It has been a bit from my last build(s) …and after a short break of building other kits non-RC and not boat related I have thrown myself into another build after my efforts on the RC conversion of Lindbergh’s Blue Devil Destroyer, a Fletcher class and odd scale are proving to require much more thought to get it to run to a satisfactory to my liking …it is a very narrow hull and much to top heavy to the point where my last outing with her bring her in was more akin to beaching a fish she laid on her side …. Enough on that ,I was able to get an Italeri S-38 kit from my local hobby shop , and looking through my reference book on schnellboots , S91 caught my eye . This is a S38 type refitted with an armored kalotte. I am disappointed in Italeri on two reasons, the first is my fault in not understanding how to get or buy extra and or replacement parts for their kits ….I am at a loss as to how to work through their system ? …second is that the S38 does not have the standard armament of the mid ship Zwillingssockel of twin MG’s for aircraft defense, but they do include the later bow tube gun …Luckily, ICM does have a 1/35 scale of this mount as a kit , very detailed , at at the very limits of my ability due to my disability and lack of feeling in my hands . …I close with a few pictures and will answer why I am building the S91 as I am …much is due to the experience I gained in the long build of my S100…

Readers of my HSwMS Visby blog will be aware the model is complete and operating well. Was quite happy spending last Summer just sailing models; that was until JBKIWI wrote a forum entry introducing the Swedish CB90 class of waterjet propelled fast assault class! Sparked my imagination. After some research, found the base hull has been developed into a number of forms, including attractive “Interceptor” and VIP vessels. The hull is of a hard chine style and should not present any unusual challenges. The waterjets are not the same as the Visby, in that the reverse/steering function is different. From experience with the Visby, consider a reverse capability essential. Decided to use the same base 20mm waterjet units as the Visby. They power a hull in the 30 – 40” O/L range nicely. My preferred size. They also work well and do not leak. Problems friends have encountered with other units. This offered two approaches, one use “modellers license” and fit the same bucket style units as on the Visby. The other was to use the base waterjet unit, but make up the correct Kamewa “clamshell” style reverse /steering units. These were not available through the jet supplier.

Hello everyone, I’m currently building 1/32nd model of the Canadian WW2 tug Glenside. The tug was built for the Canadian navy in the forties. Some of the Glen class tugs were sold to Foundation Maritime. I will be making this tug as per the Foundation colors where I have a model of the Foundation Franklin also. I will post pics as I progress in the build. The hull is from a fiberglass mold I made from a plug. The prop shaft is 1/4” stainless with brass tube and oilite bearings. The rudder is 1/16” brass plate with the rudder shaft silver soldered top and bottom. In currently doing several jobs at once , planking the top deck with teak. Making port lights etc.

This a kit built in the 1960s its a all wood kit and about to start to prepare for hull refurbishments following some excellent blogs on this site it has inspired me to start on its restoration my first question is if i repaint the hull the top black is in good condition but just matt black what do i do varnish or repaint

Hi One & All Yesterday I took that big leap and I got myself the The Wooden Model Boat Company Thames Lifeboat Kit 400mm, along with some other parts from Sussex Models in Worthing, Kit £66.50 - 280 motor £7.00 - Small rudder £4.56 - S/S shaft £7.19 Total of £86.24, I still have to get a 30mm brass prop, as for the ESC I have one in the spares box that will be O.K. So look out for my "How not to build this model. Fred https://www.jperkins.com/search/i/jp_b_thewoodenmodelboatco

Hello All. I am not a fan at all of ARTR models,as they are far too pristine and clinical but the opportunity on this one was too good to be true. One of the Grandsons visited Belfast on the Thames recently and was so impressed that I just had to do this for him. I have been able to purchase for literally a song in comparison to the new retail price HMS Belfast. The model has only been sailed by the previous owner on two occasions,but has already sustained some minor damage. My plan is to personalise her in the following way. All main armament to rotate. Fitting of smoke effect. Main crane to rotate. Rotating main Radar. Fitting of suitable lighting. I will then undertake a subtle but effective weathering plan. I have already purchased four appropriate handmade brass M3 propellers (sliding fit with grubscrew as opposed threaded) to replace the original plastic props as fitted. I attach a few pictures,but until I am well enough to get back into the boat shed I will not be able to make much progress. Take care all and happy boating. Regards Bill.

