Forum

IC Motors

And me. Cheers Colin.

2 hours ago by Colin H

Forum

IC Motors

I have quite a large collection of IC motors that I am going to get rid of. There are both marine and aircraft engines ranging from .010 to 50cc. Some are vintage “sparkles” and have spark plugs, points and coils. Some have their original boxes and paperwork. If you are interested message me and I will send a list of the motors and prices.

2 days ago by EdW

Forum

IC Motors

i think I may be interested as well, please,👍👍

2 hours ago by BOATSHED

Forum

TVR1A Steam Engine.

Royal Enfield Continental GT. This was the last time a saw a mint example of the original 250cc Continental GT at a show in Southport. It was a really nice example that was fitted with the optional factory fairing that was available from Royal Enfield in the 1960’s. Bob.

3 hours ago by zooma

Forum

TVR1A Steam Engine.

I have finally managed to make a little progress on the building front, of what eventually will be an open steam launch. If anyone out there in the ether is struggling with the problem of fitting the forward and reverse servo. This set up works really well, mind it did take a little while to perfect, using a standard size servo wrapped in a full metal jacket of aluminium. As per the photos, which also show the 6mm steel chain, as the prop-shaft and crank-shaft are on different levels.

5 months ago by GaryLC

Forum

TVR1A Steam Engine.

Hi Gary, Thanks for sharing your pictures of the Royal Enfields and the Ariel’s too. The original Royal Enfield Continental GT was a 250cc single cylinder motorcycle that at the time it was introduced was legal to ride with an “L” plate. As far as I was concerned it was the ultimate first motorcycle that was also the best looker too! Several of my classmates that left school when I did bought them new, but as a poorly paid apprentice, I never earned enough to take on the HP payments! I ended up with an old Matchless 250 that I bought for £20 that ran OK but had a repaired rear swinging arm that needed changing ….but was better (IMHO) to than a BSA C11G or possibly a rough C15 that my twenty quad may have been able to buy instead. A trip to a scrap merchant in Bristol resulted in a replacement swinging arm being found and fitted to make the bike “straight ”….but it could never be a match for the Continental GT. The Kawasaki 250cc two stroke triple was the only other motorcycle that I would have liked to learn to ride on (if funds permitted) at the time, although the Ducati 250 Desmo had some appeal too, but by the time I was earning enough to have a choice I was able to buy a car instead so I missed out on owning the Continental GT that I had dreamed about since the day it was first launched. I seldom get to see any Continental GT motorcycles these days, but when I do I always stop to look at them as they have the same appeal to me now as they did back then in the 1960’s. Bob.

3 days ago by zooma

Forum

A new naval project. What to do now?

Yes, you are right it is a schooner and will be a static model. As another distant ambition I thought it be fun to do a scratch built from the various available plans but in a slightly larger scale. I might be wrong but I don't see a problem controlling the main sails (with the boom, small forward, larger aft). I have no experience with the sail servos but I can imagine starboard and port sheets will be running over one only. As one side gets hardened up the other is eased, so some tension is exerted on both. For your benefit enclosed 2 picture of the my Blue Nose present state

18 hours ago by JockScott

Forum

A new naval project. What to do now?

