Forum

Night Watch

FLEET TO COMMANDER WESTERN SQUADRON, TEXAS NAVY: SUBJ: VESSEL ACQUISITION: CLASS: CLEAR: Dear WO Cash, Considering the current new build budget restraints (and delays and cost overruns on the Western Fleet's new sea going tug!😐) Night Watch command has no objection whatsoever to the acquisition of a vessel, suited to our mission profiles, which is surplus to the requirements of a friendly navy. This is the way that most minor navies around the world survive. (With the exception of some small navies of oil rich countries who can afford new build!) Before my elevation to my current command posting I worked on the refits / upgrades of many examples of vessels 'sold down the line' and re-flagged while the hulls still had life in them. Most fun was on an ex RN Colossus class carrier in Brazil😊 Looking forward to the sea trials and commissioning ceremony of your flagship. I may have found a source of scale Champagne s for that😉 I'll let you know. Congrats on repelling your 'boarders', although I wasn't aware that cauldrons of boiling oil were still in our armoury!! Or that cannibalism was legal in Texas😮 Looking forward to your 'battle recipe' 👍😋 All the best for your build and fitting out. FLEET// 😎

4 years ago by RNinMunich

Blog

EzeCoat!

Not much done today! But, I did order a of EzeCoat! It should arrive in a weeks time! I figure it's time to start sealer her up! I believe Doug "RNinMunich"! had recommended it a while ago! Maybe tomorrow, I'll do a little work on her! I have to slow down the build. It's suppose to last the winter! At this rate I'll be done too soon!

4 years ago by figtree7nts

Forum

Night Watch

Mornin' Marky, "when we were wee boys my mum made it that thick you could dance on it ." Brings back memories! When I was a kid Mum was ill (an exceptional instance!) and Dad took over the 'cooking' for a week or so 🙄 First attempt at porridge he offered us "One slice or two?"😮 Same thing happened on Sunday, roast beef and potatoes were acceptable but the gravy was again "One slice or two?" Dear ol' Dad, Gone but not forgotten 😊 I soon learned to make creamier porridge myself. My Sis and I used to fight over the cream off the milk (top o the milk) to put on top of the porridge with a splodge of Tate & Lyle Golden Syrup. Back in the days of real milk in s on the doorstep, before the thin homogenised stuff packed in cardboard boxes. I still make it the same way, in a pot on the hot plate, and with cream (now sold separately!) and brown sugar, or when I can find it here, Golden Syrup😋😋😋 Microwave porridge? No! But scrambled eggs go pretty well once you get the timing right😋 Otherwise it can quickly become another case of "One slice or two?" 😁 Here endeth the culinary dissertation from Munich for today (tonight!?)😉 😎

4 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Re: Oceanic

"ex one of Larry Allisons -(Oracle) toys" Orrible JB - a giant plastic - would suit Oracle however - one of the most useless systems I have ever worked with - very expensive and could not do the work done by a system costing perhaps 5% of the price - totally overated

4 years ago by redpmg

Forum

Old times

There was also a diver that came in his own - you pressed the flexible lid and he dived - release and he came up........ fascinating to a kid - took practice to stop halfway........ Have a plan for one somewhere - uses a 2litre fizzy drink - and a small one for the diver........ Oh - and don't forget the drinking bird - they had plenty of those in that shop too!

