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A Question About Carley Floats


TGarthConnelly

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Hi All,

May I ask a DUMB question?

Carley Floats? Were they ever made from balsa? A few people, including one man who I really trusted when it came to things like this and things about PTs,have told me they were?

I've just learned that they weren't? Which is right? Balsa or kapok and canvas?

 

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People,

I must apologize to all who buys or have bought my Revell book ... Apparently, my information about Carley Floats was incorrect.

EJ Foeth was kind enough to direct me to a report written after the loss of HMAS SYDNEY and it says that these floats were made from copper tubing, cork and canvas ...

I apologize for my error.

Garth

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On further investigation ... from another report on the HMAS SYDNEY ... it
said this: "Also, in 1943 the US developed a balsa wood liferaft that
would not sink, irrespective of the number of holes (from enemy fire) in
it."

So, apparently people, I was correct ...

 

Garth

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I don't know how definitive this answer will be viewed as, however, John Lambert, in an email this morning told me:

"Hi Tim (and all on this Carly Float line)!

The Carley float was designed in the U.S.A. but soon copied all over the world as it was a cheap alternative to emergency ships boats. Some were indeed made of lightweight Balsa, but most I suggest were copper tubes welded together, giving watertight sections, covered with canvas and painted to suit."

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