Espadon... "The Swordfish"

[whiteminiman]

Hi guys,

I'm involved with a Rescue Team that is based in Nantes, France. I was digging through the video archives that we have... and come accross this little machine. It was built in France for a short period in the 1980s. It was called "l'Espadon" which translates to "The Swordfish".

The videos I've got show it's wave piercing capabilities... they are phenominal... they also highlight some of the problems with the design... they are scary!

Does anybody have any more information about them? The only thing I have is one 12 minute video.

[samt]

I know nothing about the rib, but found this video a while ago. Watched it again, and yes, its a espadon!!!!

[Shaggy]

Classic...

I want a Timex..


Shaggy

[alt]

They look damn bouncy... I WANT ONE!

[Biggles]

I want a Timex Marlin. Do they still make them ?

[whiteminiman]

For those who are interested.. I've found some more photos (hidden on our website!) about 150 were made up until 1988.

[tim griffin]

Nice wave punching shots Dan, does not look like the had a open transom how did they get the water out quickly. Like the second to last one crew acting as drogues you still coming over in April with Pete could have some similar wave action if we are lucky

[whiteminiman]

Look at the middle photo on the first post of the thread.

They have two of what the French call "vides vites" or what I know as Elephant Trunks.

Also, if you look on that same picture... the driver sits astride an inflatable seat... effectively a third sponson. I don't think there's a lot of space inside the boat for it to fill up with water!

Cheers, WMM

[tim griffin]

Ahhh got them they look pretty big so will dump the water fast enough . Were they effective as IRB due to the limited space and what are you using now .Ace pictures got any more

[whiteminiman]

As to whether or not they were effective... I really don't know. I've only got one video that shows a training exercise. I think the principal behind it was "swoop and scoop".. and just get the casualty into the boat any old-how, and then beach it as fast as possible.

As for what we use now;

1x 6.40m Sillinger RIB (150hp, absolutely LOADED with kit)
1x Yamaha Waverunner with sled
1x 5m Zodiac (65hp) RIB (tiller) (bloody hard work)
1x 5m Zodiac Mk II (40hp) RIB (tiller)
1x Zodiac MK II (40hp) SIB (tiller)
3x Zodiac MK II GR (30hp) SIB (tiller)
1x Zodiac MK II Futura (30hp)

1x Peugeot J5 - fully kitted out inside
1x LandRover 110 Station Wagon

We are debating whether to replace the current WaveRunner with another, or whether to get a second. It's got 400 hours on the engine, so it's a matter of balancing on-going maintenance costs, trade in value, and whether we do any events that require two RWCs.

As for pictures... no I don't have many. I do have a years worth of Data CDs filled with high-quality video that you can take pictures from. I'll dig out the more recent ones for you and burn you some copies. Email me with what things you'd like the pictures to show and I'll see what I can do.

Cheers, WMM

Cheers,
WMM