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[SimonCornes]

Does anyone know what boats were fitted to Invincible? I imagine there might have been a Cheverton and a motor whaler, zodiacs and maybe even a dinghy but I think there might have been some larger boats befitting a capital ship? I’m asking on behalf of an Australian modeller who’s building a 1/72 model.
Thank you,
Simon

[littoralcombat]

Hi Simon,
HMS Invincible, as built, carried the following boats leading up to and from what I can determine, during Operation Corporate:

Workboats (36ft): Two on the Stbd side on davits fitted at Flight-Deck level (1-Deck), outboard of the 'Island'. One on the Fwd davit, the other on the Aft davit.

Fast Motor Launch (23ft Fairey Huntress): One on the Stbd side on a davit fitted at Flight-Deck level (1-Deck), outboard of the 'Island'. Middle davit between the two Workboats.

Motor Launch (24ft Cheverton): One on a davit in the Port side Aft Boat-Bay (4-Deck Lima)

Large Fast Motor Launch (34ft): One on a davit in the Port side Fwd Boat-Bay (4-Deck Kilo)

RHIB (I am unsure of the Make/Model. Could of been Avon, Atlantic, Pacific, Sea-Rider with a length of between 18-22ft): One on a davit-crane in the Stbd side Midships Boat-Bay (4-Deck Lima). Used as 'Rescue-Boat' and for other general duties such as mooring parties etc. Designed for quick deployment.

Geminis : Two carried, one on each side, in small Boat-Bays Fwd (Port  3-Deck Foxtrot, Stbd 3-Deck Golf), roughly in line with the Fwd end of the 'Island'. (Launched using small davit-cranes).

Sailing Dinghies: Standard RN issue for the time. I suspect she carried a few but have no definitive number.

Below are example images, second post also due to File Size limit.
Can you tell me where in Australia your contact is based? I'm located in Perth, he might be interested in joining our Club possibly?

Nige

[Colin Bishop]

No 4 Boathouse at Portsmouth Dockyard have the original Fairey Huntress carried by the assault ship HMS Fearless at the Falklands.

Colin