NOW FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT...

This vintage aluminum Saro Terrapin Speedboat was built by the renowned WWII aircraft builders Saunders & Roe. In 1952, Saunders & Roe merged with A.V. Roe and Company (Avro – famous for building the Lancaster bombers) to form Saunders-Roe Ltd. The merger brought together two prominent British aviation companies, each with its own expertise and history in aircraft manufacturing.

These speedboats were constructed in the 50s and 60s in the same manner, utilising their experience in building aircraft. At 13’ 6”, the Saro Terrapin is a light, fast and elegant speedboat seating four people comfortably. In this case, it is coupled with a 1960 35hp Mercury outboard engine enabling the boat to be propelled to 30 knots plus. This particular boat has been lovingly restored, incorporating modern materials while celebrating the expertise of our aircraft industry during the war years – and, for that matter, thereafter.

The owner is Old Clayesmorian Netti Blume, who was part of the first group to move into King’s House as it was built, and later became Head of House. Netti lived abroad before coming to Clayesmore and arrived in the Summer term of 1983 to take her A levels.