Overview
Founded by Patrick de Laszlo. A collaboration with designer Uffa Fox in 1952 was the FLYING TWENTY, one of one of the first production fiberglass boats in the UK. This was followed by the more popular FLYING FIFTEEN, also a Fox design, many of which are still sailing. Business expanded as VT Halmatic was commissioned to mold large numbers of craft for Camper & Nicholson’s, Moody’s and other leading builders of that era. VT Halmatic introduced its own range of commercial and military craft which were supplied either as “part-assemblies” for other yards to complete or were fitted-out by VT Halmatic for its own customers. Among the many notable craft molded by VT Halmatic over the years are as follows: The NICHOLSON 32 yacht designed by Camper and Nicholson and molded by Halmatic, followed by the NICHOLSON 26, 36, 38, 43, 48, 55 and 70. The MOODY 42, 52 and 62. The NELSON 40/42 – the archetypal pilot boat and gentleman’s motor yacht – one of which was the victim of the IRA bomb at the 1974 Earl’s Court Boat Show. The Arun-class lifeboat – over 40 of which were molded for the R.N.L.I. and ten for the Greek Coastguard. During the 1960’s and 1970’s VT Halmatic’s expertise produced larger and more technically advanced craft. Molded by VT Halmatic in 1975 for the RNLI Arun 54-04 was the world’s first fiberglass offshore lifeboat. The relationship has continued with VT Halmatic heavily involved in the building of the R.N.L.I.’s new generation Severn and Trent composite lifeboats.
