The Tufnell Box, thought to be named after Commander Tufnell, the first Royal Navy Superintendent of the Signal School who was appointed in 1895. The box consists of two hinged wooden (later brass) masts fitted in the box lid which extend vertically to represent the masts and yards of a ship. The yards and the mast are equipped with small rings for hanging the flags. In the box are slots for around 300 naval signal flags and shapes and are split into groups; alphabetical flags, numeral flags, Admiral's flags, shapes etc which can be hung from the masts thus allowing one trainee to signal to another.
The presence of the group Aircraft Carrier Flags denotes that this Tufnell box dates it to the interwar/wartime period. In later years this type of Tufnell box was replaced with a more modern version made from metal with a magnetic 'mast'. The use of Tufnell boxes for training lasted until the mid 1970's when they fell out of favour.
Flag Lockers
Fast Patrol Boats
Flag Locker C, E & F
Painting of Pigeon Holes
Type C, E & F Flag Locker Dimensions
Type
Height
Length
Depth
To Stow One Set
C
4ft 8½ in
4ft 7½ in
10 in
No 4 size flags
E
4ft 4 in
4ft 2½ in
9 in
No 5 size flags
F
3ft 11½ in
3ft 9½ in
8 in
No 6 size flags
Numerary Signal Flags 1790 to 1810
>
FLAGS PLATES OF 1937 AND 1952
Click on image to open the Signal Card and enlarge
