Yup - that’s it in a nut shell Will, they both need to be run together on the same water and at the same time to give a direct comparison.

…….but, my money is still on the Rapier!

I have very fond memories of my Swordsman and its impressive performance, but the Rapier (a boat whose appearance has never done much to win my favour) really has very good performance and handling.

There will not be the opportunity to test both models “head to head” in the open sea to replicate my off-shore race with the Swordsman back in 1970 as I no longer fancy standing in the back of a high speed Bonito chase boat in a 6ft swell just to prove a point.

To be fair it was not a comfortable experience then when I was a lot younger and is not one that I would be happy to repeat aged 76.

I might still be quite mad - but maybe not quite so brave, so the head to head testing will be restricted to water that I would actually drive the boats on now — not in the past.

In my dreams the Swordsman would thrash the ugly duckling (Rapier)……..but no one would be more surprised than me if it did.

Bob.

I guess you memories are of a model boat that took all that you threw at it in it's stride, so finding another that does the same was always going to be a tall order.
As you say, how the Rapier etc performs and copes with 'the rough stuff' that it would encounter off shore, who knows.
But like for like on the slightly calmer waters of a lake, you've found yourself something equally as good, possibly even better.
I guess that the proof will be in the pudding, as in once you have a Swordsman built up and get it's bottom wet, you'll have a more direct comparison.

FF Will 😁

You will have an unexpected treat when you drive any of your LesRo Rapier/Javelin/Streaker models for the first time Will.

Like yourself, I am a dedicated Fairey Fanantic (FF) and remember the exciting races with my Aerokits Swordsman as being the ultimate Classic Model Power Boat driving experience.

……until the first time I tested my restored Rapier following the Covid lockdown.

I never liked the Rapier when it first came out and only bothered to restore this ugly looking thing when I was stuck in lock-down with nothing else to do!

The outstanding performance of the Rapier (after I had restored this first one) came as quite a shock to the system, and for a long time I was in denial that it could be anything like as good as my Swordman was…never mind being just as good.

Now I have (reluctantly) accepted that it actually performs BETTER than my Swordsman ever did on club waters……but I have not raced it in the sea……..so maybe my beloved Swordsman is still better in the open seas……..?

FF Bob.

I am looking forward to experiencing the models of yesteryear, and how they perform, but mostly actually finishing at least one 🙄

Will

As a LesRo fan, I am always pleased to see as many examples of them as I can, so it is good to see your Javelin (or possibly Streaker - who knows?).

Yours is another one that was built without the strakes - I am actually starting to think that the later kits did not show these strakes as the supply of triangular hardwood strips dried-up so none could be included in the kits.

I guess there was no point showing them if there was no wood in the kit to make them with.

You will love driving your Javelins (or Rapiers) when you get around to it - they are quite possibly the best handling Classic Model Power Boats that I have ever driven…….and I have driven an awful lot of them over the last 60+ years!

Bob.