Competition Time

[Keith]

A lot of guys on this forum seem to be into planes as well as the obvious. Over the years I have kind of been into everything EXCEPT planes, although I am very enthusiastic about military versions. I once had a trial lesson in a Cessna 152 and as I "dived" over the A23 towards the runway at Shoreham, I did picture myself as a Typhoon driver over Normandy in '45 and was about to thumb the gun button when my terrified instructor snatched the other yoke and screamed in a quavering voice: "I have Control" and thus ended my one and only flying experience. To be truthful, if I couldn't fly at at least 600 mph 100 ft up I wouldn't be interested anyway.

However, I digress. I love fast boats as well as fast cars. Actually, I quite like slow boats and slow cars too but I digress again. I have a few photos lying around here (not many because I have been divorced 3 times and you know what happens - bits get cut off them) but I recently found this (original) photo and I know it's provenance. I can't prove it here and now but you'll have to take my word for it (do your research).

Question: Who is driving this fine fast motor boat with an evocative and very relevant (to this forum at least) number? (the first correct answer will win 50 Forum Points)

PS I would be amazed (and extremely impressed) if one of our American Friends got this one
first....and I'll explain that as soon as we get a correct answer.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Kennedy? No that's wrong JFK skippered PT 109.

 

[Jack]

It appears to me to be a Vosper MTB, probably around 1939-1940ish. The "40" designation on the hull is confusing as the MTB-40 was supposedly destroyed in a bombing raid while under construction. Perhaps a re-designation of another MTB.
No idea who was at the helm...

 

[Jac Mac]

Wild guess, wouldnt be a Mr Hardy Snr by chance?........

 

[Jack]

I'll take a stab and say it was Norman Hine.

 

[John]

god i'm positive i know but cant for the life of me remember his name, poncy looking film star, highly decorated vet to boot am i close
Kaspa

 

[Price Walton]

Phil the Greek?

 

[Al Jones]

Ernest Borgnine .......couldn't resist.:wiseguy:

 

[JimmyMac]

MGB built by British Powerboat Company

 

[John]

ive just worked out who i thought it might be and was way way off, damn have to admitt i havnt a clue
kaspa

 

[Keith]

MGB built by British Powerboat Company

Crikey Jimmy. You ARE good....

Yes PBC and this should have given you a huge clue to the gentleman who helped develop these boats, which went on to form the basis of hulls like the famous PT 109, but that was MUCH later....

Clue: This gentleman defied being pigeon holed, was a total enigma, probably batted for the other side and loved motorcycles.

 

[David Morton]

He would have been called John Hume Ross...... but.....

 

[JimmyMac]

T.E Lawrence
Next time your near Wareham try the lanes in a 40.

TE Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, lived in Dorset during the 1920s at Clouds Hill near Bovington, west of Wareham. He was celebrated as a national hero after the role he played as a British Liaison Officer in the British Army during the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918. He had an unconventional and interesting life making him an enigmatic figure of interest that endures today.
During his life he was a prolific writer. His major works the "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" is an account of his experiences throughout the wars in which he fought including insights into Arabian culture and geography. His associations with Dorset were at the latter end of his life when he sought seclusion in the Dorset countryside at Clouds Hill and met an untimely death on its country roads. His grave is at the small church in Moreton and an impressive life-sized effigy lays at St Martin's in Wareham.

 

[Keith]

David you're too sharp for your own good. Be careful when you scratch an itch mate! 50 Forum points for you my good man, and a further 25 to Jimmy.

Yes correcto. Aircraftsman (later corporal) Shaw AKA Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence CB, DSO AKA Lawrence of Arabia probably the most amazing character that the British Isles has ever produced apart from Winston.

Loved Arabs, fast motorbikes and faster boats, served in the Army and Royal Airforce under different names and helped to develop the fast ASR launches for the RAF with BPC.

Like my father, loved Brough Superior motorcycles, so much so, one of them killed him but he did love to motor at up to 100 mph in shirtsleeves no helmet along country roads.

How did I come by the photo? An old friend of mine's father worked with 'Shaw' at BPC and knowing I liked fast boats graciously gave me this photo. It has a signature on the back. I shall say no more...


T. E. Lawrence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks for participating. I'll try and find some more interesting photos. I'm clearing out the house prior to selling up.

 

[Keith]

I'll take a stab and say it was Norman Hine.

Nice guess mate - an unsung hero for sure...

 

[JimmyMac]

I remember seeing one of those boats back in the nineties on an inspection visit at Husbands Shipyard in Marchwood. (Keith you might know of them)
They were doing some overhaul work for us during a shutdown at the local oil refinery.
I also recall seeing one on the Hamble near the Jolly Sailor.

 

[Keith]

Marchwood yes. About 12 miles from here. My father also comanded an anti-aircraft rocket battery (previously 3.7's) there during WWII.

I think the place you're referring too was the site of the Historical Power Boat Society which regretfully suffered a devastating fire a couple of years ago that damaged some very rare military boats which were being restored. Following that, their lease was foreclosed because they didn't have enough funds to pay the rent or the landlords wanted them out or something, so the collection got dispersed around the Solent, with some ending up in Farmers barns etc, I have done quite a few fundraising events for them in the past when I was fitter. My good friend owns an ex RAF RSL powered by 2 beautifully engineered original Rolls Royce Turbo Diesels - an amazing craft which I nearly (and should have) bought.

Enough already....

 

[Max Walter]

T.E Lawrence
Next time your near Wareham try the lanes in a 40.

TE Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, lived in Dorset during the 1920s at Clouds Hill near Bovington, west of Wareham. He was celebrated as a national hero after the role he played as a British Liaison Officer in the British Army during the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918. He had an unconventional and interesting life making him an enigmatic figure of interest that endures today.
During his life he was a prolific writer. His major works the "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" is an account of his experiences throughout the wars in which he fought including insights into Arabian culture and geography. His associations with Dorset were at the latter end of his life when he sought seclusion in the Dorset countryside at Clouds Hill and met an untimely death on its country roads. His grave is at the small church in Moreton and an impressive life-sized effigy lays at St Martin's in Wareham.

Jimmy,

I have done these lanes a few times in my 40... but not at the sorts of speeds he obviously used to go.

I have also covered much of the forest/lanes etc when assisting with scout/venture scout night hikes. It is very eerie wandering around Clouds Hill in the early hours of the morning, in the fog, on your own...

Max

 

[JimmyMac]

It was 1998/99 and a coincidence.
I was working on a job at Fawley AND Wytch Farm near Wareham at the same time.

Here is what I saw at Husbands.

Coastal Motorboat Heritage Trust - MGB 81

 

[Neal]

Fast boats, good stuff. :thumbsup: How about something a bit older?

Powered by the last surviving Miller V16.