HMNZS Fairmile ML403/Q403 - Later Tiare

First Fairmile built in NZ at Lidgard/Bailey boat builders St Marys Bay being launched ML 403 on 29/9/1942 

Launching of the first Fairmile, 1943. (Note: Jim Young & Chris Robertson in punt on left)

All the materials where imported from the UK and boat builders where limited to 5% profit by NZGovernment. Date on caption on photo is incorrect.Many of them became work boats and ferries around Auckland after ww2.

HMNZS Fairmile ML403/Q403 

HMNZS Fairmile ML403/Q403 

HMNZS Fairmile ML403/Q403 

Fairmile B class patrol craft ML403 underway during exercises with HMNZS Leander and RNZAF Harvard planes c1940s.

January 1944 – Fairmiles of 80th and 81st ML Flotillas R.N.Z.N. fitting out at Devonport (N.Z.) Naval Base prior to departure for Solomons.
Copied from R.N.Z.N. Official photo.

The remains of Fairmile Q403 at Paritata

A local historian wrote, "This vessel was used in Tauranga for fishing trips until Gallaghers brought it to Raglan in the 1960's to extract its its motor for the area’s first commercial trawler. The hull was purchased by Mr. Kirk who seems to have let it decay in his creek"

HMNZS Fairmile Q403 

This special alloy CW engine remained in 2007, but had been removed by 2011

HMNZS Fairmile Q403 1943-1946 Later“Tiare”; Tauranga Ferry – Abandoned Raglan 1957.