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Build manual/ instructions

Hi all I have been asked to renovate a Thames sailing barge, after some research I have discovered that it is this one https://www.modeljetdrives.com/thames-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

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Thames 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

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Done it.

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

5 years ago by Nerys

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Book on Sailing Barges

There are many excellent books on Thames 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

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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 Thames 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

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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 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

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- ''Kitty''

Hi Sky, Look for issue 581 April 1999. "49 581 April 1999 Kitty R Webb RC 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

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Thames 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

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Wherry hull in GRP

I'm with you there Martin I've never been a fan of the s 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

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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 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

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Streamline Models

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

6 years ago by Nerys

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Speedline 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

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Speedline kit.

Having had an interest and connections with Thames Sailing Barges going back to the days when they still carried cargo under sail, I am contemplating building a model. I am a relative newcomer to modelling, so am considering the Speedline kit. What I really want to know is how this model sails. I'm not expecting speed, I just want to know if the performance is acceptable and she handles reasonably well. Hope someone can advise me. Nerys

6 years ago by Nerys

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New build

A working board 24” x 16” in 1” medium density fibre would be about right for you Billings static model of a , although a large tray would help in containing everything between building sessions. Some suggested tools in the photo including wood glues and sandpaper (rough and smooth). Always worth reading and understanding the kit instructions, and keeping to the building sequence given. Billings have a reputation for producing quality well equipped kits. I know you will derive much satisfaction from making your first model and I wish you well. Enjoy. Never be shy in asking advice.

6 years ago by Gascoigne

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(Working Vessel) Lady Dapne

Scratch built model of one of the famous s here sailing quitely at Eaton park Norwich looking fairly realistic. Hull plank on frame. (5/10)

6 years ago by Gascoigne

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Thames sailing barge Capricorn

Sport - camera test. I have tested what will be seen from the camera position at the aft cabin of the model. I cannot find proper video format..so .. https://youtu.be/eCSJm78fgV0

6 years ago by tomarack

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Thames sailing barge Capricorn

I tried attaching to the roof of the cabin MD80 camera with a clip. in practice, the camera was unreliable. That's why I bought a small and reliable sports camera that I placed in front of mizzenmast.The camera has a scanning angle of 120 °.Looks OK. (Tested) The camera can be easily attached by sliding it to the mount (wooden cube)on the roof of the aft cabin.

6 years ago by tomarack

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Albion

Albion on a windy day at Eaton Boating Lake, Norwich. Also some larger s and a yacht from visitors from Brightlingsea.

7 years ago by Baggie

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Thames sailing barge Capricorn

Clinker boat for Capricorn,and several details.On each barge used to be a dog,as a companion and a cargo guard... Last photo - my ropewalk

7 years ago by tomarack

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Thames sailing barge Capricorn

I made new little blocks for brails and I added the missing brails for main and mizzen masts.In this photos, the bowsprit is not properly fastened, only put down due to photographing. Last photo - model ready for transport...

7 years ago by tomarack

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Hi If you use a low power setting on a laser cutter you can make look a like deck planking without all the work !!! Canabus

7 years ago by canabus

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Thames River Police Launch

All done I am just waiting for the next fine day to give it a try out at the lake, My next build is going to be a (last picture) the cardboard templates are cut ready to try then a friend is going to cut them in 6mm laser ply with his laser cutter

7 years ago by Northumbrian

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Tsb Capricorn

Model Thames sailing barge ( Tsb) Capricorn on a pond in the park, in Roznov p.R, July 2017 It is scratchbuilt model Champion class .

7 years ago by tomarack

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Thames sailing barge Capricorn

New season 2017 in the park on the pond.

7 years ago by tomarack

Forum

Design bits

How do I calculate the CLR of my new ,I know it has to be within 10% of the waterline length behind the CofE of the sail plan I need this data to place the fin and ballast.

7 years ago by bellman1942

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Design bits

Hi, I can reccommend articles by Ivor Bittle too ... late - but still... 2.12 How to locate the fin and the mast of a model yacht on Ivor B.pages ( http://www.ivorbittle.com ) On his pages you can find very helpfull articles about Thames sailing barges.. Wishing success Tom

7 years ago by tomarack

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glass cloth or tissue?

Can't afford GRP, Doug and they don't do what I want anyway. Plus the sellers all seem to be retiring without first flogging the stuff to anyone new. I prefer wherry to , classic mahogany speed to merchantmen and if I ever see another damned tug it'll be too soon, so I am forced to make what I want to see on the water. And I still get a bit of a kick from it AND I'm still pretty quick. But for now, I'm orff to watch Midsommer Moiders. Cheers, Martin

7 years ago by Westquay

Directory

(Other) Capricorn

Capricorn is model of Thames sailing barge with auxiliary electric motor. (ESC: HK) (5/10)

7 years ago by tomarack

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Thames sailing barge Capricorn

Hi,over the winter, I managed to complete a few other details and sew missing jib sail,now I'm still making clinker dinghy. Tom

7 years ago by tomarack

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Thames Sailing Barge

Thanks Tom, Some of our members are members of AMBO and we always enjoy meeting Peter Simmonds and Richard Chesney at the Shows. Also we hope to launch a website soon!

