• We apologize for the somewhat convoluted sign-up process. Due to ever-more sophisticated attacks by chatbots, we had to increase our filtering in order to weed out AI while letting humans through. It's a nuisance, but a necessary one in order to keep the level of discourse on the forums authentic and useful. From the actual humans using WCP, thanks for your understanding!

aluminum sectional double 1944

mick_allen

mick_allen

Paddler & Moderator
Joined
May 15, 2005
Messages
3,583
I came across this old ww2 kayak . . . heavy but interesting . . . hatches too!

20’-0’ x 2’-3.5” [bow 4’-6”, mid 11’-0”, stern 4’-6”] x 1’-4” max depth
Wt 300# plus [bow 34#, mid 212#, stern 40#, outriggers 32#]

oh yeah, mid part is reversed for confusion - otherwise real short legs for the bow paddler!:
Cockle1944-1b-sm.jpg


another similar pic [bow section obviously redesigned for more buoyancy] showing sponsons deployed:
Mk9-1a-rev.jpg


and the cool hatch system [note exhaust/intakes for if motor utilized]:
hatches.jpg

https://nmmc.co.uk/object/boats/aluminium-canoe-3/

I don't know why it is, but I kinda like it - and oh yeah, one could call this a legit sea kayak.
 
Last edited:
I think they used these on Commando raids during WWII.
An interesting account of one such raid : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Frankton

Pretty funky design. The adjustable outriggers are a cool touch. I imagine these would have been filled to the brim with all sorts of equipment, so probably quite a handful to control.
 
another ww2 story: 1941- escapes from the netherlands to Britain by folders:
www.bbc.com

World War Two: The brothers who fled Nazi occupation by kayak

The "Engelandvaarders" who paddled from the Netherlands to England 80 years ago.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
sad that only 25% made it.
**
back to the aluminum - a bunch of them are in museums.
A few more photos . . .
sailing setup:
Mk9-1c.jpg


engine in place:
Mk9-1e.jpg


removed:
Mk9-2e.jpg
 
mick_allen said:
another ww2 story: 1941- escapes from the netherlands to Britain by folders:
www.bbc.com

World War Two: The brothers who fled Nazi occupation by kayak

The "Engelandvaarders" who paddled from the Netherlands to England 80 years ago.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
sad that only 25% made it.
**
Click to expand...


Thanks for this link, pretty sobering reading.

Google shows the direct-line distance at about 190km! With the risk of being shot if caught, and potentially a minefield at the landing.

The Greatest Generation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top