Forum

U49 Mclaren Clockwork Submarines.

Any chance of clockwork as well, no seriously I think your modelling skills are some of the best I have ever seen. We're you ever a tinsmith, keep up the good work. Cheers Colin.

5 years ago by Colin H

Blog

HMS BRAVE BORDERER

Winter seems to encourage modeling, have spent many hours in hibernation working on the deck and superstructure details. A supplier offers a full set of Perkasa fittings, most of which would work on the Brave B. At one point considered buying a set. They are made in both resin and cast metal. Eventually parsimony prevailed, so only purchased a small number of hatch covers and other intricate shapes that would be difficult to make well. The items duly arrived and the quality is good. Was surprised by the weight though, so am pleased had embarked on making the other items from the usual materials. There should be an overall weight saving, along with a reduction in my surplus styrene and wood stock. One of the design tenants of the Brave class was flexibility. The vessel could operate as a MTB, MGB or Raider, or with a mixture of these capabilities. The weapon mountings were designed to allow armaments to be installed and moved around to suite the requirements of the role. Have reviewed many Brave class photographs trying to establish a “standard” armament configuration, to reproduce. Not only does the configuration define the weapons installed, it also establishes the ammunition and flare storage cabinet arrangements. Eventually decided upon the 2 x 40mm Bofors gun arrangement with 2 x 21” and 4 x extended range fuel tanks. The model is now essentially complete. No doubt as I keep examining it will add further small details and refinements. Only disappointment so far is that it does not achieve the original weight target of 6 lbs, it is 9.5 lbs. The 6 lbs may possibly have achievable using one screw and motor etc., but once three are installed, not likely. The real test is when finally back on the water. Will close this blog then with a concluding report.

5 years ago by Rowen

Forum

Aerokits MTB, what is it?...

BTW Martin; just looked at the video link you posted. That boat looks underpowered to me, or too much weight forward? Bow hardly comes outta the wet stuff, my little Sea Scout performs better than that 😁 Also seems to need the spray rails fitting. With all that splash the crew would have had a lotta fun arming the 🤔😲 PS; I'm about to test run the first Taycol conversion board I made for you on my Taycol Target. More soon 👍

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Aerokits MTB, what is it?...

Agreed John, but generally the USN used the term PTB, Patrol Torpedo Boat, and most other (allied?) navies used the term MTB Motor Torpedo Boat. RN of course also had pure MLs and MGBs, Motor Gun Boats - some of which I believe also carried , just to confuse the issue further?, but I never ran across an MPT up to now.😲 Nowadays it's just FAC or FPB for the little bruvvers without missiles! Cheers, Doug 😎 PS Yep, I know the Wiki page you linked. That's the Power Boats demonstrator sent to the US from which the ELCO PTB boats were derived.

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Progress

They were wooden spars Norm, but removed a few years later when net cutting rendered the nets useless, and just a time consuming encumbrance. Depends what you want to build: As built or As in Service. So far so good 👍 Cheers Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Higgins PT Boat

Not me, never heard of 'em til now, but here are the specs and a pic😉 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huckins_Yacht_Corporation Happy Huckin', Doug 😎 Technical Specifications Lindsay Lord, a commander in the United States Navy who was stationed in Hawaii during the war, examines wartime PT boat design in his "Naval Architecture of Planing Hulls" and records the Navy's planing hull research and findings. This is the most complete source of information on PT boat hull design and construction, and provides hull test data as well as detailed analysis and comparisons of the various PT boat designs. U.S. Navy Technical Specifications of the Huckins PT Boat (Patrol Torpedo) Motorized Torpedo Fast Boat: Crew: 11 Length: 78 ft (23.77 m) Beam: 19.6 ft (5.97 m) Draught: 5 ft (1.52 m) Displacement: 42 tons Machinery: 3 x Packard 12-cylinder gasoline engines delivering 1,350 horsepower each to 3 x shafts. Surface Speed: 40 kts (46 mph) Range: 0 miles (0 km) Armament: 4 x 21-inch (533mm) torpedo tubes for 4 x Mark 8/13 , launchers arranged as inline pairs along port and starboard sides. 1 x 37mm OR BOFORS 40mm Dual-Purpose cannon fitted on forecastle. 1 x 20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannon at stern 4 x 0.50 caliber (12.7mm) anti-aircraft, air-cooled heavy machine guns in dual mounts (2x2), one emplacement amidships and one forward, offset to starboard. Optional 0.30 caliber machine guns, mortar launchers, rocket projectors and additional 20mm cannons (and captured 23mm anti-tank guns) as required/available. Ship Class: PT 95 Number-in-Class: 18 Ships-in-Class: PT 95-102; PT 255-264 Initial Year of Service: 1942[23]