7 years ago by frankburgess

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Thames Sailing Barge

Good Morning Gents, .......and now for something completely different........ I enclose a picture of my model Thames Sailing Barge. Model Barges are very popular at clubs in the Essex and Kent area, because of the many historic barges in Maldon and the surrounding rivers. The members of Maldon Blackwater Model Boat Club have built several barges, but there are many other barge owning clubs in the Essex and Kent area who meet to run interclub Barge Matches. Most Model barges are built 40"-45" in length either 'stem head' or 'bowsprit' and usually they are fitted with a fin keel and a deep rudder, to give improved sailing abilities. Many are highly detailed models of specific barges; however the yellow barge is a 'generic' model with a 'Sirdar' hull built from balsa reinforced with grp. The model in build is based on a 'Veronica' grp hull and will be a bowsprit barge. These are the names of 'racing' barges, sadly broken up many years ago. I hope you find our particular passion interesting. Best Regards Frank Burgess

7 years ago by frankburgess

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Thames Sailing Barge

Hi, very nice model, indeed!! I would greatly appreciate if you put photos your models, also on our website, designed for modellers and enthusiasts of Thames sailing barges .. => modelbarge.info < or > http://barge.homeunix.org/index.php/home I wish you much success in modeling !!! Tom

7 years ago by tomarack

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San Pedro Pus Boat - Engine Room Fittings

Hi, sorely I can not put the wiring diagram here, so please look at my album on Rajce , where I placed the wiring diagram!!! > http://tomarack.rajce.idnes.cz/RC_model_Lulonga/ I do not think you got the wrong V-tail mixer, you just need it put to wiring and properly involve. Therefore, I do not use internal mix at transmitter, and even and cannot program it ( therefore, I chose a simple mixer - it performed only simple mixing of signals, in my case Ail and Throttle , no damned programming!!)   when connecting of engines because you have to program the transmitter to function properly. (Thr forward - backward) and canal -1 ("Ailerons" - adjust the direction of rotation so that when tilting the control stick left, right engine had more speed than the left engine, and vice versa) I have on Lulonga the rudder separately on channel 4 (on my model has a lousy efficiency), but it can be connected via a Y cable to output Ail, where one branch goes to the servo, the second branch to the V-tail mixer, or you can engage Mix, which lead the canal 1 Ail, a slave can 4 - Rudder - wants this just to try. Of course you can try a mix of programming of the transmitter, but I wanted first and foremost a simple electrical connection that works. Then, if you know how that works, then it is easier to try and programming of the transmitter. This I then used my second model, Thames sailing barge Capricorn > http://tomarack.rajce.idnes.cz/TSB_Capricorn/ At the end of this album I gave examples of wiring and mixes too. I made a simple table, and then tried what and how it works. But it is a control model sailboats. For your model table would look different. it depends on what type of transmitter you have. wishing success ! Tom

7 years ago by tomarack

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Help identify

Saint Marie is professionals built wooden model My challenge is to re-rig her. She must have been hit by a tsunami! - the rigging is in a terrible state. Though, her beautifully stitched four sails are, with exception of a small red stain on the main- are like the fittings, in very good nick. I have only ever restored a glider and model so by comparison this has become the challenge of a lifetime. Members please give me some tips. Happy Christmas and a model New Year! Fingers crossed, Ian

7 years ago by classicdining

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Thames sailing barge Capricorn

Hi, this is my last model, thames siling barge on its maiden voyage,October 2, 2016. Preparation for construction of barges - Fall 2013. I have not chosen according to what plans I will build. I bought plans for TSB Lady Daphne, finally I chose but I have other plans. On the internet I found an information plan barge "Champion class" from H.I.Chapelle. Even though I had prepared and cut out the ribs on the LD (1:28, Loa 98 cm), I finally began to build a "Champion". Loa 110 cm. More photos and a description to> http://barge.homeunix.org/index.php/home < It still remains to be done many details - winches, dinghy, and more. Also, set the the sails just sewn just for a test.Everything I wanted to finish through the winter Tom

8 years ago by tomarack

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Scratchbuilt Swim Front Thames Lighter/Barge

As a lad I used to see this type of barge in use all the time which I why I wanted to make one. There are a few still in use but no "Lightermen" to row them about anymore since the passing of the East End Docks

8 years ago by sigfortunata

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Scratchbuilt Swim Front Thames Lighter/Barge

I remember when they used to race them! They had two men stood at the sharp end with huge sweeps to row them along near Tower Bridge. River men used to be a different breed. Roger

8 years ago by shavings

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Scratchbuilt Swim Front Thames Lighter/Barge

such cargo barges have previously been used, for example, on the Thames, for transportation costs. I think even in some cases still in use today try to look on the net Tom

8 years ago by tomarack

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Scratchbuilt Swim Front Thames Lighter/Barge

