Scratch build the ship I was on in 1965-67. I purchased a hill from scale shop yard in California. Covid held up making it n delivery. I have it and it’s perfect. I’ll publish bits as I do them. I gathered all data from my past n all online. I’m building it as it left upgrading at Charlestown ship yards in Boston. I have a hull so first thing is put in formers n stiffen the hull so I can install the deck. First thing done was do a fast sand to get the top of the walls flat. I’m adding carbon fiber cross frames and added rear torpedo ports. These ports were to allow the ship to torpedo without turning around. Never got used as far as I knew. I also made formers from fiberglass sheets left over from my gyrocopter where I added a body shell. I was advised by manufacturer that expansion rates in the sun could cause cracking of joints. So carbon fiber n fiberglass are similar to the hull. Once formers epoxied in I will start the deck with its opening for equipment. Here is pic of real ship rear n the model. I used hatches from Polaris missile plastic sub kit. I also will start on the stand for the ship to rest on. I used cardboard to make patterns fir formers and stand. I’ll post more

This is going to be a long project, never attempted anything smaller than 1:30, so a 1:48 project is going to be fun. It all started with me finding a copy of Eric Minett's book 'The Coast is Clear: The Story of the BYMS' in a local charity shop. I'd never heard of the British Yard Minesweeper (BYMS) but on reading the book found it very interesting, especially the mine sweeping ahead of the D-Day landings. I posted about the book on here and nickthesteam very kindly offered me a Sirmar hull, all the plans and some fittings. I've just finished my last large build, the RAF Crash Tender (just waiting for the last few fittings to arrive then I'll get some pics and video of her afloat), so the BYMS came to the top of the project list. I'd contacted Barry at Sirmar and bought some more fittings and spent a while collecting props, shafts, motors, rudders etc. I've also been doing a fair bit of research into the BYMS and decided I want to build one that has some sort of local connection. As I'm originally from the East Coast of the UK with family links to the Lowestoft area I found that Minesweeping Flotilla 163 was based at Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth in 1943 and the ships of this flotilla were BYMS 2036, 2040, 2057, 2079, 2080, 2161, 2167, 2194. Additionally 2079 was one of the first ships in the D-Day Landings and has a very interesting history, so the decision was made to build a model of 2079. The first stage of model building is complete, knowing what will be built! My purchases included a set of three plans 1 x 1:48 detailed drawing of BYMS 2172 (previously designated as J972 and YMS 172)/BYMS 2253 (previously designated as known YMS 253) 2 x non-scale drawings of the YMS 419. These are very detailed and heavily annotated. In theory there should be little difference between the American YMS and the BYMS as they were all made in the same shipyards, however I have discovered an issue in both the drawings and the hull moulding. All the drawings show the topsides end some distance before the transom and that the topsides for BYMS 2253 finish further forward than for other vessels. The hull moulding has the top sides ending before the transom, however various photographs of the majesty of BYMS show the topsides continuing to the transom (including those of BYMS 2079). I suspect the America BYS had the topsides stopping before the transom, BYMS 2253 has them set further forward but the majority of BYMS had the topsides continue to the transom. The Simar moulding would be fine I was to build a model of BYMS 2172 or BYMS 2253, but as this will be 2079 some additional material will be required. So, a little bit of topside lengthening is required before the first major job of cutting the scuppers. I'll fit the rudders, shafts and motors first. Can't seeing this being a quick build but I'll update as and when progress is made.

I am pushing the boat out really early in fact in its embryonic stage for this build blog and I might regret it but hope not. It has been my dream of some weeks that my preferred build for the future would be a great looking motor sailor and the one I settled on was Inga 1v and with encouragement from roycv who has in his harbour a splendid example set the ball rolling. There does not seem to be much interest out there for this model mainly due to there being is no kits available, nor plans, nor plastic hulls being produced simply lots of pictures and of course some beautiful completed models. First step and many thanks to tiggy_cat for sending me a set of plans for this model which arrived today. They are produced by Revell and are for the topsides which is great but leaves me with one of the challenges of my life that of drawing, stealing, borrowing whatever a plan of the hull shape. I fear that if I attempt to accurately draw the frames for the hull it might end sailing sideways. Anyway as somebody once said `I have started so I will finish` interested then watch this space. Regards ChrisG

