Blog

PS Iona - misc fittings

A bit of a miscellany here - the funnel fittings or mounts at the top are 3D printed and the 'rope' is some sort of elastic string used in jewellery making. This... 1) keeps it straight which is difficult with regular string or wire, 2) doesn't get damaged when you catch it with a stray arm, tool, etc. Brass steam fittings turned on my lathe. The forward hatch was built in case extra ballast was needed, but has had a beneficial side effect. No ballast was needed and the hatch is filled with foam, so I can wedge in a mini tripod and mount a camera up front. Only briefly tested but looks promising The windlass is a kit from mobile . Easy to construct and looks the part. Tow hook 3D printed.

5 years ago by Harvey Kitten

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 boating 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 boating 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.

8 years ago by robbob

Forum

Veron Vosper F.P.B. 52''

The Veron F.P.B does appear to be a very rare model and I feel £300 would be a reasonable price especially when you take into consideration how much a modern day manufacturer would want. Just look at prices for Deans , mainly their Vosper M.T.B. which is a lot smaller. Also Veron kits seem to have been overlooked and the only model that is easy to obtain is the Slec version of their 26inch River Police Launch. Phil Smith was a great designer of boats and aircraft . I sold my Veron RTTL in the mid 1990s and my fleet today consists of one original Sea Commander, one 34 inch Crash Tender , both of which I restored, an italeri PT109 and two RTR fast electrics. TOP TIP for anyone who buys your F.T.B- trace around the parts and use them to build the model while keeping the kit intact. I do this with my Keil Kraft control line aeroplanes. B😁😎oaty

6 years ago by boaty

Forum

Paints

I use Satin enamels as they are more durable than Matt finishes, especially on the hulls, but still go over them with clear matt enamel for realism. The 'scale' appearance is the consideration. From a distance a real boat even if finished with a gloss marine enamel would not look glossy. A WW2 boat such as an MTB would definitely have a Matt finish, and always 2 coats. Working models get scuffed in use.

6 years ago by reilly4

Response

Calculating scale speed

Thanks Doug I hope that your not getting too stressed by my motor restoration, I'm looking at buying another supermarine, boxed unused, box looks awful but motor is still all shiny. if I can get the price down to my level it will be for the vintage history display. What esc would you recommend for the one you are restoring. Not getting much done at present as I am trying to sort out building work on new wetroom before I go for my operation. So I will be back on the models after my knee surgery is done. Checked the launch this morning using my satnav strapped to the cabin roof. After a 300 meter run at full speed it read 7.01mph. So that really was pleasing to see. Got to go sparky just arrived. Cheers Colin.

6 years ago by Colin H

Forum

Prop Shafts

I had this situation on an old Aerokits Crash Tender that I restored. Though there was no motor with it and the hull was in a very poor state I noticed the stern tube was plain steel with no evidence of bearings though the prop shaft was a good fit. I got round this by lubricating the shaft with Marine Grease (Dynamite Marine) which is a blue grease that I use on my fast electrics. This can be purchased from Wheelspin Models. You can also purchase a grease gun from them which is very useful as you can fill the whole stern tube . On my fast electrics the flexi drive to the prop is in a nylon sleeve that is flexible but does not have bearings installed. As the brushless motor exceeds 22,000 rpm I can confirm that the grease does a good job as I have not had a failure with it. Boaty😁👍

6 years ago by boaty

Forum

HMS HOOD by Trumpeter

Getting fed up with struggling to the pond with my 54" fast attack craft, I visited Dean's Marine last Saturday with a view to getting a smaller warship kit, to make life easier. I had a conducted tour of the showroom by Ron and had almost decided on HMS Daring, at a mere 36" long, when he said that there were more kits in the shop, which I might like to see. And what did I come away with? - yes, 54" of the 1/200 scale HMS Hood. http://www.hmshood.com/hoodtoday/models/trumpeter/trumpeter200.htm I blame my mate, Octman (aka Chris), for allowing such an act of folly! I hope I have not bored you with my tale of woe, but for those who are still with me, my question relates to the fine detailing kits available. Some of them cost almost as much as the original kit, but my main objective is to have a wooden deck. Does anyone know where I can purchase a good quality deck on its own? I am also looking for 1/200 figures for the crew. Thank you Steve

