Response

Re: US1 meter, lockdown build #4.......

Looking forward to seeing this progress. Sailing an older IOM homebuild over here in Aussie and love the boat. I think there are a lot of new boats almost ready to hit the water, just waiting on the go-ahead.

4 minutes ago by peterd

Forum

Swimming

... and it's not even April 1st!!😮 I reckon Martin's beginning (🙄) to go 'Stir Crazy'. Like me 😁🤣 "Going quietly bonkers"😆 😎

12 minutes ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Swimming

Hi Guys, I have just heard on the radio that the local swimming pool is now open. But because of social distancing there will be no water in lanes 1, 3, and 5. LOL!!! Martin555.

2 hours ago by Martin555

Response

Re: ARTUR Fishing boat

You're right Dave👍 A Czech company. The model is of a Norwegian fishing boat and I believe that the building instructions are in German and Norwegian only. Can't help you with Norwegian but if you get stuck I can translate from the German for you. There's some vids of building and sailing her on You Tube; e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfuZGBvMk2g https://www.google.com/search?q=Igra+Artur&client=firefox-b-d&ei=g-IOX8vKM4bzkwWIr5qQBw&start=0&sa=N&ved=2ahUKEwiLmOH-jc_qAhWG-aQKHYiXBnI4ChDy0wN6BAgLEDI&biw=1920&bih=949 I'm sure there's been a previous Blog/Thread about this boat on this site as well!? BTW: the flags at the top of the box lid are the International Signal Flags for ARTUR😉 Cheers, Doug 😎

24 minutes ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Electronize speed controllers

Oh I spent nothing. All bits from my stock which limited choices. I reckon the bits could be bought for about 8 pounds.

23 minutes ago by SeamanCook

Forum

Electronize speed controllers

Does anyone have the details or know if you can still get an electronize speed controller repaired. Grateful for any info. Regards Kevin

13 days ago by kevinsharpe

Forum

Electronize speed controllers

I tested it between 10 and 6 volts. For the boat it was destined to be fitted in I use 7 NiMh cells because it has a small prop, and is not too fast. So 9.8 V at start and I count full discharge at 6.5V on load when one cell dies rapidly. The components are rated 15V. The H bridge fitted is over the top really. It would easily do 20A or more but a silly heatsink as fitted has the advantage of making the 4 MOSfets rigid and a short term total overload would be survived; with the S/C protection fitted its nearly bombproof. Its a learning exercise! If I wanted low volt capability I would use bipolar transistors. It took me two days part time to build, but that included a lot of thinking time. It is on veroboard but second time round is faster. The mechanics such as heatsink drill and isolation are always fiddly. However after a first proto is going one always thinks of simplifications. And omissions. This is a data latched design. There is no demand ripple, its one of 16 speed choices. Literally one good command pulse will set it going. For ever! Idiot here did not put in a watchdog circuit so that the boat will stop if RF is lost. I've had no probs but I intend to be safe not sorry. Hope that answers the main questions. I am going to draw things up neatly so copies possible in time.

25 minutes ago by SeamanCook

Forum

My New Build - Milford Star

Thanks Pete,👍 I'd forgotten those🤕 Handy thing with Shapeways is that the guys who print them can usually rescale to the size you need - within reason! A word of warning! ALWAYS go for the Fine smooth plastic version. The 'Frosted' versions have a slightly rough surface which needs smoothing with acetone or dichloromethane, which can also remove some fine detail.😠 How do I know? ... ☹️😭 😎

1 hour ago by RNinMunich

Forum

My New Build - Milford Star

My wife has said that I have too many boats already (0nly 16) but during this Covoid 19 issue I was getting bored with working on the house and garden so after a chat she says "why not build another boat ?" Quick, she might change her mind so I didn't waste any time and ordered a Caldercraft Milford Star trawler at 1:48 scale from Cornwall Model Boats (delivered next morning). So made a start and here are a few photos of progress to date. Hull cut to shape, ballasted out (barring minor final adjustments when finished) and now planning where to install all the electrics. I only do a couple of hours working on her each day (no, not the wife !) and no need to rush. Will update on progress as and when.

