HI FIREBOAT reference the RAF FIRE FLOATS/TENDERS here goes. FIRE FLOATS/TENDERS/CRASH TENDERS etc.,were converted from SEAPLANE TENDERS thus.

37.5ft ST. designed by Fred Cooper and built by the British Power Boat Co., and trialled by 'Lawrence of Arabia'. They were the first dedicated high speed boats built for the RAF in 1931 and were dubbed 'narrow beams'.
ST.MK1 - RAF Nos. 200-291., powered by twin 'Power Meadows' 100HP petrol engines.
ST.MK.2 - RAF Nos. 292-303., 323&324. powered by twin Perkins S6M diesels.

Some were later converted to FIRE TENDERS -
37.5ft.MK.1 - RAF Nos.FT.1., 36 & 40.
37.5ft.MK.2 - RAF Nos. 37,43 & 44.

38ft. 'WALTON' type ST. built by the Walton Yacht Co. from 1940 and powered by twin Perkins S6M diesels with a top speed of 26 knots.
38ft. MK.1 - RAF Nos. 314-322., 325-356., 422-424.
Some were later converted to FIRE TENDERS as follows.
38ft. FT.MK.1 - RAF Nos. FT.66,72,77 and 78.
38ft. FT.MK.1A - RAF Nos. FT.65,67,69 and 70.

40ft. 'WHITE' type ST.(lead builder Samuel White but sub-contracted to other yards) all were powered by twin Perkins S6M diesels. Entered service in 1940 with a top speed of 23 knots.
40ft. MK.1 - RAF Nos. 304-313., 367-399., 402-421., 425-435., 446-486., 1520-1591., 1625-1627.
Later FIRE TENDER conversions were -
40ft. FT.MK.1 - RAF Nos. 38,39,41,42,45,46,51 and 55.
40ft. FT.MK1A -RAF Nos. 52,54,57,59,62,63,64,82,89,90,
91, and 901-910.

41.5ft B.P.C. ST. (broad beam) designed by George Selman and on entering service in 1941, proved to be a magnificient seaboat and by far the best type ever built for the wartime RAF. Powered by twin Perkins S6M diesels with a top speed of 23 knots.
41.5ft. ST.MK.1 - RAF Nos. 357-366., 436-445., 1500-1519., 1592-1605.
41.5ft.ST.MK.1A - RAF Nos.1606-1624., 1628-1635.
Only two of the class were converted to FIRE FLOATS, these were RAF Nos. FF.87 & FF.88.

To further confuse the issue VOSPERS built two 40ft. SEAPLANE TENDERS MK.2 in 1937 as yard Nos.1822 and 1823. They carried the RAF Nos. 400 and 401 but were never converted to FF.

Post war some of the above 41.5ft. craft were re-designated RANGE SAFETY LAUNCHES and numbered as RSL. 1636-1639.,1646 and 1647.

VOSPER, in 1950, also built two prototype FIRE FLOATS for the RAF. The first was a galvanised steel hulled craft. RAF.No. 80., 55ft long with a speed of 12 knots and powered by four Perkins S6Ms with self changing gearboxes and Anderton clutches, driving twin Rotol VP props.

The second was FF.81 a 60ft. Aluminium Alloy built craft. powered by twin General Motors 64-HN-5 diesels driving a
Voith Schnieder propulsion unit with a top speed of 12.5 knots.

Although given RAF numbers, They were not taken on charge by the RAF.

This only leaves 93 and 94.

Hope this clears things up (or just muddies the water)

Hello all , the picture of the Oz version of the Fireboat is a classic and though my excellent (reliable) consistent model is still going the corks must have come off or they most likely shot off when speed Dimberline showed me it was ballistic ( compared to my just nice running pace) especially when he tried to touch the stern with the bow in flat out high speed doughnuts it showed the 46 inch hull shape is a winner and very stable for any would be builder , hence I can understand the fellows with super sized I/C motors well above my genteel quiet and slow pace 40 sized motor, having success in this design. Regards from the colonial Lyle

Hello all , the picture of the Oz version of the Fireboat is a classic and though my excellent (reliable) consistent model is still going the corks must have come off or they most likely shot off when speed Dimberline showed me it was ballistic ( compared to my just nice running pace) especially when he tried to touch the stern with the bow in flat out high speed doughnuts it showed the 46 inch hull shape is a winner and very stable for any would be builder , hence I can understand the fellows with super sized I/C motors well above my genteel quiet and slow pace 40 sized motor, having success in this design.

HI guys. I can assure you that no Mk.1 version of the FIREFLOAT was ever built for the RAF and the only drawings that exist are those that you see on the research and plans page. What creates some confusion is the earlier S.T. conversions which were classified as FIREFLOAT Mk.1 and were 37.5., 40.0 & 41.5ft boats.

HI rafwebfoot,

Can I ask how you know for sure that thats the only drawing that exists? and what are the S.T. conversions that you're talking about? Any chance you could elaborate a bit more.

Thanks,
Fireboat

HI guys. I can assure you that no Mk.1 version of the FIREFLOAT was ever built for the RAF and the only drawings that exist are those that you see on the research and plans page. What creates some confusion is the earlier S.T. conversions which were classified as FIREFLOAT Mk.1 and were 37.5., 40.0 & 41.5ft boats.

HI rafwebfoot,

Can I ask how you know for sure that thats the only drawing that exists? and what are the S.T. conversions that you're talking about? Any chance you could elaborate a bit more.

Thanks,
Fireboat

HI guys. I can assure you that no Mk.1 version of the FIREFLOAT was ever built for the RAF and the only drawings that exist are those that you see on the research and plans page. What creates some confusion is the earlier S.T. conversions which were classified as FIREFLOAT Mk.1 and were 37.5., 40.0 & 41.5ft boats.

HI Lyle, Thanks for the geography lesson and clearing things up for me. I made that mistake once before, and instead of building a Fireboat, I got an underpowered submarine with a apir of bright red, inline jet-drives...
Andy

HI Lyle,

I believe that the Australian version of the fireboat had a few notable differences, as shown below:

Hello Andy , dont forget the Fireboat Mark 1 reference plans/details from the addressee recommended by Peter Dimberline will need amendment as he is located on the bottom of the globe and you will need to build the model upside down to come out "the right way up". When he was in oz earlier this year and entered the book of WORLD FIRSTS :as the FIRST & ONLY being( well near human) to have ever successfully operated a Fireboat in the southern hemisphere, (UK) and in the Northern hemisphere (Australia) in the history of Neanderthals and mankind. That is something that WILL NEVER be topped, ever. Most likely the hull shape was never changed between the MK1 to the MK11? I would be interested if you ever establish whether any hull changes actually occurred, in due time ,please?I commend you on a great idea & model type to persue. LYLE

HI Pete,

Thank you for the quick response to my request. I shall contact your friend ASAP,

Andy

HI Andy, Pete Dimberline here, you are looking for info on the Mk 1 project?, if you contact my good friend Walter Barker, 81, Bedford Road, Reading, Berks, RG1 7EY, he has a lot of info that may be of help to you.
Good luck.
Pete.