6 years ago by cormorant

Forum

Sea Queen

sidley70, you can use anything you like really. Subtle, rather than flash for a boat like a Sea Queen. We didn't have much flash in those days! Except for front wing ornaments for Mk 2 Consuls if you look at any period advertising it will probably have the original fittings shown on any pictures. Whilst Mersey Marine (THE period fittings company) are sadly no more, there are basic fittings available from Cornwall Models, etc. I also saw quite a few on ebay, but do yourself a favour and have a look on the Modelling Timbers website....http://www.modellingtimbers.co.uk/1.html The guy who runs it is an absolute gentleman and you will not find better quality or lower prices anywhere. Despite coming from the isle of man his return postage is excellent. He is very friendly on the phone too. If he doesn't have it, you can also get excellent quality, service and prices from RBModels in Poland. I have bought very good model railway stuff from them, but I noticed that they also do model boat stuff. Being a tight wad I tend to make all mine that I can't get from Modelling timbers. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

plasticard

I am a returner to boat building after 45 years and have always used marine ply for the construction of all parts of my models. I am currently building the 46" crash tender ( I have a current Build Blog) and whilst browsing this site I see many people using plasticard for their construction, can anybody list the pro's and cons of this material eg 1 cost 2 ease of cutting plasti V ply eg circular saw, filing, knife cutting, bending/forming 3 gluing issues 4 paint preparation 5 gluing to other materials 6 overall which do people prefer

6 years ago by mturpin013

Blog

Lady T

This is a build of the LadyT from Mobile , I am quite a way into the build now and have not taken photo's of every part of the build and I may get things a bit out of sequence, but I will do my best. The hull and a set of templates was given to me, I have found out that the templates in most cases are for guidence only. The hull is not one of the best mouldings I have had but with a bit of effort was knocked into shape. In order that the rudder could be removed from the boat for repair I glued a piece of 3mm brass strip to the hull with Araldit and P38 filler, another piece of brass with a hole to take the rudder was laid on top and two 3.3mm holes drilled through both pieces, the brass on the hull was tapped 4mm and the piece with the hole for the rudder was drilled 4mm clear and countersunck. By undoing the tiller arm and removing the two 4mm countersunk screws the rudder can be removed for repair. The rudder was made with thin ply and P38 using the drawing to make a template of the shape.

6 years ago by AlanP

Event

Mobile Marine Xmas Market

Mobile Marine Christmas Market invites modelers to bring and buy model boat sales as well as stall holders. Opens at 10am closes at 4pm. I will have several boats for sale, River Dance shown in my harbour and several others and a lifeboat kit of plastic. Other members of our group will be bringing another 12 models and further kits. Full address:- The Boat Shed, Highcliffe Park, Ingham Cliff, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN1 2YQ ...Free parking.🤓 Their advert:- CHRISTMAS CRACKER......... staged at the factory of Mobile , this now very popular British Manufacturers Show is the one day CHRISTMAS market, giving you, the boat modeller, the opportunity to 'get' those last minute items for the festive seaons building!!!! .......from... the many various manufacturers that we are able to 'cram-into' the factory........including Dean's Marine; SHG ; Little Model ; Tony Green Steam ; ModelBoat Mayhem .... and quite a few more ........

