Scale: 1:16. British troops had been forced to withdraw from France in 1940 and Greece in 1941. If they were to return to mainland Europe to confront the Axis armies, they would have to fight their way ashore. This required huge numbers of landing craft to carry the men and supplies to the beaches. While the major dockyards were needed for building the bigger warships, many small yards in Britain were used for the construction of landing craft of various types. One of these was the D. Badcock (Marine) Ltd yard, formerly the London Yard, at Cubitt Town on the Isle of Dogs, London. Badcock built four large LCTs (tank landing craft). As they could carry several tanks, they played an important part in amphibious operations alongside the smaller LCAs (assault landing craft) and other vessels. The Badcock yard had earlier built eighteen smaller LCMs (Landing Craft Mechanised).

The LCM was able to carry a single tank or two lorries. The company also built for the Admiralty two CFFTs (coastal forces fuel tenders), ‘CFFT1’ being depicted by the model here. They were just under forty-six feet between perpendiculars and the engine installation was by Stephens, Smith & Company Ltd. Large twin rudders gave them maneuverability in the congested waters off the Normandy beaches. The model is one of a set of five, all made by Bassett-Lowke Ltd, showing various craft built for the Admiralty by Badcock (see SLR1580).

‘CFFT1’ looks, from some angles, more like a racing boat than a fuel tender. Navigation lights have been rigged at the bow, while an elevated signaling lamp has been placed just in front of the open cockpit. Behind the cockpit covers provide access to the fuel storage tanks. A lifesaving ring is stored flat on the foredeck, while a white ensign flies from the stern. It’s an attractive and well made model.