On the Sands
A British Army tank landing craft (LCT), L4002, Agheila, is seen here high and dry with the tide out at Benbecula in the Hebrides. This was a standard process for discharging or loading wheeled vehicles, such as those on the left and right of the image, across the hard sands. The large kedge anchor deployed from the stern was for use in aiding the LCT when refloating. Taken by my father who was part of the crew.
The LCTs used to deliver vehicles and stores to the Hebrides missile firing ranges during the summer and then winter in Portsmouth.
The design of the LCT Mk 8 was derived from the 1943 American LCT Mk 7 (eventually re-categorised as LSM). This was the USA's first large landing craft, and had the capacity to transport 3-5 tanks at a speed of 12 kt.
Although not ideal for Britain's needs, designers used the basic concept as a model for the Mk 8, which would be Britain's final LCT. It was intended for duties in the Far East theatres of WWII and unlike previous vessels, was designed to be ocean-going - capable of transitting between Europe and Asia.
Each had a displacement of 657 tons at light load, and between 895 and 1,017 tons when loaded. They were 70.5m long overall, with a beam of 12m, and draughts of 0.98m forward and 1.5m aft.
Although retaining the open tank deck of previous LCT designs, the Mk 8 was protected by a taller bow section, which was fitted with powered doors and ramp. The deck could hold up to eight 13-ton light tanks, 13 3-ton lorries, or 300 tons of cargo.
The poop deck was lengthened, which allowed for an enlarged engine room, with two 12-cylinder Davey Paxman 12TPM diesel engines attached to each of the two propeller shafts; these provided a cruising speed of 8 kt, and a maximum speed of 12.5 kt. The landing craft could travel 4,000 nm at cruising speed, or 2,500 nm at 10 kt.
The expanded poop deck allowed for improved accommodation spaces, including accommodations for up to 48 of the vehicle's crews, and an enlarged superstructure. The Mk 8s were initially designed with a ship's complement of 25, but by the late 1960s, this had expanded to between 33 and 37.
For defence, the vessels were fitted with four single 20mm Oerlikons. 186 Mk 8s were ordered, but the war's end led to most being cancelled and scrapped or sold directly into civilian service; only 31 entered RN service.
Beginning in 1957, 12 Mk 8s were transferred to the Army at Portsmouth. The vessels were given names of WWII battles, and were crewed by men of 76 Company, Royal Army Service Corps (RASC). The RASC Water Transport Training Unit, based at Fort Victoria on the Isle of Wight began running LCT training courses and supplied the vessels with crews (men on their National Service) until the unit closed in 1962.
In 1957, several of the LCTs took part in Operation Hardrock, the establishment of a guided weapons range in the Hebrides. The vessels made exploratory voyages and subsequently delivered men and equipment to islands like St Kilda, South Ford, and Lochboisdale. In the following years, they made supply runs from their base at Cairnryan to the islands. Landings were dangerous, due to weather and beach conditions, and on one occasion, Abbeville became grounded at Village Bay in St Kilda for three days.
When the LCTs first entered service with the British Army they were designated as Royal Army Service Corps Vessels (RASCV). In 1965, the RASC was amalgamated with the transportation arm of the Corps of Royal Engineers to form the Royal Corps of Transport. The following year, a Royal Warrant dictated that all RCT vessels were to be titled Her Majesty's Army Vessels (HMAV). - Information mostly from Wikipedia.
The man stood on the sand below the superstructure helps give a good sensel of the scale.
On the Sands
A British Army tank landing craft (LCT), L4002, Agheila, is seen here high and dry with the tide out at Benbecula in the Hebrides. This was a standard process for discharging or loading wheeled vehicles, such as those on the left and right of the image, across the hard sands. The large kedge anchor deployed from the stern was for use in aiding the LCT when refloating. Taken by my father who was part of the crew.
The LCTs used to deliver vehicles and stores to the Hebrides missile firing ranges during the summer and then winter in Portsmouth.
The design of the LCT Mk 8 was derived from the 1943 American LCT Mk 7 (eventually re-categorised as LSM). This was the USA's first large landing craft, and had the capacity to transport 3-5 tanks at a speed of 12 kt.
Although not ideal for Britain's needs, designers used the basic concept as a model for the Mk 8, which would be Britain's final LCT. It was intended for duties in the Far East theatres of WWII and unlike previous vessels, was designed to be ocean-going - capable of transitting between Europe and Asia.
Each had a displacement of 657 tons at light load, and between 895 and 1,017 tons when loaded. They were 70.5m long overall, with a beam of 12m, and draughts of 0.98m forward and 1.5m aft.
Although retaining the open tank deck of previous LCT designs, the Mk 8 was protected by a taller bow section, which was fitted with powered doors and ramp. The deck could hold up to eight 13-ton light tanks, 13 3-ton lorries, or 300 tons of cargo.
The poop deck was lengthened, which allowed for an enlarged engine room, with two 12-cylinder Davey Paxman 12TPM diesel engines attached to each of the two propeller shafts; these provided a cruising speed of 8 kt, and a maximum speed of 12.5 kt. The landing craft could travel 4,000 nm at cruising speed, or 2,500 nm at 10 kt.
The expanded poop deck allowed for improved accommodation spaces, including accommodations for up to 48 of the vehicle's crews, and an enlarged superstructure. The Mk 8s were initially designed with a ship's complement of 25, but by the late 1960s, this had expanded to between 33 and 37.
For defence, the vessels were fitted with four single 20mm Oerlikons. 186 Mk 8s were ordered, but the war's end led to most being cancelled and scrapped or sold directly into civilian service; only 31 entered RN service.
Beginning in 1957, 12 Mk 8s were transferred to the Army at Portsmouth. The vessels were given names of WWII battles, and were crewed by men of 76 Company, Royal Army Service Corps (RASC). The RASC Water Transport Training Unit, based at Fort Victoria on the Isle of Wight began running LCT training courses and supplied the vessels with crews (men on their National Service) until the unit closed in 1962.
In 1957, several of the LCTs took part in Operation Hardrock, the establishment of a guided weapons range in the Hebrides. The vessels made exploratory voyages and subsequently delivered men and equipment to islands like St Kilda, South Ford, and Lochboisdale. In the following years, they made supply runs from their base at Cairnryan to the islands. Landings were dangerous, due to weather and beach conditions, and on one occasion, Abbeville became grounded at Village Bay in St Kilda for three days.
When the LCTs first entered service with the British Army they were designated as Royal Army Service Corps Vessels (RASCV). In 1965, the RASC was amalgamated with the transportation arm of the Corps of Royal Engineers to form the Royal Corps of Transport. The following year, a Royal Warrant dictated that all RCT vessels were to be titled Her Majesty's Army Vessels (HMAV). - Information mostly from Wikipedia.
The man stood on the sand below the superstructure helps give a good sensel of the scale.