Motor Gunboat 81 and High Speed Launch 102

Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust have acquired two high speed powerboats, HSL 102 and MGB 81, which played a role in Britains defences during WWII.

HSL 102 and MGB 81
HSL 102 and MGB 81
Nation/region
South East
Grant awarded
£580,000
Award date
Sector
Industrial, maritime and transport
Applicant
Portsmouth Naval Base property Trust
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Victory for last operational Second World War motor boats

When built, they were the fastest boats of their type in the world.  One of the boats, MGB 81, was active during the US landing at Omaha Beach during D-Day and received the battle honour ‘Normandy 1944’.  The other, HSL 102, is the only surviving example of the 100 class high speed launch and was stationed at RAF Calshot during the Battle of Britain, retrieving shot down airmen from the sea.  Throughout the duration of the war, HSL vessels saved a total of 10,000 airmen of many