Greetings to all ship modelers! Now that I've finished the ship model that's been keeping me busy for years, I need to decide what new project to begin. I have these options: 1. Restoration of a wooden RC speedboat I didn't build. This should be my first job, but I don't like restoring; I prefer to build from scratch, or at most, build from other people's designs or ready-made kits. That's why I always put it off. 2. Restoration of a static metal model of an Indonesian Navy warship (Laksamana-class corvette), not built by me. This would also be a priority because it's in poor condition, but the same applies to the first one, so this one has been postponed as well. 3. Mast installation for a static wooden model built by me at Kit (Sergal) Mantua Model. This Sciabecco is in excellent condition; after the move, I lost track of it and then abandoned it to focus on projects from scratch. It's worth dedicating some time to it. Moreover, given its size, I might find a place for it, but unfortunately only in the cellar. I say unfortunately because it's very beautiful to look at. 4. Plastic warship from a static kit, possibly convertible into a navigable RC model. Building a warship has always been an obsession of mine because before I started building wooden naval models, I built plastic airplane models, and WWII and modern warships have always been my passion. Even though plastic kits are very simple, painting them will be a lot of fun for me, so this time it won't be so much the pleasure of building them but the final effect. I'm torn between the RN Roma battleship and a 1:35 model produced by Italeri. The only thing holding me back is space. I need to find a model I can store in the basement. 5. Self-built motorboat hull [planing type] from scratch based on my own design. I intend to build a motorboat from scratch out of wood (resin-coated and varnished). The design (which I find very satisfying starting from a blank sheet of paper) will be the product of my imagination. The topsides will initially be minimalist because the goal is to perform various tests on the mechanical and electronic components, particularly the brushless motors. I'll need to find a size and scale that will allow for acceptable space both in the basement and in the car. I could then complete it to make it visually pleasing, as if it were a display model. 6. Hull for a fishing vessel or bulk cargo vessel [displacement type]. I intend to build a hull from scratch out of wood (resin-coated and painted). Again, the design will be a product of my imagination. The topsides will initially be minimalist because the goal is to perform various tests on mechanical and electronic components applied to a displacement hull. As with the speedboat, I'll need to find a size and scale that will allow for acceptable space both in the basement and in the car. I could then complete it to make it visually pleasing, as if it were a display model. 7. RC schooner, with full sails controll. The model will be based on my original design. This is the project that fascinates me and interests me the most. I intend to capitalize on the various experiences I've gained to create a model that's beautiful to look at on static display but highly effective under sail. It will also have to be propeller-driven. It won't be antique, so I won't have too many constraints to follow to make it authentic and faithful to the originals, and I'll be able to adopt more practical solutions (such as using turnbuckles instead of deadeyes for the shrouds). It won't be a warship, so I won't have to go crazy with the cannons, both in building them faithfully to the originals and in removing them every time the deck lids are opened. I would devote a lot of effort to the functionality of the sails and their control. In this regard, I'm awaiting the final outcome of RossM's sailing ship to draw inspiration from his ingenious solutions and ask for advice. Given its size, I think it will remain a dream for a long time. However, I might start drawing it.

10 days ago by AlessandroSPQR

Response

Re: Classic Model Power Boats

Hi Duncan, Thanks for sharing the pictures of your old Sea Commander with us here. Your model has unique features that should help to identify it by anyone that sees it. The metal wave breaker is quite an unusual feature - especially if you made it yourself. Likewise the pulpit that does look really good and suites the shape of the boat perfectly. The transom mounted grab handle and the short additional “side bumpers” that you added to the sides of the hull at the rear are also not standard - although I did see a Sea Commander at our Southport club sometime last year that I remember also having these in the same place! I will certainly keep an eye open for you - just in case this Sea Commander has any of your other features on it that help to identify it as being your old model. I hope your pictures help to locate your Classic Model Power Boat for you. Your pictures have been repeated here as I don’t want them to get lost to anyone reading my comments without them. Bob.

3 days ago by zooma

Forum

IC Motors

Thanks Ed. 👍 Bob.

20 hours ago by zooma

Forum

Question of the Day?

I understand the motion is derived from the way a Porpoise moves through the water, and is called "porpoising". They used the term a lot in Formula 1 racing when they had all that trouble with the aerodynamics. Unlike the oceanographic glider the F1 cars were not doing it on porpoise. Sorry, I just had to say it. 😉

1 day ago by SimpleSailor

Forum

Question of the Day?

Hi All, Given that it's always popular in December (and I've now figured out a way to get multiple-choice quiz questions very easily), how many of you would enjoy a non-competition based fun question of the day, each day? In a similar way to December's one, it'll be on the home screen each day, with four possible answers to choose from. Maybe a rolling leader board and linked forum thread to discuss questions (but not reveal answers until the following day). I know we're talking about at least 365 nautical/shipping/maritime/sailing/boating quiz questions here! But I now believe its possible to put together with little effort 😉 perhaps useful to onboard a volunteer researcher mind, to double check questions and answers before they're made live. So if anyone would like to do that, let me know too. Thoughts on having a Question of the Day? Stephen