3 months ago by ads90

Forum

Geared pump

Hi Rick, Which pump is it? There are several Graupner Geared pumps with different arrangements. Generally though, geared pumps are self-priming and reversible. So shove on a couple of lengths of pipe, connect a battery and try a test with a bowl of water. Suppression: The pumps use brushed motors (usually ~360-380 size) so they need suppression of brush sparks to reduce potential RF interference. You don't need to buy an expensive filter from Graupner. Probably not available anymore anyway. All you need are 3 capacitors; 2 x 10nF (=0.1µF) and 1x47nF (=0.47µF), connected as shown in the attached pic. The numbers in brackets are the markings on the capacitors. Correct type is flat ceramic. Many model suppliers sell Suppression Sets of the three capacitors, e.g. Krick. DO NOT USE ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS, i.e. marked with + and - leads. They can go 'POP' 💥 if reverse connected😮 Cheers, Doug 😎

1 hour ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Geared pump

Going threw some box's cleaning out I found a Graupner pump after reading the instruction's hose connection it said B is for inlet and D is for outlet but I don't see those letters on the pump any one used this pump know which one is which. The instructions also call for a suppressor filter part #3361 to use this pump will I need the suppressor filter . Rick

11 hours ago by Newby7

Response

Re: Lunch

Thanks Martin, it’s what makes it fun, and brings it to life.👍 Graham93

2 hours ago by Graham93

Forum

Electronize speed controllers

Hi Proof of your excellent knowledge and application. How would you rate your esc i.e. What max voltage and Amps could it manage ? How much do you reckon you spent and rough build time? Regards Kevin

2 hours ago by kevinsharpe

Response

Re: Lunch

I really love all these little details Graham, Martin555.

2 hours ago by Martin555

Blog

Lunch

Following suggestions from Colin, and from Doug, I took pity on Bionic Bill and made him some lunch before his next trip out. The flask is made from a short length of 12mm acrylic tube and bits of plasticard. The 'sandwiches' are a block of wood wrapped in foil - sorry Bill, not very tasty 🤣. The bottle was a challenge. I hadn't been able to find one at the right scale, so used another piece of acrylic tube. One end was plugged with a length of acrylic rod and then turned on the lathe to produce the bottle neck. The bottle was then part filled with alcohol from the base before a piece of clear acrylic was glued on to seal it. The full sized bottle label was photographed and reduced to 1/6th scale before printing onto a self adhesive label. Apples were moulded from 'polymorph' - a plastic which becomes like plasticene when heated but sets hard when cooled. (Useful for making moulds). I considered making a cool box, but decided a wooden crate would look better, and was easier to make. While I was making lunch, I also decided to spoil Bill and give him a radio to row by. Made from plasticard based on a 'Roberts' design, with a photographically reduced control panel. The telescopic aerial is brass tubing in two diameters. It doesn't actually work ...... yet 😁

2 hours ago by Graham93

Blog

Row, row, row, yet another boat

In response to Martin's call for more blogs to help see us through the isolation brought on by Covid-19 I thought I'd start this one. For a while now I have been thinking about building a rowing boat. I like the idea and the challenge trying to build something that moves using oars and looks right. There are several videos on YouTube. I especially like the attached one. But where to start? I have been collecting materials over the past few months but haven't started to build anything yet. The plan is to control the oars with servos and electronics, two servos on each oar. A microchip to control the servos to give the rowing motion and to allow control of speed and direction. 'Throttle' and 'rudder' inputs from the radio gear. As for the dingy I have found the attached plan which is a possibility if I scale it down. The rower will be an Action Man (acquired from ebay for 99p!) so the dingy scale will be around 1/6 to suit the rower. That is as far as I have got. Anyone here with experience of this sort of model? I would welcome advice from anyone who has tried this sort of thing. Is the dingy plan I found a good starting point or is there a better way? Can I simply scale the plan down to 1/6 by reducing all the dimensions pro-rata, or is there something I'm missing?

4 months ago by Graham93

Forum

Swimming

Dear Martin. Oh dear.😂😂😂😂🤦‍♀️🧜‍♂️🦆🦆 Bill

2 hours ago by Scratchbuilder

Forum

HMS Cornwall

Thats the one missing

2 hours ago by AndrewTurpinSnr

Forum

HMS Cornwall

Good day, I had a MB magazine which had an article of the Cornwell. My Dad was a gunnery officer on her during the was and I would like to have that history. My brother in Australia is very keen on Dad's time during the war and I promised to send him the article but have misplaced the magazine. I would appreciate a feed back. Thank you

3 days ago by AndrewTurpinSnr

Forum

HMS Cornwall

Thank you for your trouble I would appreciate receiving the email. I found an interesting article on google by an engineer officer who was on the Crornwell when she went down in April 1942. Fortunately my Dad must have left in Mombasa after she docked to refuel. He never spoke much of his wartime experience.

2 hours ago by AndrewTurpinSnr

Response

Re: ARTUR Fishing boat

That look like a nice little project. Good luck. Martin555.

2 hours ago by Martin555

Blog

ARTUR Fishing boat

Have just purchased this old kit that was going to be skipped after a house clearance. It's an all wooden construction so a lot of fret and jigsaw work. I think the kit is from the 80's, made in Eastern Europe.

3 hours ago by davejw

Response

Re: US1 meter, lockdown build #4.......

