Later that month on 31 May the first sea trials of the Hurricats were conducted from the first CAM-ship SS Empire Rainbow.

Merchant ship fighter unit. The Merchant Ship Fighter Unit MSFU was a Royal Air Force operational aircraft unit based at RAF Speke in south Liverpool now Liverpool John Lennon Airport during World War II. More detailed history is available. AHB Reference and Fighter Command Reference.

The role of the MSFU was to provide pilots crews support personnel and aircraft to operate from 35 merchant ships. The first MSFU pilot reported on the 9th May. The Merchant Ship Fighter Unit MSFU was a Royal Air Force operational aircraft unit based at RAF Speke during World War II.

The RAF formed the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit MSFU on 5 May 1941 in RAF Speke by the River Mersey in Liverpool. It was built using cast iron girders produced by the Horseley Ironworks each of which was made of three large castings dovetailed together and bolted to a raised reinforcing piece. Each girder was strengthened by wrought iron bars along the length.

THE MERCHANT SERVICE FIGHTER UNIT 1941 - 1942 Imperial War Museums Do you have 5 minutes to help us improve our website. Sea Hurricane of the Merchant Service Fighter Unit mounted on its take off ramp on board a merchant ship at sea. He made three crossings on the CAM ship.

Photos of World War II. Merchant Ship Fighter Unit stationed at Speke which is today the official airport for Liverpool. Thirtyfive Catapult Aircraft Merchantmen CAMs were taken in hand and the catapults installed.

Which carried 4 Swordfish aircraft but fitted to various merchant ship types. Fighter Unit aboard Catapult Aircraft Merchant CAM Ship Empire Tide late 1941. The National Archives Kew.