Question of the Day?

A real mess.

5 hours ago by 🇮🇹 AlessandroSPQR ( Fleet Admiral)

Website Related

And Now For Something Completely Different

Lew, you have a good selection there. Partly because i was late to the hobby I have enough on my plate with the boats and my Tamiya Unimog and other hobbies. A neighbour, who was partly the reason for my getting into model boats, is also interested in trains, including a garden layout, and planes. He has offered to teach me to fly on more than one occasion but I have resisted! I nearly built a plane though, when helping to look after my mother but didn't in the end.

6 hours ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)

Hobby Chit Chat

Tools

Having mentioned the drill chuck and screw driver set earlier I had a use for it today! Needed to drill a very small hole through the end of a paint brush I was using as part of the throttle assembly - it was ideal to start the hole which I then completed using my small battery drill and the chuck.

6 hours ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)

Building Related

I Hate Painting!

Well, it's more of a love/hate relationship as I like the result when it turns out well, but I find the process frustrating! 🤔 Case in point is the roof of the Faun I'm working on. I use good quality International Paints enamel and primer-undercoat and brushes. Couple of coats of primer-undercoat followed by a couple of coats of enamel and all well so far. Followed by what I was hoping to be the final top coat. When dry it looked pretty good apart from a piece of air-borne detritus which had landed on it. Should have left it, but no I decided to rub it down and give it another coat. Result was that I rubbed through the gloss slightly on the top of the curve of the roof. Thought it would be Ok but it wasn't. ☹️ Also there was what looked like lots of bits in the paint or maybe inclusions? Ahhh! 😠 I do use a tack cloth. Not air-borne as the "bits" were appearing as i was painting. So I spot primed it followed by a light sanding and gave it another coat. Result is that it looks even worse as you can see the enlarged primed area and still bits even though a new brush and can of paint, even more ahhhh! I know it's user error but it is so frustrating. I've painted a few hulls now, not perfect but generally good results and found the white easier than the blues where the primer-undercoat has to be very uniform if a good result is to be obtained. I much prefer working with timber and metal where I am more in control and mistakes, if made, can usually be rescued more easily. With the roof I am probably going to have to almost start again by primer-undercoating the whole roof and enameling again. 😭 Chris

7 hours ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)

Building Related

Sailing barge sails

Rick It appears that in this photo there is a ruler of sorts? Using it along with the fill size ruler, measure the following: Foot Head Luff Leach Send a photo of this when done. Ron

7 hours ago by 🇨🇦 Ronald ( Fleet Admiral)

For Sale/Wanted

Nigel Trafford-Jones

Hi Zippy, I have read your message on here and sent you a private message which hopefully might help. Regards, Gary.

8 hours ago by 🇬🇧 GaryLC ( Captain)

Hobby Chit Chat

Sprite

I won't show any pictures of the thumb, but this is the device that chopped a lump out of it ! This is very good sharp clean cutting little plane that made light work of trimming away the keel and the doublers ready to fit the bottom skins. The small accident was my fault entirely, I was trying to hold the frame of the boat against my chest with the left hand as I was planing it with the right hand and obviously failed to control either the boat or the plane adequately. Not to worry, most of the woodwork washed up OK with clean cold water and so "alls well the ends well" as they say 🙄 Bob.

11 hours ago by 🇬🇧 zooma ( Rear Admiral)

Building Related

Early Radio Control Experiences

As far as RC gear, I had a Derek Olley switch job which was excellent. Then an Acoms set and possibly another. Then I saw the Micron 6 ch. 27Mhtz FM kit. I bought and soldered up a 6 ch. Tx. and a rx. I subsequently made 3 more rx's and also converted the servo o/p sockets to current type. At the time the Futaba rx. was all tuning coils and my one was 'difficult' The Micron rx. was excellent and easy to set up and use. This was all 27Mhtz FM and I have a few pairs of crystals for FM. When the 35Mhtz band came out I bought a 27Mhtz FM Futaba M3 with rx. lovely thing and still use it. The rx. not so good. The FM Futaba rx I sent off for repair to a specialist company for repair or to get it working. Putting a note with the Rx that it was 27Mhtz. I got it back quite quickly but it did not work. I phoned the company and told them and also said it was tuned to 35 when I has specifically said it was 27. The guy at the other end hotly denied it and went on a bit about the company etc. I let him finish and asked him, "Did he want the 35Mhtz crystal back that was in the rx.?" It was retuned after I sent it back but it was nowhere near as good as the Micron one. Roy

