B001 - Armed Launch

Specification: Item B001 - 1L x 1W x 1H Inches (2.5L x 2.5W x 2.5H Cm)

Note: This is a special made to order item, delivery usually take 30-90 days.
Custom features such as name plate or different paint schemes are available for additional charges. Please contact us for details.

Price: $ 781.00

Description:

Originally developed for coastal patrol and rapid combat response, the Armed Launch Boat was a compact yet formidable naval vessel, valued for its speed, agility, and tactical precision in confined waters. Despite its modest size, it played a vital defensive role, combining maneuverability with forward-mounted firepower.

Crafted through the traditional plank-on-frame method of construction, this finely detailed model is built from premium hardwoods, carefully shaped and assembled strip by strip by master craftsmen. The hull is hand-sanded to achieve accurate lines and structural balance, then sealed and finished to ensure long-lasting durability and a commanding display presence.

A defining feature of the vessel is its bow-mounted cannon, positioned on a reinforced wooden platform secured to the forward benches. The cannon is designed to recoil along twin guide slits, sliding backward upon firing and controlled by forward and aft tackle systems for maneuvering and stabilization. During engagement, the marksman adjusted the elevation while the helmsman aligned the bow precisely toward the target. In surprise actions, the mast and sail could be lowered onto the benches, allowing the crew to rely on oars for swift maneuvering and to delay enemy interception. Every detail—from deck fittings to operational armament—reflects the disciplined engineering and tactical character of this historic launch.

History:

The Armed Launch Boat emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a compact yet formidable naval vessel designed for coastal defense, patrol, and rapid response missions. Originally developed to support larger warships, these launches were valued for their speed, maneuverability, and adaptability in confined waters such as harbors, rivers, and estuaries.

During both World Wars, armed launches played a critical role in escort duties, anti-submarine patrols, harbor security, and troop transport. Despite their relatively small size compared to destroyers or cruisers, they were often equipped with deck-mounted guns, machine guns, or depth charges, making them highly effective in defensive operations. Their shallow draft allowed them to operate in areas inaccessible to larger vessels, giving naval forces a strategic advantage in coastal warfare.

Constructed primarily from wood in their early years, these boats combined sturdy hull forms with lightweight structures to achieve speed and agility. Over time, materials and propulsion systems evolved, but the fundamental purpose remained the same: to provide a fast, armed platform capable of protecting strategic waterways.

Today, the Armed Launch Boat stands as a symbol of tactical versatility and maritime resilience—an enduring reminder of the vital role small combat vessels played in naval history