Directory

(Naval Ship) Graf Spee

It's a Graupner premium line ATR! ;-/ Wanted some 'quick fun' while working on more complex constructions (HMS Hotspur H Class Destroyer 1936, 1:72 and Type IA U26 also 1936). Didn't work out that way! On first test of motors and ESC I discovered that the shafts were so badly fitted that they were binding ;-( So back in dry dock for some hull surgery! That's why some inputs are missing above. Plan is to gradually add functions and special effects; lighting, gun controls, magicians Flash Paper for gun flashes. Maybe fired using my old glow-plugs!!?? Now I'm freshly retired I have more time for this ;-), as long as Gisela doesn't drag me off around the world too often ;-) I also have HMS Belfast from the same series (approx 1:128) also awaiting fitting out. More soon - don't hold your breath please ;-) in the pipeline is some 'Plastic Magic' with Ark Royal, Hood and Bismark all to 350 scale ca 70-80cm. Sorry been in Munich for over 30 years don't think in inches any more (except when buying mag wheels for the chariot!) Cheers, and as my German friends say 'Immer ein Handbreite Wasser unterm Kiel!) = I wish you always a hand-widths water under your keel. I sail on the lake in the Ostpark near me in Munich. Very convenient, right next to the Biergarten! 😎 (Motor: 600) (ESC: Graupner Navy V30R) (5/10)

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Help identify

I agree. Vaguely based on that prototype, judging by the foredeck, but with a lot of poetic license / simplification. Curious though that the builder chose a 'one off' for the basis but gave it a pinnace pennant number. Maybe he served on the pinnace!? Whatever, carry on folks, Doug😎

3 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Help identifying

Video appears to have been taken at Fleetwood lake.

3 years ago by Wingcoax

Media

Mowe 2

I hadn't built a model of any sort since I was 15 years old and that was a control line aeroplane with a glow worm engine. 45 years later and regressing nicely back to my teenage years, my wife bought me (reluctantly!) a RC Boat Kit - Mowe 2. I had been wanting to build again for many years, but children and family and home situation did not allow. So, over the cold Autumn and Winter Months I carefully put my spare nights to good use, rather than watching night after night TV box sets and re-watching the entire James Bond movies, not once but 2 or 3 times.... Anyhow after 3 months...the finished product. I should have started a blog but didn't know of this site until a few weeks ago. Not a brilliant finished job, but a satisfying one, and it sails nicely on Bushy Park lake in Kingston-upon-Thames. Now o nto bigger and more complicated things...a Fairey Huntsman 31. This time I'll do a blog....👍

3 years ago by StuartE

Forum

Book on Sailing Barges

Chris, Thank for the information, I will look into that book. I started in RC but building and racing several classes of sailboats, including several US1Meter class. Being a much better builder than skipper, I was drawn to schooners that many club members had. Got interested in working sailcraft due to the history and the slower, power of these craft. The Gaff Rigged Handbook by Jihn Leather is one of my favorite build guides. Yes, I really like Gaff Rigging. This book was great for lots of rigging details and sails... See photo example. Joe

3 years ago by Joe727

Forum

internet sales

Hi All, Although i come from an aircraft background i am also into . I used to have a total of five model shops within a half hour drive to source my parts, before emigrating i had 1 who was mainly into cars so i had to go online. Now in Portugal I have no shops within 4 hours so have to rely on internet purchases.

3 years ago by Wingcoax

Forum

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Have a great Christmas and a happy new year to everyone wherever you are in the world, happy for the coming year. Best wishes to you all, cheers Colin.

3 years ago by Colin H

Forum

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Merry Christmas to you and your family Stephen, and thank you for a GREAT website. Seasons Greetings to all other members and their family's, and a special one for Doug and his partner for all he has done for me in the past year. Looking forward to 2019 and a new year full of .......👍 Cneers to All😊 Peter

3 years ago by Rookysailor

Blog

Oh, NO Water Everywhere!

