Hi guys,

What do you make of the small boats in the middle of this clip and what do you think the bit on the stern is?

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/invasion-scenes-3/query/Landing+Craft

See from 0.52 onwards.

Thanks

Al

Hi,
They are probably LCP(L) and the items on the stern are smoke pots.

Not sure what the correct designation of the smoke pot is but they often show up on the stern of MGB/MTBs and various landing craft.

What do you think the Pennant Number is 45 or 46 or something else ?

LCI(L) 320 is part of Force U.

Regards

Danny

Thanks Danny,

Great looked like LCP(R)s to me! I thought the LCP(L) had a cabin type body, but perhaps only the early types. Interesting to see them in British Camo Colours. I've seen the pots on the LCAs so again thanks for the confirmation..

Could you tell me a little more about U force, the location isn't clear to me, as the title cover is 1940 to 1949 .

Appreciated.

Al

Hi folks,

Anyone else have an opinion on these?

Looking at the last picture in the sequence is that not the inside edge if a ramp or is just my eyes?

Al

Hello Allan,
Some of the LCP(L) had a “window screen” fitted and the canvas cover fitted rather than the cabin.

They were used as survey craft and as smoke layers amongst other things on D Day.

The “U” stands for Utah. The naval forces just used the letters for the beaches that they were allocated to for D Day. Force “S” “G” etc.

I have had a look at the notes I have and all of the landing craft in the film were allocated to Force U. Based in the Plymouth/Brixham area. The film was probably taken on the 5th June 1944 on the way to Normandy.

Regards

Danny

Thanks Danny,

Useful information.

Al

Hello Allan,
A list of the Royal Navy units assigned to Force “U”

Regards

Danny


LSI(L) Empire Gauntlet 18 LCA 2 LCP(L)

“G” LCT Squadron Mk 4 LCT
44 Flotilla
50 Flotilla
52 Flotilla

“O” LCT Squadron Mk 5 LCT plus 2 LCT Mk 6
104 Flotilla
107 Flotilla
110 Flotilla

“X” Landing Barge Squadron

8 Flotilla LBV
19 Flotilla LBV
20 Flotilla LBV

33 Supply and Repair Flotilla
LBE LBO LBW

34 Supply and Repair Flotilla
HMFT x 4
LBE LBK LBO LBW

Hi Danny,

Thanks. How difficult a conversion would the UDT Boat be to make it into an LCPL? Any thoughts.

info much appreciated.

Cheers

Al

Hello Alan,
I don’t think the UDT boat could be converted to a LCP(L). Just had a look at a few things I have and there are too many differences.

Maybe someone in the US has a set of plans for the British version of the LCP(L) and you could scratch build one. They did build the US version from scratch for the D Day museum in New Orleans so there must be some plans around.

You could always paint the UDT model in RN colours. A lot of the LSTs that were used for the initial landings on Sword and Juno beaches carried one LCP(R).

I have also checked my notes again and a number( 40 plus) Royal Navy LCP(L) were loaned to and manned by the USN for the Western Task Force. No information on what beaches they were assigned to.

These could have stayed in Royal Navy colours and just had “US” added to the front of the Pennant Number as per the other RN landing craft that were loaned to the USN.

Regards

Danny

Hi Danny,

Very useful information. I didn't know the RN used them so that's another possibility in itself.

I doubt adding the missing 4ft would be realistic without detailed plans and a lot of patience. A basic conversion to an LCPL might be possible based on photographic evidence but you'd still have the length issue at the end of the day.

As I say, time for a new kit all round lol.

Many thanks the data it has been most useful.

Cheers

Al

Alan,

This is what I based my LCC off of.

http://home.comcast.net/~d-mountain/USS_Knox/knox_landing_craft.html

Hi Kenny,

Thanks for the link.

Cheers

Al

Hi Kenny,

I see on many of the boats they either carry 3 x LCP(R) or 3 x LCP (U).

Does anyone know what the U in LCPU means?

On the latter boats there is often an LCPL as the Captain's Gig and an LCP (R) as a repair boat.

What's also interesting is how many served for a long time after WW2.

Cheers

Al

'Bump'

I see the UDT is a US release only, so I'll have to shop around for a decent price.

Any thopughts on the last question?

Cheers

Al

Hello Alan,
The "U" stands for Utility.

Note in ONI 226 Allied Landing Craft and Ships, April 1944. "To land forces not under fire, in surf or on rocky coast, also to serve as general utility craft".

Also just remembered this Pathe film. Lots of shots of minor landing craft that may be of interest to you.

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/stills/marines-war-preparations

Ignore the 1942 date. The Royal Marines did not start wearing the blue beret until the second half of 1943. Believe the film was shot down in the West Country in early 1944. Can’t find the notes I made before on this bit of film.

Regards

Danny

Hi Danny,

Many thanks that's a really interesting link. First time I've seen the LCV and the British version of the LCPR.

Excellent and thanks for the Utility explaination.

Cheers

Al

Hey Al, don't know if you have it but squadrons warships #17 is WW2 U.S. landing craft. Nothing British in it but might be of some value to you. P/U mine when I got the L.C.M.3. Would be nice if Italerie came out with a LCT and a LCI(L) both early. I think that would put us in styrene heaven.

Hi Bob,

A nice LCP range, ramped and large would do, a New LCA and a LCV would cover many areas.

A sto TLCs and ILCs I'd love to seem both, even the front end would do dio wise.

Cheers

Al

Hey Al, Yea, would be sweet. Ever since I got Linburgs LCVP and DML's LSSC and Pibber I've be on a water bug and brown water craft thing. Maybe because they seem so independent and run on their own most times. Just waiting for the 3rd of Jan. so I can P/U my 109. Thanks to Al (taffy 3) and Steve (blaster76) I've been able to just about get the needed parts for my barge buster. Of course the days are dragging because I am drooling over it and have to wait. Then I'll have to put aside everything I'm working on, again. So many dio/vign., so much money, little space and good days to work on them. Some how I'll get them all done, yeh, right. bob d.

Hi Bob,

Have you seen the U Models conversions for the LCVP and LCM3 for Indo China during the French period?

I've ordered up the 109 boat but it's coming by snail mail to help keep costs down and I'm not in any hurry as I have the Vosper to build yet.

Cheers

Al

Hey Al, Didn't know they had a conversion set out, will check it out. Thanks. bob d.