14 hours ago by 🇬🇧 roycv ( Admiral)

General Resources

Motor Mounts

I generally 3D design and print my own motor mounts, servo mounts and most everything that goes inside the hull. The photos are my Graupner "Dusseldorf" fireboat under complete rebuild (if I can get back to it). Even if you buy motor mounts you still need to fasten them to something. This method (3D work) is easier for me. Temporarily hold the motor(s) in place, take measurements, then make the mounts. Lew

20 hours ago by 🇺🇸 LewZ ( Vice Admiral)

Building Related

Double Jointed Universal Couplings

Have you tried TEMU as they are really good with both quality (check any referrals on the products) and delivery, certainly to New Zealand. Cheers Ian

1 day ago by 🇳🇿 IanL1 ( Midshipman)

Building Related

How do you create the coiled ropes?

I created a very short video on rope coils hope it uploads OK. It should explain how I do it. I think with a bit of luck you can finish off the coils in different ways. I have used this jig on a number 72 scale models. Bob

2 days ago by 🇦🇺 BobbyN ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)

Building Related

Animal and nature photos to enjoy.

Incredible, what a spectacle! Thanks for sharing.

2 days ago by 🇩🇪 Wolle ( Commodore)

Non-Hobby Chat

A little bit of luck

Sure, I only play the timpani these days, no set work anymore but I do have arthritis in my hands and can’t always play as well as yesteryear.

2 days ago by 🇨🇦 Ronald ( Fleet Admiral)

Hobby Chit Chat

Dutch sailing barge

Made a little more progress. The prop shaft has been fitted and works, even had a quick go in the bath. The sail and rudder servos have also been installed, seem to work ok. The next stage will be the standing rigging, before making some paper templates for the sails.

3 days ago by 🇬🇧 AndyB2 ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)

General Resources

Back to Model Boat Building (replaced 3D printers)

Thanks for the kind words Mike. Still sorting things out in our home but my modeling is gradually picking speed. Tonight my 3D printer is busy making accessories to stoe tools properly as well as repair work on the tanks and boats. I still have not made any videos in over a year (before the hurricane). Lots of catch-up things lay ahead. Lew

4 days ago by 🇺🇸 LewZ ( Vice Admiral)

Website Related

Post-Scotland inspiration

Getting there!

4 days ago by 🇨🇦 Ronald ( Fleet Admiral)

Hobby Chit Chat

EMYC Annual Dry Dock Dinner & Annual Swap Meet

Hi Dave, I'm interested in sailing ship models from the second half of the 19th century. I'm interested in the entire deck fittings and rigging. I'd prefer gaff rigs rather than square sails. I thought you might have photos you haven't posted, so if your search is difficult or you have to spend a lot of time, don't worry; I don't want to bother you. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and your generous support.

4 days ago by 🇮🇹 AlessandroSPQR ( Fleet Admiral)

General Resources

Model Boat Show

To far for me to wish was a show over nearer to suffolk norfolk would be great Philuk👍

5 days ago by 🇬🇧 PhilH ( Lieutenant)

Fairey Swordsman Plans

Hi Ron I bought a few off Ebay a few years ago to use in my 1:12 scale Fairey builds. They aren't too bad but some of them are still a bit cartoonlike. I will still see if I can get some better resin or 3D printed ones. They are Fisher Price Loving Family Doll figures.

