DARK Class-Survivor?

Hello D-Zine

This may be a scoop!! I'm not too sure of the image with the Bow Thruster though - does the paint below the Chine match the other shots? regarding Dark Scout - she was course built in 1958 - but I understand that she was eventually used as a Target (not sure though yet) regarding the other alloy Dark's, several were sent around the world and it is supposed that the lone Japanese Dark (PT9) may have been shipped to the States after disposal in 1972.

Hello Christian

Yes, you are right - well spotted - unless that is a camera distortion it will prove that we can't uncross our fingers just yet. As for beauty - eye of the ..etc etc - but I agree who would want a "pointed box" - a very noisy and uncomfortable boat'

Rgds

Hi Pioneer and d-zine

The last photo IS distorted, look at the ladder. The extra 2'4" of LOA is probably the diving platform and the missing 5" of beam probably a result of removing the Deltic's exhaust outlet mouldings. The build year is only off by a year for it to be Dark Scout, an easy error to make, and as far as I can see Dark Scout was sold in 1961. I think it is certainly a Dark, but possibly an export boat like the ones sold to Burma (were the Finnish ones aluminium too?).

Rgds,Christian.  

Hello all

I am not 100% convinced just yet (pessimist by nature I'm afraid). The Burmese Darks were of riveted alloy construction (there is a good shot of what is thought to be T201 in Dark Histories) also the Exhausts had no tear drop moldings that may well have given the extra 6 inches if they had been removed. Dark Scout was indeed of welded alloy construction and does fall into the time frame (launched 28th March 1958) but I am still trying to get at some records that were on my old computer - I'm not too sure whether the Jap Dark was 'riveted' or 'flush welded' - the Finnish boats were of composite construction -

Saunders Roe completed an experimental craft for the Canadian Navy that bore a slight resemblance to the Dark Hull but was mounted on Hydrofoils - Bras-d'or (not to be confused with the later Hydrofoil of the same name) - the Saunders boat not in commission very long.