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat

Hi Biggles. I am at a very similar level to you. I am seeking help from the kind members so that I can improve my skills. I built this boat in 1993, which by the way, I had no idea about until I removed one of the life rafts to find I had painted the completion date on the bottom. I am currently stripping the paint and trying to get advice on the painting method. At present I am tending to favour air brushing Revell aqua paint but I am open to other views. As for the spray rail, my boat has never gone fast enough to need them. To be clear, is this the rail around the joint between the hull and deck which my boat has. Told you I was a beginner as well. With the more powerful motor, anything that keeps water from the electrics must be good. The gun was supplied by Battlecraft in Bideford. it is in 1:24 scale. I have just purchased a 40mm Bofors for the stern. Nothing like a lot of weapons. Perhaps I should have some one day.😁 I have just bought a 3648 1450kv motor from Hobbyking for mine. I am advised that this will sort out my slow speed problem. I have also been advised to fit Lipo batteries. I probably will once I get over the thought of a large fireball on the river or in my house during charging.😉 Would love to hear how the renovation goes. I am considering starting a build blog as it might be a good source of gaining extra knowledge. I am not sure if a restoration will be ok on the build blog so I would appreciate if a member in the know could comment on this. Work keeps getting in the way of my plans but one day!! Peter.😊

6 years ago by MouldBuilder

Blog

WWII Italian MAS 562

MAS 562 (Motoscafo Armato Silurante: Torpedo Armed Motorboat) While Browsing the internet I came across a free plan dated 1969 if a italian Motor torpedo boat I found the craft interesting as it had a stepped hull, and this looked like a challenge, so more research and historical digging. Built in 1941 by Baglietto, Varazze: built of wood (mahogany). Baglietto, Varazze: built MAS 561 through to MAS 570 MAS Baglietto class 500, 4th series" Displacement 27.8 tons Displacement max 28 tons Length 18.7m Width 4.7m Draught 1.5m Propeller shafts 2 Machinery isotta Fraschini petrol engines and Alfa Romeo or Cararo cruising petrol engines Power, h.p. 2000 or 2300 / 140 or 100 Max speed 43 to 46 knots Fuel tank 1.5 tons Endurance 350 nautical miles at 42 knots Armament 1 x - 13.2/76 or 1 x - 20/65 Breda 1940, 2 x 450mm , 6 - 10 x Depth charges Crew complement 13 persons MAS 562, was captured by Germans 9/9/1943, transferred to RSI, was painted in disorientation camouflage, was captured by American PT' boats on June 30, 1944 and PT 306 towed the prize into Bastia. it was painted in disorientation camoflarge It is one of the few to have survived the war and passed to the italian Guardia di Finanza in the 1950's. in 1940 there were 48 MAS 500-class units. The plan shows the gun on a box platform not the case on the real boat. Making this boat so small has been a bit of a challenge. Running gear 2x Graupner 600 8.4v about 70watts each at rated voltage. 2x shafts 2x opposite turning propellers (2 or 3 bladed) 3 blades on real boat. 35-40 mm 2x ESC 1 or 2 Batteries The Model after studying plans and photographs I could see a few things that I could add to the plans. A cambered deck A revised transom shape (not square) Two propshaft and two electric motors with air cooling. A reduction in the number of frames /ribs as the boat I was going to make was only 29in (83cm) long. the three main problems with the hull where :- the new frame positions and the thickness of the stringers the wood I used was too thick 12mm x 6mm for a small boat Correct gun and position. The Hull is now skinned I will upload some photos soon.

