Scale models are the only way to see in 3 dimensions how long-gone vessels looked, so it's great to see a unique model that represents this class of vessels.

And great to have it showing its paces.

Well done.

Great job of restoration! it's a fantastic model.regardless of type.

Still sailing on the Orwell. Great to see

:HI modbot

I like it. Very creative enlarging it by 150%.

From my knowledge of the Keil Kraft range this should be somewhere around the size of the Mermaid or the Cresta etc.
I remember the Otter Tug and the Terrier M.T.B also from the Ezeibilt series as well as all the Marinecraft balsa models, eg the Police Launch, Tern, Cormorant, and Thornycraft M.T.B.

Last time I saw a Curlew on the water was in 1961 on Coronation Park Lake in Crosby when I was 8.

I had a Victory industries Vosper Triple Screw Express Turbine Yacht at the time. it was an R.T.R plastic thing, 20 inches in length and powered by a Mighty Midget turning the three props via an elastic band and costing a kings ransom for the four U11 batteries which expired quickly.

Despite the triple screws and the immaculate plastic hull,
in terms of the performance the Curlew left it for dead especially when it came to speed and satisfaction.

The mind boggles when I think of all those balsa models of decades ago and what can be done using 21st century technology i.e motors batteries, ESCs and affordable r.c equipment.

Have loads of fun with your Curlew and I hope it inspires many others to follow and build similar models.

Regards Boaty:

Thanks for your comments, I have built the Terrier, Mermaid and one other in addition to the Curlew, I didnt carry on with the other one whose name escapes me because I felt it was too narrow in the beam. Personally I think the Curlew and Mermaid are the best of the group.
I dont think Mermaid would take rough water even though I sailed it on Loch Ken when I was on holiday up in Scotland, using small motor, Mtronics speed controller od 10 amps it copes with the weight rather well. I did make an en;arged version but I wasnt too thrilled with how it looked when enlarged, so no further work was done on it. I've also made the tug boat Beaver and even enlarged that to 150 %...its enormous..:-) The original is a nice little thing...I've made use of a lot of cardboard and balsa skins on these models. its my personal effort with re cycling of materials, as they say what is one mans scrap is another's raw material.

I'v made 4 versions of this boat Curlew, I did one at 75% of original, 125%, 150% and now I'm in the process of making one at 200%, plus the original size.
I've made quite a few of these models using cardboard as used by photographers, and then skinned in Balsa plus tissue and dope, so they are sealed from the effects of water. The twice normal size is being made from plywood and balsa wood, I'm also doing a Tortola sloop, I havent seen any drawings other than a line drawing which I got from the magazine and enlarged, so the model is roughly 27 inches in length and 8 inches beam. I've fitted a motor but it will have sails as per original. Not sure about the deck layout so I have employed modellers licence, not having a proper drawing. it has balsa planks on bulkheads which are plywood as is the keel. I'll post a photo of the two boats....as I am working on each one doing a bit at a time. One thing I found with the Eezibilt models was the keels always seemed not deep enough. So I used to add a little...

Brilliant model collection of the past RNZ Navy vessels. very realistic setting. Particularly like HMNZS Otago (F111).

👍

These look fantastic all together like that , job well done 👍

All due respect! I thought a model that's 1 meter long was big! WOW 👍

All models have their own character, the only limitations are ones own mind, at seventy I am still hopefully expanding. Happy sailing

OK thanks Paul, I' building "Dauntless" 49" Twin .46 ASP marine Nitro. Everyone says it is way over powered but they have no idea that Rothchild liked to drive his flat out at 50mph---scale speed would not look very fast at all but according to Dumas they put K&B .40's in the first one off the production line and it looked wonderful. 😊
Here in Tasmania we are less fortunate with hobby shops so we are always on the look out for a "Fixerupper"
Cheers and a Happy Christmas,,, if you are still allowed to say that word 😰
Mike

OH dear You should never bin an engine no matter what state it's in Someone will always take it off your hands. For spares repair etc

Great video I like the chuff & Hiss, what is she powered by?

hi,
as I have already answered a similar question on paddleducks, splush the sound of blades, hiss sound is generated electronically steam unit, connected in series with ESC engines (another Lulonga model page 4 there)