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Model Boats Website
RAF crash tender refurb
53 Photos · 38 Likes · 45 Comments
Boat Length
34" (86.36 cm)
Motor Type
Brushless
Drive Type
Direct
Props
Single
Battery Type
LiPo
Battery mAh
3Ah (3,000 mAh)
Prop Type
2 Blade
Prop Size
35mm
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73
Hey folks, I know this subject has been done before but I thought I would share some images of a refurbishment I am undertaking of a 34” RAF crash tender (maybe Aerokits?). I am doing this one for a friend of mine and I picked up the boat about three weeks back. It wasn’t in terrible condition to start with but the paintwork and installation layout did leave something to be desired. The previous owner was also clearly a fan of milliput as well but this was not up to the job of holding the propshaft in as I discovered the hull filling with water when I floated it 🙂So far I have:
Stripped the hull back to bare wood
Fully glassed the outside
Resin coated and painted the inside
Made new motor, battery and servo mounts
Reset the propshaft and rudder
Added new spray rails
Am building new cabin roofing
Primed the hull exterior (pics showing it fully painted were before I went to work on it with Paint stripper, which was a horrible task!)
Some of the hatches have been made
Cabin roofing painted
Have started repainting the hull
Will add more pics as it develops in the coming weeks…
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AlessandroSPQR
Mick2435
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Harwind
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Colin H
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Scratchbuilder (
 Vice Admiral)✧ 40 Views · 1 Like
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Chris.
Nice one. Great pictures and she sails really well. A good project completed. Regards Bill. ▲
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Trident73
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10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
 Midshipman)✧ 46 Views · 3 Likes
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having said earlier this week that it would be November before I could test the crash tender, I managed to get out today. All was well and she stayed dry inside the hull… phew 🙂
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AlessandroSPQR
PeteJev
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Scratchbuilder (
Vice Admiral)✧ 56 Views · 2 Likes
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Chris.
Absolute credit to you and all your skills and hard work. Your friend will be over the moon,! I would be 👍👀 Regards Bill ▲
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AlessandroSPQR
Trident73
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 65 Views · 5 Likes
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Well I think I am pretty much done now. It will be November some point before I am able to deliver her to my mate who owns her and asked me to do the restoration. At that point we hope for some decent weather for the test run and then I will post some video. Thanks for your interest so far folks!
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PeteJev
DaveWhittaker
Colin H
Scratchbuilder
AlessandroSPQR
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 flaxbybuck (
 Captain)✧ 60 Views · 2 Likes
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Wonderful selection of photos Trident.
Keep up the good work. 😉 ▲
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Trident73
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 76 Views · 2 Likes
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Whilst I am waiting for the paint to dry on the forward cabin roof 😴. I made the searchlight functional. A prewired smd micro LED (6v) from ebay drilled into the searchlight and fixed with CA glue. I will line the back of the light and the insides with self adhesive foil tape from a hardware store to act like a reflector.
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PeteJev
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇺🇸 RobW1 (
 Able Seaman)✧ 72 Views · 5 Likes
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Nice work! Restoration is one of my favorite aspects of this hobby. Love to see the step-by-step photos.
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AlessandroSPQR
DavidW3
Trident73
RNinMunich
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 91 Views · 2 Likes
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Thanks Bill! 👍🏻
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AlessandroSPQR
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Scratchbuilder (
Vice Admiral)✧ 79 Views · 2 Likes
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Chris.
Looking good. Regards Bill ▲
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AlessandroSPQR
Trident73
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 91 Views · 7 Likes
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Added the roof and also the mast I made earlier in the refurb. Also made a few small cleats from glassfibre sheet which will ultimately help keep the RAF standard hoisted. I was going to try and make a folding mast but it all seemed a bit fragile so it is fixed instead.
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Colin H
PeteJev
AlessandroSPQR
DaveWhittaker
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Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 96 Views · 5 Likes
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I agree, SLEC is a good bet. Also for portholes, railings, nav lights and various other bits then modelboatbits.com is where I shop. I also notice that the shop on this very site carries many parts.
I was talking to the guy at the Slec stand at the southern model show this year. He said if you need just specific parts cast from the fittings kit then to give them a call. For modelboatbits see: ▲
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10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Scratchbuilder (
Vice Admiral)✧ 87 Views · 4 Likes
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Morning.