3 years ago by fireboat

Response

Re: Pilot House and Barbra Streisand

Doug!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

1 day ago by jumpugly

Response

Re: Donald in the Cockpit

Yessir Ed! They are all going full bore for the K-7's run during the Coniston Week celebrations starting on Monday the 11th. Ian Lazenby, the son of Ernie, who pulled together the first turbine powered K-7 has an excellent video on the Bluebird supporters page as well. I wish I could have managed a turbine for mine, but could not justify the cost, not to mention my total lack of experience with turbines. Unfortunately I have run into a problem with the Traxxas ESC on the K-7 so I it's going back to Traxxas soon for replacement. This seems to be an issue with them. It's infuriating! Bet getting back to Coniston Week, it is rumored that the K-7 will try a "speed run." What that means is anyone's guess. This is a touchy subject as the engineers that salvaged and rebuilt the K-7 and the Ruskin Museum folks who own it don't see eye-to-eye on anything. I am not sure if the engineering team are even involved these days. It will be interesting!

1 day ago by jumpugly

Forum

Question of the Day?

The retractable sail was very fascinating, however, a real stroke of genius.

1 day ago by AlessandroSPQR

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Question of the Day?

Process of elimination bought into play. Only one answer mentioned Wings, gliders have wings so I took a chance. They should have had "wings" in two of the choices, just to make it more of a challenge...😎😎

1 day ago by Nickthesteam

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Question of the Day?

Todays answer is not correct they do not use sails but pitch backwards and forwards to dive and rise causing movement. Philuk👍

1 day ago by PhilH

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Question of the Day?

I did not know that either ,but I thought it was such a clever idea I wanted it to be the answer. Roy

1 day ago by roycv

Response

Re: Donald in the Cockpit

Found this on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/reel/1737705737395723/?fs=e&fs=e

1 day ago by EdW

Forum

Question of the Day?

How are we meant to know the answer to this one.The only reason I knew the answer is my interest in drones and have looked into underwater types during my research into building autonomy into my RC submarine

1 day ago by EdW

Forum

IC Motors

I have had interest on our forum so I will compile a list of the motors with pictures and prices. I will send this to interested parties and will not advertise elsewhere yet to give our members first option

1 day ago by EdW

Forum

Hoist the sails, a new site is on the horizon!

Stephan, your private mailbox is full.

2 days ago by LewZ

Forum

Hoist the sails, a new site is on the horizon!

Hi all, I’ve been working away behind the scenes on something pretty big… a completely new version of the website. This isn’t just a refresh, it’s a full redesign. A modern interface, much faster performance, cleaner layout, and a far more intuitive experience overall. Once it’s live, the current site will feel very dated in comparison. When the time comes, the switch will be a full cutover (including a new database server), so everything moves across in one go. There’s no launch date yet, I want to make sure it’s absolutely right before it goes live. In the meantime, I’m looking for a small group of members to take an early look and give feedback. This isn’t full testing, more about: * First impressions * UI and layout * Design and usability If you’re interested in helping shape the new site, let me know, I’d really value your input 👍 Stephen

3 days ago by fireboat

Response

Re: Real images vs. AI-altered images

More by luck than judgement! It's better at some things than others. 😁 Must stop now!

2 days ago by ChrisF

Response

Re: Pilot House and Barbra Streisand

Admiral Jump, I heartily concur with Ronald👍 Link below gives you the necessary soundtrack. and if you don't put Barbra on board I'll send my U26 after your fleet😠 backed up by the destroyer HMS Hotspur. U have been warned😁 FLEET😎 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDmTGtUPd5g

2 days ago by RNinMunich

Response

Re: Pilot House and Barbra Streisand

Excellent. That confirms my INTEL. Thanks Jump😉 Currently U26 is being loaded with the latest G9 Alka tipped torpedoes and Hotspur refitted with a 'Porcupine MK2' Yogurt thrower😁 BTW; Excellent build thus far. Looking forward to the Sea Trials.👍 Cheers, Doug (AKA FLEET😊)

2 days ago by RNinMunich

Response

Re: Real images vs. AI-altered images

Oh no, my poor boat! 😮 😀

2 days ago by ChrisF

Response

Re: Real images vs. AI-altered images

And you said you weren't good, Chris?