7 years ago by HoweGY177

Directory

(US WESTERN RIVER TOWBOAT) ILLINI LOYAL

ANOTHER ON THE WAYS: SALVAGED DUMAS ABS HYDRODYNE HULL, 35 X 10 X 2" ORIGINALLY IN THE AMERICAN BEAUTY KIT. MY INTENT IS TO SCRATCH BUILD FROM THIS HULL, A SINGLE-DECK TWIN SCREW LINEHAUL TOWBOAT WITH A FUNCTIONING TELESCOPING PILOTHOUSE. THEY ARE COMMON ON THE UPPER ILLINOIS RIVER WHERE THERE ARE FIXED OVERPASSES OR LOW OBSTRUCTIONS SPANNING THE WATERWAY. THE DES PLAINES AND CALUMET RIVERS IN THE CHICAGO AREA ALSO HARBOR THESE PUSHBOATS. THE PLAN IS TO KEEP HER LIGHT WITH A LOW CG, BUT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO PUSH SOME SCALE WEIGHT; I RECKON 775 MOTORS WITH 50MM 5-BLADE WHEELS WILL SUFFICE. THIS BOAT WILL BE STEERED WITH STANDARD RUDDERS, NO FLANKING RUDDERS, BECAUSE I WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE. (K.I.S.S.) I AM STILL BRAINSTORMING THE SYSTEM FOR RAISING/LOWERING THE PILOTHOUSE; POSSIBLY A SERVO WINCH & CABLE OR LINEAR SERVO. A PNEUMATIC RIG IS ALSO A POSSIBILITY I RECKON. SHE WILL BE WEARING THE ORANGE TRIM AND MIDNIGHT BLUE PAINT SCHEME OF MY SHOP-ILLINIWEK MARINE SCALE SHIPYARD. I USE LIGHTHOUSE LED's & MINI SWITCHES FROM THE SEATTLE AREA EXCLUSIVELY, 9V, 3MM. HARBOR MODELS 1.5V WORKING RADAR & MAYBE A 6V WORKING DECK CAPSTAN WILL BE ADDED. SHE IS MY 5TH ADDITION TO THE ILLINIWEK MARINE FLEET, AND WILL OF COURSE PUSH AHEAD THE MATCHING BARGES. GO FIGHTING ILLINI! (Motor: 775 JOHNSON TYPE) (ESC: DIMART 320A FAN-COOLED) (8/10)

6 years ago by circle43nautical

Forum

Skimmer from Mobile Marine

I have just purchased the hull and deck from Mobile of their Skimmer air-boat. Any out there got any info regarding the build of this? Mainly, is there any internal construction to do, to accommodate the receiver and servo etc, and to give it a bit more rigidity? I have a motor on order following Dave M's advise, and I have some ideas regarding the mounting of this and the steering arrangement but just not sure about the insides. Chris

7 years ago by octman

Forum

Prop Shaft Grease

Hi Andy I use Dynamite Marine grease both on my fast electric and scale boats. You can purchase this from Wheelspin Models and you can also buy a grease gun from them as well😋. it is brilliant for whatever boat you own and with the gun you can really lubricate the whole propshaft. Boaty

7 years ago by boaty

Forum

Prop Shaft Grease

I tried a few different grades of oil and found that if the inside end of the prop tube is close to or below the waterline then some water always seemed to enter the boat, as well as leaving an oil slick in the lake. You also need an oiler tube. Light grade marine grease - whilst offering some friction initially soon eases off on the friction (via a quick run-in), whilst offering a good seal. I have ships, patrol boats and submarines and they all have marine grease. I re-grease the prop tubes/shafts once a year for the frequently used models and others once every few years. I also tried Lithium grease, but it always remains sticky and so does the friction load. in most cases this is great grease except for prop shafts. Choose what ever you are happy with.

7 years ago by reilly4

Forum

Sea Queen Prop Shaft

Hi Jarvo The prop shaft that you mention is the type I was looking at, Deans Marine was at Mobile MarineModels yesterday, unfortunately they did not have the 18" prop shaft or would have bought. Will look at changing angle though. Thanks

7 years ago by AndyG009

Response

Fender addition

Hi Doug , Mobile do a series of rope fenders may be of some interest . Cheers Marky

7 years ago by marky

Forum

new brighton model boat lake

Hi Steve Its fresh water but the much larger Marine Lake a quarter of a mile up the road is salt water. I don't know if you are allowed to sail models there. I used it once in the 1990s with a fast electric but had to flush out the cooling system after. Went in the early morning when it was quiet so I didn't get spotted. Boaty😊

7 years ago by boaty

Forum

HMS Dreadnought (S101)

That is a big advance on anything I have Doug! HUGE thanks! Also, it has been a couple of years since I last visited the RN Submarine Museum at Gosport and I can't locate the photos I took there. They had several superb models on display, including the one shown below (not my photo). In the background is the famous painting of the launch of HMS Dreadnought, but can anyone recall whether the model is also HMS Dreadnought, or one of her half-sisters (Valiant or Warspite, both 20ft longer), or another boat?

