Some time ago I started a build thread about the Aerokits Sea Hornet I had received the plan for from Great Britain. At the time I was too involved in 'other' things to do much building... but now I have a 'space' in the build schedule to fit this one in.

Some background:
The Aerokits Sea Hornet was designed by L.J. Rowell and first produced in the late 1950' / early 1960's by Aerokits of Norfolk, Great Britain. it was distributed by Keil Kraft (of the free flight plane models fame) of Essex, Great Britain.

Many years ago, back in the mid 1960's my Father had an operation on his back and for some occupational threapy (to keep his mind occupied, too) while he had very little mobility he built the Sea Hornet as a present to me. We had some memorable days at the local pond free running the 'Hornet' with a small watercooled diesel motor.

When I moved to the USA from Great Britain, space for the move was at a premium so the Hornet had to be sold... unfortunatly... A decision I have regretted since.

The build part:
When the plan arrived, I realised that as this plan came originally from a kit, it didnt have the bulkheads drawn, so I have had to develop these before I started to cut wood.

Over the last few days, I have started to gather the parts to put a replacement Sea Hornet together. The brushless motor and ESC has been 'donated' from one of my 1/10th cars rather than go to a diesel... I've got a suitable prop tube and prop (Mr Harbor Models is AMAZING!)... and I have started to cut the keel and bulkheads.

This is to become a British version of a Mahogany Runabout.

I've spent the last few days wetting and bending the spruce chine stringers so they take on the form of the boat and make the construction easier.
All I did was trace out the rough line of the stringers and transfer the line to the building board... a few nails on the line and I had a 'form' to work with.

The bulkheads have gone in tonight, and the keel... The transom bulkhead was the only one that needed some 'easing' (I was expecting at least one) as I've had to draw them from the plan and side view.

The lower chine 1/8" x 1/4" (x2) spruce have all been added and I think the shape is begining to appear.

... and..

The hull has been released from the board and the bottom skins added.
I've also made up the motor mounting blocks and installed them in the hull.. the motor mount has been made up and installed after some adjusting the mount to get the motor shaft and prop shaft to line up.
The upper parts of the bulkheads have been fitted as has the angled piece over the breasthook to support the deck.
The deck has been roughed out and soaked in the bath for 1/2hour and clamped down in place to dry, that should make it hold its shape and be easier to stick down when the time comes.

Oh, and I made up a stand from some scrap wood.. and 3 coats of varnish.

By the way, the Sea Hornet now has a name and shall be known as 'Bournville Plain'.

Its the little things that take the time on these builds.
I've made up the motor cooling coil from 3/16" bore AlI tube.
The seats and floor (especially in the rear cockpit) would be a real pain to get in when the sides and deck were fitted, so I've had to make up some of them and fit the rear Cockpit floor. The front cockpit floor I can make removable (by a devious 'handle&#039 😉 , in case I need any ballast added in that area.
The seat 'squabs' have been cut ready for carving and covering.
I've also cut the hatches and bent them ready for when I need them.

"This piece of 1/16" ply you sold me is warped"
One of the sides has been bent and the other side is currently 'under pressure' so it takes on the shape of the hull.

The rear hull panel has been cut and the exhaust pipes made up to fit.. so they dont conflict with the 'graphic'..

I've also decided where the best place for the servo will be, made up the mount and fitted that.

The sides are on, as is the bow blocks which have been carved and sanded to shape.
With the invaluable assistance of Mrs Toes, the deck was also stuck down and shaped..

The hatches have been made and fitted, both for the engine compartment and the rudder / servo compartment. The engine compartment hatch still needs the air scoops / air outlets made up...
The spray rails have been added...
I have started on the seats with some balsa....

I managed to spray inside each compartment and the undersides of the hatches.
The forward cockpit floor has had its antI slip flooring added and the 'forward / reverse' lever.
I've started on the veneer planking.....

.. and after much gnashing of teeth and carefull sanding I end up with something like this...
1/4" wide mahogany planks and strips of black plastic as 'caulking'..

Why didnt I just draw It on the ply with a sharpie?...