Designed by Vic Smeed in 1964 for the Magazine, Model Maker. Plan No. MM812. Found plans for free on internet and decided to build it as I did not have a vintage motor boat in my collection. Did not like the cabin so redesigned it. Powered by a Johnson 600 motor,2 * 7.2v 3300 mAh battery, 20 amp Mtroniks Viper Marine Controller and a 45mm dia course 2 bladed propeller. Goes really well.
Fitted trim tabs which finished the boats performance. Tested in rough weather and got 20 mins running on a fully charged battery.
Purchased this from Ashton Model Shop at it closing down sale, what a sad time that was, been used using it man and boy, Airfix kits were 2 old shillings 10NP to 12s and 6d (62.5NP) Boeing Superfortess, mind you pocket money was 5/- (25p,) then when old enough got a Paperboys job 13 shillings a 6 day week (65NP), extra for Sunday. Back to the TID she sailed brilliantly all session at Ethrow Park. That is until run down by my Brother David's yacht, even though I'd moved it to what I thought was safe distant, power giving way to sail etc, when he tacked straight into her, tried to dodge but TID not the fastest of the mark. He swiftly got the rescue boat out and after two attempts we got it back, a quick rush to parks gents and a blow over of ESC and receiver with electric hand drier, soon had her running again, but still need a scrub to rid her of lake silt :-)
This was a very beat up and plain model when I bought it , but has cleaned up well . Original Power was from a Torpedo 850 and heavy 12v 7Ah lead acid battery giving run times of around 20 minutes of plod along performance . Now however Boat is powered by Thumper motor and 4 cell Lipo's giving over an hour of entertainment . Cut's a fairly mean wake too . Needham lake in Suffolk is it's home surf 👍
I'm lucky, I still have an MFA Piranha half finished, with a 540 motor in it.
Not quite finished. And an MFA Spearfish still untouched in the box.
I used to have a Spearfish with a Irvine 61 in and run great. Used it for many years on both Blackheath pond and Clapham Common long pond. Finally had to bin it 😭 after about 20 years due to quite a few run ins with the concrete pond sides 😯 . Still have the engine. But will hopefully put a brushless in the new one.
MFA Avenger / Spearfish. I'm running my Avenger on the Thumper type outrunner motor with a 45mm X prop (only because it was on from other motor useage). What's anyone else using on the thumper. Just put a 50X on, but the pond's frozen 😭 so haven't tested it. 😟
HI heres my thunder tiger ATLANTIC POWER BOAT, with a water cooled brushless motor & ESC,dose 25 miles plus had it 12 months still flys named it annie after my wife, I all so have a saint tropez cruiser. 😀
iam building a model trawler scratch built using fibre g
lass hull was moulded by models by design powered by 385 mot0r driving 35 mm 3 bladed prop wheel house is just set on since these photos gunnel cappings have been fitted made from 4mm oak hull has been stained and varnished starting to take shape this boat was built in 1948 in portavogie codown for my uncle john and my dad
was powered by a 66 k3 kelvin diesel used for seine netting scallop fishing and long lines will post more photos in near future skiboo
Sometime around 1968 I found a small set of drawings, about A4 size, for Sct. Knud in (I think) Ships Monthly. So I enlarged to 1:32 scale and made my model plank-on-frame with GRP overcoat. She is powered by a 6V Pittman motor driving a self-made scale prop and 2:1 gearbox. Steering is effected via chain and quadrant as per prototype! Everything bar the anchor, anchor chains and steering chains is self-made using a variety of materials (brass, plastics, 'Perspex', and copper electro-deposited cowl vents). Recently I fitted her out with LED lights: interior, navigation and working. One might notice that I abhor a working boat looking like "Daddy's yacht" and so I apply custom dings, stains, oil spills, scratches, wear and tear to my tugboats 😀 My Knud runs as well today as she did 45 years ago and in all that time has only needed one repair to her gearbox!
This is the Metcalf kit and it has taken approximately two years to build!
It had its maiden voyage on Monday 8th July.
It is powered by two Speed 720 motors and a 12 volt battery.
It is sailed on Cheddar Model Boat Club lake in Somerset.
HI All,
Thought you might like to see some pics of my RTTL. 35" long and built from the Vic Smeed plan. She is powered by 2 belt driven 480 motors with 2 speed controllers and 2 7.2 NiMH batteries. Based on the boat stationed in the Maldives in the 1960's.
Dave.
My model of Soclaine (MGS) Built in 1985. Trawler kit originally called le Zenith 1/24 Scale. My name change is in memory of our beautifull daughter who went to heaven just over four years ago. Anyhow model is beautifull on the water powered by Como MFA 919 Series Electric Motor.
All power is from a lead acid 12 volt battery,lights, running gear . Using a simple set up of two channel Planet T5 Radio.
I sail the boat at Rutherglen Boat Club Glasgow. The weight of this boat is really awesome and I kept adding lead untill it was nearly Impossible to lift,must be getting soft in me old age.. 👍 lol Deck crane is made from odds n ends and an addition..IAN
Dear friend Dennis
Your kind words mean so very much to us and we thank you most sincerely for such a kind thought..Yes our wee lass was truly the gentlest kindest human being you could Imagine..See her here http://cheryl.hamilton.muchloved.com
Built for the MMI Solar Boat Challenge a number of years ago and includes the winner (Amber Sol-air !) that had to complete as many circuits as possible of a canal system constructed out of household guttering in a fixed time. (the gutter naturally limited the size - loa, beam and draft). All built out of depron from my own head - with enough left over to build several more ?!
There are a number of ideas for propulsion - all powered by solar panels, no batteries. The pool is 12 feet diameter and great for boats of this size.
MMI ran the event in three different forms over two seasons (arond 2007/8) - a circular gutter track with as many circuits as possible and also 3 circuits in shortest time, then drag racing - straight track knock ot competition.
As far as I know they have no plans to do more. They were great fun and pulled a lo of interest, incuding from youngsters because they were simple and cheap - but actually delivered!
I have a number of build shots the Clyde Puffer build that I'll post.
RAF High Speed Launch, speed 400 motor,Mtroniks Viper 10,ESC. 7.2v 3300Mah, model is 22".Scratch built, from photos and my own drawings scaled down and modified from my aerokits fire boat, I get about 15 minutes on the water running time on full speed.
What great photos.I've just logged on here this morning and find all these treats! Excellent stuff-and you must know yours to work up your own drawings- thanks for posting these pictures.
This model was scratch built from US Coast Guard plans. The boat is constructed of balsa wood and the hull coated with fiberglass resin. All the deck gear is scratchbuilt from brass, the propellers, led's and figures are the only commercial parts. Scaled at 3/4=1 foot the model measures 42 inches in length.
It's powered by a Pittman 12 volt motor and controlled by a 4 channel radio. Working features are running and spot light, siren with flashing blue light, sweeping radar antenna and deck lights. Built in 1985 the model the lifeboat is accurate in appearence for that time period.(The prototype has been modified since).
The actual lifeboat is attached the the Coast Guard's Motor Lifeboat School at Cape Disappointment and is one of four boats of this class.