7 years ago by Airtrooper

Forum

Blackpool Model Show

& Here is the list of traders who will be at Blackpool: Component-Shop Christopher Wyn Brown Deans Marine DK Figures Linkspan Models Macs Mouldings Magnafix Mastman Michael McGuinn (Guns) Mobile Modelboatbits Models by Design Mountfleet Models Peak Tools Pendle Steam Boilers Prop Guy Protean Design Scale Flags & Ensigns Scoonie Hobbies SHG Model Supplies RC Heli Guru Scale Hobbies Speedline Models Tony Green Steam Models Verkerk Modelbouw

7 years ago by ilewis

Blog

M.V. TEAKWOOD

Looking around for next winter's project, found M.V. VELARDE. A nice looking small reefer used mainly on the U.K. - Mediterranean trade. Decided to build the vessel using a Deans Marine glass-fibre hull and ordered one, planning to bring it back to Canada after a September visit to the U.K. The Deans documentation is designed for a kit rather than a a scratch build, I prefer to build as much as possible myself as enjoy the challenge, so started to accumulate the necessary drawings and photos. Looking though reams of pictures and other information began to think this vessel was not quite as attractive as first thought. Too late though, the hull had been ordered and paid for. Encouraged by other modelers who have adapted proprietary glass-fibre hulls to build different models, began to explore the possibility of using the Velarde hull for another vessel. Reviewing a book on cargo liners noticed M.V. TEAKWOOD, built in Sunderland in 1962. She had an attractive and unusual flowing look to her superstructure and rear deck. A comparison of scales and dimensions showed that a 1:96 scale Velarde hull would closely resemble a 1:133 scale Teakwood. Intrigued by the similarities, started to examine the two vessels in more detail. The length/beam ratio is almost identical and, as the Velarde hull is slightly taller, it could be trimmed down into the Teakwood. The Teakwood bow is steeper, the LBP longer and the counter stern fuller. Not sure about the hull sections, but freighters tend to be similar to other type vessels of the same era. Thus felt encouraged enough to further investigate modifying a Velarde hull into the Teakwood. Continued to search for an elusive General Arrangement of the Teakwood to confirm my initial thoughts.

7 years ago by Rowen

Media

Balloon Busters

The Confederation club loves to demonstrate there ballon busting skills

7 years ago by GARTH

Forum

Tinplate submarine motors more toys than models but I like em

Beautiful work Mactin. Reminded me that I had seen a series of articles in the Model Engineer January 1959 illustrating the build of an A Class submarine should you ever wish to put your engine to work.

7 years ago by AllenA

Forum

Tinplate submarine motors more toys than models but I like em

Ahoy Mateys, Bit of fun ive knocked up its a compressed air submarine motor in place of a clockwork one for one of my tin can sludgemarines. It is charged with a bicycle pump and runs for about a minute,not built the boat yet. I call it my Hitler engine because its only got one ball. www.mclarenclockworksubmarines.com Cheers MacT.

7 years ago by mactin

Forum

Tinplate submarine motors more toys than models but I like em

the fear of losing bodily parts was enough to keep us away ,changed days i remember him having bottles of meths and matches in the bedroom for the engine which powered a workshop with a small circular saw a power hammer and other potentialy lethal tools no health and safety in these halceon days ,next time i see him will have to ask what happened to it knowing him it will be up in his loft

7 years ago by marky

Forum

Tinplate submarine motors more toys than models but I like em

The ball is actually a door knob,got two of them from a charity shop for a quid its ferrous because its magnetic. The "meccano" is the poor mans variation called "X Tech" the hole spacings are different and its dirt cheap, once again courtesy of Marie Curie cancer charity shop. I presume you still have a full compliment of digits and bits! older brothers! mine was exactly the same.

