Forum

Bollards

Hello John The Waine book, Steam and Short Sea Traders arrived today but have yet to find the image of the mushroom. Toby

5 years ago by Toby

Forum

Bollards

hi Toby on most drawings depicting hidden diameters is normally done, as you say, in dotted lines and 10 inch diameter can indicate the bollards width at its middle section which, in this case, it does. Yours on the model you are building from the 1930s will not be prefabricated steel i.e. welded, they will be cast. The British shipyards were rather slow on the uptaking of welding steel and it wasnt until after the 2nd world war that we really got into the swing of things - long after the Americans, the Germans and the Japanese had been doing welding ships before the war. Three photographs which show you the type of bollards and the top of a bollard and also can show you the physical size of them. As far as the mushroom vents go, according to British Steam s by C.V.Waine, there is a small drawing which shows a true mushroom shaped ventilator on a ship - also in the book from Norman Ough he has a set of drawings of them, although they were mainly aimed at Royal Naval ships, they would also be found on a merchant ships. John

5 years ago by JOHN

Forum

Landing Ship Tanks (WW2)

Thanks very much Doug for that wealth of information which I hadn't found. I never knew there was so much information available and am extremely grateful to you for bringing it to my attention. I will also pass it on to my sister who has all his personal records, published writings, drawings and cartoons etc. As a matter of interest, there is a drawing of LST 368 on a beach somewhere, by my father, in the D Day museum in Southsea. An LST is on my list of future builds, but at the moment I have a Dutch , a Thames barge and the restoration of a pond yacht on the stocks. I feel I owe it to my father to build an LST, but equally should I also build one of his previous commands?, a tramp Ship, S.S. Ashbury or the last ship on which he served?, the training ship Arethusa, perhaps in her original guise as the four masted barque 'Peking' Fair winds, Nerys.

6 years ago by Nerys

Forum

Styrene Allergy?

I started building a dutch recently from a kit which is all plastic and styrene. I have no experience of using these materials. Progressing reasonably well but am finding that my fingers are becoming very sore, splitting and losing top layer of skin. Lips are swelling too. I can only guess this is a reaction to the styrene and would like to know if anybody else has this problem and how they get round it apart from stopping the build. Any help will be gratefully received. Regards, Nerys

6 years ago by Nerys

Forum

Tony O

That might have been the case before the mobile phone/mini computer boom, Colin, but now they don't learn anything at school, there are no clubs at school and all they want is 'phone games/youtubes of other nerds playing games better than them (yes really!!). They simply cannot see any pleasure or fulfillment in making something and let's face it, apart from racing yachts and very fast raceboats, model boat operation will bore the best of us after 5 minutes! Going round and round with a is limited to say the least. I get my pleasure from making them and almost none from playing with them. Try offering that as an argument to a kid who loves Fortnight or Minecraft. You haven't a chance! Model aircraft or car racing will always take them if there's a hint of interest as those are more exciting, if expensive. Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Response

Hector Read

Thanks for that Marky. Good to think she is still afloat. An engineer who once worked aboard related a hair raising experience he had years ago involving restarting a failed engine during a hazardous attempt to get a line aboard a drifting in heavy seas off Gt Yarmouth. it gives an added interest and life to our models when hearing from seamen who actually worked aboard the real vessel. I am sure there must be many modellers with similar tales.

6 years ago by Gascoigne

Event

Work Boat Day

Event open to all to show off and sail their models of work boats. Tugs, Tankers, s, Ferry's, Lifeboats, Cruise Ships etc. Tea Coffee and refreshments available. Disabled Access. 10am till 1800hrs. For more info contact Rob 07714517445

6 years ago by Aquaflite

Forum

M Sonic microprocessor ESC.

Hi Colin Looks a bit like the Graupner Pollux tugs, I had a similar vintage tug from the early 1960s called Libeccio, was free running, Mighty Midget and fixed adjustable rudder. Converted to rc and used to push my Mercantic around as they were similar scales. The hull eventually disintegrated (early extruded plastic) but my friend Bill managed to make a mould and cast in resin. in fact we use the hull with different designs for children to sail at shows. I usually have one in stock as they make a good starter model for new members. 300 size motors with a 10 amp ESC and 6v Nimh work fine. Hope you mange to get yours going.

