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Model Boats Website
RAF crash tender refurb
52 Photos · 36 Likes · 38 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
25 days 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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jbkiwi
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hermank
Colin H
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
11 hours ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
 Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 5 Views · 0 Likes
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Thanks Bill! 👍🏻
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11 hours ago by 🇬🇧 Scratchbuilder (
 Rear Admiral)✧ 6 Views · 1 Like
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Chris.
Looking good. Regards Bill ▲
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Trident73
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
15 hours ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 8 Views · 1 Like
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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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Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
3 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 25 Views · 3 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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mclarenmike
Colin H
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
3 days ago by 🇬🇧 Scratchbuilder (
Rear Admiral)✧ 26 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
3 days ago by 🇬🇧 mclarenmike (
 Able Seaman)✧ 25 Views · 3 Likes
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I am doing a similar job. Where did you get Your accessories
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Colin H
Trident73
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
6 days ago by 🇬🇧 Doogle (
 Lieutenant)✧ 34 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
6 days ago by 🇬🇧 Scratchbuilder (
Rear Admiral)✧ 34 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
6 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 34 Views · 5 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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Colin H
DaveWhittaker
PeteJev
Doogle
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
12 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 46 Views · 7 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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Colin H
DaveWhittaker
PeteJev
Doogle
AlessandroSPQR
Len1
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
12 days ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich (
 Fleet Admiral)✧ 52 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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12 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 49 Views · 5 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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Doogle
RNinMunich
BOATSHED
Scratchbuilder
Colin H
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
12 days ago by 🇬🇧 BOATSHED (
 Sub-Lieutenant)✧ 50 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
13 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 58 Views · 8 Likes
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Well I’m happy with that!
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DaveWhittaker
PeteJev
Doogle
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dave976
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boatmam
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
14 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 70 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
15 days ago by 🇬🇧 dave976 (
 Captain)✧ 78 Views · 7 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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DaveWhittaker
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RNinMunich
Trident73
PeteJev
Scratchbuilder
Colin H
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
15 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 76 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
16 days ago by 🇬🇧 Wez (
 Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 85 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
16 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 84 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
16 days ago by 🇬🇧 Scratchbuilder (
Rear Admiral)✧ 89 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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Trident73
Colin H
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
16 days ago by 🇬🇧 Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)✧ 84 Views · 7 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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Remove Ads 💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
16 days ago by 🇬🇧 PeteJev (
 Master Seaman)✧ 85 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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Trident73
Scratchbuilder
Colin H
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
17 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 92 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
PeteJev
Colin H
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
18 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 95 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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PeteJev
Colin H
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
18 days ago by 🇦🇺 StephenT (
 Recruit)✧ 95 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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DaveWhittaker
BOATSHED
Colin H
Scratchbuilder
Trident73
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
19 days ago by 🇬🇧 davidk (
Recruit)✧ 97 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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BOATSHED
Colin H
Trident73
Scratchbuilder
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
20 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 101 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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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
21 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 106 Views · 4 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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Colin H
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Fred
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
21 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 108 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
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
23 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 113 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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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
23 days ago by 🇬🇧 PeteJev (
Master Seaman)✧ 115 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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Trident73
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23 days ago by 🇺🇸 BarryS (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 119 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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Scratchbuilder
Trident73
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
23 days ago by 🇬🇧 flaxbybuck (
 Lieutenant Commander)✧ 122 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
24 days ago by 🇬🇧 Doogle (
Lieutenant)✧ 134 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
25 days ago by 🇬🇧 neilw (
Sub-Lieutenant)✧ 154 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
25 days ago by 🇬🇧 PeterJ (
 Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 154 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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DaveWhittaker
Colin H
RonBMK2
EdW
Scratchbuilder
RNinMunich
Trident73
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💬 Re: RAF crash tender refurb
25 days ago by 🇬🇧 Trident73 (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)✧ 154 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
25 days ago by 🇬🇧 Scratchbuilder (
Rear Admiral)✧ 158 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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