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Help identify

Greetings from Australia, Can anyone help identify this boat. It was built from a plan and was listed as a Fast Patrol Boat WW2.I am having difficulty finding any information about it. Any help would be most appreciated. Sid

5 years ago by sidley70

Blog

36'' River Police Launch by Robbob

After the successful build of the ‘Vintage Model Works’ RAF Crash Rescue Tender I was asked by Mike Cummings of VMW if I would undertake to build a prototype of their new model with the aim of checking the construction method and the assembly instructions for accuracy before the kit is put into production. The model is a ‘ River Police Launch’ and is based on the original design by Phil Smith for the Veron company, this was a very popular model kit in the late 50’s and 60’s and sold for the princely sum of 43 shillings and tuppence, approximately £2.15 in today’s money but an equivalent cost of £48.50 in 1960. This design has been updated to accommodate electric propulsion and radio control by Colin Smith, the son of the original designer and it has been re-scaled to be 36” in length where the original was 24” which gives much more scope for detailing and provides more ‘hiding room’ for the drive, control systems and all the associated wiring. The kit produced by VMW uses the same construction techniques as the original and the materials are a combination of balsa and plywood both of which a laser and CNC cut for precision. The ply and balsa materials supplied are of very high quality as one would expect from VMW and all the stripwood for the chines, rubbing strakes and deck detailing is included, even the dowel required for the mast is in the box, very comprehensive! The kit also includes white metal fittings such as the fairleads and stanchions, and the searchlight and horns. The glazing for the windows comes in the kit too. The instruction sheet supplied is in need of revision as it is largely taken directly from the original as written by Phil Smith and some of the terminology needs updating, for instance the ply bottom and side skins are referred to as ‘strakes’ but I understand that a re-write of the instructions is in hand along with an updated plan showing the best positioning for the motor, prop-shaft, battery, ESC, receiver, rudder and servo. During construction I have added a few additional pieces of ply or balsa as reinforcement or supports and substituted some balsa parts for ply where I thought a stronger material would be better. I also added some hatches to give access to the wiring at the bow and the rudder & servo at the stern but largely I have not gone ‘off plan’ to any extent. The pictures show the model in it’s present state (Nov 2018) and is ready for painting and finishing.

6 years ago by robbob

Forum

Re: Build manual/ instructions

Hi, try this > https://docplayer.net/44439682-Building-a-model--sailing-barge.html I can reccommend Model sailing barges at facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1036890286476399/ Tom

5 years ago by tomarack

Forum

Build manual/ instructions

Hi all I have been asked to renovate a sailing barge, after some research I have discovered that it is this one https://www.modeljetdrives.com/-barge.html Does anyone know where or have the build manual/ instructions that they could copy and email for me Thanks Ron

6 years ago by kmbcsecretary

Forum

Rigging a model barge

I am building a model sailing barge and have reached the stage of spars and rigging. I am wondering what to use to make the main shrouds and forestay. Pictures that I have seen look as if it is a model rope product rather than a wire. Can anyone tell me what they have used please.

5 years ago by Nerys

Response

Building the Cabin. Part 1

Now its starting to look like a Police Launch. Keep up the good work Robbob. Cheers, Dave W 😊

5 years ago by rolfman2000

Place

Rigging

Gary try looking on amazon i bought some last year for my barge good luck 👍 Bob

5 years ago by Northumbrian

Media

cruise barge

total scratch built on fibreglass hull 127cm x24 cm,11 months to build 6volt system brushed motor,3blade 35mm brass prop.

5 years ago by markiee

Forum

Done it.

Well done Ken. I foresee the day when we have Barge racing at Cold Knap.

5 years ago by Nerys

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Paint for River Police Boat.

When I worked on the , late 50's early 60's, I would have said the police boats were painted with black topsides, but it could easily have been a very dark blue. Nerys

5 years ago by Nerys

Forum

Paint for River Police Boat.

Can anyone confirm the correct colour for the hull of The Police Boat above the waterline? I have seen various shades of blue on other models, some very light which doesn't look at all right, and some in black. The instructions state it should be a dark blue and I'd like to order a custom mixed RAL colour quite soon and I'm looking at RAL 5011 Steel Blue or possibly RAL 5004 Black Blue. Any advice appreciated. Robbob.

5 years ago by robbob

Forum

Paint for River Police Boat.

