Papillon

Just remembering where we started…

Charles Lightoller was an inspiration for the character played by Mark Rylance in Christopher Nolan’s 2017 film Dunkirk, seen here with a rescued soldier played by Cillian Murphy. ... Read exclusive extract from new bio #WW2 #History open.substack.com/pub/ww2today/p…

On a small boat to Dunkirk dlvr.it/TRVWjw

What a transformation she’s going through — at this rate we might have to start calling her Papillon 🥰

Less cosmetic, more structural today — one prop and shaft removed. Progress is definitely being made. 🔧

Not the best photo — backs and knees officially broken after cutting 600 plugs, then hammering, gluing, chiselling and sanding them all. Never again 😜

Bit of nice weather, so goodbye canvas roof!

Look at these beautiful Osborne boats — all served in the RNPS WW2 and Dunkirk. Top: Aquabelle. Centre: Gerfalcon en route to the 85th. Bottom: Naiad Errant in the Pathé “Mosquito Navy” reel, with another Osborne boat. Extraordinary little ships. ⚓️🇬🇧

😍😍😍

Huge thanks to the team for outstanding skill and graft. Gerfalcon’s side decks are gleaming, her wooden doors are commissioned, the roof’s being painted and she’s having a proper rub down. She’s looking magnificent. ⚓️

River running fast at Teddington. Checked on Papillon. All good. Great to have @TW11Harbour checking the boats and lines daily. Peace of mind. When will it stop raining? ☔️

From the archives 2015, shall we resurrect the shark teeth?? 🤢

And in she goes to the shed – safely in, doors shut, and work begins. Tools out, tea brewing, and another chapter of care and restoration getting underway.

Andy has completely stripped and rebuilt this engine, and the before-and-after photos are nothing short of remarkable. The transformation really reflects his skill, care, and quite extraordinary talent. It feels like we’ll be able to enjoy a good, honest summer out of her!

CHALLENGE (1931) at Chatham this week Photo by Fraser Gray

Times past, Dunkirk Veteran MTB 102. Capable of 48 knots, the swiftest Royal Navy vessel at the time. #MTB102 @militaryhistori @Dunkirk_Ships @navalhistorian #DunkirkLittleShips #ADLS #OperationDynamo #Dunkirk #MiltaryHistory #NationalHistoricShips #WWII #WW2 #RiverThames #Thames

Times past, Dunkirk Veteran fireboat Massey Shaw, built in 1935. @themasseyshaw #MasseyShaw @militaryhistori @Dunkirk_Ships @navalhistorian #DunkirkLittleShips #ADLS #OperationDynamo #Dunkirk #MiltaryHistory #NationalHistoricShips #Gravesend #WWII #WW2 #RiverThames #Thames

For DUNKIRK, Christopher Nolan built real planes to crash during filming. One of these planes drowned with an IMAX camera attached to it.

We’re not surprised our little lady @Dunkirk_Ships Quisisana has made the @ClassicBoatMag 2026 shortlist for Restored Powered Vessels. If you have followed and appreciated her story, she will welcome your vote. 🗳️ awards.classicboat.co.uk