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RAF launch on the ill-fated 'Dunedin Star'

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Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Modelling
Forum Description: Discussion about Modelling
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=847
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 7:25pm


Topic: RAF launch on the ill-fated 'Dunedin Star'
Posted By: RobStobbs
Subject: RAF launch on the ill-fated 'Dunedin Star'
Date Posted: 29 July 2012 at 9:21am
G'day all,

On researching references to various ships attending the stranding of the 'Dunedin Star' on the Namibian 'Skeleton Coast' in 1942 I came across a reference to a "RAF high speed boat' carried as deck cargo on this ship.  There is a not too good photograph of this in Jeff Dawson's book "Dead Reckoning" showing the bows of this boat in which one can see the RAF roundel and behind this the numerals '56' or '86'.  Another pic shows the boat stowed athwartships forward of the aft hatches and aft of the deckhouse but this is too indistinct to see any detail.

There is also a reference to this in John Marsh's book "Skeleton Coast" - the website has this:
http://www.rapidttp.co.za/skeleton/1/chap23.html - SKELETON COAST by John H Marsh COPYRIGHT Chapter 23 -- rank: 939 ... had gone. A large highspeed R.A.F. crash launch, worth 16,000 Pounds sterling, which had been ... to the wreck without delay, together with a motor launch, to have another shot at saving the plane ...
Last Modified Date: 2012-07-20 12:00:32 SAST
Document Size: 18206
Document Path: http://www.rapidttp.co.za/skeleton/1/chap23.html

Does anyone have any idea what 'high speed' RAF vessel this was?  It would, of course, have been smashed to pieces as the 'Dunedin Star' broke up in the months following her stranding.

Regards,
Robin




Replies:
Posted By: RobStobbs
Date Posted: 31 July 2012 at 5:58pm
Answering my own query here!  I have since discovered that the launch in question was a RAF 60ft GS Pinnace.  Hardly a 'speed-boat' but a good 'un nonetheless.



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