Hi Scotty, motor wise i would say a 600 size with gearbox to bring the revs down and the torque up, old style tugs had large props, so i would think 60-70mm if that fits into the hull. MFA do belt drives and the motor etc,

Mark

I need to get an electric motor and digital speed controller which gives it a realistic movement of an old steam tug, any ideas or tips would be appreciated. I will start a build blog soon

👍👍

I'd go with Eze kote to seal first. it's water based so easy to clean up after, it's waterproof when dry, fuel proof and easy to sand. I've recently used it to re seal a diagonal planked hull I built 30 years ago and it's like new. You can then apply whatever type of paint to finish

Doug
In the UK batteries are now mostly couriered as you are correct in thinking Royal Mail have made life difficult.
HobbyKing are now somewhat better in the UK but you do need to check from which warehouse they are shipping.
You do seem to have problems in Germany that don't affect us in the UK.
Just to clarify the UK is not isolating from trading with anyone.
Your saying certainly reflects the current talks.

Scotty
Sorry we seem to have hijacked your thread. I saw details of the kit and it certainly looks a nice model.
I look forward to following your build blog
Dave

Hi Mark, exactly or 'Zo is' es!' as the Bavarians say! (So is it!) 😉
Sometimes RM don't even stick to their own published rules; e.g. Lixx batteries built into equipment, e.g. a Navi, with only one unit per package.
Apparently they just destroy it willy nilly anyway! This is an advice I have seen on several UK supplier sites.
We got a bit Off Track here didn't we???
Good night from Munich, Doug 😎
PS: another German saying: "Warum einfach wenn es geht auch kompliziert?" = Why make it easy when it can also be complicated? 😡

PS: last time I made the mistake on HobbyKing of not checking which warehouse the stuff was coming from German customs doubled the price for me for a shipment from HK😡 never again, nowadays if it ain't in Holland, or UK until you guys isolate yourselves🤔; I don't buy it.
cheers Doug 😎

Sorry Doug, I meant the customs coming into England, the fees here are silly if you get caught!!! DHL and DPD handle their own transfers, Royal Mail hands the item to Deutsche Post, i think at the Frankfurt hub. As for "High risk" items, batteries, chemicals etc, DHL and DPD have specialist handling agents, RM and DP dont, so they just ban anything they dont like.

Mark

Hi Mark, Deutsche Post is not the arbiter of carrier charges here!
In my experience, either way between D and UK, DHL and DPD are the most reliable and quickest with international Tracked and Signed incl. insurance.
Latest example was the PT Boat I bought from Basil's dad!
All charges including insurance were 14.95 and it arrived in two days!!
The value was well over 25 quid and the German customs didn't bat an eyelid. I've bought several items from Component shop and Micron Radio, each order over 25 quid, all came via DHL in a few days with never more than 10 quid P&P, and the German customs never interfered.
Royal Mail and UPS are the most expensive, take much longer (ca 5 to 10 days) and are much more finicky about what they will transport. Worse; if they don't like something, e.g Lixx batteries or paints etc, they just destroy it and hard luck mate! 😡
Oh, and Fedex from the States seems to attract unwelcome and expensive attention from customs here 🤔 So if I see 'Origin USA' on FleaBay or Amazon I look elsewhere! (America First!!)?
Moral: check which carrier the supplier uses or specify your preferred carrier where possible. Many suppliers offer a choice, found under 'Delivery information' or similar on their website.
Cheers Doug 😎

Thanks guys, your assistance is very appreciated.
I will start a builders blog soon,
The Sanson is in a kit artesania latina 1/50 scale and I will be constructing as Radio control

Hi Dave, confusing isn't it?? Charges are a factor of sales, such as Hobbyking eu. they send a lot of items so get a massive discount, probably don't charge for packing etc, smaller companies seem to be in Germany have astronomical charges, like you say far more than the item costs, possibly Deutsche Post have a different charging policy for overseas, eg us!!!

