Blog

HMS Dreadnought

Decision made. 1875 Dreadnought to 1/96. Hoping for NMM drawings. Have two photos so far off Wikipedia. Wish me luck.

7 years ago by Gdaynorm

Event

Military Boat Day

Bournville MBC Military Boat Day. Bournville MBC invite all RC Military Boat Skippers to join in their annual Military Boat day. Informal sailing and general chit chat about everything RC Military Boat, from Submarines , s to fleet Tankers. If it has a Military connection we want to see it. Free to enter Light Refreshments Free Parking Disabled Access Contact Rob Fowler 07714517445

5 years ago by Aquaflite

Forum

MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate Clockwork

Thanks Neil, found it.😉 Interesting, but I was hoping to see what it does in the wet stuff; i.e. the Domestic Test & Trials Tank 😁 Here's a quicker link to the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGiaIwMdHe8 To copy the link just click on it in the address box so that the whole address is highlighted. Then press CTRL & C to copy it. Press CTRL & V to paste it into a Post or eMail or whatever. Cheers, Doug 😎 BTW; the vid after yours is interesting too 'How to make a submarine out of plastic bottles and Coca Cola'. And it dives!!😁 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq-8n4XufsQ

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate Clockwork

Ahoy Mateys, Definitely not a submarine, been raiding my recycling bin again with this one. Its an idea I had to mimic a riveted hull the tin plates are dotted with a hand awl prior to soldering I think its sort of worked??? Cheers Neil mclaren clockwork submarines.

5 years ago by mactin

Forum

MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate Clockwork

I'd genuinely love to do that but I havnt got a clue how to do it, Iv'e only just got to grips with a touch screen phone! seriously! but Ill have a bash. www.youtube U19 U33.com

5 years ago by mactin

Forum

MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate Clockwork

Hi Neil, Good to hear👍 Can you post the link please? Saves a lot of searching!! 😁 Cheer, Doug 😎

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate Clockwork

Hi Doug, There's a youtube vid under tinplate submarines I did a while ago its U19 and U33, its hardly Ridley Scott but you get the idea I'd like to do a better one but I need someone that knows a lot more about doing this sort of thing to give me a lift editing and the like. cheers Neil.

5 years ago by mactin

Forum

MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate Clockwork

Worked very well Neil👍👍 Technique noted for future use 😁 Any vids of your marvellous creations in action available??? Cheers, Doug 😎

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Landing Ship Tanks (WW2)

Hi Nerys, I think that was only scratching the surface. I found that lot in about 10 to 15 minutes. But then I've been used to trawling the WWW for specific info for as long as it's been possible. Gave me the 'Edge' I needed in my job. Don't want these skills to rust in retirement, and I never could resist a challenge anyway. 😉 Plus I was moved by your story and found it worth following up. If I can help again please let me know. Know just what you mean about too many projects 🤔 My Danish fish cutter restoration and conversion from static to RC has got bogged down until I solve the problem of getting the drive right down next to the keel, my PTB restoration and conversion to Kennedy's PT109 is shelved for the duration, re-shafting / re-propping Graf Spee and HMS Belfast, upgrading my Southampton tug are gathering dust🤔 Materials gathered for 1/350 Plastic Magic conversions of KGV (thanks Colin) and PoW s, HMS Hood, HMS Ark Royal, T45 Daring class (witnessed the building of the lead ship! Stitching the modules together was fascinating😊), USS Enterprise CVN65, RMS Titanic, etc etc!!! kits for a 1/96 HMS Manxman and a 1/100 Akula 2 submarine are lurking in the cellar as well. Not to mention the 1/24 De Havilland Mosquito as a memorial to my Dad. Whichever ship you decide to do for your Pa if I can help in any way I'd be very happy to. Maybe you can decipher from his personal records which ship was closest to his sailor's heart!? I'd love and be honoured to be able to see some of your Dad's drawings and cartoons. Bon chance with your current projects, All the best, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

20th Scale ELCO 80ft PT boat part 4

Hi CB, Looks pretty good so far👍 Attached some pics of a restored ELCO 80 at Cove USA. Showing the props and rudders; Port, Centre, Starboard. If you need any more detail pics just let me know😉 Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

