Code: 10595
WW2 RAF K-TYPE DINGHY. One-man emergency dinghy, introduced in 1942. Lessons learned during the Battle of Britain indicated that downed airmen in the Channel needed an emergency dinghy. This K-type dinghy was developed from captured Luftwaffe examples and, as such, was issued in 1942.
An excellent condition dinghy, without any issues whatsoever. As you can see in the pictures, it does hold air! We pumped it up for the photos, and very surprisingly it stayed fully pumped up for approximately 5 days before going a bit limp, and it was a further couple of days before it was flat! We've had examples of these dinghies before, and the previous best I'd had from a dinghy before it deflated was about 30 minutes! So we were very surprised when this example held air for so long. It just goes to show what fantastic condition this example is in! Not too bad really, for a nearly 80-year-old dinghy!
If you wanted to display it, it would last, as I mention, several days before going flat, but a small pump would be needed on hand just to keep it topped up. The dinghy does come with a small hand pump that screws onto a pipe fitting. This would suffice. The material is really in good condition, still soft and supple, and holds air. No damage to the main air-holding part of the dinghy that we can see or report. The sea anchor, bellows holder, and CO2 bottle pouch are intact and still attached, in excellent soft, supple condition. The dinghy displays very well.
The dinghy is printed all over with several different instructions for the user; these are in several languages: French, Polish, Czech, and English. This is because of the different nationalities that served in the RAF during WW2. The spray covers are again in good condition; these usually go very crispy and get quite fragile. However, both are in excellent condition on this dinghy; they roll up nicely and display very well. All press suds and metal fittings are in excellent condition as well. All other straps and buckles are in place, and both pockets for holding the Thwart in place are also in good condition. Overall, it is a fantastic example of the rare K-type dinghy, probably the best we've ever had, ideal for an RAF display, museum, or collection.
OVERSEAS BUYERS, THE DINGHY IS AVAILABLE, BUT SADLY IT CANNOT BE SHIPPED WITH THE CO2 BOTTLE; A REFUND WOULD BE OFFERED IF ANY OVERSEAS BUYERS ARE INTERESTED. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE TO DISCUSS.
