Racing Special. RS Series

First listed in a 1933 catalogue, the "Racing Special" a hollow yacht, stood out from the rest of the racing yachts by the presence of automatic steering. The steering mechanism was made "In house" from brass and connected direct to the wooden rudder with a complicated bit of rope work above deck. Launched with four models, RS/1 24", RS/2 27", RS/3 30" and RS/4 36". Two sail variants were available, Sloop rig with top sail or Bermuda rig with two sails. The deck was plank lined and fitted with a skylight. The hull was painted white with a rubbing strip on the waterline and the name was black lettering on gold scroll background. Names for the yachts were, RS/1 Shooting Star, RS/2 Meteorite, RS/3 Comet, RS/4 Planet. Sail material was pinstriped red cotton / linen.

1934 RS/5 model added, 42" named Polar Star. 1937 Sails changed to plain wax cambric material. Bermuda rig now standard with the option of Sloop rig. 1939 Range is renamed, RS/1 Northern Star, RS/2 Southern Star, RS/3 Eastern Star, RS/4 Western Star, RS/5 Polar Star. Specification remains the same. The last mention of the Racing Special that I have is in the 1941 catalogue, the range must have stopped being produced around this time, probably due to wood shortages and war time restrictions on sales.

RS/1 Sloop Rigged 24" hull. Shooting Star.

RS/1 Bermuda Rigged 24" hull. Northern Star.

RS/2 27" hull. Southern Star.

RS/4 36" hull. Planet.

RS/5 42" hull. Polar Star.