LED Tug Mast Navigation Lights

Hi Pete, That was just a selection of my larger 350 scale kits! Forgot HMS Prince of Wales 😉 I also have a vast collection of everything from 720 to 72, including the Revell Flower Class corvette. I started an XL spread sheet to keep track of them with scale and size data, number of shafts, and where practical and already measured max load capacity! Re: wood decks; I have them on my Graf Spee and HMS Belfast both 1:128, and have bought them for Hood, Bismarck and the corvette. In my experience the self adhesive starts to pull up at the edges, always in the most awkward place to get to to fix😡 I learned to use a gel type gluper sue for first time fitting and thin runny stuff for repairs so it creeps under the edge a bit. Yes please, the info on the decks would be useful especially Titanic. i have a premium version with lots of etch parts but no wood I think. Why do we do it? Cos we're nuts! Prerequisite for scale modelling 😁 Happy modelling, Cheers, Doug 😎 PS my favourite carrier photo attached; Capn of the Nimitz wanted to go water skiing 😁😁

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Directory

(Naval Ship) Missouri

Modified Sterling model kit, scale drive 4 shafts. Twin rudders, smoke and cannon sound module. (Motor: 6 volt) (ESC: Hitech) (5/10)

6 years ago by Mikep

Forum

LED Tug Mast Navigation Lights

Hi Pete, the wiring diagram as such will stay as it is, but after my test results I will revise the resistor value (upwards) to reduce the power requirement without reducing the perceived brightness. Also to damp down the whites a little and bring up the yellows, otherwise I reckon the white mast lamps will be blinding and the yellow deck lights will look oddly dim. I would be tempted to use whites for the deck lights, maybe put a dollop of yellow glass lacquer on them to tone 'em down a bit. Apropos Fletcher Class; I have 1/144 kit I intend to convert to RC. My H class destroyer 1/72, HMS Belfast cruiser and Graf Spee pocket 1/128 are also all about 4&1/2 to 5 feet! Don't know how much longer I'll be able to carry them to the lake so I'm considering building a trailer, like I've seen here on the site, and using Jessica's old RC beach buggy to haul them 😊 Also have a 1/96 kit of the fast cruiser / minelayer HMS Manxman which is scheduled for the next winter build. Also 4 foot something 😲 Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

#HMVS CERBERUS

HMVS CERBERUS story on ABANDONED ENGINEERING now. World's first turret armed . Also the wooden hulled steamers built in WW11 .Never used then burned out and sunk to form a nature reef in the Potomac River, U.S.A.

6 years ago by onetenor

Response

Detailing/painting aft cabin

your printer might Doug, mine wouldnt ha ha! as for adding rivets to a big ol , rather you than me! Ive still got to add the rivets to the foreward cabin, but the efforts are worth it!

6 years ago by Skydive130

Event

Warship Day

Event open to all to show off and sail their models of Military boats. MTB's, Frigates, Destroyers, s, Submarines etc. Tea Coffee and refreshments available. Disabled Access. 10am till 1800hrs. For more info contact Rob 07714517445

6 years ago by Aquaflite

Forum

Wodden Bizmarck RC

Sorry - German Bizmarck RC model about 5ft long. Last seen Roker Park, Sunderland, North East England, Approx 30 years ago. A long shot :-) Joe - I might be able to find a picture..

6 years ago by PrinzEugen

Forum

How many is to Many

Wait for it Chris! Carry on at that rate and you'll soon be as bad as the rest of us - double parking them in duplex berths! 👍 Know what you mean about size. I'm looking for ways to lighten my 50 to 55" warships and have moved from 72 scale to 144 and 350 for the big guys - carriers and s 😉 Cheers Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

1/35 Vosper MTB

Thanks for ALL your replies. I enjoy reading your suggestions and will take them under advisement as this project goes forward. I have three grandsons 7,5,2 so am not sure when the project will get underway. My first grandson asked me to build a , and finding the Revell 1/350 USS Missouri recently for $40 CDN this kit maybe built before the Vosper. See: bmpt.org.uk then "select a boat here" pick "MTB-71" Does anyone know "Clive Hampton" seen on page 2 along with Peter Baillie ? Has anyone built a 1/350 USS Missouri and motorized it?