7 years ago by mactin

Forum

Tinplate submarine motors more toys than models but I like em

another wonderful work of art . is the sphere stainless steel ?,like the Meccano ,memories of a lost childhood my older brother had a huge box of the stuff with a mammod engine and me and my brothers couldnt touch it if we did the threat of losing parts of the anatomy or death was there to stop us

7 years ago by marky

Forum

Tinplate submarine motors more toys than models but I like em

Beautiful! Excellent. Not a toy by any means. You sir are an engineer. Cheers

7 years ago by haleskevin

Forum

Tinplate submarine motors more toys than models but I like em

Cos "the other is in the Albert Hall" 😉 Nice one 'Cyril' 😎

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Directory

(Pleasure Craft) Dolphin 16 (19)

This is the Meccano Magazine January 1967 issue plan, built in balsa. I didn't do a build blog as the construction is well covered on the net. Started with an A4 plan and used Excel to enlarge it onto 9 A4 sheets. I chose something simple as I haven't built a boat for thirty years. Really enjoyed the build and re-learning how to overcome the problems that always arise. She is oversized being 19" long and having a 7.5" beam. She sits nicely on the water and begins to plane. Will upgrade the the battery sometime. The decking is worktop edge strip pre-glued but in future will use the unglued strips. The cabin was adapted to extend over the whole boat as there was little space for modern electrics. I will add in and out air vents as the motor will need to breathe. Also, the true model should have an upper deck and windscreen and this will be easy to add sometime in the future. Really surprised and pleased with results from aliphatic wood glue. The finish, which I am not completely happy with, due mostly to my own impatience, was achieved with Ronseal multi purpose wood filler, lightweight fibreglass laminate with Eze-Kote. Paint is Acrylics and Marine varnish. The electrics are: Acoms AR 201 Reciever, Servo Acoms AS 12, Cheap Chinese ,supposedly, 320 amp ESC and 7.2v Nimh battery pack. The Graupner Speed 600 8.4v, bought it cheaply some months ago, was already in one of my boxes and you can see the adaptation required to fit it into the boat. All the Acoms controls I picked up at a boot sale including an Acoms Techniplus Alpha Transmitter on 27mhz. inside I used Hammerite Smooth Gold as I couldn't buy silver. Modern Hammerite is thin and squeamish and took 3 coats to provide reasonable coverage. One final rant I do like the new silicon wires but they are a nightmare to solder to a motor. I think I will use soldered connectors in future. So there we are, first model in 30 years and now so many models to build and so little time. Lessons learned...... don't be impatient. (Motor: Graupner Speed 600 8.4v) (ESC: Chinese 320amp) (7/10)

7 years ago by AllenA

Forum

ECS rating- confused

You've almost answered your own question! ESC: if the motor stalls, weed or plastic bag etc round the prop, the current drawn will rise to 70A. if the ESC can't handle that it will cook 😭 It's a risk that can occur any time on most boat lakes. Up to you if you want to take that risk. if you sail only in swimming pools OK no problem the Viper 20A will do 😉 Fusing: if the motor draws 11A at max efficiency it may well draw up to twice that under other conditions and depending on the prop you use. Therefore the 20A fuse is good. Use a 'slow blow' type. The Viper 20A should be happy with that, they seem to be pretty robust. I use a Viper Marine 10 in small scale models with twin motors without problems. 15A fuse might be safer for your case. Fuse should always be well below the stall current and NEVER more than the ESC can safely handle. To be on the safe side I would put a 15A fuse in the ESC to motor lead and a 20A fuse in the battery to ESC lead. Double this one if you have twin motors! Hope this helps. Doug 😎

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

3 Footer on a very rare outing

Martin Crash Tenders were to be used for fire fighting and as rescue craft for Flying Boats after the war. The Comet put paid to intercontinental Flying Boats so the two boats were never used for their intended service and no more were ordered. They were only intended for inshore use so range was never a consideration and the quoted speed was 28 knots. During the War the RAF had many fast recovery vessels that were much closer to the MTB and MGB used by the Navy. One of our deceased club members Brian McAllen actually worked (as a chippy) on the Crash Tenders during his service in the RAF marine branch. He made many models of Crash Tenders and all had massive Brushed motors and were very fast. They look splendid on the water and possibly because of the Aerokits versions are very nostalgic for many of a certain age. Dave

7 years ago by Dave M

Forum

Good plans

Hi Dave, Thank you. That is a really good point what you wrote. I forward it to the owner of the website. He is my friend and he made the drawings after a lots of research in Hungary, Austria and Croatia. in some cases in italy. Quick help: http://www.kriegsmarine.at/ I was have some scale models like on the website. One of them is in my harbour, and you can find it among the For Sale/Wanted that is the 1st World War Torpeedoboat.That is the TB XI, but I have the TB IV as well. Above this I have some drawings Nostalgianavy here in the UK.