There are various suppliers but try Slec.uk. Please see photographs attached. Regards Bill 
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mclarenmike
Colin H
Trident73
PeteJev
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 mclarenmike (
 Leading Seaman)✧ 82 Views · 6 Likes
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I am doing a similar job. Where did you get Your accessories
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DaveWhittaker
DavidW3
RNinMunich
Colin H
Trident73
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Doogle (
 Commodore)✧ 86 Views · 2 Likes
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She's certainly coming along nicely, well done with what you've accomplished so far 👍
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Scratchbuilder
Trident73
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Scratchbuilder (
Vice Admiral)✧ 89 Views · 1 Like
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Trident.
A great weekends work. Looking really good as you progress. Very impressive. Regards Bill. ▲
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Trident73
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 98 Views · 6 Likes
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Been busy this weekend and it is really starting to come back together now. I feel like I am on the home straight…
Got to work on fwd cabin roofing next weekend… 
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DavidW3
Colin H
DaveWhittaker
PeteJev
Doogle
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 103 Views · 8 Likes
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Not sure if this is going to work but I have started chopping up some fibreglass sheet with a view to making the mast for the crash tender…
Lots of tiny parts held together with cyano and accelerator. 
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DavidW3
Colin H
DaveWhittaker
PeteJev
Doogle
AlessandroSPQR
Len1
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich (
 Fleet Admiral)✧ 97 Views · 3 Likes
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"Not just models tools and all sorts of other junk as I'm now 73. "
Tell me about it BOATSHED! At just turned 72 I've got a cellar and half a kitchen/workshop full of the same mix plus a stash of over 60 kits🙄🤔 Don't have anyone here to flog it to. Only MBC in the vicinity went the way of the Dodo about 20 years ago. 😎 ▲
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Trident73
Colin H
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 105 Views · 6 Likes
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Was trying to figure out how to make a passable representation of a chain pipe for the anchor chain. I decided to solder some brass tube to a brass washer, drill a hole it it and then build up the top with p-38 filler and round it off by rubbing down….
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DavidW3
Doogle
RNinMunich
BOATSHED
Scratchbuilder
Colin H
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 BOATSHED (
 Lieutenant Commander)✧ 101 Views · 4 Likes
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Only just seen your post. When I joined this site it was a RAF Crash Tender site. Then it changed too all types of model boats so it's great to see a Crash tender being shown again being refurbished. I will be watching your rebuild with baited eye's. I was first started on model boating on my 9th birthday in 1959 with an Aerokit's model for my birthday, and they have been in my blood ever since. I have several Aerokit's models but sadly no Crash Tenders now. But I do have a 27" shrunken version that I have done from an original on that I sold recently. I am getting het from my family that I should be selling thing off as I am getting too old now as my collection of things is bulging in my sheds. Not just models tools and all sorts of other junk as I'm now 73. I will be watching your build though. 🤓🤓
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RNinMunich
Scratchbuilder
Colin H
Trident73
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 108 Views · 8 Likes
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Well I’m happy with that!
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10 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 117 Views · 1 Like
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Thank you dave976. Very useful and much appreciated 👍🏻
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BOATSHED
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 dave976 (
Captain)✧ 129 Views · 9 Likes
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Hi Trident73
Here are a couple of pics of the Vosper original drawings showing the details you seek dave976 
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RenatoS
DavidW3
DaveWhittaker
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RNinMunich
Trident73
PeteJev
Scratchbuilder
Colin H
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11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 121 Views · 3 Likes
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@petejev many thanks for the info and photos, they will indeed help. When the portholes I ordered arrive then I’ll install all four as you have done. Thanks.👍
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BOATSHED
Scratchbuilder
Colin H
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Wez (
 Warrant Officer)✧ 119 Views · 4 Likes
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Very nice you have done the Vosper proud
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BOATSHED
Scratchbuilder
Trident73
Doogle
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 126 Views · 2 Likes
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I agree with Scratchbuilder, that is a great looking example.👍
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BOATSHED
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Scratchbuilder (
Vice Admiral)✧ 127 Views · 3 Likes
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Colin.
Absolute beauty. I wish I still had mine. I regret selling and am on the lookout for one. Regards Bill. ▲
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BOATSHED
Trident73
Colin H
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)✧ 118 Views · 8 Likes
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Here is my original aerokits 34" crash tender. Built it with my dad 59 years ago.
Rebuilt twice, but still my most cherished boat and always a favourite for the kids. Cheers Colin 
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DavidW3
DaveWhittaker
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 PeteJev (
 Master Seaman)✧ 120 Views · 6 Likes
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Hi Trident re the port holes on early kits - below is the original Aerokit box cover which clearly shows the portholes. However the plans and elevations only show the location of one porthole on the side of the wheelhouse. I have installed the full set of portholes using preformed brass/glass units to the correct scale. Hope this helps. Pete
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 132 Views · 4 Likes
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Didn’t have a lot of time this evening so rather than rush some painting I made a deck fitting in the form of a Samson post…
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BOATSHED
Scratchbuilder
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Colin H
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 135 Views · 4 Likes
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@davidk that is interesting to know. I had wondered why there were no portholes. I am planning on adding some though. I had a feeling this was a pretty old boat as I suspected it had been partially refurbished at least once before judging by the two layers of painted markings I discovered as I was stripping them off at the start.
