Praa sands was a favourite site for testing many WW2 craft including canoes. On 2 February 1943 the DNC telegraphed the order with the CP contract to Saro’s Ltd Saunders-Roe for the single prototype Mk2* canoe vertically with outriggers. It was completed in three weeks and ready for the Cornwall surf trials at Praa Sands. Trials of this prototype produced in this form, subsequently, without outriggers, a Mk2**, a three man version[collapsing vertically of the Mk2 was], as well as the Mk2, Mk3 (May-Luard) and a kayak were held at Praa Sands in Cornwall during 16-17 March 1943, which coincided with trials of surf boats. The trials were to observe the behaviour of the canoes in surf. The RMBPD provided an up-to-date version of the Mk2 two man canoe which was the canoe used during the Frankton Raid, undertaken by the Cockleshell Heroes . The Mk2 was the first purpose built 'commando' canoes to ever be produced for a purpose; it was 15ft long and collapsed vertically to c.7 inches.