7 years ago by Ronald

Forum

TAMIYA. King George V.

Hi Colin, what scale is it? If you Google 'Plastic Magic' you should get lots of example of this from 350 / 400 scale carriers and s down to 72 scale Vosper MTB, KM S100 / E-Boat etc. There are also several Plastic magic articles in Model Boats magazine. The general principles are always the same: lightweight miniaturised electronics incl. servos! Do a max payload test on the bare hull as the very first thing. Weigh the major superstructure assemblies and decks and subtract from max payload: that's what's left for electronics and battery! The kit props are generally useless, no pitch, so make your own out of tinplate or 0.5mm brass. can be a little oversize, no one will know😉 Prop shafts and tubes: 2mm OD / 1mm ID brass tube with 1mm silver steel or piano wire shafts. Couplings from shrink sleeve. will dig out some motor types and sources tomorrow, there are also some given in the Model Boats mag articles. That's where I found the Micron Radio tip😊 Can heartily recommend Micron radio for the smallest combination RX and ESC on one tiny board that I've ever seen! Talk to Andy Rutter, he offers excellent advice and will fit tiny connectors and pre-program the RX board to match what you want to do. He also has very very tiny servos which are ideal.👍 http://www.micronradiocontrol.co.uk/ Look under RC components - 'Deltang Ultra micro'. you ain't gonna get no teeny weenier! I went weak today 😲 and ordered a 350 scale Prince of Wales, to match my 350 scale Bismarck, Hood and Ark Royal. Battle of Denmark Straight here we come! Cost a tad more than 25 pence though 🤔 Good luck Doug 😎

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

PT109 Refit

Re "It is believed PT-109 was painted a flat, dark green at Noumea, New Caledonia" Just found this- >>The Elco boats came from the factory painted overall " grey." in the Solomons, however, the boats were often moored under or near shoreline trees and vegetation, and the grey color was too conspicuous. No official Pacific camouflage scheme existed at the time I show PT-155, and each crew repainted its own boat during the campaign with whatever materials it could scrounge. To one of PT-155's crewmen, J.M. 'Boats' Newberry, I am obliged for information on the vessel's colors during the campaign for Rendova and New Georgia islands. PT-155 and other boats of Squadron 7 & 9, including PT-109, were simply sprayed overall with a green paint from some local source, probably USMC. The green became lighter when applied, apparently due to the grey undercoat oxides. Over this, PT-155 was painted in random black patches. No standard pattern was used.

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Firing at Wings & Wheels (UltraHD/4K)

I have been to the park this year and the model display is still taking place and is well supported too.😎

7 years ago by liamduck

Response

Firing at Wings & Wheels (UltraHD/4K)

Hi Boaty, Apparently so! 😊 There was some discussion about this here a little while ago https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peasholm_Park "Events Naval Warfare event The Naval Warfare event, Battle of Peasholm,[9] has been played out for half an hour three times a week during the summer season for over 80 years. The model boats used are mostly man powered earning the fleet the title of "The smallest manned navy in the world". All the boats were man powered, until 1929, when electricity was introduced, and now only the larger boats need to be steered by council employees. in the early days, the models were First World War s and a U-boat. Then, after the Second World War, the fleet was replaced with new vessels and the battle that was recreated was the Battle of the River Plate." http://www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com/Scarborough-Naval-Warfare/details/?dms=3&feature=1004&venue=1710588 Pics attached!😉 Cheers Doug 😎 (Don't get shot😡)

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Firing at Wings & Wheels (UltraHD/4K)

This brings back memories to when I was a 7 year old in 1959. During the family holiday in Scarborough we visited Peas Holme Park and there was some action on the boating lake. It appeared to be an enactment of the Battle of the Atlantic with some very large models of ships of the era shooting it out. I recall that some of boats these sank and I have a vivid memory of a merchant vessel being shelled with flares being set off on the deck to simulate a direct hit. Does anyone have details, ie did the ships have a person on board or where they radio controlled and I also noted some wires above the lake which dive bombers ran along with imitation bombs Does this event still take place as I know that at one time persons wanted to stop it due to Germany now being one of our NATO allies. Boaty😎

7 years ago by boaty

Response

Firing at Wings & Wheels (UltraHD/4K)

very nice and there must be lots of mechanism under that decking to do that lot !!