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11 months ago by 🇦🇺 StephenT (
 Recruit)✧ 127 Views · 5 Likes
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I recently acquired a 34" crash tender. AUD40 on facebook and identical to one I built as a kid 55 odd years ago. Its pretty rough with several of the bulkheads completely delaminated and its going to be a major project to bring it up to an acceptable standard. Once I get going I'll start posting.
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Trident73
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11 months ago by 🇬🇧 davidk (
Recruit)✧ 128 Views · 4 Likes
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Dave Keech of Ellesmere Port. I refurbished an RAF Crash tender 10 years ago and it was almost a total wreck. It was the 34 inch model dawbed in yellow paint with most bits missing apart from the hull and part of the superstructure. The one Trident has just refurbished is actually one of the early ones like mine and if you see the area just below and also on the front of the bridge you will see that there are no portholes. This indicates it is one of the early models from Aerokits possibly late 1950s or early 60s.In those days most of the kit parts were cut out by hand.
😀😀 ▲
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Colin H
Trident73
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 139 Views · 6 Likes
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Managed a fair bit today including a ‘test float’ to work out where the waterline will roughly be…
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DaveWhittaker
BOATSHED
Colin H
Fred
davidk
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11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 142 Views · 5 Likes
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Just rested in place at the moment, but not too shabby if I say so meself 🙂. Used a bamboo bbq skewer for the rail and the fixing points are from scrap basswood left over from a past kit.
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Fred
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11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 144 Views · 6 Likes
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These are a pain to make… only need 16 😀! They will be the fixing points for the rails on the rear cabin roof which I think were used to hold scramble nets. I don’t have an actual plan to work from so I just want to say a universal thank you to everyone who has at some point posted a pic of their own crash tender on this site as your pictures are a great reference source.
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DaveWhittaker
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Colin H
PeteJev
Fred
Scratchbuilder
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11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 148 Views · 3 Likes
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Thanks for all the likes folks. Got to admit this one is growing on me. Until this came up for sale and my mate asked me if I would sort it out for him I hadn’t considered a fire tender before but I love the lines of her and it is a real joy bringing her back to life to sail again.
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Colin H
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11 months ago by 🇬🇧 PeteJev (
Master Seaman)✧ 144 Views · 3 Likes
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Excellent pictures they tell the full story. I hope my fireboat will be as good. 😊😊Pete
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BOATSHED
Scratchbuilder
Trident73
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇺🇸 BarryS (
Warrant Officer)✧ 150 Views · 3 Likes
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I enjoy seeing a well worn project reincarnated.
You are doing a very good job on it! Barry ▲
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BOATSHED
Scratchbuilder
Trident73
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11 months ago by 🇬🇧 flaxbybuck (
Captain)✧ 149 Views · 4 Likes
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You've made an old man very happy seeing the love and care you are giving this boat. The transformation is happening in front of our very eyes, thanks to your great collection of progress photos.
Keep up the good work, and keep us informed please. 😉 ▲
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Colin H
RonBMK2
Trident73
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Doogle (
Commodore)✧ 160 Views · 2 Likes
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Will be following this with interest as well 👍
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Trident73
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 neilw (
 Lieutenant)✧ 183 Views · 4 Likes
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Excellent, good to see another one being sorted out.
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Colin H
Scratchbuilder
RNinMunich
Trident73
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 PeterJ (
 Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 179 Views · 7 Likes
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Nice to see an old style build coming back to life.I have the 46 inch version that I am very pleased with (looks good on the water with working fire hydrents)
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Colin H
RonBMK2
EdW
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Midshipman)✧ 186 Views · 2 Likes
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Just an update with a top tip I discovered…. To strip old paint off the white metal fittings I tried soaking them in Lidl’s Parkside brand universal thinners. Worked fantastically well. One of the images above shows the fittings after that treatment. And a couple of them have been re-primed as you will see in the picture
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RonBMK2
Colin H
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 months ago by 🇬🇧 Scratchbuilder (
Vice Admiral)✧ 183 Views · 1 Like
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Trident.
Lovely looking project to follow. 👍👍Well done. Regards Bill. ▲
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Trident73
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