6 years ago by Dave M

Forum

waterline models

have a small collection of waterline models for sale these are approx 12" to 16" in length some have display cases they range from s to colliers cargo and some warships from the 50s and 60s if of interest please contact me for further details also have a number of laminated a3 size plans from the same era which would be ideal for waterline model makers

7 years ago by kenbestford

Forum

Big Blue

Nice work so far, my Brother had a similar idea, re hatch sizes, but he scratched built boat hull in 4 watertight sections, held together with rods, pushed pushed down from deck and using computer leads for Bow thrusters/lighting/radar etc. With all sections in place it could a large tanker, remove one section it could convert to a , using Bow and Stern it became a large tug, all superstructure could be placed in any position on deck,even bridge section could be altered, by sliding it back and forth, back for cargo /oiler, forward tug. All this he could do in minutes, so looked it looked like he'd brought a shed load of boats to the lake. :-)

7 years ago by Peter47

Response

Boaty- SS Activity, Semi Scale from Hobbies ltd

Thanks for that info. I have checked X List but still cant find plans for SS Activity. Is there anyone out there who had such a model circa mid 1960s or anyone with specialist knowledge of boats or plans that were produced by Hobbies Ltd of Norfolk around this period?: cool: Boaty

8 years ago by boaty

Response

Boaty- SS Activity, Semi Scale from Hobbies ltd

Have you looked on the numerous plans sites and their X- lists?. Google for them

8 years ago by onetenor

Response

Boaty- SS Activity, Semi Scale from Hobbies ltd

😀 Thanks Mark I may need to get a copy if a boat or a plan does not turn up. Andrew at Hobbies ltd is also searching for a Plan Number. As this boat was not actually marketed as a kit but just a plan with a wood pack, it may have been lost off the radar altogether. As it is 36 inches in length and 6 inch beam with main superstructure aft, I may be able to at least build a replica as near as possible from memory . Many thanks Boaty:

8 years ago by boaty

Response

Boaty- SS Activity, Semi Scale from Hobbies ltd

Hi Boaty, just looked on amazon, the Hobbies annual 1964 is available from several sellers quite cheep. Mark

8 years ago by jarvo

Blog

Mamod ME1 Steam Marine Engine

From Boaty - Managed to obtain a Wilesco D52 steam marine engine okay but am having some difficulty in either getting a plan or an actual model of the SS Activity steam powered from Hobbies circa mid 1960s. It now appears that it may have been in the 1964 Hobbies Annual and not the 1965 edition as I first thought. This model appears to be very obscure especially when compared to the likes of Aerokits and Veron boats etc of that period. Does anyone know if there is one for sale or do they know if plans for this model are still available. Trying to find info on this boat at present is like searching for live dinosaurs and crashed U.F.Os etc. Regards Boaty

8 years ago by boaty

Blog

Mamod ME1 Steam Marine Engine

😊 Does anyone still use the Mamod ME 1 marine steam engine? Its been over 50 years since I last saw one in action. This was at New Brighton Lake in the SS Activity. The Activity was a semi scale kit for a manufactured by Hobbies Ltd of Norfolk and was advertised in their Annual in 1965. It was 36 inches long with a narrow beam, the engine protruding through a cut out in the deck with an exhaust pipe that was connected to the funnel. Over the past 12 months I have managed to collect 2 Mamod engines , one being the SE1 Stationary Engine and other being the Mamod TE1 Traction Engine similar to the one I got for Christmas in 1963. I have been on the lookout for an ME1 but had no luck finding one. Restoration of such and engine should not be a problem as I find Tony Green Steam Models in Lincolnshire are excellent for quality repairs. Boaty 😀

8 years ago by boaty

Forum

Which Motor

I am about to start the Caldercraft SS Talacre. Can anyone recommend a geared motor for this . And any other tips for this Model. Many thanks

8 years ago by randhbarker

Forum

Model Slipway Tsekoa

Thanks Dave, I have a Rother & 54" steam on belt reduction 600's and theyre great. As you say different boats need different things. After talking at the club yesterday, I'm now looking at Brushless outrunners 1000kv. Quicrun do some decent low cost controllers. I've used their brushed version on a few boats. Cheers all.