Evening All. On Christmas Day in I think in 1962 a little boy opened a big box and there was an RAF Rescue/Fire launch kit in all its glory. The smile was from ear to ear. That little boy along with his Dads help built the kit over time and sailed it for many years. Sadly,like a fool I sold the boat many years later,something I regret to this day,especially as at that time we lived within a stone’s throw from RAF Mountbatten,Plymouth where many were stationed. I turned my building skills to mainly RN builds which I still do. However of late there seems to have been a resurgence in blogs on RAF launch builds. These blogs rekindled my wish to rebuild one. With a little help from Colin H on our site (Thank you Colin) he pointed me in the right direction of a 35 inch model. Yesterday (5/10/23)I was like a kid in a sweet shop when I collected my winter project. Please see pictures as collected. So what’s the plan. Basically,a total refit from top to bottom. 1)Remove the Nitro motor and single shaft and rudder and replace with two motors,shafts and rudders. 2)Strip the entire boat back to naked hull and start again. 3)Refit and replace all original fittings including missing items. 4)Replace deck with planked version. 5)Fit running lights,possible working fire hoses etc,sound generator etc. Plus much more. I hope to give you a step by step update as we progress. As always please feel free to offer help,especially those that are building similar projects or have in the past. Take care all. Regards Bill.

Hi One & All Back in 1997 I purchased two vacform hull for a 1/72 Clyde Puffer along with the drawings from Sarik (drawing MM1410), as we have been having some bad weather of late and due to their size they started to look like a good boat to start building in the house. (just to keep warm), over the last few weeks I have joined the two half’s of the hull, fitted the motor and shaft, alone with the deck, I have made a mistake when it comes to fixing the rudder, I should have made some form of fixing that went into the hull, so that the rudder had some were to fasten to, (will sort that out later on in the build) also I need to make some form of support for the shaft as I think it will in time work its way lose, moving on, the stern deck has been started and over half has now been planked. Fred

Hi y’all. I like to keep my bench busy, as building a few hours during the week and sometimes on the weekend helps relax me…at 62 I’m still pushing 45-50 hrs a week at the dealership I work at. Anyway, this is an…interesting build. This started with a kit that was gifted to me by Steve O’Connell , one of our model boat club members. It’s an odd little Chinese kit of a Danish Tug that was spotted transporting a large gun mount on its aft deck. The kit is set up to carry the gun, and there’s a promotional video of the gun swiveling and “firing”. Anyway…the kit is well made but rather odd. The proportions are off, the model looks as if it’s a little bit of a caricature of the real boat. Also, there’s no instructions. Zilch. It makes a Billings kits instructions look like War and Peace. Finally, the entire superstructure is comprised of cut brass sheet. Apparently the builder is supposed to fold it into shape and either ca it or solder it together. Well, she sat in my kit stash for a few months, and after I finished and maidened the Banckert I wanted something a little different, so I decided to customize this kit. I decided to make her into a mooring/push tug. The kit is nice, fiberglass hull, laser cut and 3D printed plastic, etc., however, I’m only using the hull, deck, bulwarks and few odds and ends from the supplied parts. The brass is put away, and the comically tiny 4 blade brass prop and Kort nozzle are put aside for another day. First thing I had to figure out was how much weight can this hull take before she’s sitting too low? I placed the hull in the sink, and proceeded to add weight till the water came up close to its upper edge, and we’re looking at around 38 ounces. I then proceeded to build up a custom stuffing box of brass tube and Traxxas 4 mm flanged oilite bushings. For power I went with a 36 mm 650kv Zippkits brushless motor, same unit that’s in my Taucher and Kalle…I know it’s overkill, but this boat is going to be useful, and I’m from Texas!! We have people who put V8 engines into riding lawnmowers, so there’s a precedent of sorts. Static test in the sink with an Astroflight Whattmeter hooked up shows a 2 amp draw at full chat. I like those Zippkits outrunners!! Once everything under decks was done I added the deck, cut down the bulwarks and made short coamings for the hatch. I then scratched up a simple 2 person cabin from plasticard, and am now working on the push bumper. That will be a shoal buster front upright, with horizontal beams making a “T” up front, and will have rubber strip inlaid. Once that’s all done she gets primered and paint, details and the rubber strip laid in. I’m in this for about 2 and a half weeks of off and on building so far. Cash