7 years ago by lesliebreame

Media

Firing at Wings & Wheels (UltraHD/4K)

Never seen an RC that actually simulates firing of its weapons. This was great to watch. Complimented by a submarine crash diving and surfacing!

7 years ago by Dom of Essential RC

Response

Jet Sprint Boat

Mighty meaty! 👍 Good luck with the 'Messcave' 😉 I have the same problem 🤔 Pics show (amongst accumulated junk from various repair jobs!) - electrics bench and boxes of 'stuff' acquired over the last few years of my working life still waiting to be sorted out 😉 - various ships waiting to be refurbished or fitted out; HMS Hotspur 1:72 H class destroyer 1936, HMS Belfast 1:128 6" light cruiser U25 (or 26?) 1:72 Type IIA U-boat 1936 Billings Gina Danish fish cutter Graupner Southampton Various Plastic Magic projects (stash!) - the bigger ones; HMS Hood, Ark Royal, Illustrious, Type 45, USS Enterprise (The Big E), Bismarck all 1:350; USS Fletcher destroyer 1:144, are down in the cellar, the bench down there is just as bad 😡! and finally - my poor old Sea Scout being sanded on the kitchen worktop for lack of space on the bench! 😭 "Stuff accumulates to fill the space available for it" 😉 cheers Doug 😎 Oh! Nearly forgot 😲! and there's a 1:128 Graf Spee pocket on a shelf in the living room, waiting for propshaft repairs.

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Where do yachties go?

Cor blimey, luv a duck and all that, Dave. That's one hell of a selection for one club! Which club is that? I can even see a plumb stemmer there. My location (I thought I'd done that) is the Fens...Cambs/Norfolk borders and no, there is no model boat club close to me that I would consider travelling to. I found a group (couldn't call it a club) who sail, but they are all isle o Manners. Silly ugly blobs, so were their boats! I have nothing remotely in common with people who think nothing of bragging that they spent 750 quid on some drawing film sails in a triangular hardboard box which they slide into their Honda Jazzes at precisely 12-31pm every other Sunday and drive along a mile or more of rutted farm track away from their little farm reservoir, to bump down miles more single lane somewhere out the back of Wisbech in fear of their other halves who have clearly said, "Be here at 12-53 or your dinner's in the dog!"! Otherwise it's all tug fans and pocket pers who love a good bobbing cork. Fussy ain't I? I could accept all that if they weren't so far away and so expensive. What you have to understand is that there is water everywhere round here which you could just turn up at and sail on, but nobody does, except me. I ain't paying to join a club with a lake the size of Windermere, 30 miles away, which would require a rescue boat to be safe, when you can sail on a static river (canalised) for free, up the road! No, I was more wondering where one can go on the 'net for info. I've had to resort to the superior 'Net skills of a Canadian friend to save what he (as a static boat modeller) judges to be useful shots from youtube videos and then send 'em over! BTW, Dave I will PM you my email address. Please do add me to your youtube channel or whatever the correct terminology is. I have tried through the "Nextdoor" system to find model boaters near her, but have had no take up whatever. John, Bury is just a wee bit too far away!. But thanks for the thought. Cheers, Martin

7 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Working out scale

You all seem to build to ginormous scales! My ships range from 1:72 to 1:350 !! Otherwise the cruisers, s and carriers would be untransportable, never mid the weight. Although I must admit I am considering the 'Ark Royal' (WW2) in 1:100; = 8.6 feet! Built in two sections and bolted together at the lake perhaps? 😎