Hi Haverlock. I think I'll use a bit of 'modeller's license' and maybe a bit of 'the force' to choose a suitable deep blue. I need to finish this boat quite soon. Thanks for your diligence. Rob.

5 years ago by robbob

Forum

Paint for River Police Boat.

I did contact the curator to see if it was possible to get some data this was the reply "Not without knowing the type of boat approximate year etc.....I am currently out of the country and returning in Feb....I suggest the model maker contacts me then with as much detail as possible and I will try and assist. Regards Rob Jeffries (Hon. Curator) " So try again in Feb with details and see how he can help

5 years ago by Haverlock

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Paint for River Police Boat.

Cobalt blue seems right for that period👍 Wow Haverlock that's very deep but I suppose correct. Well done.👍

5 years ago by onetenor

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Paint for River Police Boat.

One would suspect that since police launches were not a high volume item the colours were " what do we have in stock" rather than a specified shade. A given listed colour may well vary from batch to batch. So its reasonable to presume the actual launches may well have had differing shades of the same colour. Since your building a model even were you to find some of the actual paint used it would look wrong on a model since you should be in effect viewing the model as though it were the full sized article looked at from far enough away to see it at the size you have chosen.

5 years ago by Haverlock

Forum

Paint for River Police Boat.

Rob I noticed in the Pathe news links you gave there were two different colour schemes particularly in the deck area, another decision to make!

5 years ago by mturpin013

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Paint for River Police Boat.

Hi Haverlock. That's not a bad idea, and they're only in Wapping so a visit isn't out of the question either (I'm in North West London). I've just sprayed the hull with grey primer, so it's time to make a decision 🤔 Good suggestion👍 Thanks. Rob.

5 years ago by robbob

Forum

Paint for River Police Boat.

Have you tried contacting the curator to see if he can help? curator@policemuseum.org.uk

5 years ago by Haverlock

Forum

Paint for River Police Boat.

Hi Mike. Yes I have seen the that site and also some interesting Pathe films on YouTube featuring the Police in action, some in colour but you can't really identify the hull colour. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuM_PNrEElU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i69pxalB9-Q I would like the hull to be an authentic colour for the period when these boats operated during the 50s' & 60's. The modern boats seem to have a much lighter blue colour on the hull. Thanks for your suggestion though. Rob.

5 years ago by robbob

Forum

Paint for River Police Boat.

I assume you've looked at this site http://www.policemuseum.org.uk/gallery.html

5 years ago by mturpin013

Directory

(Working Vessel) Doris

Doris is built plank on frame and is a copy of the Bawley by the same name, number LO284. The original which is still afloat in Gillingham Kent was built in 1909 in Harwich by J & H Cann for Leigh on Sea publican Mr Choppin who named the ship after his favourite daughter. Dimensions of the original 40ft length 14ft beam 5ft 6in draft, weight not known. The model is a dream and looks really good, she sails well and the motor is only to help her 'about' when she is feeling challenging and to bring her ashore if and when the wind dies. I have no r/c control of the sails which is something I am still considering as a consequence she goes everywhere on a broad reach her best sailing position anyway. I do hope you like her thanks for looking Chris G (8/10)

5 years ago by ChrisG

Forum

Book on Sailing Barges

Hello Joe We seem to be of a similar mindset, my interest is mainly in sail although I have several tugs etc. I found a really useful reference book is 'Spritsail Barges Of and Medway' which was published around 1948 and written and researched by Edgar J March. As well as being interesting and a good read has many illustrations and drawings of old gaffer rigs. May not be easy to find but well worth the effort. Another avenue for information is the Society for Sailing Boat Research I have contact details if required, it is possible to join and contribute to this organisation for £15 p.a. Best regards Chris G

5 years ago by ChrisG

Forum

Book on Sailing Barges

There are many excellent books on Sailing Barges, but for the modeller, I think 'Handbook of Sailing Barges' by F.S.Cooper and John Chancellor is one of the best. Fred Cooper was a well known Barge Skipper, John Chancellor, a former Merchant Navy Officer, lived with his family on the sailing barge Viper for many years. An accomplished artist, he illustrated this book with excellent line drawings of every aspect of the rig, deck fittings and construction details. There are usually copies for sale on Amazon and Abe Books. Nerys