I guess this is a working vessel?? I wanted something for my TID to tow and after a bit of searching I found a plan for an old Ezi Bild Kit on line and got it enlarged and this is the result. It takes about 15-20kg of ballast but it tows well. Here are a couple of pictures one on its maiden "tow"

8 years ago by sigfortunata

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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 Seaplane tender 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" , 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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R.A.F Vosper Fire Boat

Mate , lovely to hear , I felt a bit poorly somewhat going at you as over the top, which was unwarranted. I ran my vessel the last two weekends with my mates at the Lake Illawarra channel ( see google maps?) South of Wollongong New South Wales Australia. Well we are just a bunch of old boaties , sick of clubs and fights and restrictions/ rules/ flat earthers. We have a lot of public look at us and the Council Ranger and staff lookeee see at times , but AS we are in zone of the Lake Channel HiGH/ LOW tidal mark any authorities do not want to know us. Here in OZ you can still boat as we have a lack of ponds in the land (not like your WW2 type ponds built in villages for water for vehicle fire tenders from FIRE and bombing raids). We have extensions on household insurance in OZ to cover liability and we tell any noisy race/race boat types to ".... off". We sail 1 meters etc , steam and electric and i/c and all big stuff we ALL run together on the water on the "pond", old sets 27 40 and 2.4 gig. And I spelt Peter Dimberline incorrectly with a T , so he will find out and knuckle me!! I do clean the engine bay with motor car degreaser spray and the decks cabin etc with household Kitchen cleaner and paper wipes. Such is good old Dulux house paint over the years. Fold down f'wrd mast , crane sits in a brass tube at the port engine bay ,rear mast sits on a peg at stern, rear stbd hatch opens, ALL to avoid knocks breakages of bits and over the years I have actually cast alloy bits in plaster-moulds and screwed down with brass. Just a standard red plastic graupner 40 mm prop (4mm thread?) this motor is a SC china copy ? of a OS40 I think , I just run her at the first plane to look nice, no rev head stuff as not necessary, wide turns, but goes so well in 2 inch to 4 inch chop no pounding/ bone shaking during winter runs as it HAS to perform SCALE on the pond rather than toy boat behaviour such as dig in and flick turns and she is heavy to handle waves! Just standard home made fuel 4 to 1 and my mates talked me out of Castor, so now I use synthetic lube . We share all things. Too much talkie . All the best and just fly out to join us good weather too .

8 years ago by Lyle

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For Sale 1/20 th ''Empire'' Tug.

I have just restored a large "Empire" tug, She is 1600 mm long and weighs about 60 Lbs. in sailing trim. She comes with a planet T5, Two 6v batteries, one for running and one for lighting. There is a stand and a launching trolley. As can be seen I have done a bit of detailing, with a galley, mess room, W.C. and shower, and a store room. I have made a boiler top and the top of a triple expansion engine. There is lead ballast that has all been labelled, as to its position in the hull. I have put the switch's in one of the lifebelt lockers, so you don't have to keep lifting the superstructure every time to run it. I only started doing this hobby a couple of years ago, I get more pleasure restoring them, than I do sailing them. The last picture is the before one, she was originally powered with a steam engine but was removed by the previous owner. The hull is wood, that has been resin coated, and painted with many coats. I live in the Brighton area , if anyone wants to come and view her. I also have for sale, a Thames sailing barge with R/C sails, and a Caldercraft model of "Talacre" that has been well fitted out with extra's. All three, up for sale. Andy, 01273 300655 Thanks Andy.

8 years ago by acw1947

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'Annie'

I think this model & the other London Barge are in my opinion some of the most beautiful I have seen, now I've built 5 boats & one from scratch Do you it's possible I could make one, if I need extra experience do you any idea where I might be able to pick up help full tips for making these Barge's & a traditional sail? Thanks a lot Please keep me up to date on your progress...have fun Damon

9 years ago by Damon

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'Annie'

HI Chris, How long will this build take you I am looking for a winter project & quite fancy the barge cheers Bob ❓

9 years ago by Northumbrian

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A bit more work.

HI Alan I'm not caulking as such, I'm just cementing 0.6 x 3mm Beech strip onto the plastic deck to simulate planking. s almost always had their decks painted rather than varnished, so I'm hoping the paint will make it look fairly authentic when eventually done. Chris

9 years ago by chrislang

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A bit more work.

Ill be watching this build as I have always fancied . Looking good so far, how are you doing the caulking? Alan

9 years ago by AlanP

Blog

'Annie'

I'm about to start to build this Speedline Models kit of the Barge 'Annie' Watch this space! Chris

9 years ago by chrislang

Directory

(Working Vessel) Westmoreland

static built on the Westmoreland plans of the Sailing Trust (8/10)

9 years ago by 15Weyb

Directory

(Working Vessel) Grace Of Harwich

Thames Sailing Barge date of build unknown though believed to be at least 25 years old. Builder unknown. 1/32 scale (10/10)

9 years ago by 15Weyb

Forum

Have I answered this question before? maybe somewhere else? I always use a tightly woven cotton called "Ticking". Any store selling cloth will have it. Made to line pillow cases to stop feather coming through.

9 years ago by hammer