Captain's Log: Ok, I like to float Tug Brooklyn! Last night I did this. I filled the tub with water. Then placed Tug Brooklyn. I left it alone for about half an hour. When I came back. I started looking at her. She looked different in some way. I hadn't realized she was taking on water. anyway I looked at her water line. And her water line was below the water! I then took her superstructure. Off of her when I looked inside. I was shocked to find. She had taken on more than 12 ounces of water! I then started to panic! I went and got my syringe. Which I had purchased just in case water ever got into her. And started pumping out all the water she had in her! I'm not sure where she's leaking from! Or why she is leaking! There's only one opening in the Hull. And that's where the shaft comes out of! Going to have to do another float test. to see where the water is coming in from! I'm glad I discovered this before next season!

3 years ago by figtree7nts

Directory

(Naval Ship) HMS Bluebell

I am adding "Bluebell" to my harbour as, in keeping with many, she represents our awakening to the model world! The classic Revell Platinum kit was a wonderful introduction to our hobby (although as some of use realise, she tends to be subject to numerous "breakages" as time wears on as the plastic bits get bumped or snagged at the pond - or even when being loaded in the car!). (Motor: MFA 475- Rec 360) (ESC: Viper Marine 15) (8/10)

3 years ago by Joburg-sailor

Directory

(Naval Ship) HMS Cadiz

Scratch built other than a fibreglass hull, built by my father over about 5 years using a mix of balsa, plasticard, ply and wire. He never sailed it but when I inherited it I was determined to complete it ready for it's first "sea trials". I've completed the RC installation and adjusted the ballast and it's now had two successful outings at the local lake. (10/10)

4 years ago by landie

Forum

Ship rudders

Hi Toby, I put the 'bloopers' in my blogs as well 🤔 Helps others to avoid the same mistakes. Nobody's perfect 😉 Re Post editing; after you've posted your post will appear with a [Modify] button with pink/lilac background. Click on that and you can correct any typos or make changes as you wish. When you're done click [Save changes]. La Spezia is OK but Lerici just round the corner is much nicer. Great fish restaurants on the quayside. 😜 Or Cinque Terra to the north is wonderful, Google Map it! Had a lot of fun working with that yard, they are just over the hill from La Spezia in Sarsana. I used to drive down there from Munich, usually at night so had a lot of the mountain roads to myself and could have some fun using the whole road to straighten things out a bit 😁 Bodensee, Very nice👍 Never made it Lindau myself (but I want to), was usually at the other end on Grainau island or near the Swiss border. Next time you're coming through MUC let me know in good time and we can go in the Ostpark here. Very convenient, Biergarten right next to the lake! 😁 I'll PM you my email👍 Re electronics; I don't claim to be a 'Wiz' but if I can help I will. "Fragen kostet nichts"! as they say around here 😉 'Doolally'! What's the old saying? "You don't HAVE to be crazy to do this --- But it helps!" 😁😁 Keep on , Cheers, Doug 😎

4 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

My other hobby

Good to see other PPLs and former PPLs on the Model Boats website. I took mine at Liverpool Airport known now as JLA (John Lennon Airport) in June 1984 and completed it in January 85. Trained with Liverpool Flying School aka Keenair in Cherokee 140s and a PA 38 Tomahawk. Later I moved into Air Nova which was also a Liverpool club and the actor Lewis Collins was also a member of that Club. At the time I was a member of Merseyside IVC (Inter Varsity Club) thus had plenty of passengers. One of them was Victoria Field, my former psychology lecturer who later became famous as a psychologist and writer. Eventually Air Nova moved to Hawarden Airport near Chester but the Club folded shortly after. I then joined the in house Club based at the field and I ceased flying in November 2016. Best flights were going over Snowdon VFR and down the Dee Valley. I also flew over Colwyn Bay to have a look at the lake though I haven't sailed there. I also saw the lakes at Llandudno West Shore and LLanfairfechan. The latter I am considering for sailing my fast electrics. Downside to PPL flying was the crosswind component of the aircraft being 17 knots , At Hawarden there is only one runway the 04/22 and Liverpool the 09/27. I did have to cancel many times due to this. Thankfully sailing model boats is much more enjoyable as we don't have that many snags to deal with and if the motor stops we don't have to do an emergency landing.😎😁😁 Boaty

4 years ago by boaty

Response

Thornycroft MTB

Nice job.Great to see a boat running built from a Vic Smeed plan.Should do good in a steering competition with the manouverability you have.Lovely pond.