5 years ago by Nerys

Forum

Sailing Barge plans help

I have been intrigued with British sailing work craft and built a 45" Gaff Rigged Falmouth Cutter. Now, I want to build a Sailing Barge, are there any free plans out there (tight budget as I am retired), even just the hull plans would be great. Regards, Joe👍

5 years ago by Joe727

Blog

Constructing 'The Box'

Phil Smith, the original designer of the River Police Launch, based the construction on a rigid box structure around which bulkhead formers are fixed to give the hull it’s shape, a design feature of many of the Veron kits. In the Vintage Model Works kit all the components of this box are laser cut and require no additional trimming before assembly, I have used Titebond 2 aliphatic glue throughout the construction as it bonds wood very firmly and dries quickly too. I started by joining the edges of the two sheets of balsa that form the base of the box, these were held firmly together with some scrap wood and weighted down on the cutting mat and left to dry. Meanwhile the box sides were similarly glued together taking care that the two pieces that form each box side are in perfect alignment using the laser etched vertical lines that mark the bulkhead former positions, these were also wedged together and weighted while the glue set. Once the bottom and sides are dry the ends can be added to complete the box construction, a try-square was used to check the box for accuracy and everything was held together with some ‘push pins’ while the glue set. As this box forms the foundation of the hull it’s essential that there’s no twist or anything out of square. This was all done in one evening, clearly the assembly of this kit could be completed quite rapidly if you really wanted too!

6 years ago by robbob

Response

36'' River Police Launch by Robbob

Rookeysailor. The kit is, I understand, due for release by Vintage Model Works any time now. I think that they are awaiting some of the white metal fittings from the manufacturer that are included in the kit. RE: price, probably best to contact Mike Cummings at VMW to confirm the above and the pricing. rolfman2000. I'm afraid you'll still need to carve the bow, but I bet you can get a better result than uncle Cyril now! I hope you enjoy my blog. Robbob.

6 years ago by robbob

Response

36'' River Police Launch by Robbob

The original Veron kit of the police launch was the first kit I ever made, and as I was only 12 at the time, my Uncle Cyril was called in to carve the balsa blocks on the bow (and a right mess he made of them too). So I had to do a bit of filling. But the boat is still sat in our garage some 53 years later, and is still available. I often thought of bringing it up to date with a new one, so maybe the time has arrived. I'll keep a watch on this build, and bide my time. Thanks Robbob. Next wishes, Dave W 😊

6 years ago by rolfman2000

Response

36'' River Police Launch by Robbob

Hi Rob, is there a date when the kit will be available? and have you an idea of what the price will be.....😲 cheers, Peter

6 years ago by Rookysailor

Response

36'' River Police Launch by Robbob

Come on Rob give me a break I have nowhere near finished the Crash tender yet and the Freeman cabin cruiser, not sure I can tell my good lady that this is the next project Ill give it a month or two The launch looks great I look forward to some detailed instructions to follow

6 years ago by mturpin013

Response

36'' River Police Launch by Robbob

Hi Peter. It shouldn't need ballasting very much if at all. As I won't be able to adjust the position of any heavy components I'll use small pieces of lead to adjust fore/aft and port/starboard trim. Robbob.

6 years ago by robbob

Response

36'' River Police Launch by Robbob

It looks smashing on the bench. 😎😎 Look forward to seeing the project as it moves on. What will you use to weight the boat for trials?

6 years ago by petercbrown

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 coaster, a 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

Blog

Tug ''Joanna E''

Partial rebuild project. It is a 1/24 scale Tug which has a superstructure that is wrong and out of scale. I intend to rebuild the superstructure and make it more like a Tug but not replicating any particular Tug as there are too many discrepancies in the build up of the hull which I do not want to alter as I am on a tight budget. I am building her and naming her in tribute to my long suffering partner to my hobbies, Jo. Photo of her as is. More photos to follow as progress is made.

6 years ago by Ballast

Response

Barge - ''Kitty''

Hi Sky, Look for issue 581 April 1999. "49 581 April 1999 Kitty R Webb RC Barge 1/40 25" 63cm" Here's a listing 😉of the MB Free Plans from the 'Mayhemmers' http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5735.0 Good Hunting, hope that helps a little. Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Barge - ''Kitty''

I know this is an old thread but help! I’ve managed to source the plans for this model from eBay and was wondering if anyone has the build article from about 1999? I live not far from Maldon Essex and able to visit the full size kitty anytime for photo detail reference. if none can help with the article, please pm me so we can discuss a solution, happy to pay costs if reasoanble

6 years ago by Skydive130

Forum

Brass bashin' Chris Craft deck fittings...