7 years ago by Dainesh

Forum

S H Grainger Cigarette For Sale

CIGARETTE BOAT MODEL 48”x12” This cool model was built by S.H.Grainger & Co., Division, Walsall, England. Originally designed as a display model of the famous Cigarette racing boat, this would make a great conversion project to either gas or electric. The hull and top deck are in good shape (a few mounting holes but no cracks) Many of the decorative parts in a bag. This will certainly take some TLC, but the basic structure is of laminated fiberglass and well built. Unfortunately I'm in Miami, Florida. Asking $75 plus shipping from USA. Any suggestion on where to post this would be appreciated.

7 years ago by headquarters

Media

Tug 'DHB Dauntless'

Scratch Built 1:32 scale Dover Harbour Board Tug, DHB Doughty. The main hull is a standard Damen hull purchased from Mobile , see their website for Portgarth. the hull is fitted with 2 x T12 Motors for the main propulsion,2 x 60 degree kort nozzles for steering, with 2 x purpose made brass props. Also fitted is a 12v Graupner water pump for the working fire monitor and Fwd spray bar, 2 x Mtronks 15 amp ESC's, Futaba steering servo and Futaba 40 MHz Receiver. Approx Dimensions including fendering Loa 41" Beam 14"

7 years ago by barnet

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 coaster 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

Doncaster Model Boat Show

Dear all, Please forgive the ramblings of a pensioner if l have overstepped the mark and the following should have been completed by someone such as Jarvo or Akelatheleader! However, here goes. Upon my arrival l was directed to the parking area by members of the local Air Training Corps. The entry fee was a very reasonable £5.00. The venue, a spacious exhibition hall was well laid out, thought having been given to wheelchair users such as myself. Access was made easy and uninhibited. First stall to greet you as you entered was Deans Marine. Well adorned with kits, including their very latest offerings not as yet in full production. Opposite was the display of club vessels owned by members of the hosts, CADMA. Excellent examples of the model builders art festooned the display, two l noted in particular were an open steam launch, complete with live steam propulsion and a Herring Drifter WY17 which paid respectful homage, to our beleaguered fishermen. Then on the rear wall a stand which sold all manner of modelling paraphernalia from mini compressors through modelling knives and table top vices to glues for every purpose. On the next aisle the Goole model boat club had set out their models for general perusal. As with CADMA the quality of exhibits was astonishing! A Police launch was the first to catch my eye not least by the splendid, illuminated array of spot lamps which were very bright and flashing blue beacons to the rear of the cabin. Bedecked in the national Police livery of lime and blue Battenberg the vessel looked very handsome. Then l met "Keith". He had 2 models with him, a "Castle" class Corvette and a 1939 S-Boat. Both models looked to be in the region of 30" in length but the detailing was breathtaking! He said his true passion in boats were the convoy escorts known as Corvettes. He had plagued the staff of "The Corvette Association" and their archives to such a degree they made him an honorary member of the association. A table toward the rear of the room displayed a cluster of large scale submarines. Awesome by their scale and sinister by association. Then came a stall with all manner of live steam associated parts and fittings. Boat fittings in resin, white metal and plastic formed a broad array of scale parts. The last stall sported all manner of scale mouldings and some incredibly detailed hydraulic lifting arms and cranes, everything for the docks and cargo masters stores. One table held a small group of true sailing vessels, propelled only by the world's fourth element. Where skippers of equal skill may win or lose, dependent upon the suit his/her charge is wearing on the day! The bring and buy sale upstairs went briskly and the open bar allowed for sorrows to be drowned when more had been spent than had been intended at the bring and buy. On the same floor the kitchens provided warm meals and hot drinks all at very sensible prices. All in all an excellent, well laid out venue where all levels of mobility were catered for. The models on display were all of the very highest quality, testimony to the diligence and expertise of the modellers themselves. Future shows are definitely worth a visit.