8 years ago by Derek

Response

British Coast

nice looking well done

9 years ago by Northumbrian

Forum

Car heater fan motors

I tried to use a 12v 1980 VW camper Heater Motor in a 30" Cabin Cruiser but gave up because the size of Battery / speed was not suitable, possibly would have been OK for a Tug or . Good Luck Chris

9 years ago by chrislang

Blog

plating

Pic 1 my riveting tool. Just a block of wood with a row of panel pins. They must be the self punching type. pointed head not flat. The close ups are of scale model CROWPILL, an old . 2ft long. Well weathered as can be seen. Coming up the muddy river to Bridgwater the hull became stained. To replicate this I made a pond off polythene sheet, pored thinned oil paint on the water. Dipped the model down to load line, remove then dip again to the light water line, Increasing the stain. The model Is made of polyuathen foam & the plates attached with 5 minute epoxy.

9 years ago by hammer

Forum

Rust Bucket I.D.

HI Dave. Thanks for comments, have added picture of motor that was originally fitted. I've also now resoldered all leaky joints and coated with antI rust, and a primer, Hopefully that will preserve it while I continue the slow process of restoration. But there are some minor anomalies that bug me, the bridge area seems too small a scale to suit the hull. So I may end up altering it so that it is visually better, I contacted the original builders family and they say that its based on a that he worked on, and will try to find out the name. That's all for tonight.

10 years ago by Colin H

Media

Talacre

SS Talacre - Single Hatch 1:48 Scale Just recently bought second hand and about to renovate to my own standard! Caldercraft SS Talacre The SS Talacre is a typical single hatch used in the coal trade of a type that was found by the hundreds around the coast of the U.K. in the golden era of steam. Designed for Point of Ayr Collieries by Crichton, Thompson & Co Ltd., of London she was built by Crabtree &Co., of Great Yarmouth in 1917. Talacre was named after a small village near the colliery. Talacre was finally scraped in 1959 by the Hammond Lane Foundry in Dublin. Realism leaps out of the completed model, as if a turn of a valve will start the anchor windlass or the cargo winch clattering away and the lagged steam pipes to begin steaming and drying out. Scale: 1:48 Length: 863mm Beam 152mm

10 years ago by lhpen

Guestbook

Guestbook Post

HI peeps, Found this site via an ad in the july issue of model boats mag, glad I looked it up, its a good and fresh site with a wide spectrum of interests and abilities on show. I'm at present learning to sail my 'Phantom' yacht and between sailing sessions and when time allows I am working on a in 1/48th scale based upon the models by design (ex metcalf) Pateke, I say based upon as I am converting her to incorporate aspects of designs of the 50's and 60's, so therefore she is a freelance model, I'm trying to incorporate as much detail as possible, building the superstructure at present with full wheelhouse detail all scratchbuilt. I'm quite new at model shipbuilding but not new to model building, been plastic kit-bashing for 20 years ...........have interest in building fleetscales HMS Starling but as the Opossum as this was my dad's ship in 1954-56......if anyone has more details on this ship I would love to see more close up pics if poss!!!......all the best fellow shipmates!

11 years ago by DaveJay

Forum

Model Boat Club - how do you set one up?????

HI there peeps, Just wandering whether anybody has any Input on starting a model boat club, I live In Swindon Wilts and at present there Is no known club In this area which Is quite surprising as we have a great lake namely coate water, I know that In the past model boaters used this lake but because of general lack of respect for the fishermen that also use the lake the rangers asked the model boaters to leave, I'm hoping to contact the rangers with a view to securing the use of the lake again for organised model boat sailing sessions within a designated area of the lake......now Is It worth setting up a formal club that requires membership to sail at the lake or to form a Informal club??.........what are the pro's and con's etc.......any Input would be appreciated. P.S I have a 'Chinese' Phantom yacht which I have modified by re-rigging her, sorting out that leaky hatch cover (a nightmare to resolve - but done) and a sporty respray In a patriotic Union Flag style......will post pics at some point In the future. Also on the workbench Is a 1/48 dutch based upon the models by design 'Pateke' hull......slow progress but getting there!!!....yacht has taken some of my time up!!!........if I set up a club It would be electric power and sail only, no steam or I/c! Also, just out of Interest, I was down In Burnham on sea last weekend and visited Apex lake which apparently the Sedgemoor mbc use, the lake Is Impressive but about 1/4 the size of my local lake, a small lake has a large club but here In swindon a large lake has no club, Its about time this Is rectified!!!