4 years ago by Donnieboy

Blog

Vintage Model Works 46'' RAF Crash Tender

Here's the history bit so pay attention... Many years ago as a boy in the fifth year of my north London secondary school, circa 1971, our woodwork class was given the option to make something of our own choice. Having mastered the majority of joints, wood turning, finishing techniques and the making of table lamps, stools and bookshelves etc. this seemed a good idea, so myself and a fellow classmate and model making chum asked if we could construct a model boat. The teacher, on hearing that it was to be from a kit and not from scratch was a little surprised but agreed. So my friend and I jointly invested about 20 quid in an Aerokits 34.5 inch RAF Crash Tender from Blunts' model shop in Mill Hill (long since gone like many others) and we set about construction during lesson time and sometimes at break times. I recall we used "Cascamite" to glue it all together on the advice of the woodwork teacher because neither 'Scotch' glue nor PVA was suited to marine construction. Good progress was made over the course of our last year at school but it was never fully completed, only requiring painting, running gear and detailing. My friend decided that he needed to withdraw from the project as he was enrolling in a college away from home to study for a career in the merchant navy and I agreed to buy out his share and continue with the project. And so it was that I carried on with the painting and installing the running gear which consisted of a 1.5 cc marine diesel engine, water pickup, prop shaft and rudder and a MacGregor radio system with a stick for steering and a single button for speed control. The engine and radio came from Michael's Models in Finchley (also long gone) for £20 as my elder brother, who had started a Saturday job there, was able to get a staff discount for me. The diesel engine was noisy and smelly and a pig to start with a leather thong around the flywheel and I decided to abandon this means of propulsion (I foolishly ran it for slightly too long 'dry' and melted the soldering around the brass water jacket!). By now I had graduated from my part time job in Woolies to an engineering apprentice with Post Office Telephones and my new income of 20 quid per week could support my modelling and electronics hobbies after my contribution to the household for my keep. So off to the model shop to buy a Taycol Supermarine electric motor, two 12v volt lead acid batteries and a suitable charger. The diesel came out and was sold on Exchange & Mart and the mount and coupling re-made to accommodate the new Taycol motor. What an improvement that was! I can't remember now what speed controller or servo I used but whatever it was did the job, and it went like the clappers on Friary Park lake (also long since gone) even though the radio control system was a bit crude with the non-proportional steering and 'blip' throttle control. The took a back seat when I acquired my driving licence and my first car (a rusty old Cortina Mk 1) and I also got involved in sound recording for radio. I decided to sell the boat and bits for £60 through Exchange & Mart and bought an Akai 4000DS tape recorder and a 'Chilton' audio mixer, built a home studio and along with a good mate of mine started making radio commercials for the new commercial radio stations including London's Capital Radio. We even won a 'Campaign' advertising award for one of our efforts! And so after several years as a 'phone engineer I moved into professional recording for A/V and broadcast and then into TV production. Fast forward to today. Semi-retired with grand kids and with more free time on my hands I still had an interest in model making so in Jan 2016 went to the Model Engineer exhibition at nearby 'Ally Pally'. It was there that I saw an RAF crash tender just like the one I built all those years ago and got into conversation with the chap on the stand. This re-ignited my model making interests and I researched the hobby and that model in particular.

6 years ago by robbob

Forum

Brushless motors (again)

Will need to put this on hold for a bit as I have just discovered a guy working in the next industrial unit to mine is into and has offered to give me a motor and ESC that he has 'outgrown'. In the mean time I need to replace the propshaft as it is not man enough plus a metal U/J. Bit of hacking required.

4 years ago by steve-d

Response

Julieth 4 French fishing boat

HI NPJ I gave a few bits of blind to my mate and he is using it for doors and access hatch covers on his TID tug. Canabus

4 years ago by canabus

Forum

Where's our mate?...