8 years ago by Oldtimer

Response

What Im Left With

All Aerokits were marketed by KeilKraft. Mine came for Christmas 1963, complete with REP single channel radio and a Taycol Supermarine Special motor. I really must get round to finishing it one day! It goes with my 1959 Sea Urchin, which I restored last year! Both models have their original motors and running gear. Martin

8 years ago by Westquay

Directory

(Working Vessel) Enterprise

Hull is from Mobile , much modified Steam tug Tolman. Model is based on Vic Smeeds plans of Guardsman and Customs Steam Boat Enterprise moored at Gravesend in 1930's (Motor: Cheddar Pintail V Twin ) (5/10)

8 years ago by Fullsteamahead

Response

Curlew

:HI modbot I like it. Very creative enlarging it by 150%. From my knowledge of the Keil Kraft range this should be somewhere around the size of the Mermaid or the Cresta etc. I remember the Otter Tug and the Terrier M.T.B also from the Ezeibilt series as well as all the Marinecraft balsa models, eg the Police Launch, Tern, Cormorant, and Thornycraft M.T.B. Last time I saw a Curlew on the water was in 1961 on Coronation Park Lake in Crosby when I was 8. I had a Victory industries Vosper Triple Screw Express Turbine Yacht at the time. it was an R.T.R plastic thing, 20 inches in length and powered by a Mighty Midget turning the three props via an elastic band and costing a kings ransom for the four U11 batteries which expired quickly. Despite the triple screws and the immaculate plastic hull, in terms of the performance the Curlew left it for dead especially when it came to speed and satisfaction. The mind boggles when I think of all those balsa models of decades ago and what can be done using 21st century technology i.e motors batteries, ESCs and affordable r.c equipment. Have loads of fun with your Curlew and I hope it inspires many others to follow and build similar models. Regards Boaty:

8 years ago by boaty

Forum

M, Tronics

Hey Dave The Right lever is steering & Left should be power. Put both motor's in clamp connected 12v to em boy did they go with & without those dehydrator things attached...back to draw board, sorry Dave & everybody offered advice. it has to be me you know coz this same thing with the ESC has happened to every boat bar one, I've taken her almost to bit & back, but there's no difference except different motor, but it's a marine brushless motor I brought em from Howes Models

9 years ago by Damon

Forum

Mobile Marine Lady Jan.

HI welcome to the site. I have built several Mobile Marine kits as well as kits from other suppliers and find that they all have their good points. The Lady Jan makes into a nice detailed model and the fact that you can buy it in easy stages appeals to many modellers but it does require some skill and effort on the part of the builder to achieve a reasonable finish. White metal fittings from whatever source need some careful fettling to remove the inevitable flash but this then makes the part much more of a personal product than one that may be mass produced. I agree the size fits well into most cars and the internal space coupled with the two piece superstructure would make a good project for a model steamer. There are pictures on the web site of finished models and if you search the internet under Empire Tugs you will find plenty of detail of the various craft of which this model is representative. I am attaching a picture of my model for your info. Good luck with your research and I hope you enjoy completing your model. Dave

9 years ago by Dave M

Forum

Mobile Marine Lady Jan.

I am currently building the Lady Jan, and really can't get too excited about this would be kit because of the lack of detail especially with regard to fittings and superstructure detail. I can't say I much care for the paper template method and the white metal fittings are sub standard. Needles to say this will be my first and last Mobile Marine kit, and my next one will be back to Mount fleet models. Does anyone out there have some detailed photographs of the Lady Jan tug, if so I would very much like to see them. My reason for trying to build this particular kit in the first place, is it is 39 inches in length with a beam of 10 inches, with a one piece large superstructure makinbg it ideal for a steam engine.