5 years ago by redpmg

Forum

Night Watch

FLEET TO ALL UNITS: Good news Gadies and Lentlemen😊 My captors were fool enough to lock me in the Wine & Spirits cellar under the restaurant. While my guard nipped out for a drag (the tobacco variety!!) I managed to slip several s of hi-proof vodka into the staff beer barrel. They are now all comfortably 💤💤💤💤💤💤ing so it was a doddle to obtain the keys 😁 and trundle home in the manager's Merc. With a few choice cartons of wine of course😋 Many thanks all for offers of assistance👍 and Meeeow to Errol, no rabbits in the park but several squirrels, grey and red-brown. Looking forward to Texan Bratwurst & Schnitzel Cash, Chorizo Sausage?🔥😛 For future reference, in case they try something again, a small seaplane (Alaska style) could probably make it in to the larger southern part of the lake. Tie up to bridge on eastern side of the island. Clearing south of the lake suitable for small troop glider, or LL Drop from the Herc. Tree cover and high ground east of the lake suitable for stealth approach to the restaurant at the north end. Avoid Biergarten (for obvious reasons🙄) until after successful conclusion of action!! After this ordeal (locked up in a wine cellar, Hic😁) Surgeon Commander has insisted on signing me off for a weeks rest.😊 Now I'm hungry (all the suggestions of food!) so I'm off to the galley to make me a Chicken Sweet n Sour with Splecial Flied Lice 😋😋 Cheers All, thanks again: FLEET// 😎

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Re: Smoker test 6 - pulsing the smoke

Told you to get on with a new project before you sank the ship........ Interesting that Blue is still around - so which one are you ??????? Next thing you will be talking about Iceland Parrots (aka wheels-up) . What were you putting in the smoker ..............

5 years ago by redpmg

Response

Re: Smoker test 6 - pulsing the smoke

Re- cunning plan "Blast, we've been discovered! Quick Blue, hoist the refinery sails and head for Greenland"😁

5 years ago by jbkiwi

Forum

Night Watch

"Gunpowder for Beaufort Force 8 and above. 15 Year for special occasions and celebrations". YES! I can see the of Blue label Doug, what I was enquiring, is that you mention the other two, but not the latter? obviously not as good a quality as the first two mentioned, but if you have tried(sampled) the others, can you confIrm that the Blue label is worth getting, as I am new to rum, Brandy is my quaff.🤪 Cheers, Rooky

5 years ago by Rookysailor

Forum

Night Watch

I remember my father bringing home a of real Pussers during the war, me dropping it on a hard tiled surface in the hall and the house stinking of rum for months. My mother was teetotal! Nerys

5 years ago by Nerys

Forum

Night Watch

Admiralty Original for calm to moderate conditions Lt. Nerys. Gunpowder for Beaufort Force 8 and above.😮 15 Year for special occasions and celebrations😉😋 I'll have a word with Rear Admiral Logistics, if I can ever find him!🙄 Like Granny used to say (rolling her eyes!) 'Bin round the s again🙄😠' 😁😎 TIP: Open pics in a photo App capable of GIF pics, they're animated 😉

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Not so cheap glue!

Hi Nerys, I tried Gorilla glue ONCE. It's ok for gap filling if joints are a bit loose and you are not worried about appearances, but no good for fine gluing, as it expands when drying. It's activated by moisture in the air and on dry days can take a while to set. I found it to be a messy glue and 80% set in the before I got a chance to use it. It is a polyurethane glue so is waterproof but for the price I don't think it's worth it. I think you are better off using epoxies for the high strength areas and cynos, (thin, medium and gel - Loctite Gel is excellent for quick tacking and gluing) balsa glue, exterior PVAs etc for other bits. I use epoxies for strength and cyno (gel and thin) to stick other bits initially and then run a bead of balsa glue or UHU round all the seams, ( I do that with planes as well) Even PVA sealed with dope in cabins/non wet areas works well, (I even use PVA in planes, never had a failure) The only way to find if it's suitable for the jobs you're doing is to try it, but buy the smallest amount you can first and test it on some scrap. All I can say is it is not like other glue, (some people love it but not me) JB

5 years ago by jbkiwi

Forum

Night Watch

FLEET TO SUB. Lt Rooky: CET 00:59. "will not be pursuing pensioners, as they will all be tucked up in bed." And you too I suppose Sub. 🙄 Very well. Stand down and report for the Forenoon Watch instead. HQ will instruct Lt. Cmdr. Marky to send his Eastern Flotilla to cover for you. You'll owe him a decent of the Water of Life, 16 year single malt at least!😉 FLEET//😎

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Plans for Billings African Queen

Apologies - should have engaged mind and checked before writing - had a good look at a few completed ones in the past and noted the shortage of a few bits including the gas s and in one instance the case of Gin...... Brings to mind reading about someone complaining that the kit should be wooden hulled like the original - then someone pointing out it was a metal hull...........