Hope you feel better soon mate, have started on my commander, I think about 3 weeks and should be ready to start rebuild. Have you got the dimensions for the supermarine base mounting points and height of shaft centre line would be helpful. No rush on getting it finished as you know I go for my knee operation on the 18th. Apparently they have free WiFi for the patients so at least I can keep following the news. Cheers Colin

4 years ago by Colin H

Blog

Calculating scale speed

HOW TO CALCULATE SCALE SPEED Such is the diversity in model with anything from a tug to fast service launches and hydroplanes there is always the issue of what is scale speed as we want our models to look right when on the water. This can be achieved by finding the square root of the scale multiplied by the speed of the full size craft. All you need is a pocket calculator and as an example I will use an M.T.B that is flat out at 40 knots. The boat is a 1/35 scale model. We start by dividing 1 by 35 which is .0285714 then press square root that shows up as .1690307 which when multiplied by 40 (speed of full size craft in knots) gives us 6.76 knots for the model. When calculating it in miles per hour the process is still the same. Boaty😁

4 years ago by boaty

Forum

replacing propshaft

the boat went quite well, it is too complicated for me to load a video, I cant remember what happened, but I had to repaint ot and it went horribly wrong, I managed to hand paint it in the end and it will do. I then got the Lloydsman ready to sail, then both were put on the top shelf of the garage out of the way and that is where they stayed asI cannot carry them from the car park to the pool at Coate Water, however I have acquired two golf trolleys and intend to adapt them for the boats. I have gone off the boats along with other hobbies due to arthritis, and winter is approaching,

4 years ago by RichardSReade

Forum

EarlyVosper M.T.B by Simplas

Found on E Bay but sold in June of this year, a 42 inch kit of a Simplas Marine Construction Vosper M.T.B. It would appear that there are not many about now. I built one in 1972 and the kit contained a fibreglass hull with all fittings including the guns being in cast metal. Deck and superstructure were plywood and the boat was a model of an early Vosper as it had a very narrow beam and torpedo tubes were towards the stern. I fitted a DC Sabre 1.5cc diesel but had to add a lot of ballast which resulted in a sharp drop in performance. This was solved by replacing the Sabre with a Fuji 15 marine version glowplug engine . The boat was free running and as I was on an apprentice engineers pay and could not afford r.c.as I was having to support an ageing Mini. This was my transport from Ellesmere Port to the lake in New Brighton. If I had bought a Taycol Supermarine motor it would have solved all my problems as the battery would have been the ballast. Boaty 😁

4 years ago by boaty

Media

HMS Cadiz

My dad built this over a long period of time, starting in the '80s. The hull is fibreglass and the rest is scratch built from plastic card, balsa, ply, wire and anything else he could adapt. Although he installed the motors, props and rudders he never completed the RC installation or tested it. I inherited his boat models a few years ago and wanted to "finish the job", getting the model on the water. After installing the RC gear and batteries over the last few months, this weekend was the first sailing outside the bath at the Valley Gardens lake. Happy to report that it sailed really nicely, seems to be reasonably stable although I did restrict it to calmer times when the MTBs and faster boats weren't running ! HMS Cadiz was a battle class destroyer, laid down and launched during WW2 although she didn't receive her commission until 1946 so didn't see combat with the Royal Navy, serving with the home fleet. Due to the changeover in pennant numbering she was originally allocated R09 and later, when the admiralty decided to revert to the D for Destroyer pennant numbering she was assigned D79. To reflect this my model has D79 on the starboard side and R09 on the port side. She was sold to Pakistan in the late '50s, and renamed PNS Khaibar. She was sunk with the loss of nearly all hands in 1971 in the indo-Pakistan war.