Colin, these are to fit in with my Chris Craft, which is roughly 1/8th scale, so they just look right. I don't have any dimensions as there are no Chris Craft Special Race Boats in Britain. Not that anyone would dare to question you anyway as nobody gives a toss about classic speedboats over here. We never had those types of boats. The had one or two nice Brookes and slipper launches, but our attempts at speed were never as elegant as the Yanks and were all a bit boxy and unembelished and generally sat upon by authorities who didn't like speed, except at Windermere and Oulton Broad and they were mainly outboard powered with one or two exceptions in aluminium, and paint. Mahogany was strictly for furniture for the English. I will get all these bits cast and will have spares, so if you need any that are among my bits, just holler and I'll see what I can do. May have to charge for metal weight, but that's about it, as I will have to pay for that, even if I can get the bits squeezed in other peoples' moulds. I reckon you could use these on a 1/12th scale model without any doubt being caused. Most boats used two of those vents. A couple of cleats, a light/cum staff holder and screen supports, which I'm also doing but haven't got a picture of. That will comprise left and right, short and central, longer. The glass will slide in cast in grooves. A filler and steering wheel and instruments finish it off. Can't do a bow piece as they are all different and must fit the boat exactly. That's down to you and you can only foil that for the chrome look. Just wait till I have to do some of these! Ain't they gorgeous? Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Directory

(Working Vessel) Wellard

I decided to build a canal/river maintenance barge and had a lighter grp hull as a starter. This was too long so I took a chunk out of the middle and joined the two halves. The decks, hold, cabin and the rest was very much scratchbuilt. There is a lot about this model that would make either the purist or the local H&S man cringe but it was fun and looks great on a shelf in the workroom or even better on the odd trip to the lake. The Hiab crane although in wrong place I think really finishes off the model well the crane and the loo paper haha. Hope someone out there likes it. Regards (5/10)

6 years ago by ChrisG

Forum

Norfolk Wherry Fans

I have often admired Barges in Maldon and on the East coast rivers, but find their complexity off-putting, fine , majestic things though they are. But for me the simplicity of a Norfolk/Suffolk wherry is very attractive and there are few books so much worth curling up with on a rainy November day as Black Sailed Traders by Roy Clark. OK, I can think of several, but you know what I mean. I am a very fussy sod and if I don't like how it looks, I can't get near it. To my eye, most foreign stuff is so much uglier than British, be they trains, cars, bikes, aircraft or boats. But then where would we be without Canadian woodies? Or the very occasional italian car Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Norfolk Wherry Fans

Each to their own, Westquay. I've nothing against wherries, ideally suited for the waters they worked. I'm a Barge lover myself but can appreciate any traditional working craft.

6 years ago by Nerys

Forum

Norfolk Wherry Fans

There seems to be some misconceptions about Dutch Barges. Most of what we now refer to as Dutch barges were originally developed as fishing boats suited to the area in which they were working. There were many different types and far from just being used on the canals fished all waters of the Netherlands and were quite capable of taking on the sharp nasty seas of places like Hollandsche Diep and the Ooste Schelde. I can assure you, even the Ijselmeer can get choppy under the right conditions. in fact Dutch Schuyts brought cargoes of eels to London from about the 1600s and a berth was still kept for them until the early 20th century, They were typical of what we would now call a Dutch barge. There were quite small ones like the Schouw and the Grundel that were inshore and lake fishers, then they varied in size through the Botters, Hoogars and Lemeraaks to the Tjalk and the Klipper which were cargo carriers. The Klippers were roughly the same size as Barges and sometimes bigger and were rigged as Gaff Ketches, similar to our West Country Ketches. They were mainly fairly heavily built well in keeping with traditional wooden working boats. in latter days, steel replaced wood but they still followed the traditional designs. Luckily, so many Dutch Barges are still being built as yachts, decorated and fitted out very traditionally and there is considerable interest in the many events held for them every year.

6 years ago by Nerys

Forum

Build manual/ instructions

It needs a complete refit Martin , fittings are missing the rigging is in a right mess with broken mast ect. I'm not a big fan of these boats but doing it as a favour for a club member. I have found plans online for a barge which at a push I could possibly use.