5 years ago by redpmg

Forum

Do you Hear there Promotion announcement

Please welcome to the mess newly promoted WO Bryan-the-pirate. I have so many ranks as I'm a: Captain when operating a vessel, Commodore when with the local group. Warrant Officer on here and Chief cook and washer at home.

5 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Response

Re: 40'' Seaplane Tender, new build Z 7.1

Thanks Red, I managed to get a card with about 10ft ea of black, brown, grey and white for $2. I needed a continuous piece to thread round the cover without knots (although did get one knot as I changed my mind on where to finish the cord) This elastic is thinner than those bands (1mm) and the modified 1/2 fairleads only have about a .75mm 'hook' so the cord had to be small. I wish I'd found this thin stuff earlier for other models, (aerials, lifelines etc- don't break if you snag them) Might be able to change those now. Also found some hemp/sisal string which will make good ropes when waxed, (got a ball of it for $2 again. This shop also sells my favourite cheap cyno - Shenqiang brand, in a plastic , (again $2 - hobby shop same qty 6-$8.) I pour it in everywhere, hardening balsa, toughening threads in balsa or hard wood (tap hole, pour in cyno, let dry, re-tap - nice tough thread. Great stuff! JB

5 years ago by jbkiwi

Blog

Evolution

Hi Guys, I decided that I would do a sort of a build log on this wacky project. This is another crazy idea that has been buzzing around in my head for a while. I have not used any measurements,drawings,plans,or photos. A Totally experiment ! It should work if I get it right. This will be a 2 channel surface runner when completed. I will not log every stage as it will get extremely boring, but if you have any questions then I will answer them as I go along. EVOLUTION is built around a drinking water . The first job was to attach some magnets so that the front will detach from the main body. The water is just to stop the electrical stuff from getting wet. In this log the photos will tell the story.(hopefully) Martin.

5 years ago by Martin555

Forum

Hints on Ballast

I'm with you Nerys👍 Sounds good but sand is simply too bulky for my ships. And as you say the lower the better for stability. Guess the sand works well for large wide beam boats, but not so good for my high LoA to Beam ratio naval ships, up to 10 to 1 or so. I also use lead shot, bought in 1kg s from Krick, to do the ballast test. When I know how much weight I need I still have some chunks of lead left from a visit to an MBB (now part of EASA / ESA?) scrap metal shed. Guy who took me there was a neighbour and friend of mine who was responsible for the machine shop which made the motor casings and burner tubes for the ARIANE 5 rockets. Some exotic metals in that shed! For final trimming, also on aircraft, I have cards of several 5gm lead trim weights, also from Krick. Cheers, 😎

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Re: Evolution

Martin that's definitely not going to swim too well on its own - begin to see the use for the plastic - how you have the patience...........

5 years ago by redpmg

Media

Short video of the first test of the new vacuum table

I built this vacuum table and heater mainly to make a large canopy for a project scratch built plane I was building, (plus I thought it might be handy for other things). I had to use 1mm PTEG (same stuff they make coke s/packaging etc out of) as no one in the country stocks .5mm so the result was not the best, (need to get it very hot) Heater box uses the guts of a 2 bar halogen heater in the bottom, plus a 500w halogen work lamp in the side (1500W total) but still needs to be hotter. Will try and do a build post later.

5 years ago by jbkiwi

Forum

EeZeBilts From Keil Kraft

You are right of course - in the UK you would also have to have a safe extractor/collector unit for the fumes/dust - however the US made table top models are self contained - BUT you only have a A3 sized bed whereas ours has an A1 and can take objects up to a foot high for engraving, plus a rotary attachment for glasses , s etc. The water cooler is a separate unit which now costs the better part of R10k. Better half had her aluminum tubed Universal 200 re-gassed (they run on CO2 at about 38kv - at 80w so minimal current) and that set her back about R80k some 22 years ago. Pyrex type glass tubes are only about R12k now however. You also keep the lid tightly closed unless you are an idiot - plus they all have a safety switch to shut the laser off if the lid is lifted (which I have seen bypassed). There is always some stray laser beam about and deflection off the bed which does not do one much good. Especially eyesight. So the machine has a thick dark yellow/orange perspex inset on the lid and you should wear safety type glasses the same coloration which act a bit like polarised lens. As a matter of interest ours ran for a year in the spare bedroom - with the extractor unit venting through a french door panel - would be severely frowned upon by 'elf & saveless'.