2 days ago by AlessandroSPQR

Response

Re: Pilot House and Barbra Streisand

RN! Although I've never worked with her in my Hollywood days, Some of my friends have. She's pretty tough and not a "walk-in-the-park." She'll give the U26 and the Hotspur a mighty fight, especially if you are serving the wrong yogurt and seltzer!!!!! 😂😂😂😂

2 days ago by jumpugly

Response

Re: Pilot House and Barbra Streisand

You Guys are the BEST!!!!! 👍😊

2 days ago by jumpugly

Forum

IC Motors

im interisted, amdm@aol.com

2 days ago by Jetmech97

Response

Re: Pilot House and Barbra Streisand

Jumpugly. McCandless plans, Moran tug heritage… and a Broadway origin story. That’s a level of cross-discipline research we don’t usually see in tug modeling. 😎

2 days ago by chugalone100

Response

Re: Pilot House and Barbra Streisand

I vote you get a figure and instead of just the tugboat engine noise, add a recording of her singing!!!

2 days ago by Ronald

Response

Re: Real images vs. AI-altered images

Yes, thanks John, as I said it was your timely article that prompted me to have a go having recently thought about it. You are bang on about having to pose and photograph a model well to obtain a good result as otherwise AI will add details which are often wrong. I had this with the windscreens on the roof and small masts which ended up in the wrong place or the wrong shape or both. It is important to photograph your model at the angle you want it to appear in the image to minimise this happening. Another problem I had was my models sitting too high in the water. Instructing it to place the boats lower in the water helped to some extent but then introduced distortion into the hulls as can be seen in the mooring image! It can be very frustrating! 😁 Chris

2 days ago by ChrisF

Forum

Hoist the sails, a new site is on the horizon!

Forgot to mention below ... I also use the 'sneakybonfire' browser😁 Never designed a Website but several UIs for ATE and Communications control.🤓 😎

2 days ago by RNinMunich

Blog

Pilot House and Barbra Streisand

Hello Me Hearties! Moving along on the Brooklyn tug with a base coat on the hull and then I framed up and skinned the main cabin pilot house. Fairly straight forward builds, but as usual there were a few problems with fit, especially on the pilot house, but after all it's a Dumas kit. LOL! However, I will most likely ditch the pilot house and replace it with a slightly different kit-bashed one from a NY Central railroad tug of the same time period. It's a tug I remembered from when I was young and my mom subjected me to going to see movie musicals. In this case I did remember Barbara Streisand taking a ride on a NY Central tug in "Funny Girl" (1968) while she belted out "Don't Rain On My Parade!" Pix attached. Fortunately, I was able to find a set of old McCandless plans of a Moran tug with the same pilot house. I'll give it a shot. 😊 It's amazing the stuff that leaves an imprint on our brains when we are kids. In this case it was the tug and not Barbara. But, I laughed out loud when my wife suggested that I get someone to 3D print me a 1:32 (54mm) Streisand figure! 😉😂