As to the weather, CRAP!!! hoping to sail my new Fireboat tomoz, fingers crossed

Mark

I cannot understand why I can buy from some EU suppliers with reasonable carriage charges, whilst others charge an arm and a leg. All arrive by UK post so whilst I agree there are charges for items over a certain level it is not consistent.
Even the items with postal charges from China/HK etc are a fraction of the cost.
Just a though but if the postage is greater than the cost of the product shouldn't the VAT be reduced to reflect this LOSS of value?😊
Its raining and more forecast. Not looking good for sailing tomorrow.
Dave

Hi Doug, Common market, Common charges??? NAH, each postal system cross charge into their system, UK Customs charge +. £8 surcharge/ handling charge by Royal Mail.
Just as a point, Customs don't bother with charges below about £25 so don't order multiple items above that level, even if you cop extra postage it will still be cheaper than RM surcharges

Mark

Hi Dave, Yep. I'm also sure they must have something similar.
Re: Common FT Market; surely that only affects tax and duty?
Mark is right about the commercial companies.
Some firms seem to use fairly small, obscure ones with low volume! Some the most expensive - like UPS🤔
Also; many carriers appear to make surcharges on 'dangerous items' like paints, resins and such. Many refuse to carry them, e.g Royal mail, esp. across borders!
That's why I had to find a German distributor of the Schneider / WEM ColourCoats paints. Snapped up the last 5 tins of MTB Green in Germany apparently 😉 cheers Doug 😎

Dave M. China post subsidize ebay sellers, that's why they are so keen to have 5* feedback, if they have poor feedback they loose the free post, euro postage is by commercial companies and cost is down to the amount of items they send on a monthly basis, the more they send the cheaper it gets

Mark

You could well be correct but I do believe they have lots of pools in Aussie land so probably have a similar product.
I cannot understand why shipping costs between the UK and Europe are so expensive when we are in a so called Common Free Trade Market. it's cheaper to ship from China or the Far East to the UK.
I am hoping Scotty will start a build blog.
Dave

Hi Dave, I'm sure that Bondaglass is excellent. Unfortunately they don't have a distributor in Australia🤔 Shipping cost quoted to Germany is 11.95 which doubles the price of a can. To Austria, just down the road from me, they quote 33 pounds!! For Australia the info is 'Contact us'!
I checked that Deluxe materials have outlets in Australia and found two 😉
Cheers Doug 😎
PS lovely woodwork, would be shame to hide it 😆

Hi Scotty
Welcome to the site.
Just had a look on the web about Sanson Tugboat see pic.

As you intend to allow the planking to show I suggest you use G4 Pond Sealer (Bondaglass Product) on your hull after you have sanded smooth to shape. You can also use on the inside. it's a polyurethane type so can be easily brush applied in thin coats and sets rock hard as well as being totally waterproof. You can overpaint if you carefully roughen the surface with wet and dry paper. Once the colour is dry and any decals applied you can apply a final coat of G4 over the whole hull and it will be protected against the odd knock etc.

As Doug says acrylic is easy and pleasant to use for the upper works and can be sealed with acrylic clear lacquer, I find silk works best on a scale model.

Sounds like an interesting project is it a kit?

If you start a build blog we can watch your progress and you will be able to ask for help and advice as the build progresses.

Please keep us posted on progress.
Enjoy the build
Dave

Hi Scotty (How are the dilithium crystals doing? 😉)
Was expecting one of the vintage boat / Fireboat modellers to jump in here! Since no one did here's my two-pennyworth.
Basically I consider the actual paint as cosmetic and not primarily to seal out water. Unless you want to use 2 part epoxy paints, which are not so easy to handle🤔 I used it on my U26 sub and it was pain in the you-no-where.
First I would use sanding sealer inside and out.
Then EzeKote or ClearKote inside and out. Especially where you want to let the planking shine! 👍 From Deluxe Materials - available Down Under from - see pic. this toughens the hull and gives added protection against knocks and bangs.
Many of us then paint the inside with Hammerite, colour and texture, hammer or smooth etc, personal choice. This looks neat and is easy to keep clean.
Out side acrylic is the easiest and most pleasant to use; water based so the painting tools are easy to clean with warm water and no dangerous to health or inflammable solvents. Easy to airbrush too😉
When the colour coat is finished and good an' dry you can then apply an acrylic clear lacquer coat, matt, silk or gloss as you wish.
Hope this helps, cheers Doug 😎