Was happy that the primer coats where dry enough to mask and get the blue on! Will defo leave this overnight to set firm.

In the morning before bed will give that promised coat of laquer then later in the day will add some white trim line. Don’t know yet, but might add a very thin white line between red and blue at top of hull. Just thinking it will give a good separation between blue and red. Can always remove if it looks naff!

Have started to make 30 stanchions from 3mm brass tube. All have a tiny brass screw at the top and a tiny section of 3mm brass tube soldered into a filed groove 35mm down. 4 stanchions either side of the hull have a brass 2mm brass support post.

10 completed 20 to go!

After over 24 hours of paint and laquer setting time, have this morning before bed (on nights) added the white trim line and RNLI flags. As I said in a previous post, adding a thin white line between top red and blue is not seen on the real thing, however I feel it gives a nicer finish and therfore is staying! RNLI flags at the stern are probably not on the orginals either? at the end of the day, this is never going to be 100% scale, but my interpritation on the classic lines and if I am honest after 30 years of building RC Aircraft ect, I have enjoyed building this as much if not more than anything in the past. Simply because it started with a set of plans and a set of inacurate templates and the hours are starting to pay off in what I hope will look good on the water, that moment is at worst only a couple of weeks away?

I have ordered some smaller gold lettering for the name as the stuff I have is too big and will look stupid, that may well arrive today? Once the rubbing strake has been fitted this week the hull will be all but done apart from the deck fittings. Stanchions almost finished, will finish those tonight at work.

Ive started thinking ahead to my next project? I was considering the plan featured in the Nov Model Boats Mag "Fairy Huntress 23", then i stumbled upon a set of plans and templates for the old Veron Vosper RTTL 28 inch which I bought. This being made of balsa and ply I consider it to be about the same weight and performance when finished to the Huntress. So on that note I will be including the same electric set-up as the huntress. This means going back to Brushless and LIpo, a subject I am more than familiar with. All electrics ordrered from Hobbyking and will collect on Tuesday as I live 3 miles from them! Reasoning behind this model is I am in the Military and like Military stuff, thefore prefered over the civillian Huntress!! I shall base my Vosper on the example displayed at RAF Hendon.

Lettering arrived today and has been applied, really starting to take on some personality now!

Today has seen the rudders, rudder servo, receiver and first bow bulwark fitted.

First job this morning was rudders and servo. I have used a long servo arm to get as much throw as possible on the rudders and spares from my Aircraft RC box for pushrods, clevices etc. Rudders turning in correct direction with good deflections both ways. I havnt used any expo as would be the case with my aircraft figuring that smallish rudders on a big boat will need big input responces to get her to turn. will adjust at the tranny if required.

Have made a good start on the bow Bulwarks. My method was a sandwich of 1.5mm ply with a 1.5mm balsa infil between. This allowed curving to the shape of the hull with ease. I have added varios bits of trim to give it some life including spruce strip reinforcments on the inside, a piece of litho plate over the hole and plasticard trim on the top surface to finish it. At this point I managed to scalpel my finger whilst triming leaving blood on the balwark!! The Bulwarks are of a sufficient thickness to allow the stanchions to be mounted ontop of the balwarks as per the real thing. Plan to finish all Bulwarks tomorrow and hopefully start adding deck details like bollards etc.

Last job of the day was glossing the stanchions which are now ready to install.

Another good day of detailing before light stopped play! Have now got 3 out oif 4 of the Bulwarks fitted, sanded and sealed ready to prime, will do the last one tomorrow after work.

Have also fitted the fore and aft Bollards and side cleats. Have also drilled and test fitted one side of the stanchions which I am delighted with, really starting to look the part now.

So, all thats left now is the final Bulwark, drill for remaining stanchions then prime and paint the deck, Bulwarks ect. Then final coats of laquer before adding the stanchions, wash boards and the various rope work, anchor ect. Another week or so inbetween work should see it finished!

Had a couple of hours of good light after work so cracked on a bit more.

Finished the last Bulwark and all the splash boards (if thats what they are called?), sanded and sealed.

Last job of the day was to spend some time masking the whole hull leaving just the deck available for a few coats of Halfords grey primer which will be the final deck colour.

No more work until saturday now, but next thing is to continue masking leaving the Bulwarks available for spraying white. This to be followed by stanchions, rope work, anchor and some weathering before a final few coats of laquer (Less the deck that will be matt varnished. Still a few jobs beyond all this inc bath test and ballast as required and a few other bits n bobs, but she's getting there!

After beck paint dried overnight, spent an hour painting the deck boards before alit of masking followed by spray painting the bulwarks.

I have installed the stanchions. Tomorrow will see any areas of touching up required (tip- if using rattlecans, gently spray some into the cap which can then be used for touch ups, clean brush using cellulose thinners) and then final coats of laquer.

After all this it will be on with the final fittingbif rope work and s few other bits n bobs

I between running the local fun run and making an mdf Christmas tree for my wife (don’t ask!) I’ve managed to push on to almost completion.

Lacquered again first thing this morning followed by stanchion ropes, rubbing strake and one side of hull ropes.

Not able to do anything else until Thursday and Friday as on a course for 3 days, but all being well will be finished by Friday!

So, 1st day back on the Solent since the weekend. She is all but complete apart from a bath leak check and ballast if required. A couple more coats of varnish/stain on the stand and that’s about it. Following that will be the lake and hopefully some nice video!