6 years ago by kmbcsecretary

Response

sailing barge Capricorn

Hi, in last wekend I participated in the open championship Footy in South Moravia, near Znojmo .. in Vyrovice , Vyrovice dam. The technique betrayed me, footy ruder servo burned during race. Then I participated in open regata with my barge Capricorn. it was my first race. my model also had the first opportunity to sail on "big water". It turned out that I need to adjust the sails to add and manage a large jib servo. Technique was against me once more..maybe battery collapsed after first round in second race. At home I found..battery Ok , but something collapsed .. Weather nice and hot, but the wind was very weak, so the models of the racing sailboats were the first .. My photos..> http://tomarack.rajce.idnes.cz/Mistrovstvi_footy_Vyrovice_2018/ I placed on board Capricorn deck cam, but after about 20 minutes the battery was discharged, i did not expected it... and I didn't expect the battery discharge will be so quick... Deck cam >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6izcQCeYN0&feature=youtu.be greetings Tom

6 years ago by tomarack

Forum

Wherry hull in GRP

I'm with you there Martin I've never been a fan of the barges but I was researching something else and stumbled across the wherry and i thought that's a craft I need to build besides the beauty of it the layout of the mast being so far forward it just defines all logic of what we understand when it comes to sail powered craft , it should have it's nose permanently submerged with a tail wind. If you like I could scan and email the articles from the magazine's just send me a pm if you want them Ron

6 years ago by kmbcsecretary

Forum

Wherry hull in GRP

Cheers, KMB. I couldn't find one either. Odd, because I once bought a pair of built boats (Albions) and then sold them when I moved as I had no space. And they were both GRP hulls. Wish I had them now! Although I still find a carvel Wherry somehow wrong. I have Wherries and Waterways, but for sheer atmosphere Black Sailed Traders, by Roy Clark, is the one for me and it also has good drawings of Gleaner in it. I can't personally see why the Barge is so much more popular. The Wherry sailed better with fewer sails and crew and I reckon it was a much more attractive shape AND they had a lot of real races for them, too. Looks like I might have to make a hull and offer its use to a GRP moulder as a pattern in exchange for the first decent moulding. Then I can race a wooden one against a GRP one. in 1/16th scale it'll be 40" long, which is a nice size with a beam of 10 1/2". And it's the same scale as my Vanity cutter and my Crash Tender. Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Streamline Models

Thanks for that Doug, There are several hulls for Barges available, but to me, a novice, the complexity of fittings required is rather daunting and the Speedline kit does contain everything. The disadvantage is the smaller size whereas the Fleetscale hull is more in keeping with the size most common amongst model barge builders. Cheers, Nerys.

6 years ago by Nerys

Forum

Streamline Models

I have been considering building 'Annie', but the company that I have seen advertising this Barge Kit is called Speedline Models. Presumably we are talking about the same model. Best regards, Nerys.

6 years ago by Nerys

Directory

(Pleasure Craft) ''Carousel''

Typical of a Victorian/Edwardian River boat. Single cylinder engine with boiler fired with two "Tea Lights" Twin side paddles, working navigation lights and rudder control. (7/10)

6 years ago by commodore

Forum

Unknown

Looks like it could be a Steam Tug, I'm not sure ! I have just acquired this lovely hull and I am not sure of it's build or origin. It is fibreglass and is 57" (1450mm) LOA X 14.5" (370mm) Beam. It has a very basically built superstructure which I don't think is appropriate. I would be very grateful if anyone has any idea what she is and any other information as to weather it was a kit that has been modified. I would love more information as to scale etc. Regards your shipmate. Ballast AKA Alan.

6 years ago by Ballast

Forum

Any clues?

This is certainly NOThe the model of a or Coastal barge hull The proportions are all wrong and it has a keel-a /Coastal does not. Also the rudder is wrong for a Barge which .has the rudder hung from a stern post.

6 years ago by commodore

Forum

Speedline Barge kit.

Hi Going on their advert it looks like an old H.F.M kit brought up to date, I had the H.F.M one back in 1990 that cost me all of £70.00, if I remember right I had to increase the under water size of the rudder. As for sailing I don't remember much as after a few times out, I found that sail boats just was not my thing. Sorry that I can not be any more help Fred

6 years ago by Fred