Forum

Help! identifying a small ferry

I have been given a Ferry to restore/finish to working order. It was built by a gentleman who has since died and reflects a ferry he regularly used on holiday in Devon. He named it after his wife so the name is not right and I was assured it was a Brixham ferry which is not right. So I have an unknown name and crossing location but I do have you wonderful people who managed to help with the . All i can give you is some photos of the model.

5 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Media

ST 200

This model of Seaplane Tender 200 is another "loft rescue" that I have been asked to refurbish by its owner. This is a static model and along with his other models and mine we exhibit them at museum events to remind and educate people that the RAF used to have a Marine Branch for 68 years until its demise in 1986. 200 was the lead craft of the 200 Class s designed by Hubert Scott-Paine in the early 1930's. The L.o.a was 37ft 6in, beam 8ft 6in and draught 2ft 6in. powered by 2 x Meadows 828 100hp petrol engines with a range of 100miles. Now before the purists come along and say that the 200 class ST had enclosed wheelhouse not not an open backed one, ST 200 was the only one that was built that way the rest of the class had enclosed wheelhouse and walk through cabin. this model is 1:24 scale and is probably about 25 years old

6 years ago by colindavies

Response

360

Ok So by some miracle two s survived about 60 years and meet this year so crazy odds right? Well just to boggle the mind further. What are the odds of 3 all belonging to the same group?

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Response

360

We had a relaunch of the saeplane tenders at chichester canal yesterday. both wrked well but mine developed a leak.

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

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Range Safety Launch?

It might be worth noting that all RAF RSL's were were numbered starting with 16, all the 43ft RSL's were 1640 - 1668, the 41ft 6in RSLs were converted s, that were re-designated. they also started with 16 but were lower numbers, with the exception of 1646 and 1647 for some reason. The conversion was actually faster than their successors, 23Kts compared to 20kts (if you were really lucky) but generally about 18Kts. http://www.rafboats.co.uk/rsl43.html this is a a good reference.👍

6 years ago by colindavies

Response

Range Safety Launch?

Hi Canabus, #382 may well have been what you say! But this model has obviously been built as a THORNYCROFT 43ft RANGE SAFETY LAUNCH. The cabin structure and fittings are totally different. For me the 'give-aways' were the three side windows and the foreward bulge on the cabin. I had wondered about the number on the model from the outset. http://www.rafboats.co.uk/rsl43.html Pics show one example FoC #1640. On the above url you can see several more. Pic 7 is a MK1 40 foot Firefloat #55. Last 3 pics are 40foot MK1 s, #377 in a sad n sorry state😲 but apparently about to undergo restoration? Cheers, Doug 😎 PS: Attached also a pic of Firefloat #90, a MK1A. She was converted to a #467 in November 1949. FF91 was converted to ST382 in Feb 1950.

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Range Safety Launch?

Hi The 382 was a Fire Float Mk1(40 foot) (No. 90) converted in Feb 1950 to a . Max speed 21 knots. The MFA 800's are 5167 rpm( unloaded) @ 12 volts/ 5.3 Amps. Replacing these with 3639-750Kv brushless on 2S Lipo batteries(7.2 volts) would give you 5400 rpm( unloaded). 2S 4000mah 25C Lipo's(one for each motor) weigh 221 grams each. Canabus

6 years ago by canabus

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RAF 206

Very nice, you may have noticed my restoration of a 1950s-60s kit Do you still have yours?

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

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360

I am getting the tender back today Can't wait to try it out.

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Response

360

Mark (cujo78) met me today and showed me his built for his mum when she was little. The white livery is authentic for hot climate ports like Gibraltar

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Forum

what have I got?

I was amazed today to meet Mark (cujo78) on here who brought his for me to view. His has already had rc fitted and we had a drive in the Chichester canal today. Two survivors from the early 1960's kit. Mine is having a new prop shaft fitted but we hope to get them both together in the near future.

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Response

360

hmm you have a good point Martin but one small problem, the old motor turns well by hand but I have not been able to get it to go electrically. it's probable that the brushes aren't making contact with the commutator.

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Response

360

The motor is the heart of the boat, which is effectively a hark back to a different time of modelmaking. if keeping the finish is important (and it is), then keeping the motor is too. if you want a brushless screamer, build a new one as representative of your modern era, leaving this current model as representative of an earlier one. Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Response

360

I have cheated a bit and asked a friend to look at changing the rudder about as the settable pond type is too small to be effective (see photo). also the prop shaft is rattling in it's casing so that looks like a replacement with a modern one too. Still unsure about what motor to use.

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Response

360

Tudo claro, 👍 Good luck and much success. Look forward to the Progress Reports 😉 All the best, Doug 😎 PS the previous owner of my PTB would probably have a heart attack if he saw her now 🤔 But then he knew I wanted to refit her as PT109 in Pacific theatre colours.

