C20/1654 Restoration?
Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: Boats (In alphabetical order)
Forum Name: Range Safety Launches
Forum Description: Discussion on Range Safety Launches
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=878
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 3:12pm
Topic: C20/1654 Restoration?
Posted By: djrose007
Subject: C20/1654 Restoration?
Date Posted: 18 January 2013 at 9:47am
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Thought you RSL fans might be interested in a website I've started in support of an idea I've had to restore RSL 1654 as a commemorative monument to 1151 Marine Craft Unit, Marsaxlokk, Malta.
Very early days, trying to find out who owns her so that I can arrange to inspect her to see if she can be moved. Looks in a dreadful state at the moment and I'm sure she'll never be seaworthy again but I don't know how long she's been out of the water. Have a look at the website for information and lots of photos. I have to acknowledge the assistance of the ASR&MCS website where I got a lot of my information about RSL's from. Website is at http://www.rsl1654.weebly.com - http://www.rsl1654.weebly.com and I also have an 1151 Marine Craft Unit section in my http://raf-luqa.weebly.com - RAF Luqa Remembered Website Does anyone know her history? When was she built and where? I can't find much on the internet for individual boats built by Thornycroft. Any assistance, photographs and history about 1654 would be hugely appreciated. ------------- David Rose http://www.raf-luqa.weebly.com http://www.rsl654.weebly.com |
Replies:
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 21 January 2013 at 12:14pm
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Hi David, Many thanks for your very interesting post there, just seen a documentary on the siege of Malta....quite something and of course a well deserved VC for the islanders, saw in Ship's Monthly they have preserved a patrol boat of the Malta Armned Forces for display, had an accident on this or another leading to sadly loss of life, but that is of course for ther own forces...but any way, can only wish you all the best in your efforts there, clearly something that will need local support and interest, all the best, Johnk
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Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 21 January 2013 at 12:17pm
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Hi again, Sorry, of course was the George cross as per your excellent site!, Johnk
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Posted By: djrose007
Date Posted: 21 January 2013 at 6:20pm
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Thanks John, I appreciate your very kind comments. I've had a response from a heritage trust in Malta (Wirt Artna) so I'm hoping the local support will come from them. I've told them I'm happy to go to Malta to give any support I can.
I'll update this thread, and the website of course, if things progress. Cheers Dave ------------- David Rose http://www.raf-luqa.weebly.com http://www.rsl654.weebly.com |
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 22 January 2013 at 2:59pm
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Hi David, No problem, all the best, Johnk
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Posted By: Christian
Date Posted: 23 January 2013 at 8:03pm
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RSL 1654 ORDERED 1955 ON CHARGE 30.08.56. SERVED AT RAF GLUGOR UNTIL SHIPPED BACK TO THE UK IN APRIL 1967. TO STORAGE AT GOSPORT UNTIL JULY 1972 WHEN ALLOCATED TO 1151 MCU MALTA. SERVED THERE UNTIL 1978. TRANSFERRED TO MALTA COASTGUARD AS C20 ON 29.09.78. WAS LATER (MID 90S) USED AS A BOYS TRAINING SCHOOL AT VALETTA.
SOURCE; RAF MARINE CRAFT DIRECTORY VOLII. PHOTOS; http://www.asrmcs-club.com/boatswebsite/gallery/1654/ |
Posted By: djrose007
Date Posted: 23 January 2013 at 8:33pm
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Thanks Christian, that is excellent information.
I'll add it to the History of RSL1654 page. I see she was posted to Malta just 3 months before I was 
Cheers Dave ------------- David Rose http://www.raf-luqa.weebly.com http://www.rsl654.weebly.com |
Posted By: Christian
Date Posted: 24 January 2013 at 9:01pm
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David there are some gaps which need filling in;
Upon completion 1654 had been allocated to serve at 238 MU Calshot, but she remained in storage (oddly in tropical livery as completed) she was then allocated to 1125 MCU Glugor on 27.01.59 with 1666. Later joined by 1641. At Glugor 1654 was used to provide seaborne survival training, range safety and SAR services for the RAAF at Butterworth and carried out patrols during the Malayan/Indonesian confrontation. She was transferred to RAF Kai Tak in HK sometime prior to 1967. She was shipped back to the UK on 01.04.67, she was initially stored at Mount Batten for 3 years then stored at the new facility at Haslar. When she was finally sent to Malta it was to replace Pinnace 1373 which had been put up for disposal. Regards, Christian. |
Posted By: djrose007
Date Posted: 02 February 2013 at 4:46pm
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Thanks again Christian, great information.
On the http://rsl1654.weebly.com - Website I mention C20 as her number. I didn't understand what this was but it turns out that was her number when she was part of the Maltese coastguard fleet. She was also use by a school in Malta as a training vessel. ------------- David Rose http://www.raf-luqa.weebly.com http://www.rsl654.weebly.com |
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 03 February 2013 at 3:59pm
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Hi David,
Just been onto your site, great news that contact made with the owner there? and even has the engines in running condition......at least able to turn over, all the best,
Johnk
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