Great that you are in a place to continue your hobby. I look forward to your progress as I have never seen a racing boat build. With respect to shutdown, here in Scotland it has taken four months of lockdown to drive inflections to single fiqures. Today we can now go to a restaurant, pub etc. However things are not normal. Wearing of masks, social distancing , etc. Anyway keep safe.

4 hours ago by Hillro

Forum

My New Build - Milford Star

Many thanks Pete - these look even better.👍 Alan

4 hours ago by ads90

Response

Re: HMS Repulse.. Refit.

You definitely have a big job on there, but a man with your skills and talent will soon lick this into place. Martin555.

5 hours ago by Martin555

Response

Re: Yes, still building....

Nerys, I continue to be impressed by your sailing knowledge, particularly as my only experience is with model sailing boats, so thank you very much for the lengthy explaination. I will have to study this issue further before I can give you an answer as to the Star45 yacht. Regards, Joe

7 hours ago by Joe727

Blog

US1 meter, lockdown build #4.......

Starting a new build as Covid 19 rages in the USA due to lack of national leadership. Looks like I will be in lockdown for many months to come. I beat Cancer stage 4, but have no control over political insanity, so I will just stay put at home and make yet another yacht! In the past I have built several US1 Meter racing yachts, but when fighting cancer I gave them away to friends so as not to burden my wife. Having survived it's time to get on with life so I will build a new fleet! I had such great success with the laser cut frames from StevensAero on my 45 build that I ordered the "hull 16 frames designed by Magnus Clarke" from the same source. Some shots of the sheets received today, fast shipping! Pulled out the building board from my 45 build and cleaned it for this new build. May have to modify it due to the narrower US1M, we will see. Keep busy and stay safe! Joe 😎

8 hours ago by Joe727

Response

Re: Yes, still building....

Hi Joe. Flexible spars, are what they say, mast and boom flexible enough to put a bend in them when sailing. The idea being that one can flatten or make the sail fuller as one is sailing. Bending the middle of the boom downwards would flatten the sail and enhance performance to windward. Likewise the mast. It really started with a Professor Ljundstrom, I think that was how his name was spelt.in the 20's and 30's who developed curved masts to give a better aerofoil shape. Several classes, particularly in Scandinavia adopted this style of mast, the 22sq.mtr. and 30 sq.mtr were two examples. They were long lean boats and there was one, a 30 called Tre Sang competed in Royal Ocean Racing Club events for a few years in the late 40s and 50s with considerable success. Back to bendy rigs, I think the Star was the class in which most experimenting was done, but several dinghy classes also had a go. I sailed Snipes in the 1950s which were almost a mini Star but with centreboard rather than fin keel, there was a lot of playing around with their rig. The mast for example was stepped on the kelson, but had a large hole for it in the deck and with very loose shrouds it bent about all over the place when sailing. The whole rig looked as if it was leaning forwards on a run. A number of single handed dinghies have unstayed masts that bend considerably. Think Finn, OK, Contender, Laser and many others. Hope that explains a little. Cheers, Nerys

8 hours ago by Nerys

Response

Re: HARTLEY FLARELINE, NEW PROJECT

I'm guessing you have a lot of clamps then Mike😂 ? They are quite strong for what they are (if a bit thin) and a lot cheaper than paying $1.65 ea for the common cheap red tipped ones from the hardware super stores. I'm surprised no one makes a clamp like these I've modified for modelling. I've searched everywhere on line (engineering, boat building etc) but nothing. I've been modelling since the 60s and never seen anything like it. I'm sure you'd be able to knock some nice ones up with your gear if necessary, as these beat rubber bands hands down. Leak the idea to the Chinese and they'll have them out in days😂 JB

8 hours ago by jbkiwi

Response

Re: Forward Torpedo Tube Compartment.

Hi Martin, Very nice beds, looking great. Cheers, Stephen.

9 hours ago by stevedownunder

Response

Re: DKM U-Boat Type VIIC U-552

Hi Martin, That is one big kit at 1.4 meters long!! Modern plastic kits are quite incredible the level of detail is amazing. Cheers, Stephen

11 hours ago by stevedownunder

Response

Re: HMS Repulse.. Refit.

I agree Bill, WOTTAMESS!😮 The deck looks awful, apart from being tatty, the planking should never be fitted simply end to end with no offsets🤔 Apropos fittings detail: Don't know which era the model is supposed to represent but here's few pics to be going on with. Still trawling😉 The two huge scale pics are from Haifa July 1938. (Quelling the Arab Revolt!). The two smaller, darker pics are from Singapore December 1941, arrival showing stbd side, and departure showing port side. Good luck👍🤞 Cheers, Doug 😎

15 hours ago by RNinMunich

Forum

HMS Cornwall

Now Doug has done the hard work in finding the correct mag Andrew, I will endeavor to find it and email you with the relevant pages.😐 Cheers, Pete

13 hours ago by Rookysailor

Forum

yet another yacht

just picked up a R36 yacht photos soon

13 hours ago by jacko

Forum

Promotion

Hearty congratulations on your promotion to Midshipman Bill, keep building⚓🏳‍🌈🏳‍🌈 Cheers, Pete

13 hours ago by Rookysailor

Forum

Promotion

Chris B, Nice to see you have made "Master Seaman." Keep up the good work. Martin555.