6 years ago by CB90

Response

MTB

Hi Rowen, we're not splitting hairs! Together we are getting to the roots👍 I had also noticed the slight differences in superstructure; especially the aft part and the bridge top/screen. But I noticed these variations also in the Danish and other variants. Didn't want to overload the post with these as I thought it was long enough already😲 Seems some variations were introduced depending on the base variant it was ordered as MTB or MGB (most of which still had at least two !). Since the Brave class were apparently very expensive to produce (which is why only two were built not the planned six?) the later variants were based on a cheaper export version, 'Felicity' type I think they were called. They were a little smaller but with similar performance and firepower to the Braves, some with two Perseus turbines instead of two but most with three as in the Braves, and cheaper to build with wood on alu frames instead of all metal. Usually classed as FPBs or FACs depending on armament. Summary; The Perkasa was not a generic class but a specific four ship class for the RMN. Basis for the hulls and superstructure design was the same as the Braves and Felicity but some 'poetic license' was taken with subsequent export order with variations even within classes. Comparing available (to me) pics again I now tend to agree with you that the rounded bridge of the model is more like the Perkasa class than the box-like bridge of Swordsman. 😲 BTW: in 1971 the RMN Perkasas were upgraded with SS12 missiles so there's another interesting variant for the aficionados 😉 Credentials: was not in the RAF (but Dad was!), but I worked with the RMN and the Surabaya shipyard (and various other bidders) on the design of the COMMS systems for the replacements for the Perkasa class and then their replacements, up to the current NGPV-2 (New Generation Patrol Vessel-Batch 2). interesting work and people. Also did some work on their new frigates and an auxiliary in the nineties. One thing I always did before embarking on such projects was to research the background of the navy involved, operational area and requirements and also the potential shipyard partners. Part of establishing confidence and rapport. 😉 Anyway - whatever; model-wise - if it looks right it probably is right! Main thing is fun planning, building and above all sailing, exchanges like this help us all a lot I believe. All the best Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Ships, Subs, and Hovercraft at my local RC show (4K resolution)

Just seen this, for some reason the videos wouldn't play when it was originally posted , loved the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues under the sea ,one of my all time favourite films after Forbidden Planet. Cheers Marky👍

7 years ago by marky

Response

Ships, Subs, and Hovercraft at my local RC show (4K resolution)

thanks Dom

7 years ago by lesliebreame

Response

Ships, Subs, and Hovercraft at my local RC show (4K resolution)

Keep an eye on this web site early next year. They should announce the dates for 2018 but should be same weekend in September I expect. http://www.headcornevents.co.uk/event.php?eventid=25

7 years ago by Dom of Essential RC

Response

Ships, Subs, and Hovercraft at my local RC show (4K resolution)

I live in Devon now Dom but my best buddy is buried in the churchyard in Headcorn. is the meeting at the same place next year, if so i can come up and kill two birds with one stone so to speak !! Les

7 years ago by lesliebreame

Response

Ships, Subs, and Hovercraft at my local RC show (4K resolution)

This was at the Southern Model Show in Headcorn, Kent.

7 years ago by Dom of Essential RC

Response

Ships, Subs, and Hovercraft at my local RC show (4K resolution)

very nice. Where is the show please?

7 years ago by lesliebreame

Media

Ships, Subs, and Hovercraft at my local RC show (4K resolution)

One of my favourite RC shows of the year. The Southern Model Show has a bit of everything. The temporary boating pond is used by about 6 clubs who demonstrate their various watercraft to the appreciation of the visiting public.

7 years ago by Dom of Essential RC

Forum

Deck furniture

Sorry guys... I should have added that Battlecrafts do loads of armaments in various scales for lots of ships. if you have the money, they have a complete set of fittings including guns, , and ALL the deck fittings for both 1/24th and 1/32nd models of the Perkasa. I have only added a few bits plus both guns on my 34" one, but it does add a lot of "realism" to it. Pics will follow when she's complete 😊

7 years ago by rolfman2000

Forum

3 Footer on a very rare outing

So the Crash Tenders only had a speed of 30 knots and that isn't that quick. The scramble nets were used for recovering airmen downed in the water, they had to get to them quick. Have you been on the water at 30 knot's compared to in a car it feels a hell of a lot different. British Power Boat 60 ft MTB. They were based on the British Power Boat rescue craft and were originally designed for the Royal Air Force but reduced to 60 ft (18 m) in length. They could carry two 18-inch (457 mm) and achieve a maximum speed of 33 kn (38 mph; 61 km/h).