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

How many is to Many

a REAL scary question 🤔 1 H class Destroyer and 1 Submarine KM IIA (1:72) in SLEP (Service Life Extension Programme!) 1 KM pocket Graf Spee & 1 HMS Belfast (1:128) in Fitting Out Dock. 1 Tug Southampton ca 1:50 ARTR 1 Kentish Fishing Boat ca 1:50 inherited restoration & motorisation project 1 Sea Scout restoration ARTR, built by my Dad 50 years ago! 1 flying boat ARTR 1 Hovercraft needing painting & RC gear fitting. Potential 'Plastic Magic' :- 1:350 Bismarck, USS Enterprise (The Big E), HMS Hood, HMS Ark Royal, Airfix HMS Illustrious (Invincible class) & T45 Daring 1:72 Revell Flower class corvette, German Lifeboat & S100 class E Boat, Airfix MTB, RAF Launch, KM E Boat 1:144 Revell Fletcher class destroyer. Have started collecting Micron Radio gear for the conversions. And JFF an Airship! Ready except for the Helium needed! Plus many 1:400 1:600 1:720WW2 navies plastic kits & etched parts JFF & to hone the skills I should live so long ! Help 🤔 Cheers from Munich Doug 😎

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Event

Indianapolis Cocnstant Scale Fun Run

1/96 and 1/100 electric power models. Join us for two days of fun at the Carmel reflecting pool in North Indianapolis (http://www.indyadmirals.org/Reflecting_Pond_and_Scale_Directions.pdf). Yamato will be patrolling the waters.

7 years ago by admiralbb62

Event

Bournville Military Boat Day

Bournville Model Boat Club is hosting it's first Military Boat Day Open to all RC models with Military connections. From s to water tankers. If it served with the military it qualifies.Purpose built concrete model boating lake. Refreshments will be available, toilets and disabled access. The Boat House, Bournville Lane Bournville, Birmingham B30 1QS. Contact Rob for more details on 07714517445 or email (Email Removed - PM Only)

7 years ago by Aquaflite

Forum

Late Victorain Navy

HI all With the current project due to launch soon my thoughts are beginning to turn towards the next one. I've always fancied one of the late Victorian s - something like HMS Devastation or Thunderer of the early 1870's. I'm reasonably sure Greenwich have some plans for these two but I'd be interested to hear if anyone knows if there are any other plans available. I'd probably build at or 1/72 scale or similar aiming at a hull length around 50" These ships seem to be full of interest to me but there don't seem to be many models around. I know that Brian King has done a few and I've got a Model Shipwright article from by John Hollis about his 1/48 Devastation but that's all I've found so far. Has anyone any experience building one of these early pre-dreadnoughts? Many thanks

8 years ago by rclarke173

Forum

Alvaston Pirates Model Boat Club Grand Opening Day

Awesome day at alvaston lake. Even the rain couldn't dampen the fun. Many members of the public could have a go with a specially designed boat. The area was well marked as well as a floating harbour for those manoeuvreing skills and also a large lighthouse to potter around. Other clubs were there displaying their awesome craft. I personally took my KG5 made from steel and also a converted fast attack craft. The organisation was exceptional with all h&s in place. The event wad officially opened by the deputy Mayor of derby. One thing that did turn many heads was the full size radio controlled Dalek which is the Alvaston pirates appointed captain. All the kids as well as the adults loved this. Further to this there was also an excellent cafe called the Mad hatter which served excellent food and beverages. All in all an excellent day out. To all those that missed it or could not come down look out for their next show. You will not be disapppointed. Well done to the Alvaston pirates model boat club. May you have many more events. Excellent.