13 days ago by Martin555

Directory

Sea Princes

At 23 inches long .... who washed his sea commander its shrunk, deck and fittings in the next few days now with my first attempt at planking the deck

1 year ago by jacko

Forum

picture

i have boats in my harbour that i have moved on how do i delete them please from there found the dustbin thanks

13 hours ago by jacko

Forum

picture

How do I put a picture in my profile box. Rick

10 days ago by Newby7

Directory

Thames lighter

maybe the 1st of many

8 months ago by jacko

Directory

push tug

still work to be done

8 months ago by jacko

Directory

Pilot Boat

Old Lesro kit from the 60's, of a Pilot boat seen around many harbours, nostalgia at it's best. Powered by inrunner brushless motor with water cooling, was never meant to go this fast.

10 months ago by Rookysailor

Forum

picture

Hi Jacko, Just go to your profile page, Scroll down to your Harbour, Open the entry for a ship that you have 'moved on', Click 'Edit', Click on the little dustbin / trash can at top left of the Edit window. Zim Zalla Boom💥 Gone😊 Cheers, Doug 😎

13 hours ago by RNinMunich

Forum

HMS Cornwall

Hi Bill, Wasn't so hard once I knew roughly which period to look for. I have had a digital subscription for some years so I just rooted through my 'Library'. Started at August 2019, found nowt and hopped back and forth from there studying the Covers and contents pages.😀 However; the article is mostly about the kit and I suspect that Andrew wants more of the history of the real ship. So these links might be more useful Andrew👍 Happy reading, hope some of it is useful🤞 Cheers, Doug 😎 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Cornwall_(56) https://www.world-war.co.uk/cornwall_loss.php3 http://ww2today.com/5th-april-1942-hms-dorsetshire-and-hms-cornwall-sunk https://samilhistory.com/2018/03/27/a-terrific-explosion-lifted-the-ship-out-of-the-water-recounting-south-african-sacrifice-on-the-hms-cornwall/ https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/1184.html https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html https://ww2db.com/ship_spec.php?ship_id=457

14 hours ago by RNinMunich

Forum

My New Build - Milford Star

Link below to Shapeways which I believe Doug put on here some months ago, look to be pretty good detail.😐 https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace/miniatures/figurines?tag=1%2F48 Cheers, Pete

14 hours ago by Rookysailor

Response

Re: HMS Repulse.. Refit.

It's a beautiful ship Bill, and will be well worthwhile any time you spend on her, the deck replacement will be time consuming, but just imagine what a thrill you will have when YOU have finished it😀 Cheers, Pete

14 hours ago by Rookysailor

Forum

picture

i have boats in my harbour that i have moved on how do i delete them please from there

14 hours ago by jacko

Forum

My New Build - Milford Star

Hi Doug Many thanks for the link - looks interesting. I have built up a collection of figures for my other boats (some spare) that Lemax do for the model Christmas village scenes - they have large fixed displays in our Garden centres at Christmas and when they finish with them I usually ask if I can have some of the people figures as they usually just bin them. Easy to re-style and paint but are mostly about 1:24 and 1:36 scale so no good for my 1:48 requirements.

15 hours ago by ads90

Forum

My New Build - Milford Star

Hi Ads, Here's one possible source- https://www.peoplescale.com/FIGURES-148-and-150_c307.htm Mostly soldiers and airman but with a little modding / repainting they should look quite good. Cheers, Doug 😎

15 hours ago by RNinMunich

Blog

HMS Repulse.. Refit.

Oh dear. Don't you just wish that sometimes you hadn’t started something, but then reflect and think.......It will all come good...I hope !!! Having sorted the main armaments it was time to strip all the deck fittings ready to take off the the awful deck planking. Lots of photographs to record the numerous fittings that I have removed.I do think that I am going to have to get some plans as some fittings are different from actual photographs of the ship. As you can see from the pictures it’s a bit of a mess. One of the problems I have to rectify is that the upper deck has been laid directly on top of the hull with no cross members to support it. This is causing the whole deck to bow inwards. I am looking at trying to strengthen from within, or in a worst case situation I will have to remove the whole deck and start again 😢. Time will tell,as we progress. Keep you posted. Regards Bill.

15 hours ago by Scratchbuilder