4 years ago by landie

Forum

Tony O

"Thus spoke Zarathustra, Harbinger of Doom and Gloom" Martin: if any youngster with a glimmer of interest stumbles across this site and immediately sees in 'Latest posts' comments such as Quote "F*** em all" and "My attitude, as ever, has to revert to "F*** 'em all", do you really think that that is encouraging? There are glimmers of truth in what you say BUT mis- and overuse of smartphones / I-Pads etc etc can be restricted by the use of apps designed for just that purpose. Apart from the fact that the parents (to a lesser extent perhaps also the grandparents) of course have a major guiding role in such matters. Or should have! And don't come with the old chestnut that the kids today can get around such apps. If that's really the case then leave 'em alone to go on to make their millions writing software, designing games or hacking banks and insurance companies! 😁 Those are the extreme exceptions though. As long as 'WE' live WE will not witness the death of model ! Oh! and BTW: just because someone has other interests and a different attitude to life to your apparently somewhat blinkered one (e.g. w.r.t. 'woodies' versus functional working boats and ships), e.g. angling, does not mean he is a moron. That said it doesn't surprise me at all that you had no luck trying to start a club. Lighten up a bit and 'Live and Let Live'. Nevertheless, all the best, Doug😎

4 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Tony O

There, what did I say? ....F*** em all. They'd rather whinge than get on with enjoying it. I bet they all drive Honda Jazzes and Nissan Notes and used to rush home for Sunday lunch! You're better off on yer own, mate. We could actually witness the death of model in our lifetimes. Martin

4 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Motor size advice

That was also my first thought Martin👍 So Jacko, that means that all of the above applies also to your boat!😊 Happy shopping and . Cheers Doug😎

4 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

weed problem on lake

Well Smiggy, I last used that lake in 1966, then it was used as a general lake, including inc rowing boats for hire as well as model boats. it was also used as a carp breeding pool, with lots of ducks as well. The carp and ducks used to keep it weed free. I also used the river in the park below the waterfall where the steps go down to the water, it was good for launching my models. Do you use this site for your boats. I am interested in knowing what it's like nowadays, was thinking of visiting my sister in Melton soon and thought I could bring a couple boats. Cheers Colin.

4 years ago by Colin H

Forum

Tarlair Gala 2018

We had an absolutely fabulous day at the pool at Tarlair Lido in Macduff (Sunday 19 August) for the Annual Gala day, quite a few boats being sailed and all sorts of other events. Everybody is welcome at our pool (all modes of propulsion allowed); normally around every Sunday at 1330 except when the weather is awful - if heading North, bring a boat. Nobody bites😉

4 years ago by aanside

Forum

Lost Tamar Class Model Lifeboat

Dave W Many thanks for your suggestion and for doing it. it was found local to our home Club water and although we do not have a Facebook page / social media other than our Club website we often have enquiries from people who are in our region so to speak on various aspects of model but no enquiries about this significant part of the lifeboat. Alan

4 years ago by ads90

Forum

Air screw driven hydro

I recently acquired an air screw driven hydroplane fitted with an A.M 15 diesel engine. The boat appeared to have either been from the Mercury Kit which was produced from the early 1960s till late 1970s or may have been built from the plans. What was unusual is that it had been fitted with R.C for rudder only operation and when I put a receiver in to try it, the system worked well. I also ran the engine and it appears to have been as new and after examination of the boat this appeared to have not been used either. In the 1960s I had built a couple of airscrew boats and they were free running powered by engines taken from my control line model aircraft after they had been pranged. Intentions are to eventually get the hydroplane on the water with brushless electric power due to the "No I.C" rules on my local lakes, something I never had to worry about as a 15 year old . Boaty😎

4 years ago by boaty

Forum

LiPo batteries

I don't intend using Lipos when I get back to actually and flying as I feel they are too much bother. Lion orABC or similar for me I think.I'll have to think more on it. I have Nimhs and A FEW Nicads .The Nimhs I know for certain are 13 yrs old at least and are showing 11.2v at 82% charge despite not being charged for 4 yrs. The Nicads 9.4v and 42% charge. Not as good; as we might expect but the others really surprised me when I metered them out.8 yrs lying in a blokes planes,boats and boxes and I got them 5 yrs ago.I charged them all and they've not been charged since.We'll have to see what happens under load etc. They might not last 5mins.🤔 John O/T👍 I know some of you won't believe me so tuff. J😎

4 years ago by onetenor

Response

'All Aboard' ;-)

Now I know why I love , swap King George V for a place on that crew, but don't tell the wife. Cheers Colin.

