Our Project “Whaleback for the World”

Our Starting Posiiton:

There is sadly no longer a known original RAF Air Sea Rescue Type 2 High Speed Launch remaining in a condition suitable for preservation. 

However, with an open mind, this project will aim to bring an original craft of same hull & powertrain type, from the same builder, that has served in the same role, as a focal point to preserve and remember the courage of the ASR crews who recovered 14000+ airmen from the sea during WW2.

ASR activity was determined to be crucial in the fight to win WW2: planes were easily replaced but skilled pilots and crew were vital, hence the ASR call to arms:

“the sea shall not have them”

Our Goals:

1: Strive to increase awareness of the crucial work of the Air Sea Rescue Service in World War 2.

2: Create a craft as a focal point to achieve Goal #1

3: Respect the service and history of all craft and personnel involved or referenced in the project.

How:

MA/SB S32 is a British Powerboat Co 63ft Whaleback craft, built as a Motor Anti-Submarine Boat for the Royal Navy. She shared the same hull and powertrain as the RAF Type 2 HSLs and after her acceptance into service was quickly allocated to Allied Combined Services for Air Sea Rescue duties in the English Channel.

Having now successfully refloated S32 from her underwater berth of close to 20 years, secured her ownership and taken her to a safe haven, we now need to transport her to a dry location where she can be evaluated, determine a direction and commence restoration work.

The current black sheet wrapping her hull is required to keep her watertight after many years of ingress and, as part of the recovery activity we have also removed her last superstructure (rotten anyway).

This now leaves us with a bare 63ft Whaleback hull that we plan to prepare for preservation. This could include receiving a war time appropriate superstructure, possibly as showing here below:

It’s critical to note that there are a still number of potential routes for this project to take with respect to preservation and rebuild. At each step of the way we will review the options to make a sound decision to ensure we can achieve our project goals; namely to the respect the history of S32 and raise awareness of the Air Sea Rescue service during WW2.

The Whaleback for the World team are aware of the D-Day Revisited project craft MASB 27, which is also a 63ft BPBCo Whaleback Motor Anti-Submarine Boat. 

However the key differentiator between the 2 projects is that this project is taking a more ASR-centric approach and the potential utilisation of MA/SB S32 is incidental based on availability rather than planned from the outset. It is crucial to acknowledge our Goal #3 at this point and we will continue to do so as the project moves forward.