2 days ago by jumpugly

Blog

The Brooklyn Tug

Well my friends, I've gone and done it again. Through some dumb luck I stumbled upon a reasonably priced discontinued bucket-list kit that I've always had my eyes on and took the plunge. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while! The Dumas Brooklyn Tug was one of their best kits and much to my surprise it came with a very strong set of directions...unusual for Dumas in my humble opinion. Be that as it may, it's a large (40 inches) and quite a beautiful kit. The version I was lucky enough to find was the final version before Dumas dropped it. The first version (I understand) from way back in the day was meant to be a plank- on-frame build. But it seems Dumas felt it would not sell well, not to mention the wood production problems it would incur. So they engineered a fiberglass hull that became highly prized to builders. My version is the last version with a PVC hull. The hull is nice, but the two hull molds come with a ton of excess PVC and feel like wobbly bathtub parts coming out of the box. Very worrisome to start, as cutting the mold flanges away was not a simple task, no to mention Bondo and a ton of sanding...yes, with mask on and vacuum at the ready. Next came a heavy inner fiberglass keel inlay, an addition PVC skeg support. Then an outer long false keel is installed with the stuffing box installation...more Bondo and sanding. Uggh. Worrisome or not, the instructions have a tongue-and-cheek feel about them as the writer and engineers slip in comments like "no need to worry" and "now don't panic!" Sheesh!!!! So, after a couple of days of bitching and worry I managed to get the two halves joined and on the stand. The next issue is the PVC deck with the basswood supports. The joining of these two deck halves was not the "issue," but the total lack of wood decking aggravated me. I want a more scale appearance, so I have to have a planked deck! As a result of my own needs I lowered the deck supports 1/8th of an inch to accommodate my planking. I did a scale deck test shot to get an idea of what I'm after. Believe or not, the PVC hull will not be fully "true" until you squeeze the deck halves with the bass cross-members into it. I know, it's weird. So I will trace the deck shape onto paper and do my planking as a side project to begin this weekend. Call me crazy, but my instinct is pushing me in that direction. I am going to give it a go. My wife, Mary is like, "Where are you going to put that one?" "In the water!" I shoot back, "then on the mantle, because it's going to be a like museum scale!" Don't you get it?" I think she's glad I have this hobby...it keeps me from pestering her for other things. 😉 😂 Onwards and upwards and more to follow. Best -- Guy

19 days ago by jumpugly

Forum

Hoist the sails, a new site is on the horizon!

Stephen; unlike the others I have no knowledge of website design. However I do have some beta testing background so perhaps I could help from that perspective. Sounds like an interesting & certainly a challenging project. If I could provide worthwhile assistance I would like to participate in your project. luckyduck’s comment that he runs Firefox for his browser prompts me to include that I run Apple’s Safari. Another OS to test your new site.

3 days ago by Chum444

Response

Re: Real images vs. AI-altered images

Hello Chris F et al, I wrote that article in Model Boats and hope you found it of some value. I have continued to experiment with AI images and have started a 'rogues gallery' of submarines belching black smoke out of funnels, boats with two bows or two sterns, guns poking out from impossible places etc. But it is getting better and just sometimes the results can be really stunning. I find if you pose and photograph a realistic model well and get AI to set it in a scene at sea you get the best results. Funnel smoke and flag positions etc. are best done in a photo-editing program as AI doesn't seem to know where to put them. An historic ship or scenario, for which there are no known photos or only poor black and white ones, can be brought to life again. But it always needs a knowledgeable person to vet the result and ensure there are no AI-inflicted gaffes. John

2 days ago by Yabbie1

Forum

Sprite

Another vote for spirit based gloss paint 👍. It’s what us traditional brush painters need for use on our Classic Model Power Boats. Bob.

4 days ago by zooma

Forum

Question of the Day?

I must say steve s you are looking good for a man of that age😂 Philuk👍

2 days ago by PhilH

Forum

Hoist the sails, a new site is on the horizon!

As with the others very happy to help - using a laptop on windows 11, but unlike the others I seem to be the only one using Firefox, so would be useful to check all types of browser, as I know that a number of sites I use do not support Firefox. One issue I have found is that if I have been reading other posts, getting back to QoD is often very haphazard.

2 days ago by luckyduck

Forum

Hoist the sails, a new site is on the horizon!

Hi Stephen, I would be happy to take a look at /Beta test the new site Have done this for many large commercial sites over the years as I was in IT for my whole career. Regards Ed

2 days ago by EdW

Forum

Question of the Day?

Well, Roy I hoped you weren't going to ask me that!😮. You have given me a right headache.. 🤕🤕 When I was 20 years young on board the Golden Hind with Drake, circumnavigating the World, in 1580, that meant I was 245 years old on HMS Victory when we defeated the French and Spanish at the Battle of Trafalgar, in 1805, so now I must be.... 466 😁 I think ?😁😁. That was harder than Q-O-T-D. When I mentioned the MLC rules to Admiral Nelson he nearly had me keelhauled.😮.

5 days ago by Steves-s

Forum

Hoist the sails, a new site is on the horizon!