4 years ago by Colin H

Response

vintage yacht (Victoria)

will be building 2 rigs for sailing normal and gaff as a test i will be using ripstop nylon and temp rigging

4 years ago by jacko

Forum

What do you do when...

I have had this problem several times myself especially with fast electrics when they "flip" over. At present I take my old Aerokits Sea Commander with me to use as a rescue boat but there is always some element of difficulty when trying to line it up with the upturned craft. How you deal with it depends on the size of your lake. On small ones it is possible to have a vertical pole mounted on the bank with a long length of string attached to it. You then roll out the string and walk round until the string makes contact with your boat then slowly walk back bringing the boat to the side. Building a rescue craft like you describe is perfectly normal as I have seen them from time to time and also you see them on You Tube when retrieving usually (you guess it), a fast electric in distress. Good luck with your project and you can also disguise your "rescue boat" to look like a pusher tug etc.😁

4 years ago by boaty

Forum

Charging NiMhs, one for Doug?...

I thought they all had to be cycled to keep any charge in 'em. What do I know? All my batteries have died...Lead acids, Nimhs (except for the new ones for the testing of the Spektrum). I hate bloody batteries. I don't use my stuff often enough to keep them working. Such as all Winter. Basically from September to May all is on hold. So batteries get left. I now have a Digital radio which uses 4 AAs, but they get charged in a wall wart, no packs of them and no fancy connectors, so that still leaves out the NiMhs. I suppose all you can do is run a motor or something. Maybe a light bulb. Then recharge. What a faff. I wasn't cut out for working models. Cheers, Martin

4 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Sea Queen

Hi Martin In Australia we do not have many enthusiasts so the market for scratch builders are not there. We have hobby shops but they only sell kits. The main suppliers are in Melbourne called "Float a Boat" They do have quite a lot of boat fittings. I source a lot of parts from UK from "Model Boat Bits". Steve is quite helpful to deal with but as always the cost of potage kills it. Regards Sid

4 years ago by sidley70

Response

54 year old Crash Tender

Great job being done there Martin. My memories were of my Veron Viceroy in the 1960s with Taycol Asteroid sailing on New Brighton model lake rapidly going through 4.5 volt cycle lamp batteries wired up in series. I am made up to see a very original Crash Tender as the one I have now is a 1962 version I restored in 2014 from a wreck that was about to be binned which I bought for next to nothing from another person. in Ellesmere Port . On examination there was no evidence of the boat having an I.C engine but I did manage to find some mounting holes which appeared to match those of a Taycol Standard. This was a coincidence as Taycol did use photos of a 34 inch Crash Tender powered by the Standard in some of their advertisments including the leaflet that was supplied in the box with their range of motors. Boaty😊😊

4 years ago by boaty

Forum

LED Tug Mast Navigation Lights

I ain't laughing Pete, it's a fair question (or two) 😉 1 Location: you're on the right track👍 A little distribution board, e.g. built on Veroboard, is a good tidy solution and simplifies any troubleshooting later. Put the resistors in the + lead to the LEDs. 2 Resistor size and heat: 1/8 or 1/4 W resistors will do nicely. Since they will only be passing 20 to 30mA they should not get hot. The size is about 3mmx 10mm. Allow 3 or 4mm at each end for the leads for flat mounting. 3 Values: Before we can determine these we will need to know what voltage is supplied to the dropping resistors on the circuit board just before the plug and socket connection to the lamp wire. So you will have to do some testing with your multi-meter😲 before you pull anything apart make a sketch of the lamps connections to the board. Switch on your TX and RX - IN THAT ORDER PLEASE! Switch on each existing light in turn and measure the volts at the socket on the board, referred to the negative of the main battery supply. Then look for one of those teeny SMD resistors directly connected to the socket pin you've just measured and check the volts at both ends while the lamp is on. Note all these readings on your sketch. Make a clear photo of this sketch and post it or PM me for my email address. doug-bell@t-online.de that might get deleted by the site system🤔 When we have these readings I can work out some suitable combinations to achieve what you want and minimise the number of different resistors. Basically I need to know if the full 7.2V of the main battery is switched to the resistor by the RX output! if not then what!? Hope this makes sense 😉 Takes longer to describe than to do it ! Re sourcing: Try Radio Shack. I recently pointed another site colleague (figtree) in this direction for a similar project with his Brooklyn tug. For instance- https://www.radioshack.com/collections/resistors/products/500-piece-1-4-watt-carbon-film-resistor-assortment?variant=20332255301 This is a collection of so called preferred values, i.e. near enough standard values and cheap to produce by the millions. For $7.50 it's got all the values you are likely to need for the next 10 years illuminated 😁 Cheers, Doug 😎🤓