Current build is my take of a generic tug used on the Chao Phraya River in Thailand. Scratchbuilt on an ABS moulding using only photos( no drawings) . These colourful craft work in groups towing several 600 ton barges on the river.I am building a suitable lighter to compliment the tug. Pix of final ballast test before bonding hull and superstructure and further detailing of fenders, lights etc

Found this 40+ year old kit at local Toy Fair yesterday . Everything seems to be there so looking forward to building in due course

So, I have been in the market for a Dumas 44' MLB, I know, not hard to obtain, but I have so many projects, it has been on the back burner for some time. I purchased the plans from Dumas, scaled the frames, and it was like fifth in line to be completed. SO yesterday, I was trolling FB Market Place, and found what I describe as the Abomination. It was reasonably priced, but 130 miles away, having free time and some overtime cash I decided to make the trek. I was in the USCG for 24 years and served a tour at a Station that ran 30'. 44' and 52' life boats. so I am familiar with the type. Here are some pictures. It would seem the builder was skilled, used the Dumas plan, but took quite a few liberties we can all agree. It is the correct width, and for the most part length is correct as well. There are some interesting things. I will be able to use the chair, and it actually had a working magnetic compass. It is in the yards now stripped of all the mahogany and deck fittings. Much surgery is required. All but the very fwd Deck, and aft deck need to be removed. No easy task when it was built with 1/4" ply decks. We will have her shipshape in Bristol fashion in no time. She will be the 44356 Yaquina Bay Station to go with my 36503 from the same station. The bow needs to be shaved, they were stubby, but not that stubby. Deck at pilot house needs to be lifted 4 mm, well deck lowered 30mm. The portholes were a nice touch, but I will fill them. Two 500 motors, and looks like the shafts are workable. Rudders are in the correct position. Cheers! Kevin

This boat is a car boot find all for 20.00 a bargin. luckly I have quite a few of the parts in my boxes its a kit built one out of plywood and Balsa wood, I am going to alter the hull so it has three motors I have three 850 motors I like to use brushed motors it has twin rudders fitted the mid part of the boat is almost there so with few holes to fill and a repaint should be good place to start

Have taken on this project recently for a gentleman who due to health issues was no longer able to finish this off. He passed it on to a neighbour of his who in turn, contacted our club and the rest so to speak is history. So with that in mind, having sorted out a few pressing matters boat wise, I've put the Ark and steam punk project to one side for the time so that I can concentrate on this. Trying to make a photo blog for the gentleman who started this as not sure what the state of play is regarding his health. So that's the background, now for the build. The hull has been well constructed alongside the start of a wheelhouse and some other deck fittings. I've so far cut out a false deck which I can now start to add the decking with appropriate access to the interior for the rc. Managed to find a spare motor this evening and now lined up with the prop shaft. Hopefully a bit more tomorrow, trying to work around work again .

Ok, ok…I know…I havent quite completed the Pole Dancer (ne NAXOS) yet, but it is quite difficult getting the items I need to finish up. Shipment times seem quite long. So, to take up the slack, I am pondering a 2nd project, the MV Bluenose - not to be confused with the sailing vessel Bluenose and Bluenose ll. The MV Bluenose provided ferry passenger and vehicle service between my home town Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Bar Harbour, Maine from 1955 till 1982. I am seeking drawings for her from Davie Shipbuilding, Quebec but have not received any return mail from them as of yet. I have her dimensions on hand from her wikki and. if I have to will make my own drawings from many online images that I have obtained from the internet I have thought about several possibilities as far as construction material and will include that info on my DIY “Blueprints”. Scale? I am aiming for semiscale and her overall length will be between 32” and 36” and breadth approximately 8”. Wish me luck