Landau UK wins restoration contract
Landau UK have won the contract from Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust to refit and refurbish one of the last remaining landing craft of its type.
This project is being funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds and is part of the Trust’s wider “Memorial Fleet” project. The Memorial Fleet project will create an operational Memorial Fleet of small historic craft which have played a significant role in the defence of the nation during the Twentieth Century – from the First World War to the Falklands.
Foxtrot 8 served aboard the Amphibious Assault Ship HMS Fearless in the Falklands conflict in 1982, and landed 3 Commando Brigade at San Carlos Water, the notorious “bomb alley”, during the night of 21 May as part of Operation Sutton. 3 Commando Brigade, reinforced by 2 Para and 3 Para, then marched across East Falkland to Stanley.
Foxtrot 8 can carry 35 fully equipped Royal Marine Commandos or two land rovers. She was one of four assault craft of this type taking the pennant numbers F5 – F8, that were carried on davits on HMS Fearless and is currently house in Boathouse 4 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
By Jake Frith