4 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Fittings & Detail Parts

Aw, it's Monty et famille! When Chris and I were in our 10 foot caravan in the boatyard we backed onto a pond with Monty the Moorhen and his Mrs. and they raised 4 generations of tiddlers. in the end Chris used to sit with her hand out of the window and feed the little devils. Monty or Mum would take the new ones across the boatyard to the canal for a swim and to get them used to feeding themselves. At such times all traffic would be brought to a halt by Chris and me on pain of death. Those who made no fuss got a cuppa. Those who moaned were wise not to leave their vehicles in the yard overnight while they went . When we left, the moron who leased the yard filled in the pond as well as trashed our "little home". Bastard croaked a while back. Karma. Moorhens rule. Coots are 'orrible show-offs. Martin

4 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Council madness...

When I used to sail on the Liverpool park lakes ,2 of which have dedicated model ponds. The birds which were about ,even the babies often hitch hiked on the slower vessels. The faster ones were ignored unless too close for comfort.They just lifted off a yard and settled again. The birds not the boats😋 The main lakes were " Lakes" with rowing boats but noone moaned about them disturbing the birds. Actually noone moaned about models either. I wonder if it would have been different if the pools weren't dedicated.👍

4 years ago by onetenor

Forum

Council madness...

These council so called goody goodys should open there eyes most model ponds have some wild life on them i my self have a rc rat what would she do if she found this on the pond shot it duck lady you need to go and spend some time and looking ay model ponds.

4 years ago by Albert

Forum

Newbie radio control question

Hi, Just thought I would comment regarding the difference between Mode 1 vs Mode 2. I fly aircraft, but the configuration should be the same using the radio for boats. Mode 1 - Elevator/Rudder stick on the left. Throttle/Aileron stick on the right. Mode 2 - Throttle/Rudder stick on the left. Aileron/Elevator stick on the right. I'm getting into boats now and my radio that I will using is set up in the mode 2 configuration. The choice depends on what you have used in the past or the type of radios your buddies use. in aircraft flying we always use the same modes just in case someone has to step in and take over the flying. in I don't think this a criteria due to the fact the boat would go down like aircraft do sometimes. Hope this helps.

4 years ago by JBRCfloats

Response

Sea Scout 'Jessica' Sea Trial - at last!

You're Sooo right Ed👍 Especially if yours is the only 'show' on the water, like today. You meet some nice people 👍 Since I retired I can avoid the weekends and holidays when the Biergarten lake is overrun and overcrowded😊 Re: finding the time! You should see the state of my maisonette!! Or maybe not 😲 No wonder no woman lives with me for long 😉 Photos attached of possible next projects - What should I do next??? Answers on a postcard please to ..... 😁 1 The Danish fish cutter? Full restoration, 2 The ELCO PTB? Renovation, repaint and refit as PT-109, 3 Or maybe the cruiser HMS Belfast? Needs new props and RX and ESCs fitted. 4 KMS Graf Spee, needs new shafts, props, RX and ESCs. Help! 😲 it's all go folks! Happy all, cheers Doug 😎

4 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Its good day, its a bad , its a great Day