My shed developed a small leak that damaged my Sea Commander. The water delaminated the ply used for the cabin sides. Fortunately just forrard of the cockpit so I was able to just cut out and replace both sides. So far I have removed the sides and the sprung veneer planks on one side of the front roof. I also need to replace some planks on the other two roofs hopefully by just removing and replacing the sprung planks. I am using two sheets of 1/16 ply for the sides as this will allow me to recess the windows by cutting the apertures wider on the cabin insides. Next job is to mark out the windows and cut to size. I can then use the inner apertures to mark and cut the new clear acrylic sheet. The wood glue I had has not stored well since I last managed to do any building so I am awaiting a delivery from Amazon with fresh supplies. Pics of progress to date. I will add to the post as I complete further. dave976

As I seem to be working on two models at the same time I thought I'd attempt the document the Crash Tender Restoration. It was the purchase of this one that led me to this site. This one was also found by my wife, this time on FaceBook Marketplace for £35. so a quick trip to Paignton meant I'd bought another boat. I suspect it is an old Aerokits 34" model, the panel pin heads are obvious in a few places. The hull was in decent condition, there was a dent each side soon disappeared with West + micro balloons. I pulled the prop shaft out and found that is was a 3.67mm dimeter shaft with plastic bearings that had an O/D of 6.28mm, the outer tube had an O/D of 8mm. The plastic bearings had a lot of wear but rather than try to source replacements I thought I'd replace the outer tube and prop shaft. Thinking I'd have a major job to remove the tube it was a very pleasant surprise to find that I could just twist it with a pair of pliers and easily slide it out. The rudder tube also came out very easily. I've painted the hull withe Hempel Multicoat just to get all a uniform colour to see of any fairing is required. Seems to be a decently built hull requiring little work, so hopefully I'll make some progress on it when I'm waiting for paint or glue to dry on the Perkasa build.

Threw a dart at a bunch of free plans and came up with this one (old MM plan) No matter what I chose, I would always see something else and wish I'd built that instead, but this has possibilities for a few improvements to the hull and a bit of room for extra 'stuff'. I had it printed originally to A-O size, but it came out a tad large, so I scaled it back to 33" x 10" which should make a good sized model. If I'd gone with the original print size (48") it would have required a weed-eater motor, my own forest, and a trailer. At 33" it will suit 3ft balsa sheets. Went up to the print place and got it done yesterday, came home and did the bulkhead tracings, then transferred those to some 4mm light ply and cut them roughly to size. Later today I might give them a haircut to the final shape with my small bandsaw. Next job will be to find some spruce for the framing, which could be a challenge, as the main (almost only) model shop in Auckland, is a bit light on for most modelling wood at present. I'll build it my usual way, - upside down with a central square hardwood spine screwed to the board, with the tops of the bulkheads notched to fit over it and all blocked in place. Once planked and glassed, the spine can be cut out in the required areas. This model could take a while, as I have a dozen other jobs which need doing.

Hello, here are the first pictures from my construction report of the Rau IX by Graupner on a scale of 1:45. I will post the first pictures in a relaxed manner, since I have already started and I am a little further along, more on that later. The hull was almost done so far. The engine was already installed, as was the rudder. The deck was already built up so far and only needs to be glued in place. I hope that my English can be understood, I mainly work with a translator.

I was going to put this on the project shelf and look at it later in the year, but it has proven difficult not to pick it up, plot and scheme so it looks like this one will join the Eventide and Crash Tender on the bench. I found this advertised on a Facebook group for sale as a project and liked the look of it and thought the waterjet might be something different to play with. Also there is a bit of a family connection as my father served in RAF Gan where the sister ship 2748 was based, so at one point was thinking this one would be model of 2748 in the white tropical paint scheme. The hull has been built well, and most of the superstructure is complete, there’s a box full of bits and pieces so I think everything is there to finish the boat, if not I have now have a load of timber in stock left over from other projects. Turns out that the original RTTL 2748 has been restored, though currently has no interior and is about 4 miles away from me. She was also based at RAF Mount Batten (not far from where is is currently in Plymouth) in the 1950s, so a both local and family connection As the Kitshack 28" RTTL was very similar, if not identical to the Veron kit so I made contact with Phil Smith's son who has the archive of the Phil Smith designs including the boats he produced for Veron. I now have the full set of plans, templates and build instructions. So, the plan is to now build the model to be 2748 from the mid 1950s before the addition of the centre roof, as she would have been when towing targets from Plymouth. Many thanks to those responding to my thread on the forum about the boat, particularly to RichardH and dave976 for letting me have lots of information on RTTLs. Having spent the last few days immersed in the research phase I can't wait to get started. The first job has to be to remove the waterjet and make good the hull so I can fit the propshaft, rudder and keel.

Wind farms in early stages in waters south of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. Seemed appropriate to make a guess about work vessels they might use.Blount Boatyard in Warren, Rhode Island has contracted with Vineyard Wind for construction of two CTVs. Not sure that one will be of what I am building but pressing ahead anyway. First photo is of the vessel I am generally constructing. It is a cat while mine is a blunt bowed workboat. Otherwise I will use it for overall reference using Blount’s GA drawing.