As my hand progresses to heal I have had the opportunity to spray paint the hull, deck and superstructure of the Ministry of Defence police launch. The hull is in red oxide and black with white at the waterline. In the next stage a coach line will be added to the upper hull. The deck is NATO green with white around the edge. The superstructure is white. Following painting the cabin/cockpit I glazed all the windows. In the finishing process the next step is to secure the superstructure to the deck but before that is done I will add to the roof and deck the additional fittings and decals that I have obtained. Most of the fittings I have purchased I have yet to receive but two I have already have been painted so they are ready to be fitted.

I manged to obtain a set of decals for the badge of the MOD police which I am very pleased with. These I found on Etsy and came from Spain. the following fittings I hope to be delivered within the next week are.

Instrument panel decals

Resin cast door

Resin cast lifeboat canister

Resin cast DECCA style radar dome

Resin cast navigation lights

Police markings decals

Blue emergency beacon lights

The two fittings that I have ready are a searchlight and a flag staff. I will also fit a radio communications antenna.

As yet I have not found a suitable flag. What I would like to get is an MOD police ensign which can be seen in pictures of the actual launch but at the moment I have drawn a blank.

fittings I forgot to mention that are yet to be fitted are the stanchions and handrail.

I am really enjoying this project and look forward to starting the British civil fireboat that I have planned as my next boat. Along with, of course, the Wee Nip and Bella sailboats I have yet to start. 🙄

Greg 👍

I have a way to go before the launch is finished but I am certainly looking forward to the first time out on the pond.

Greg 👍

Hello Flaxbybuck,

Thank you. That is a good point concerning damage to the paint finish.

Greg 👍

Hello flaxbybuck,

Concerning varnishing after painting. I do have a mind to varnish but I was going to wait until I had finished the top coats and make my decision then. But I will be varnishing where I have applied decals.

Greg 👍

Hello mturpin013,

Concerning the paint I am using on this model, I was going to buy a whole new set of paints according to the colours required but on this occasion I am using what I have on the shelf. I have used a white automotive spray primer as seen in the pictures. The lower part of the hull will be red oxide which is also an automotive spray primer. The upper hull, deck and superstructure I will use spray acrylic colours which I already have.

On future boats I think I would prefer to use spray or brush-on acrylic paints. No reason really, just my preference.

Greg 👍

I have now sprayed the boat with white primer. The next stage is to lightly sand the primer and add the first of the finishes.

The lower hull will be red oxide. The upper hull will be black. The deck surface will be NATO green and the wheelhouse and cabin will be white.

Following the painting I will add the glazing, deck fittings and decals.

The electrics I will leave to last.

Greg 👍

Hello Hhager2,

Thanks for the post.

The way that the model is constructed for RC is that the superstructure is fitted to the deck so when you need to access the electrics you lift off the the whole deck and cabin as one which give a lot of access room for a boat of 400mm in length. The deck when on the hull lines up with the coaming and is held in place by magnets both at the bow and at the stern.

The pictures below should give you some idea.

The part marked 7 in the picture is the radio tray. The last picture shows the motor mount at about midships.

Greg 👍

The boat has now been sanded down in preparation for the primer coat and some of the first fittings have been glued in place.

Greg 👍

Having completed the hull I decided to add an additional piece of Balsa to the transom as I did not like how it looked with the hull frame joints showing.

I then assemble the deck and built the superstructure which went together reasonably easily with some minor adjustments having to be made.

With the main construction finished I the applied multiple coats of sander sealer to both the inside and outside of the hull, deck and superstructure.

My next step will be to fit the 3D printed deck fittings that come with the kit. I have also decided to add some additional deck fittings to improve the overall look of the boat. These fittings I have yet to get.

After fixing the deck fittings my next step is to start the painting of the model. I hope to be applying the primer in the next day or two.

Greg 👍

Nothing quite like belts and braces!!

Greg 👍