Memorial 27 Air Sea Rescue Unit

"To commemorate all
ranks of 27 Air Sea Rescue
of the Royal Air Force
H.Q. Dover stationed at
Royal Harbour, Ramsgate. Based at the Royal Oak
from 1942 to 1945.
'The Sea shall not have them'
Their combined actions
during World War II often in
extreme adverse conditions
helped save the lives of over 13,000
British, Allied and Enemy aircrew."

The RAF Marine Unit operated British Power Boat Company Type Two 'Whaleback' High Speed Launches, 63 feet long and capable of 35 knots and a range of 500 miles. Crewed by 9 with a medical orderly they were armed with .303 machine guns or 20mm cannons.
The only known surviving example of a Whaleback launch was raised from the bed of the Norfolk Broads with a view to restoring it, possible to full working seagoing state.

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Source

• Text: Sharky Ward/Memorial
• Photos: Anthony (Sharky) Ward (1), Royal Air Force official photographer, Tovey P H F (Mr) (2), RAF Photographer (3)
• ASR Whaleback