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

360

Thanks Doug I am hoping to keep the livery as is and assume this was 360 before the loan. She is watertight and the cabin is a case of realigning the window panels. I am still in contact with the old owner and want him to recognize it next time he sees it.

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Response

360

Hi Bryan, If you want to do the SOE version she was most likely painted all matt black! The colour of skulduggery 😉 What ever you do, despite your good intentions to retain the 'old patina', judging by the photos you are in for a complete strip back and redo. Just as I have discovered with the PTB I bought. Thought it would just be a 'cosmetic job', flatten back and respray with Pacific green camouflage. Ho ho ho! Pics show what she currently looks like after cleaning off layers of enamel, and discovering that the prop shafts and rudders were misaligned and the chine strakes glued to the paint. 😡 Never mind an engine room fire when I tried to test the 'as bought' motor installation. 😭 Since those photos I have fitted new a new chine strake and started reinforcing the thin hull with glass fibre tissue. Next issue; set prop tubes properly and make an alu bracket to mount both the motors. Then set the rudder stocks correctly. Last thing I want is to dampen your enthusiasm, but that hull looks like it needs oodles of TLC. 🤔 Be aware of what's ahead of you and plan accordingly👍 Deck looks pretty neat, if unusual for a WW2 in service boat! As far as I can tell from the photos it's not just the cabin roof which is warped 😲 cabin and window frames will also need some attention by the looks of it. Before you run that motor I would strip it, clean all parts and check brushes and commutator for wear. See my Sea Scout blog 'Taycol Target motor' for a 'How to'. Should run well with a 3S LiPo, 11.1V. These boats weren't the fastest, 28 - 30 knots I believe. Which is why ST360 was reduced to more mundane duties after try outs by SOE. Don't forget some spark suppression!! Good luck, whatever you decide to do have fun doing it, Cheers Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Blog

360

Having identified the boat the restoration starts... I was given the boat about 10 years ago but had done nothing with it. Finally I decided it was it's turn to be made operational. With the help of many on here the boat was identified as a kit built belonging to the RAF. Once it was established as a 41.5 ft version I looked at their history and decided that 360 had the best story having been loaned to the SOE during the war and had taken part in some agent landings and recoveries. The Boat was built in the late 50s/early 60s as a pond boat powered by 3 Every ready cardboard wrapped 4.5 batteries in series powering a Bassett lowke marine motor. Steered by a sprung set rudder. The decision to try and keep the finish as original as possible was easy but throws up some problems. I want radio control in the boat and have a nice large cabin to house it in but the rudder has no significant stem to attach a servo to so a new rudder is needed with an above waterline shaft. The Motor... Do I use that one or replace it with something modern. The cabin roof was warped ( see thread titled warped wood)

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Forum

Warped wood

Don't worry, i deliberately put the question on a separate thread to my thread as I knew it could answer other peoples problems too. So we have gone from warped wood to electrical bridges. That is how conversations between friends go.

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Forum

Warped wood

I'd confirm what Ron says above. A slight warp, like yours, is paradoxically harder to shift than a biggy. I had a terrible warp in an old hull, but after making diagonal strutting and regluing the skins to a point a bit MORE than the warp in reverse, it sprung back to a perfect shape, but that roof is slight and so steam is the way. You can also use hat water or even just water, but, as Ron says, you'll need to twist it in the opposite direction and keep it there. A cheap and cheerful wooden frame is the answer, then either steam or dunk the whole lot in your garden (or somebody else's ) water butt. That's how I put the sheer AND deck camber on the 1.6mm decks of my yacht model. Worked a treat. left them to soak for half an hour and then dry on a hot sunny day, naturally. I now have a flat ply deck which has the curve of the sheer AND the athwartships camber all at once. I also notice that the framework under the roof sheet isn't complete. if you were to complete that while holding the roof in an unwarped position, glue up and let it set hard you could also find it will straighten up. Failing all this, making a brand new one from a bit of 1.5mm ply and some 3mm for a frame will be just as quick. Ah, it's our pirate friend. Hello Bryan. Hadn't twigged it was your ! it deserves repair rather than replacement, I reckon. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

what have I got?

Most definitely a Bryan 👍 Either a 40' Mk1 like #308 or a 41.5' Mk1 like #1600. Check here for more views of more STs. 😉 http://www.rafboats.co.uk/galleryst.html The one you found, #206, is a 37.5' Mk1, with 3 side windows. Yours has 4 like the 40 and 41.5 footers. Happy restoring, Cheers Doug 😎 BTW you can buy #206 if you fancy it😁 see last pic!

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

what have I got?

http://www.coastalmotorboat.org.uk/ST206.htm Thank you Rob, I looked for a and found this one on the net. it looks identical so I now know what i have.

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Forum

what have I got?