10 years ago by John2059

Forum

Plans, photos, etc

Dave, thanks for the info and pics. I used to have no problems with the Taycol with the original REP radio and when I used a Mini-Hex proportional set, it gave me no worries either, so I think the Taycol woemongers are exaggerating the perceived problem. I try to use as little Jap/Chinese stuff as absolutely possible. The Mini-Hex was a British made copy of the American Kraft set and the DigiMac is also British and so go well with the Taycol. There are various diagrams out there for suppressing Taycols if you're convinced they need it. A Canadian website if I recall. Also a guy called dodgy geezer has stated a Taycol information website which is excellent. I always found my Crash Tender went in a very realistic manner with the Supermarine on 12 volts. Not exactly on the step but nearly so, which would have been how the real boats performed for the most part, if they wanted enough fuel left to get home again! Model boats and aircraft are all grossly overpowered these days and it looks ridiculous. Fishing boats taking of like dragsters. s changing direction like F1 cars. it ruins the effect and makes the public snigger. if you want speed, have the balls to make race boats. A pantograph?? Ha! That would be fun trying to stick it to the computer screen while I enlarge the drawings on this website! I used to have one years ago, though and if you have the space or a nice drawing board it's a perfectly workable suggestion. I don't have a printer as my Canon packed up, in fact it then stopped acting as a scanner too so I broke it up. I got motors, gears, nice glass sandpaper board and toothed belts and the dustman got the rest. I think it might be easier if this website published the drawings in such a way that you could blow them up on screen and actually read them. They don't have to be printable or even downloadable, just make-biggable. You peer at the screen, make notes and then toddle off to the workshop to make the bits. it's how all my models are made...F1 slot cars, 1/32nd scale aircraft, all patterns for kits. Costs way too much to print pictures! But I will have a look at that software you mention, Dave. Thanks. Cheers, Martin

11 years ago by Westquay

Forum

grey paint

Never thought of floor paint great idea has anyone tried to airbrush it on just so happens our local Canadian Tire has gray,Ron.

11 years ago by Ronkat

Response

hms rodney

sorry guys the build pics I took woz took using my mobile phone and the pics wasant any good but I got a digital camra now so it should be all good from now on

12 years ago by razorback

Response

hms rodney

Yes, agree with Davem, would be great to see this build, right from "day 1" so to speak. heres hoping you photographed each bit.

12 years ago by Gregg

Response

hms rodney

Really nice looking model. 😀 Fleetscale make some really good hulls. 👍 Gun turrets look very scale, have you any details / pictures of the build?

12 years ago by Dave M

Response

hms rodney

looking superb mate, what a monster, cant wait for us to go to the pool. 👍

12 years ago by hydroman

Blog

hms rodney

this Is a 1-128 scale 66inch length-10inch beam I got the hull from fleetscale store and the main gun turrets and secondry gun turrets the deck I did myself and superstructure all done In plastic sheet Ive still got a lot left to do but Its well worth It

12 years ago by razorback

Forum

Fireboat

HI All I have been trying to complete a fire-boat that was started by a friend of the family, when he was a boy many years ago. He started It with his Dad, but never completed It. My father-in-law then took over, but unfortunately passed away soon after. Now It Is up to me to finish It for them. I have found most things I need, using Info from your site, but I'm having trouble finding a spray paint In grey! There are plenty of grey paints for cars(real ones) but don't know which to choose. Also can I buy a 1/16 scale davit, or do I have to make one? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Mark.

13 years ago by midnite

Forum

Genarator/alternator

No doubt that it is an exercise for satisfaction - like steam power - and to be encouraged. That is one of the reasons for our hobby. I have seen an article about a model with a home built four cylinder marine diesel engine driving a generator/electric motor - superb engineering. It needs a large scale heavy displacement model such as a tug or trawler, or a very large or liner. Economically any generator system would really be just an expensive way of replacing batteries or ballast. Practically, in a normal model, with the availability of modern lightweight electric motors and batteries, there is nothing better to achieve longer duration than putting in more amp hours - but where is the challenge! Jerry

13 years ago by expatflyer

Forum

Fireboat

HI All I have been trying to complete a fire-boat that was started by a friend of the family, when he was a boy many years ago. He started it with his Dad, but never completed it. My father-in-law then took over, but unfortunately passed away soon after. Now it is up to me to finish it for them. I have found most things I need, using info from your site, but I'm having trouble finding a spray paint in grey! There are plenty of grey paints for cars(real ones) but don't know which to choose. Also can I buy a 1/16 scale davit, or do I have to make one? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Mark. HI Mark, Pete D here Fireboat Funday organiser, the correct colour you require for the model is BS 631 grey, this is shown as the designated colour on the Vosper Thornycroft drawing, most shops that sell paint should be able to mix it for you even in aerosol. Regards, Pete.

13 years ago by Pete D