MFV 324; Fishing vessel; Service vessel; Royal Navy motor fishing vessel

Scale: not calculated. Motor fishing vessels were built in large numbers during the war for use as tenders. MFV 1 through MFV 442 were all 50-ton vessels, with a single machine gun. 261 were ordered for the UK, 85 for South Africa and 96 for Australian waters.

‘MFV 324’ (1942) was built by James Buckie Slip & Shipyard Ltd. The model was made as a presentation piece; its accompanying plaque is inscribed ‘Presented to Admiral Sir Lionel Preston KCB. By the Admiralty Small Vessels Pool Ferry Crews 2nd November 1945’. It is chunky and robust, everything has been scratch made. As such, fittings and details are not quite true to scale, but the model has a charm about it, and it is self-evident that it was made by someone who knew the vessel well.

Object Details

ID: SLR1570
Collection: Ship models
Type: Full hull model; Rigged model; Sails set
Display location: Not on display
Creator: James Buckie Shipyard
Date made: 1942
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Lionel Preston Collection
Measurements: Overall model: 457 x 857 x 220 mm; Base: 50 x 822 x 173 mm
Parts: MFV 324; Fishing vessel; Service vessel; Royal Navy motor fishing vessel