That makes sense as the ST code on the parts could stand for

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

Forum

what have I got?

Hi Bryan. I think what you have is an RAF , it could be an Aerokits or Veron kit. A very nice restoration project ! Rob.

6 years ago by robbob

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RAF 206

BRAVO ZULU! The Clearview screen is a nice touch.

6 years ago by circle43nautical

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BRAVO ZULU! SHE'S SURE GOT SOME GITTY-UP!

6 years ago by circle43nautical

Forum

Deans

Hi Doug Postal charges can add substantially to the cost. The charges from Krick are very high especially to the UK. Their website postal charges page suggests they only ship many items to Germany. So much for the EU being an open market! Our members are from across the globe so our USA and Australian friends will also have their own resident suppliers. HobbyKing as you say are Worldwide - just be careful which warehouse you buy from! We have many UK suppliers who sell a whole range of kits and fittings and I use Google to find local suppliers. SHGmodels are long established and do carry a vast range of bits and pieces for the model builder. Sorry no, I am not going to produce a 3D motor mount. No doubt someone will eventually do so via Thingiverse! Wayne must be on hols again. Was going to sail my Schooner today but there is no wind!!! Happy days Dave

7 years ago by Dave M

Forum

Deans

Deans calls for a 400 motor with a Bobs Board!! When I asked then for an alternative, ie. brushless motor and esc with lipo batteries they could not help as their built model had the aforesaid 400 motor and bobs board in. Can anyone suggest what more modern kit I could use to power the boat. I must say the kit and instructions are first class.

7 years ago by epmbcmember

Forum

Deans

Hi Dave, Sorry I mean Flack! odd! They were already in my Bookmark file, but don't seem to manufacture anything, just resale. Doug😎

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Deans

SHG are a small husband and wife model company based in Staffordshire who manufacture and supply model boat bits: http://www.shgmodels.com

7 years ago by Flack

Forum

Deans

@ Dave_m, BTW: Who are SHG? Do you have a URL for them? Doug

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Deans

Hi Dave, Sorry to hear that, depends in relation to what you order I suppose, may also depend on the order value, not uncommon with European suppliers! Most Krick or Robbe / now Romarin odds and ends or equivalents are also available in UK. Check their web site for distributors. My hints were just that; hints and tips. I've also noticed the same phenomenon with UK suppliers. Most of the 'stuff' I'm buying for the Sea Scout etc refit is via Hobbyking. That's why I mostly reference them when possible. Doug PS will you do the CAD design for the mount? 😉

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Deans

Hi Doug Krick may be good if you are in Germany but their shipping charges are 14.99 Euro to the UK so it makes goods rather costly. I didn't pay that much for my two KMB water jets from Germany and sounders from the Netherlands so it must be the delivery service they are using. If we ask Wayne perhaps he will 3D print a mount for us😁 Dave

7 years ago by Dave M

Forum

Deans

Or the Robbe 400. I have a 2830 sitting quite happily on one of these. 😉 Screws provided with the motor fit perfectly with no danger of screwing up the coils. Krick also have an aluminium equivalent. Cheers Doug 😎 PS This black one from Robbe (now Romarin under Krick!) is carbon reinforced plastic. 👍 Part number 42117. Link to Krick site in English- http://www.krickshop.de/?shop=krick_e

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Deans

SHG have mounts in their catalogue that they say are suitable for brushed and brushless. Just make sure the bolts you use are short so that they do not damage the coils on the motor. As you have opted for a LiPo do please charge and use in accordance with the instructions Please keep us posted Dave

7 years ago by Dave M

Forum

Deans

Many thanks Dave M. I have got a 2826 brushless motor, a 30a esc and a 7.4 lipo battery, all from Component Shop. I am told nobody makes a motor mount for outrunner brushless motors, or is there a source for them out there somewhere.

7 years ago by epmbcmember

Forum

Deans

Hi Just had a quick Google as I was not sure of the size. There was the very same item on our For Sale section 5 years ago: "Deans Marine 1/24th Scale British Power Boat Co. Includes JP Power 400 Motor, Deans (MTronics) ESC, 5Cell NiMh Battery." That being the case any small brushless 28XX size with a Kv of around 1000 and 30 amp esc and 30 -35 mm 3 blade brass prop should suffice. I have similar in my 34" Fireboat and use an 11.1v Lipo. If you are new to LiPo you do need a dedicated LiPo charger and be aware that unlike other battery technology they pack a very heavy punch. You must follow the charging regime to the letter and make sure you do not overdischarge when running the model. There are some rather frightening U-tube videos of what happens if you ignore the rules! That said I have been using LiPos for several years now without any major problem, but I am always aware of the risks and make sure I don't take any unnecessary risks Good luck Dave

7 years ago by Dave M

Forum

Motors

I have just received a Deans Marine kit, ST441, a . The plan calls for a Black400 motor with a Bob's board and 6v battery. I would like to use a brushless motor and ESC in the kit. Deans say they have not tried the kit with a brushless motor so cannot recommend an alternative. Any one out there who can suggest what such motor would be the equivilant of the 400 motor. I have one suggestion from the Component Shop, they are always very helpful, but anyone else has any suggestion.