5 years ago by redpmg

Forum

Transport System for model boats

Hi Hilro, Funny this should crop up now😉 This is what I bought for this purpose just this week! Has nice big wide wheels so it should go anywhere😊 Folds up so it doesn't fill the boot (That's Trunk for U guys over the pond!) Three of my ships are a tic longer than 127cm so I'll make cradle ends to Velcro inside the basket for them. Otherwise all my boats and ships will fit inside with their stands. Plus "all the gear!; tools, RC and batteries etc. (Maybe also a of summat and sandwiches!) Cheers, Doug 😎 https://www.amazon.de/HOLISTAR-Handwagen-Bollerwagen-Transportwagen-Seitentasche/dp/B07SKHYL8Q/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&keywords=Holistar&language=en_GB&qid=1564189637&s=gateway&sr=8-11

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Re: Evolution

"A 2 channel drinks . Brilliant." One channel to open, the other to pour!? Cheers all, Down the hatch, 😎

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Re: Evolution.

Judging by what seems to be written on the , your medication would appear to be 'Gin & Tonic' Cheers 🍸😋 Rob.

5 years ago by robbob

Response

Re: Evolution

I decided to use the water after doing some experiments for a watertight compartment for a submarine as it has a really good seal to prevent the water from getting in. I am still tinkering with that idea for a WTC but it is throwing up a few problems that need sorting out.

5 years ago by Martin555

Response

Re: Evolution

A 2 channel drinks . Brilliant. Looking forward to part two.😃

5 years ago by MouldBuilder

Forum

two part epoxy resin

Doug , brake repaired thanks, I use Zap Z-Poxy 15 min 8oz Epoxy Resin which comes in two s, however to ensure a correct mix I weigh the two components using jewelry scales which measure small amounts very accurately. I also use this method when weighing glass fibre resins and have never had any curing problems, and yes warming the s (or tubes) will help with dispensing. PS. jewelry scales are really cheap (£4.50) on ebay and very useful.

5 years ago by mturpin013

Response

Re: My current fleet 14 July 2019

A ship in a would not take up much space. Martin.

5 years ago by Martin555

Forum

Batteries in a DX5e

One upmanship is everywhere - in all aspects of life - my cars bigger than your car - we have some semi rigid inflatable shark diving boats here - 35 to 40ft long - one being fitted with FOUR 300hp outboards - imagine his fuel bill ........... At my old Model Boat club wealthy member used to turn up with the latest and best - imagine his chagrin when my 10 GBP Maplin Xmas special outran his new fast hydro........ Full size Yacht club was worse - fellow member turned up his nose at the offer of another members crane to put his 30footer back in the water - used a local "professional" crane hire outfit to do the job - ironic that the crane fell over whilst lowering his boat and helped sink it - larger crane required to salvage both - all this while the sneered at crane was successfully dropping a 40footer back in the "drink" at the cost of a of scotch.

5 years ago by redpmg

Response

Re: Steampunk Pike.

Hi All, Martin piqued my curiosity (always dangerous😉) soooo- Digging around a bit I found this explanation of the number codes (Recycling Codes) on the bottom of plastic food containers amongst other things. See attached pic. Might help with finding the best glue for the different types. Cheers, Doug 😎 PS I have no idea what use a 'crushed ' might be! 🤔

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Re: Schooner

At least you get to empty the first.😊

5 years ago by Wingcoax

Response

Re: Schooner

Hi Colin, Thank you, No it is just a static model. I should of mentioned that in the harbour post, I will change it now. It was a bit fiddly to make, the rigging was a bit of a challenge. The wife keeps saying that I should make ships in s. So I made one and then I made a boat in a bicycle light bulb, but it was not my thing. Martin.

