WWII Air-Sea Pilot Resque

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Anyone know about this subject?? Cause I don't and I would like to!!!
Scotty

Original post

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RE: WWII Air-Sea Pilot Resque

these were raf operated boats that had very fast egines. they left costal parts round here (kent) and dashed out into the channel to resuce downed pilots. i've seen one of these boats somewhere but can't think where.

rabie :9

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RE: WWII Air-Sea Pilot Resque

I remember hearing something about droping life rafts from underneath aircraft or something, is this true?

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RE: WWII Air-Sea Pilot Resque

Hi,

Air Sea Rescue used:

RAF HSL (High Speed Launches) operating out of over 50 ports around the UK. Eight squadrons flying a variety of aircraft including airborne lifeboats (air dropped 30 foot wooden lifeboats with twin engines/sails etc. from Warwick, Hudson and finally Lancaster). Royal Navy (RML Rescue Motor Lighters) operating out of approx. 20 ports around the UK.

It was a fairly complex organisation covering both RN and RAF resources.

Regards
Ross

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RE: WWII Air-Sea Pilot Resque

There's a rescue boat sat outside the entrance to the main hall at RAF Museum Hendon. Could be the one you're thinking of...?

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RE: WWII Air-Sea Pilot Resque

yup - i went to the raf musem ages ago but i've been to many diffrent places i didn't want to go out on a limb as i only had a vauge feeling that it was there.

rabie :9

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RE: WWII Air-Sea Pilot Resque

Scotty,
I have a few pics of the WWII rescue boats and of pilots practicing a sea rescue. They are not live on the site but I'll make sure I include them in the next upload of photos. (I should have the pics posted by the end of the week.)
Regards,
Cathy
www.flight-history.com

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RE: WWII Air-Sea Pilot Resque

you will also find that defiants and spitfires were used to drop dinghy's to downed airmen in the channel, on searches, i think lysanders too.

coanda

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RE: WWII Air-Sea Pilot Resque

Yep it's true that things like Spits and Defiants were used to drop life rafts.The idea was that these aircraft had a good turn of speed,so could get to the scene pretty sharpish.Thier other role was to give the downed airman/airmen some element of air cover and moral support while rescue arrived,and also to provide fighter protection for the rescue flying boat or rescue launch.The fighter could also ward off any attempts made by the Germans to pick them up if rescue by thier own side was imminent.
The RAF were not the only ones to operate these 'rescue fighters'.The USAAF also cottoned on,and formed ERS's (Emergency Rescue Squadrons). They were equipped with war-weary P47's,and were used in a similar way to the RAF aircraft,dropping life rafts,providing air cover etc.
I've not seen anything about Lysanders being used in this role,although it is ofcourse possible.I do know that Lizzies were used to lay smoke-screens for the D-Day invasion fleets,so it isn't too uncommon to see footage of one flying low over the sea with strange cannisters dangling off the undercarriage spats.

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RE: WWII Air-Sea Pilot Resque

Whoops!Me make a boo-boo!I picked up the latest edition of 'Wingspan International' today and lo and behold there was a feature on air-sea rescue Lysanders!They were used during the Battle of Britain period and into 1941.They were however purely used as spotting aircraft,dropping life rafts and smoke pots to help the rescue launches find the exact location,with the smoke being colour coded to indicate what had been found (yellow smoke for a downed airman).
The Lysanders were actually rather vulnerable in this role,and a few were shot down by 109's,leading to the introduction of Hurricane escort for each Lizzie,although this too was not always effective.
Apologies for the mistake.I've once again learned that it's better to do the research BEFORE posting the message!!