Nothing earth shattering but a few more details to make it more interesting. Radar is operational; currently operating on a 1.5v flat battery. Final arrangement will consist of a buck/boost board set at 1.5 v (input 5.5v from BEC) & programmed to a switch on the tx.
Since I hope to use the boat in steering & towing events included details will be minimized & be durable enough to stand up to hard use.

THUNDER’s first towing commission. Okay; not a mega yacht but all that was lying around that I could tow. Quite a windy day so it was good practice when the wind caught the float toy. Had to speed up to keep it behind the tug.
In no way is the towing gear correct or complete. However made for a fun outing.

Ronald, they did not send a stern view but here is a stern photo of the 1:1 VLB7.
The thwart ship member is a plate across the stern that reduces the tow line chafe that would otherwise result from riding on a thin stern rail. Perhaps the bars you reference are part of the clearing ports in the aft bulwarks. They are installed to prevent water borne debris from washing onto the deck when it floods during towing ops. Both can be seen when you enlarge the attached photo.

The builder’s model of VLB7.
Photo & permission to post kindly provided by Vlissingse Bootliedenwacht B.V. (VLB)

Thanks Cash. My video skills are quite lacking while running the boat so some of them are some short to spare everyone from looking at the sky or the ground.
Sometimes I discover an interesting subject & then try find a hull that will work when modified. Other times I start with a hull & then try to find an interesting subject that I can make work with the hull. At least above the waterline. 🤔

Okay, time to make it look like a real tug.I won’t be doing my usual heavy weathering. I firmly believe in weathering to the type of build. Even though this is a tug, from photos I’ve seen its clientele consists of servicing the mega yacht owners. They would not hire a tug that looked abused or not well maintained. Excessive rust, dirt, & other wear & tear on a vessel would cause owners to look elsewhere. This being said by one who loves the hard & heavy use look! 😂😂

Pics show graphics mock-up, starting details, & light weathering. Minimal rust to be added but not too much. After all this tug in real life tows with rope rather than wire.

A couple of in water photos & a VERY short video.

Getting fair amount of running time but still able to move things along.

Thank you for providing all of this valuable information Ronald. The section of bulwark that extends from the wheelhouse to the aft bulkhead will be installed. I just haven’t gotten to that as yet. My build uses VLB3 as inspiration but is not intended as a duplicate since I knew I couldn’t produce an exact replica. One reason being that I have been deriving dimensional data by proportional measurement of photos. That inevitably causes scale errors due in part to the photo not being exactly perpendicular to the axis of the camera lens, foreshadowing some measurements while extending others.For example, my wheelhouse is actually a bit long compared to the VLB3 or VLB 7 which I believe are sister ships.
I had to incorporate a step into the wheel house to have the house enclose the deck opening for running gear access. The size of the house was created by dimensions by proportions. I need to check the height of the bulkheads since as you point out they look a bit high.
The better view of the Pilot boat’s bottom shows a bilge keel & I believe keel coolers. My build incorporates a single steerable Kort as after rather extensive trials I have found it to be the superior arrangement for maneuverability of a single screw boat.
Once again I certainly appreciate your taking the time to research the real tugs & impart your findings to me.
Thank you,
Bill

Ronald, the first two photos indicate this tug apparently engages in light towing, perhaps only moving mega yachts. I have no way to be certain that yachts are constitutes its main business but I’m confident from the deck gear that it only engages in light towing, perhaps in protected waters. Protected waters would account for the lack of midship bulwarks.
Then there is the third photo which screams “ midship bulwarks needed”! I chose this tug as the basis of my build due to the lack of midship bulwarks. It is a unique feature I’ve never previously seen. My guess is that the lack of midship bulwarks would be a SOLAS violation. I may include a removable chain across the bulwark void to satisfy my crew safety concerns.
More on the build’s bulwark height in a later post.
Thank you for raising these questions.