5 years ago by Martin555

Forum

Hints and Tips.

Used to take a of Naval Reserve Port, or a dozen std NZ currency (crate of quart s of DB -Dominion Breweries) to parties in my younger days, fertilized many a garden. Once bought a 37 willys sedan for a dozen! (notice I slipped in a marine related item)

5 years ago by jbkiwi

Forum

Hints and Tips.

Or a shorter version I was told when about 12yrs old, by a boat builder,- there's no red port left in the . Same thing but different. (NZ version)

5 years ago by jbkiwi

Forum

Hints and Tips.

Another handy tip Martin, is how to remember Port & Starboard, with this little phrase... 'Is there a little more Red Port Wine Left in the ' Which gives you RED PORT LEFT..simples😀 Peter😐

5 years ago by Rookysailor

Forum

Cruise Liners

Is anybody else of the same opinion that Cruise Liners have become very ugly ?- look like multi story hotels fallen over . During an enforced stay at home been looking through my files & tidying them up . Another contender being the plastic types that masquerade as cabin cruisers & motor yachts or am I just biased in favour of older ships and boats? Missed out on a cruise with RMS St Helena which would be to my mind much more pleasant than travelling in one of those floating cities. Having been lucky enough to travel on three of the Union Castle Liners as a child & teenager the thought of travelling on one of those monstrosities with thousands of others is appalling. The only thing to dislike on the Union Castle ships was the class seperation prevailing at the time.

5 years ago by redpmg

Forum

Glue

Hi DodgyGeezer I am about half full from the first fill from back in 2017, I do put the top back on the between gluing parts so that my help. Fred

5 years ago by Fred

Forum

Glue

That is indeed a bargain! I have noticed that my small s of MEK tend to disappear through evaporation more rapidly than through use! Have you noticed any such issue?

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

Glue

Thanks Martin - agree with you about testing etc - in my case I was lucky as George told me the parts were ABS . Did not know that ordinary styrene glue would not touch it at the time. Lucky to have had a of mek poly on hand. See that often epoxy is used to glue deck beams etc to glass fibre Hulls - have found if epoxy gets wet enough it looses adhesion. We used to get a foamy type of Poly glue here meant for joining kitchen counter tops - very strong - dries hard (but don't get it on your skin - harder to remove than Cyano).That would be ideal as it also melts a little of the polyester resin. Same applies as for styrene glue though - overdo it and your hull distorts. Fred - does that Gorilla glue foam a little ? See that the US "Noodle" boats use it to glue the noodles together

5 years ago by redpmg

Directory

My Retirement Plans !!!

Hi Everybody, Having decided to finally officially retire, I have been inundated with an assortment of wrecks, part builds, kits etc. As you can see from the attached photos I've divided them into 3 Groups, Military Leisure Craft and Sailing. The Military group consists of a 1:128 Scharnhorst, 2 x 1:24 E.Boats, an unidentified V & W Hull, 1:36 Perkasa, and a 1:144 wooden hull of HMS Victory. The Leisure Craft group consists 1:8 Fairey Huntsman, a 1:36 Billings Sampson II, 1:35 Billings Calypso, 1:24 Clyde Puffer / Tug, Narrow Boat. And the Sailing Boats Group consists of 2 x Unidentified R/C Yachts. Finally there is a concrete Narrow Boat Planter to paint...definitely will not float, it weighs 15kgs!!! So having been forced to give up gainful employment😂 , (I was management so I could delegate), I now find myself back as general dogsbody, chief cook and -washer. I'm setting up the Workshop, got a computer design area, a general workbench and a painting/ moulding table outside, the rest will be a 3D printer and scanner when funds permit and the wife wont miss a few bob from the holiday fund. So no quiet life for me!!! Can I go back to work please????? Steve

5 years ago by boatiebennett