9 years ago by GaryLC

Event

Bury Marine Gala Day

Bury Metro Marine Modelling Society will be holding a Gala Day on Sunday 28th June starting at 10.00am. This Is a fun day and all are welcome to come and sail the models. There will also be a Bring & Buy along with refreshments available In the clubhouse. Bury Metro Marine Modelling Society Is a friendly and active club with over 140 members. The club water has ample free car parking, excellent disabled access to the water and clubhouse where refreshment facilities are available. Although members can sail 7 days a week, the club house Is open on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am till 1.30pm. Tuesdays and Fridays are mainly for the yachting section. For more Information on any events or the club, please contact the secretary, Graham Sleight on 0789 7340007, email (Email Removed - PM Only) or visit our website at http://bmmmsuk.yolasite.com/

9 years ago by slinger

Media

Police Launch 1.12 Scale

Police (Scotland) 1.12 scale. made from a Semi-Kit by Models by Design, built 2014. This is modelled from the interceptor42 range by Safehaven Marine. This is my first full build of a model, having only done restorations previously. Model length is some 42 inch, beam of 12 inch. (106cm x 31cm) Power is by twin E-Max BL2826 Brushless motors and 1, 80amp speed controller running on 2 NiMH 7.2 volts. Fitted with Action electronics Police siren, and with detailed rotating blue lights and searchlights. I sail this at Cold Knap Lake Barry Vale of Glamorgan, and I am the Founding member of the Vale Of Glamorgan Model Boat Club. Also included is my Portland Pilot interceptor 42 which was the original prototype from Models by Design which I purchased and added lighting etc, this runs on Brushless motor running on 12Volt lead acid. Visit our website at http://vgmbc.org/

9 years ago by SkipperVGMBC

Directory

(Naval Ship) Darkbiter

Built in 2013 from a kit by Nautical with added detailing. The original Darkbiter was launched in 1953 for the navy. Goes very well and looks great on the water (Motor: 550) (ESC: twin metroniks) (5/10)

9 years ago by Darkbiter

Forum

Model Boat Show - Ellesmere Port

I went there today with my brother. There seemed to be a host of visitors, it being well attended. The weather was, to me, ideal and a number of boats, yachts and submarine were sailing. The models displayed were generally well built and nicely displayed. However there didn't seem to be that many traders there as previously, which was a shame. The selling opportunities must have been quite large. Perhaps the rentals were too high? Anyway, we both enjoyed it.

9 years ago by cenbeth

Blog

Aft deck

The aft deck is almost complete. The forward towing beam is only trial fitted at present and the bulwark capping won't be done until that is glued in place. The towing beams and supports are brass, as are the guard rails over the capstan motor. The motor is a casting from Mobile . The capstan drum is a piece of 0.5" steel tube built up with Tamiya epoxy putty. The bollard tops are buttons; everything else is made from styrene.

9 years ago by Trillium

Blog

Director class tug

A paddle-propelled vessel is just an interesting subject, and these tugs were probably the final development of paddle propulsion. This will be a 'scratch' build, but the hull is from the Kingston Mouldings range, and many of the fittings will be from Mobile . The superstructure and other scratch-built parts will be styrene, with the odd piece of brass. I have a windshield washer pump to supply one of the monitors, and plan to fit a sound system. Having purchased the hull, the first task was to assemble and test the drive train, and at the same time fit some frames to the hull. The main structure of the drive train is 0.080" styrene, with .125" plywood added under the base for stiffness. Each rotating train is double reduction using toothed belts and pulleys, powered by Electronize 365-14 motors. (Belt drive is not as compact as gears, but definitely quieter.) The servo operates a clutch which engages both paddles. The clutch is a gear on a swinging link which is pushed into (or out of) engagement with port and starboard drive trains. A test on the water with just the bare hull was succesful, although probably overpowered on 12V.

10 years ago by Trillium

Media

Fighting Cock

Fighting Cock was one of the fleet of North West Tugs (Liverpool Screw Towing and Lighterage Company) steam tugs, built by Cammell Laird in 1953. The model is built on a Kingston Mouldings Sun tug hull, the superstructure is scratchbuilt from styrene, with many fittings from Mobile . The motor was 'rescued' from a mainframe computer data drive, and is direct drive to the propeller. Power is from 12V gell cell batteries with a speed control by EA Electronics. Both hull and motor were given to my father many many years ago, and the model was completed approx 7 years ago.

10 years ago by Trillium