6 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)

Hobby Chit Chat

Question of the day

This one takes me back to when i was first married my father in law bought one of these home he was given it as he walked home from work, i could not understand what it was all about but always remembered it, that was a fee years ago . As my wife says they cant take your memories away happy days. Philuk👍

7 days ago by 🇬🇧 PhilH ( Lieutenant)

Hobby Chit Chat

HMS ILLUSTRIOUS

Sorry not much detail , London & Liverpool 2009/10 also Talin 2008 Would love to see any pics of your model progress.

7 days ago by 🇬🇧 philcaretaker ( Commodore)

Building Related

Dickie harbour tug

What am I missing here? So it's pretty much done ready for birthday😍 changed the rudder servo from a mini to full size one, the small one was struggling. Fitted a better water pump motor, and managed to work out a way of turning mast lights on and off, with a switch, and using a button to operate the pump. I had to seal the deck and hull with silicon as it was leaking, so hope nothing fails inside I doubt the hull is coming off again! I'm still working out the best battery, the issue I have is balance, it rolls very easy. I've tried extra weight in the hull, but it sits low in the water already, and I've moved everything low as it was top heavy. Not sure if more weight in the hull is the answer, any thoughts on this welcome? 4 year old fingers won't feed the rudder in nice and smooth like 63 year old ones! He will slam it over😮 https://youtube.com/shorts/bK2rJblNg20?si=DwcJrJv87Hz87vK3

7 days ago by 🇬🇧 pmdevlin ( Lieutenant)

Building Related

Andrea Gail

Hi,I shall probably brace it each side with either steel,wood,brass or carbon Fibre and then if I’m not happy will go down the glass road. The Model is made by Billing which is supplied by my Favourite supplier in the UK. CORNWALL MODEL BOATS not sure if they ship abroad though.

7 days ago by 🇬🇧 randhbarker ( Leading Seaman)

Building Related

How many revs do you need on a brushed motor for a 32" model

Nice looking craft, well done and very authentic. Cheers Ian

7 days ago by 🇳🇿 IanL1 ( Midshipman)

RC & Electrics

Tug Amsterdam (by Billings?)

The box had "Amsterdam" on it but I have not seen it on the net. Lew

7 days ago by 🇺🇸 LewZ ( Vice Admiral)

Hobby Chit Chat

RFA Sir Galahad

Hi, has anyone ever built a model of RFA Sir Galahad as it was during the Falklands War? A good friend of mine, a former Welsh Guardsman, was onboard this ship during the conflict and would like a model of it, static or rc. Or a set of plans to build one.

7 days ago by 🇬🇧 AdrianS ( Able Seaman)

Building Related

Workshop

Well things have on slightly but had a spanner in the works i have an old problem with my shoulder, in our old bungalow i managed to tear a tendon in my right shoulder which has been causing a lot of pain, i managed to get the doctor to inject around where they think the tear is but have had a bad reaction to the steriod ending in being in even more pain than i was in before so no play for me , just hoping it will settle in a couple of days😁

9 days ago by 🇬🇧 PhilH ( Lieutenant)

Hobby Chit Chat

Guess I will be building a Springer

Lew, thanks for the interesting article and your comments. I am not too bothered by the Springer specifications as there are no other springers in our club. As usual I have got a bit sidetracked during my research😁 and due to available materials started on another pusher tug while I get the materials for the one in this blog.

9 days ago by 🇬🇧 EdW ( Commander)

Building Related

Need help identifying

Yes, ALL brass. I think it was home built by the previous owner who was a machinist by trade. Design similar in some ways to a Stuart 501 but also with some differences. I will post more as I get it cleaned up and pressure tested

9 days ago by 🇺🇸 algon ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)

Building Related

Converting floor models?

As I did with my C-2 Cargo ship "Pacific Trader"...dremel, chisel, and row to your hands bleed and your back aches Mike!!! 👍😉

10 days ago by 🇺🇸 jumpugly ( Admiral)

Hobby Chit Chat