Full hull model of an air-sea rescue launch (1940). The model is decked and equipped, with RAF insignia on the bows and the pennant number '2508'. There is a dinghy at the stern together with rolled boarding nets on either side which could be let down to enable survivors to climb aboard.

On its formation in April 1918, the RAF inherited several hundred motor boats from the Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Flying Corps. These craft were used to support the many floatplanes in service at the time ferrying the crews, towing, refuelling, arming and servicing the aircraft. As the planes developed in size, so the vessels needed to support them had to grow and increase in speed. Consequently, the 200 Class Seaplane Tender, a 37½ foot vessel capable of 27 knots was developed, deliveries of which commenced in 1932. From this was developed the standard RAF vessel of the Air-Sea Rescue Service, the 100 Class High-Speed Launch (HSL). These vessels became the first to be involved in the Dunkirk evacuation (May-June 1940). During the Battle of Britain, in which over 200 airmen were killed or went missing in the seas around Britain, the launches began to play an active role in the Channel and the Air-Sea Rescue Service was formed in February 1941.

The model is equipped with three gun turrets, two by the forward cabin and one towards the stern, used for defence against German fighter planes. In August 1941, two RAF high-speed rescue launches were attacked and sunk and as a result, the existing .303 guns were replaced by heavier calibre weapons. Nevertheless the crews remained under orders not to attack, but to only fire in self-defence.