F8 Landing Craft

[CraftyNick]

I have been asked to make 3 fountain pens out of old timbers from a now restored landing craft used in the Falklands war. Foxtrot Eight was one of four smaller landing craft used by Portsmouth-based assault ship HMS Fearless to ferry commandos and their equipment ashore at San Carlos in May 1982. Bit of a challenge as the wood was definitely past its sell by date!! Anyway here is the result.

 

[flexi]

Now that's a bit of history, very nice pen with a great story to tell

 

[Garno]

That is lovely

What did you finish it with?

 

[alpha1]

Very nice well done.

 

[Bill Mooney]

A real beauty with a good pedigree.

 

[Neil]

Nick, don’t know if you have an RN background or knowledge but you are correct, F5 - F8 we’re what were known as LCVPs, or in military speak, Landing Craft Vehicles and Personnel, whereas the larger F1-F4 were LCM, landing Craft Mechanised, or for taking tanks, or more usefully, barbecues, beer and steaks when in the more desireable parts of the world. The LCVPs were deployed by being lowered from mcTavit gravity Davits, where the LCMs were floated out of the stern of the ship when fearless (L11) or her sister ship Intrepid (L10), took on water ballast and sunk a few metres and opened her stern ramp. Happy memories of a Mediterranean deployment in Intrepid in 1980.

 

[alan morrison]

Nick, Good looking pens, well turned and finished and great photography to boot.

Alan

 

[wm460]

Great looking pen Nick, interesting history.

 

[CraftyNick]

The pen is one of three that i have been asked to make using the original timbers. F8 or Foxtrot Eight has been given a fresh lease of life '“ ferrying disabled tourists around Portsmouth Harbour.

 

[CraftyNick]

That is lovely

What did you finish it with?

The finish is 12 coats of super glue!

 

[Geoff Kent]

Superb pens with an illustrious pedigree.

 

[wm460]

The best book I have read about the Falkland war is "The Battle for the Falklands" by Max Hastings, Simon Jenkins.

 

[Penpal]

Love the pens you can never overdo provenance IMHO. those fine lines in the timber,magnificent.

Peter.