Hi all good stuff that I order arrived quicker than expected, bad day one of the props the wrong size good day quick phone call to Cornwall models sorted. great day I was getting a bit worried out sailing the boats I am making as it looked like I would have to go in Edinburgh or Glasgow to sail them, so last night I fired an email of to Falkirk trust who look after the kelpies and the helix park with has a large lagoon I expected a no go as far as sailing the boats, so great news they said ok no caveat's or conditions except that boats that use fuel are not allowed, and if their are no other organised events on, So after reading so much on the site about clubs folding and lakes closing and not been looked after and also the rarity of boat sites in Scotland we now have a site that is easy to get too right next to the motorway that goes for Glasgow Edinburgh and even Perth would to be to far. And I the lucky boy live at its front door so next job after the boat is a trailer for the mobility scooter to carry the boats I think someone did something with a golfing trolley so its praise your god and pass the battery charger , but it is good that the Falkirk community trust is going to let boats on the lagoon

4 years ago by teejay

Forum

It's a sad day!.

May I just say how heart warming it is to have had so much positive response to my rant, I truly did not expect at the time to trigger so much support. I don't think we have had one negative post, as I say it's nice to know that we all share an affinity in the love of ALL aspects of model , not least the fast disappearing world of internal combustion. I do now intend keeping all of my vintage collection of engines and boats, if only to simply look at from time to time,all thanks to you guys, especially Martin for his straight forward way of speaking, it defiantly made me think again. Thanks guys👍. Norman.

4 years ago by stormin

Forum

It's a sad day!.

Hear Hear, as Martin has said, enjoy! and long may your club enjoy the fun and pleasure of ALL forms of model . Norman.

4 years ago by stormin

Forum

It's a sad day!.

There you go, a whole new kind of model Martin

4 years ago by Westquay

Forum

It's a sad day!.

I think one of the mistakes people make is to assume that they must run their models with others of a similar ilk. That rather means a club of some sort. I say organise a loose grouping and find a river. You can buy a little dinghy/outboard combo for very cheap as a rescue boat if you can't get to the sides all round. Since the river will have diesel and petrol boats on it, you're fine. Canal Locks can be ideal and many (most) are not manned by any pretence at a Jobswuff. Some rivers have no speed limit sections, such as the River Nene and, last I looked, the Yare. So join in. There's nothing sacrosanct about model boat ponds and anyway if the Council Nazis have decided No IC, they are no longer model boat ponds, since that was all there was at one time. I ran a model boat display on the Well Creek in the Fens a few years back and we had no other than the famous AMPS man, Miller Agnew,with his Rossi powered outboards on his gorgeous tunnel hulls, models of real F1 powerboats. He came with the Cambridge club whose secretary made a point at day's end of thanking me for asking them. They had never run on a river before and all loved it. They had R/C water skiing, racing, you name it and all thoroughly enjoyed it. in the end the Police had to move the traffic on the main road opposite who had stopped to watch. A Rossi powered F1 at full chat on a river only 20 feet wide is something to see. Apparently Mr. Agnew was heard to say that "this is proper model ". So, go rivers, young man. My, we'll be running out of middle fingers in no time! Martin

4 years ago by Westquay

Forum

It's a sad day!.

Yes E.T Westbury "Sealion", we have many homemade engines in boats made by my father, Whippet, Seal, Wallaby, Kiwi, (attached). Council finally put a sign up at our lake, no IC engines. Endorsed by the sailing lads. it was also a lake for tethered hydro's in the past built especially by employee's of the Cadbury group for power . sign of the times! The Sealion engine was to go into a small tug.

4 years ago by Novagsi0

Event

The Summer Modellers Exhibition Midhurst

The Modellers Exhibition is held in February each year but this is the first time that they are holding a Summer Exhibition. There will be the usual boat displays and 'new' this time around 'ponds' to see the boats on the water. There will also be model tank displays/battles, the usual trains and model drone flying displays, etc. It is open from 10.00 to 16.30 and parking is free.

4 years ago by ads90

Forum

Our water

The pool is certainly not sheltered (have a look at the chop in one of my photos). Completely open to the Moray Firth but sheltered to the South by the cliffs - unfortunately the prevailing wind is from the open water. I have had that tug of mine on its beam ends in the wind and it is ballasted to within an inch of the wash ports. We haven't had anybody sailing here in recent memory but I do have a ketch under construction so may be able to report sometime in the next year or two😜

4 years ago by aanside