7 years ago by BOATSHED

Forum

Counter Rotating Props

Inwards or outwards - should the props be turning to meet together above the shaft or below it? Also from Wikipedia "Contra-rotating is where parts of a mechanism rotate in opposite directions about a common axis, usually to minimise the effect of torque. Contra-rotating propellers should not be confused with counter-rotating propellers, a term which describes non-coaxial propellers on separate shafts; one turning clockwise and the other counter-clockwise." are a marine example of contra-rotating props. Roy

7 years ago by Trillium

Forum

Precedent Perkasa

Hi Dave Chris, who you met when I collected the boat, suggested looking at replacing the bearings and shaft, but as it was non metric, I didn't think it would be as straightforward as you suggest. I'll store that info away in case the needle couplings don't work. The couplings will be with me tomorrow, so I will let you know how it goes. I have attached a pic of my previous boat, unfortunately I have none of the power train. As you can see, it's pretty basic and all the fittings came with the kit except the gun barrel (machined metal) and (broom handles). Thanks once again for your help and advice. Steve

8 years ago by cormorant

Directory

(Ocean Liner) Shengking 11

SS Shengking built Clydeside 1930 for China navigation co. Traded between ShanghaI & Tiensin from 1934, was carrying aviation fuel in WW2 just avoided 2 , eventually sold, finally scrapped in 1962 (8/10)

8 years ago by michaelpboyes

Response

MTGMB

He probably wants an 80ft Elco American PT boat. They had several machine guns, several cannon, , depth charges and missiles. Also, occasionally, anti-tank guns and mortars...

8 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Response

HMS GREY GOOSE

Are the scratch-built, or from a purchased kit?

8 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Blog

Perkasa progress

I have added a few more fittings ie cooling stack Bofors & Oerlikon guns lockers hatches radar & the anchor is in progress the & racks are nearly finished when the deck is finished i will fit the stanchions slowly getting there 💭

9 years ago by Northumbrian

Blog

Perkasa

The & racks are in place the stack lockers are ready to rub down then seal & undercoat,The next job is to paint the bottom black

9 years ago by Northumbrian

Blog

MTGMB

This the story, possibly to be a long drawn out one, of a scratch built wooden boat. Nominally for my six year old son, he has provided the spec for the armament, and as no amount of firepower is too much for a boy, he has asked for , guns and missiles, hence the name!

9 years ago by fid2b

Forum

How to fix torpedos

On looking at pictures of other models I noticed some of them displayed ropes securing the . I opted for using some elastic laces as ropes lashing them down. By tying a loop like an elastic band I was able to thread it through a hole in the torpedo carrier and thread the torpedo through the loop. The elasticity holds the torpedo in place and its easy to remove. 2 bands per torpedo, one each end of the carrier

10 years ago by lesfac

Forum

How to fix torpedos

I am building a Perkasa and I want to make the torpedo cradles and removable to make repainting easy when It comes to It. I have screwed to the cradles down using 3 mm bolts and nuts under the deck. I am trying to think of a method to fix the Into the cradles so I can remove them. What Is the usual method are they glued? I have thought of a screw through the back of the cradle Into the torpedo but that would be visible If you care to look. I also thought of drilling 1/16 holes down the 3mm ends of the cradle and use Rod In these holes that Is fixed In the torpedo. Any alternative Ideas appreciated

10 years ago by lesfac

Forum

How to fix torpedos

Another idea is to glue the to the cradle with small amounts of canopy glue, it dries clear and does not go hard, they could then be removed with a small amount of pressure if needed. Alan

10 years ago by AlanP

Forum

How to fix torpedos

HI lesfac If you can get to the under deck area inside the hull, you could fit the cradles with 2mm treaded rod through the deck and secure with nuts and washers, to hold the in place, small stainless or brass screws fitted up through the cradles, small screw dab of matching paint, hay presto it vanishes, also giving you piece of mind if you want to repair or up grade the weapons fit. Regards Mark

10 years ago by jarvo

Forum

Fittings, winches cranes gun mounts etc.

