![An extremely fine and detailed 1/8th scale museum quality display model of the racing hydroplane K2 Miss Britain III [1933]](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/CSK/2005_CSK_05699_0232_000(110741).jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
This model was awarded Best of Show - Boats Section, and 1st in Class Northwest Model Exposition Washington U.S.A., 1997
Miss Britain III was designed by Tommy Quelch with Hubert Scott Paine to challenge for the 1933 Harmsworth Trophy. Measuring 24ft 6in. long, using a wooden frame reinforced with aluminium and covered with a skin of 'Alclad', the boat was of single step configuration with several small subsidiary steps weighing just 3,360lbs. Fitted with a supercharged Napier Lion VII D engine she had an excellent power-to- weight ratio developing 1,375 hp with her single propellor turning at 9,000 rpm. Designed and built in the astonishing time of just nine weeks and four days she was ready to compete against the four-V12 engined 38ft monster of Gar Wood, to which she came a close second. The point had, however been proved -- and it was single-engined boats which dominated future race meetings. She went on to secure in 1933 the record for the fastest single engined boat on salt water, recording 102.105 mph in Southhampton water, and also won the 1934 Count Volpi Cup. She is currently on display at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.
Miss Britain III was designed by Tommy Quelch with Hubert Scott Paine to challenge for the 1933 Harmsworth Trophy. Measuring 24ft 6in. long, using a wooden frame reinforced with aluminium and covered with a skin of 'Alclad', the boat was of single step configuration with several small subsidiary steps weighing just 3,360lbs. Fitted with a supercharged Napier Lion VII D engine she had an excellent power-to- weight ratio developing 1,375 hp with her single propellor turning at 9,000 rpm. Designed and built in the astonishing time of just nine weeks and four days she was ready to compete against the four-V12 engined 38ft monster of Gar Wood, to which she came a close second. The point had, however been proved -- and it was single-engined boats which dominated future race meetings. She went on to secure in 1933 the record for the fastest single engined boat on salt water, recording 102.105 mph in Southhampton water, and also won the 1934 Count Volpi Cup. She is currently on display at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.