Stephen, let me know if you need someone to checkout the new beta site. I have been involved in web site creation since the 1990's (writing them in html), so I think I can give it a good exam and if needed, any recommendations. (I have Microsoft and Android OS's, no apple stuff.) I'm sure you are aware of one fault with the current site, perhaps a difficult one to cure, is the duplication of topics. For example, posting a new topic such as "how do I wire two ESCs". (Over the years, this topic has been repeated a number of times.) I don't mean to be critical, just an example. I really like this site and many of the contributors. Many times it (site + members) has helped me out as well as keeping my interest up. Lew

3 days ago by LewZ

Forum

They are "Wooden Boats", but not scale models ...

Wonderful pix Dave!!! They reminded me about a cantankerous old fella who lived across the street from me when I was a kid, "Crazy" George Swenson, who was a builder for Bertram Yachts. He became one of their greatest craftsmen and after a time his reputation grew so great that buyers would ask if it was a "Swenson" build. After he retired from Bertram and moved across the street he became a foreman in the home construction industry. I was told that developers would ask George to estimate a lumber supplies list for a home build and when the build was done all that would be left when construction was complete would be a 2 foot 2" x 4." Waste not want not. My favorite personal experiences with George was when my Dad purchased a 22 foot Bertram runabout. But, whenever he wanted to work on the boat George would run out of his house and scream at my father about all things he was doing wrong! It was certainly a learning experience and the foundation for my love of wooden boats!!!!! 👍😉

3 days ago by jumpugly

Forum

A new naval project. What to do now?

Great, Jock, reviving the Blue Nose seems like a great idea. If I'm not mistaken, it's a schooner, so it requires fewer standing and running rigging than square-rigged ships. If it's a static model just for display, you shouldn't have any major problems, and it's a great satisfaction. However, for a sailing RC model, controlling gaff sails (i.e., with the boom) poses pitfalls that square-rigged sails don't. I discovered this while building the models. I'm obviously only referring to scale models, not real sailing ships (I can go into more detail on this topic if you're interested). I'm still looking for the ideal solution. When I thought of mine, I wasn't yet familiar with the Robbe Valdivia scale model or Gary Webb's models. To gain more inspiration and solutions, I'm waiting for the completion and launch of RossM's RC naval model.

3 days ago by AlessandroSPQR

Response

Re: Classic Model Power Boats

I would love to know if anyone now owns my old Sea Commander. I sold it many years ago with a 3.5cc diesel engine. It was a great model!

3 days ago by DuncanP

Response

Re: Real images vs. AI-altered images

Hi Chris, I agree with everything you said, and I've noticed exactly what you've noticed. It does indeed make a lot of mistakes and doesn't always follow commands, but there are various AIs (as you said), from those available free of charge to the most sophisticated. However, I think the most surprising thing is that AIs learn and improve. Even if you're not an expert, it's true that I've seen the modifications to your boats, and they've really impressed me. Perhaps EdW could tell us more.

3 days ago by AlessandroSPQR

Response

Re: Real images vs. AI-altered images

Allesandro - I don't really know much more than you. I only had a play a few weeks ago following an article I'd read in Model Boats magazine and a comment I'd posted about probably having to use AI to produce an image of my Faireys moored up at a jetty. I use PhotoShop as well but don't have the experience or skills to use it to produce a complicated composite image and certainly not a believable one. And as for one where movement and wash needs to be conveyed, no chance! AI is very clever obviously and whilst it can be easy to produce an acceptable image it is not so easy to produce exactly what you want with accurate detail. The attached photo is one I produced and for a first effort isn't bad. But I then tried two boats moored up at a jetty and got mixed results. First result was OKish (but some distortion and errors) but subsequent ones weren't very good at all with the positioning of the boats not being right and boats' details getting distorted or wrongly displayed and even using multiple commands I couldn't produce anything I was happy with. Photo also attached showing two boats on the sea. OK in some respects but not all and depends to a large extent on how I photographed the two boats. At the moment the versions available to the general public are very good at relatively simple things, particularly where you let it do it's own thing. No doubt some AI programs do/will allow greater control (commercial/expensive) but like a lot of things you need to be able to do a lot more yourself and the skills to be able to produce exactly what you want rather than AI produce what it thinks you want. I haven't touched it since but will have another go at producing something better and what I want. Chris Edit: Photo added of single boat coming into harbour. Quite like that one!

3 days ago by ChrisF