71 - IWM Dufxord
2
Comments
Imperial War Museum - Duxford 2010
Currently residing in one of the hangers at the IWM Duxford is an example of one of the Vosper 60ft Motor Torpedo Boats - MTB 71. I believe the boat was in private hands for many years and came to the museum around the year 2005.
There is a walk-around platform by the starboard side of the boat but unfortunately it is too low to see anything much. I'm about 6ft and my head came to below deck height. I took the pictures with the camera held above my head and a little improvisation in the form of a 'risk assessed' seat I borrowed to stand on, so apologies if some are not as clear as I would have liked.
The interior of the boat is gutted therefore it is in a rather unsound state, but it would be nice to think that at some point it gets restored to it's former glory and the walk-around platform raised.
Currently residing in one of the hangers at the IWM Duxford is an example of one of the Vosper 60ft Motor Torpedo Boats - MTB 71. I believe the boat was in private hands for many years and came to the museum around the year 2005.
There is a walk-around platform by the starboard side of the boat but unfortunately it is too low to see anything much. I'm about 6ft and my head came to below deck height. I took the pictures with the camera held above my head and a little improvisation in the form of a 'risk assessed' seat I borrowed to stand on, so apologies if some are not as clear as I would have liked.
The interior of the boat is gutted therefore it is in a rather unsound state, but it would be nice to think that at some point it gets restored to it's former glory and the walk-around platform raised.
Comments
Thanks for the walkaround Alan. I would be a tad bit worried to go out in the Channel on a vessel with those gaps between the planks.
OCT 25, 2010 - 12:36 PM
Hi Kenny,
Yes, not sea worthy in it's present state
I spoke to one of the conservation chaps at IWM Duxford before my visit to see if access to the interior would be possible, but as it has been pretty much gutter it is in an unsafe state. That might explain why it is set so high up to stop anyone walking on the deck for H & S reasons.
Here is an interesting link outlining the potted history of the boat, it's seen action a few times and been shelled and damaged on several occasions.
http://www.bmpt.org.uk/other_boats_history/MTB-71/index2.htm
I'm thinking it needs a friends of MTB 71 Society to raise a bit fo cash to help restore it properly lol, lol.
I don't know how many Vospers still exist, not many I would think, but it would be good to see it structurally sound and fully kitted out. At least it should be in good hands if money or opportunity ever come around for a full restoration.
Al
OCT 26, 2010 - 04:21 AM
Copyright ©2021 by Alan McNeilly. _OPINIONS Model Shipwrights, KitMaker Network, or Silver Star Enterrpises. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of Model Shipwrights. All rights reserved. Originally published on: 2010-10-25 00:00:00. Unique Reads: 19419