7 years ago by epmbcmember

Response

Thorneycroft 72 'MTB (Vic Speed)

Out here in the colony I have the Veron FPB ( 56inches?)S C40?/45 now from OS 55? and big heavy, a SC 45 and my Aerobats Crash Tender 46 inches which has over the years had an OS 35 , a 40 of some sort and now a SC 46 and a VERY heavy model and a at 49 inches a SC 40 all running in Salt water at Lake Illawarra with my mates NSW Australia. Your hull at 72 inches ONLY needs a 40 or so/45 for power , We overpower our models too much, I just wore out my earlier motors over the many years and only 4:1 methanol and castor never was a nitro fan , but now my pestering mates nagged me to 3-5 % nitro as an oxygenator in my many motor boats ( incl steam and a sneaky small electric which in early trying to learn to sail to manoeuvre in my 50" thames Barge, now it is ballast). Hope this all help or I suffer your wrath. Yes we all run additional mufflers/resonators ( equal to quiet running of electrics ) and share the pond .Cheers Lyle.

8 years ago by Lyle

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1953 Adamcraft @ Crealy

Classic!

8 years ago by figtree7nts

Forum

boats of Interest

Seen In Watchet Marina, fully restored MTB & a RAF ? There Is also a bare hull MTB In Bridgwater Dock.

9 years ago by hammer

Response

37.5 Foot 206

Great run of slides there , great job on the build to .

10 years ago by CraigRobotham

Forum

Deans Marine

Deans Marine 1/24th Scale British Power Boat Co. Includes JP Power 400 Motor, Deans (MTronics) ESC, 5Cell NiMh Battery & Charger, Futuba S3003 Servo & Futuba Attack 2ER 40Mhx Tx & Rx with 40.765 Xtals. NOW SOLD !!! 5.1.2013 Complete and ready to go £100 Situated on Dorset/Devon border PM me If Interested More photos at: http://modelfireboats.com/index.php#photogallery/view.php?gallery=6&page=5

12 years ago by chrislang

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37.5 Foot 206

Thanks Tom keep up the good work.

12 years ago by don83000

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37.5 Foot 206

Dire Straights , Going Home

12 years ago by tompallister

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37.5 Foot 206

Nice looking boat pity no video of it running. What is the music called as it works a treat with your slide show. 👍

12 years ago by don83000

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46' Vintage RAF Crash Tender Re-do.

It helps if I spell BREADTH correctly . My 30 year old 46 inch crash boat is pretty heavy at 25 pounds or so and with the widened ( not thickened) hull chines gets up on the plane very quickly at low power and stops that ugly "model boat spray effect" that shows a gigantic wash wave at the fore hull oversized to the proportions of the model. it works on my; I/C 49 inch scale BPBCo Type II , I/C Sea Queen,Electric Sea Rover, I/C Veron Fast Patrol boat, Model Boats plan I/C British Power BoatType II 'Whaleboat', Vic Smeed I/C Range Safety Launch and the Model Boats 'Black Marauder'I/C, which are all over 18/20 years young and as we do not have mill ponds in the Colony of Oz. I boat in the Channel to Lake ILLawarra ( look it up on Google Earth) which is ALL SALT WATER my models have to be designed tough to avoid corrosion, which is easy.I flush the cooling pipes at the site with fresh water mixed with BI carb Soda and dishwashing detergent. At home my models are cleaned with a typical plastic kitchen spray puff of fresh water mixed with plain vinegar (this vinegar and water recipe is promoted by non allergy/non chemical cleaning TV shows) and just wiped down with paper serviettes used at parties in 500 packs. The vinegar mix also CLEANS the engine bays of fuel oil (and on my STEAM boats) of all residue as well. Regards Lyle.

12 years ago by Lyle

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Many thanks, I prob have not researched enough at the start just wanted to crack on with something. Not even looked in a model magazine, though visited a few local clubs on sail day.

12 years ago by Firenut

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I used the extremely good drawings in the plans sold on the model boats magazine shop web site. As you say, easily copies at staples so can even be used as a template when copied. Good luck with your project.

12 years ago by tompallister

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Nice job I have bought on the internet the plans and drawings for the same model (wish I hadn't) the drawing is a photo copy which gives you the detail , the templates are copys of the cut out pieces set out on drawing paper and is not accurate enough for someone who is building for the first time. Someone making a fast buck !!! if the would have copied before cutting up template would have been a better idea. BE carfull on the internet you newbees. A£3 per copy at Staples.

12 years ago by Firenut