11 years ago by DaveJay

Directory

(Working Vessel) Shotton

Steam built by Coppacks at Selby in 1912. Originally for the fruit trade from France. Later re-named, then eventually ran aground off the Scottish coast with a cargo of Carbide, took on water and exploded. This model is Sailed in a weathered condition on salt water which keeps her that way. (Motor: Graupner 540) (ESC: Electronize) (10/10)

11 years ago by Derek

Media

Rust Bucket

Believed to be scratch built, evidence of old 1 gallon REDEX oil container forming main deck, bits of Mecano used as stiffening and support. It has a Basset Lowke model 1461/u (motor, stern tube, prop shaft and prop) Set.This dates from the mid 1930's and would have cost 7/- Shillings for those old enough to remember, that would have been abut a day and a half's wages. The photo's show what the motor looked like as it came out and then after cleaning and testing, and yes it runs very smoothly in forward and reverse, from 3 volts up to 12 volts, seems to be quite good at 6, so will probably use when rebuild complete. As you will see from photo's there is a lot of restoration to do before sailing again. Now you've stopped laughing, can you identify the type of ship it's meant to be, I thought a .

12 years ago by Colin H

Forum

New restoration project

High fellow boaters, This Is my latest project,(am I mad) Its a scratch built all metal boat, 33Inches long with an 8 Inch beam, from about 1950? I think It's supposed to be a of some description unless you know better, It Is In a very poor state as you can see from the photo's, but I think It's basically sound, just needs rebuilding, the motor Is a Bassett Lowke, made In Northampton, I don't know anything about It, I tried It on various battery's from 3 up to 12 volts and It ran quite smoothly, any Information would be most welcome. Should keep me busy through the winter, so any Ideas would be gratefully received. Just found this picture from 1936 catalogue showing Motor and Prop-shaft and prop as fitted In this boat. Thanks Colin.

12 years ago by Colin H

Forum

Veron tug

the had more than two coats of matt and polyester resin , however it does mean that we still have some of the fine tissue matting left , Ive also got around half a gallon of polyester resin and a little of that grey gel coat too , if your down this wekend and its not too damp I could coat it for you ? as for a motor Ive got a 400 with a gearbox , and escs like the one in sapper 44 are only £7 !

12 years ago by triumphjon

Forum

Veron tug

HI Dave The hull is complete as is most of the tug however there are about twenty parts in the bottom of the tug, I have a old six foot almost compleatly rebuilt, it had several holes where the planks had given way that now has two coats of glassfiber on it, so the same treatment will happen to my tug also you are right about the glue on picking it up a piece it it came away, I also have a fully re furnished fireboat the same as your photo, thanks for your reply. Sorry I can't post photos until I get me laptop back I am using my IPad at the moment. Kevin

12 years ago by surreykev

Forum

Could somebody please help me Identify this model???

Well would you believe it, not only was Chris B spot on (Thanks Chris), but on finding the box that I mentioned earlier..... I found the plans for the Zwarte Zee, plans for the fire boat and plans for the Caribbean . Along with assembly instructions and loads of spare bits and bobs that I didn't know I had. The box has been sitting around for 29 years..... I also found an un-touched MTB kit, think I might start putting that together soon too!!! 😊

12 years ago by bigmacmodels

Forum

Could somebody please help me Identify this model???

I think your on to something, I have a box of bits from another boat that I have from my grandad (Caribbean ). I think there are some bits and pieces from this one in the box. I will have to dig it out. Just googled the Zwarte Zee and it defo seems to be identical. Thanks a lot for all your help, that will make the refurb a lot easier now. I will post some pics of progress.

12 years ago by bigmacmodels

Media

Model Slipway built by Debbie and Alan

This is a Model Slipway four hatch . We have named her Lady Debra. She is 6 months old 500 geared torpedo (2.5:1). We sail her at Mote Park in Maidstone.

16 years ago by Alan and Debbie