Met this chap at the Bury Metro Tug tow. He was selling of his own stand with lots of good quality bits on offer. Different sizes of towing winch. Hyab type hydraulic cranes, various guns and mounts, and tubes, lots of nice pieces. As well as his stock Items apparently he Is happy to do special orders, different scales etc. Michael Mcguinn, 20 Rochester Avenue, Bolton. BL2 5ED. tel 01204 559525. No web site but email (Email Removed - PM Only)

10 years ago by jarvo

Media

Aerokits PT Boat

Just started work on the for My Aerokits PT Boat, the ones in the kit don't look quite right,

10 years ago by Dave Kershaw

Forum

Aerokits patrol torpedo boat 40''

HI Bob. The stern is quite narrower than the beam at at the superstructure. Mine has a width of 825mm at the stern and 885mm at the superstructure. You may like to check out a few pictures on my boat build blog, PT 301 (Snuffy Smith). it has a norrower stern so that the can clear the side when released. Check American archives on Higgins PT boats.

11 years ago by Gabby

Directory

(Naval Ship) Perkassa

President kit bought on ebay and refurbished electrics and fitted new radio gear. Nautical marine models resin cast fittings purchsed for ,Oerlikon gun, hatches, tool/ ammunition boxes (Motor: MFA Torpedo 850) (ESC: Mtronics viper 25 ) (5/10)

12 years ago by solmike

Forum

Fun Boats for Sale.

Boat for Sale:Vigilant Star Fun Boat. This boat was made by me, It Is 38 Inches long and 9 Inches wide+20 Inch tall to top of mast.weight Is approx 25lbs loaded. Has 12v 7Amp battery to drive the two 600 engines with twin props comes with 2 spare motors and a spare battery ,has built In 4 channel reciever and Ripmax Seasprint Xtra 6-16 cell 280amp 6 -16 cell,controller, + 6volt battery for the Graupner 6v steam generator smoke stack,also comes with a battry charger/Zebra 4 FM Remote.Has a moving gun wich can be used to spray water ,pump Inc. To use the water Cannon + the Radar rotation or the dummy you will need to change the four channel reciever to a six channel,not supplied,or you can change over leads to do what you want on different day's. I will Include three more boats with the sale. Here Is a picture. The uscg Island cutter Is rare now and would make a good project to fit new gear. Two motors/props/shafts/supplied free. If you want to see the Vigilant In action then go here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vip2d90djuo) Asking Price ÂA£160.00.Collection only ,PM'S please .Gerry

13 years ago by gerry

Blog

new addition to the fleet

well, time for a new blog! just been and picked up (210 mile round trip) another ebay find, a model I have been after for quite a while, an Aerokits P.T. Boat. its in pretty good shape and has most of its original fittings and even has all four , will be replacing the running gear and fitting radio and a slightly smaller rudder!!! watch this space David

14 years ago by dbninja

Media

vigilant star test 3

The boat is a scratch built and started life in the shed. it is a semiscale model at aprox 36inch, built with balsa wood.It is full remote control and fitted with two Mtroniks Vision 600 motors one 12volt 7ah battery,one seasprint esc. It was built as a fun boat so I could sail with my friend Peter thomas with his variuos boats. Several things have now been added since this boat was first built, IE smoking stacks, fireing and magnetic pickups for colecting them. Also has working radar/moving gun + a home built bec. Flag poles and flags/compas has been added on the superstructure. Each motor draws 6amps at full power, I have measured the speed from one point to another at a spacing of 60mtrs, and timed at 15 seconds, but this is a bit fast for this boat as she starts to plane out of the water. We sail her at New Brighton lake on the wirral most wednesdays. As the weather is now a bit cool I have just purchased a simular model to this at 1:48 scale 110ft island class USCG Patrol boat so I can look at them both in action when the weather picks up. Anyone wanting info can contact me via this website.

16 years ago by gerry