Response

Enclosing the controls.

Hi Doug. The SLEC version of the Police launch is similar in design but it's only 26" in length, they bought up the Company a while ago so that's possibly a reason for the confusion as the names are quite similar. The Vintage Model Works version has been re-designed by Colin Smith, the son of the original designer Phil Smith, and has be re-scaled to a full 36" in length and thus is more able to accommodate modern running gear, and has the potential for much more detailing as I have done on my build. Hi Boatshed. The boat is nearing completion and looking pretty ship shape now 😁. I'm unsure why the VMW boat kits are not priced on their website either 🤔 and I would encourage you to contact Mike Cummings to find out more about the VMW range. All the best guys. Rob.

5 years ago by robbob

Response

Enclosing the controls.

Hi Boaty. Thank you for you compliments, I'm pleased you're enjoying my build blog 😁. The VMW kit has been developed really well and does credit to the original designer so definitely put one on your 'to-do' list. The kit is now available from VMW: http://www.vintagemodelworks.co.uk/?page_id=18 The servo in mine is actually in a rear compartment that I formed and involves a bit of 'keyhole surgery' to work within but it means that the servo and all the operational running gear is very neatly hidden away, another benefit of the re-scaled version of this boat 👍. PS. Note the relocated antenna ! Robbob.

5 years ago by robbob

Forum

1950s sea commander refurb.

".......If you have a computer, they usually come with some basic drawing tools like "Paint" or use paint.net.... Take the image and open with Paint, then just use the rectangular select tool to pick what you want to enlarge. Then just crop it and you have a nice separate image to save........" The fully-featured Open Source image processing package is called 'The Gimp'. You can download it for free, and it enables you to perform any image manipulation process you like - matching professional packages like Photoshop. I use it to create full drawings of plans which are often sent to me as a set of partial A4-sized scans. These can easily be re-sized, rotated, matched up and stitched together to make a full-sized drawing. For example, look at any of the Stirling plans on my Old Boats website: http://oldboats.tk/Sterling1.html

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Response

Holy SMOKE !! Video, Tin Can Madness

BTW: I grew up with valves (or bottles as we Brits also call 'em) as well. I still have a box of several vintage 'bottles' in the cellar, many of them new still in the original boxes. if you ever run out of triodes, pentodes or tetrodes give me a buzz! Think I still have some pristine EL80s - collectors items these days - lots of Oomph 😁 My next non-model boat electronic project is a pair of digital clocks in 'Art Deco' cases, using bottle decade counters. The forerunners of the fluorescent tubes and then the LED clocks, but much more fun😉. About forty years ago I spent a year or so servicing and calibrating the radiation monitors around UK nuke power plants using these decade counters. One cosmic radiation click = one jump in the base counter and so on. Never ever saw anything above the basic cosmic radiation background count which is always there. A remnant of the 'Big Bang'. 😲 Funny where an interest in electronics and radio can getcha 😁 Look forward to your chimney experiment report👍 My destroyer has two funnels but I found that the little railway smokers were not man enough to feed two funnels via a branched tube. But two working in parallel off the one RC channel did the trick. Regarding the chimney effect; Works well at rest or at low speeds, but I also found that instead of a fan some traditional air vent scoops mounted forward of the smoker augmented the effect well at higher speeds. And my long thin destroyer with 2 x 540s on 12V made a lot of 'speed boats' look silly 😁 Have fun, ciao, Doug 😎

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Tow hook assembly

Hi Mark - Steve? its Michael building the boat, the castings come in the kit from Vintage model works, there are two pieces to the tow hook and with some work can make a nice assembly for the boat. The scale is 1:12 all the best Michael

5 years ago by mturpin013

Response

Upper & Lower Chines

Hi Doug. All credit due to Phil Smith and his original design for that actually... Hi rolfman2000 I hope SWMBO is good to her word as I happen to know that the kit is now available to buy from Vintage Model Works 😊👍 I'm told the price is £185.00 + P&P and there's also an optional stand/carrying box which is CNC cut to the hull profile for an additional £10.00 That sounds a bit of a bargain too. Contact Mike Cummings at VMW for more information: http://www.vintagemodelworks.co.uk/ I'm hoping to have the boat in an advanced state of completion in time for the London Model Engineering Exhibition at 'Ally Pally' in January 2019. It will be on the St.Albans & District Model Engineering Society club stand alongside my RAF Crash Tender. Rob.

5 years ago by robbob

Forum

A return to the hobby!

Hi and welcome to the forum. Yup, SLEC are good guys. They're within a pleasant car toodle from me. I have a set of Crash Tender fittings from them since they bought out the Company. Sea Commander is a lovely boat and all the Aerokits are good performers. I have several. Good to see another Chris-Craft builder on here. The world needs more woody fans! Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Outboards...and then some!

Hi all, I don't know if anyone on here is interested. many may even be unaware, but there's a thing called 152VO. Scale 1:5.2 scale models of vintage outboard motor-powered kneeler hydros. It's been around since 2011 as far as I can make out. It is superbly organised with the ultimate point of competition of a friendly kind. VERY popular in Germany and The Netherlands. There are a few kits now available, loads of plans of real boats and a lot of very nice fittings and accesories. There a few outboard motors available which can be fitted with brushless motors if you prefer. The models have to fit a certain mathematical formula, to give choices, but remain reasonably well matched to make for driver skill being more important than money-ruled boats. Kind of the opposite of F1. If you need any help with imagining these things, here's a pic. of a MODEL pits. Right down to the floating moorings. I would SO like to see this take off in Britain. Here's their website. Iffy translation, OK, but pretty much understandable if you don't speak German or Dutch. https://152vo.de/ Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

46Firefloat Mk2 paint

Unless described as flat, paint was more often a brighter satin than matt and rarely actual gloss. White will always have been an off white as the components of paints were such that it was not possible to get a really bright white. I know that for a fact as my grandad always made his own and until PEP in the mid 60s (Plastic Emulsion Paint) there was no such thing as brilliant or appliance white. Unfortunately getting an decent off white is not easy these days since Plastikote went acrylic and their previously excellent paints started eating themselves on recoating. I now use enamels exclusively. They are densely pigmented, flexible and modern enamels dry pretty quickly. I am using a black enamel primer on my Crash Tender, which I will then spray with black "gloss" from the same range, which, once thinned with white spirit, will dry a little less than glossy. I still don't have a matt brick red for the undersides, but it can be made matt-ish with a careful rub down with 1000 grit wet and dry used wet and soapy, but be careful not to sand through, so very lightly does it, even 1000 grit can cut well when new. Decks were said to be Cerrux Light Deck Grey, anti-slip, which means a textured surface. That would be darker looking due to the surface texture's way with the light. The cabin sides were described as "smooth", i.e. same as the decks but not anti-slip. The roofs? Well, on Vosper's drawing "white" is crossed through and "Grey" written in. But, some pics do look white, the best pics look darker by a whisker than the sides and the roofs are clearly textured as they show evidence, as do the decks, of filth which will sit in the texture. You choose. NOBODY has yet given us chapter and verse. The fact is, an already very handsome boat looks so very pretty with white roofs. But they too should be off white if you can get it! Good luck. Fittings, btw can be had from SLEC in Watton in white metal. Basically the old Yeoman fittings, masters now owned by IP Engineering who bought them to cast when they owned Company. Now they've sold that to SLEC, but I don't think SLEC have white metal casting facilities, so probably cast by Ivor still. I have just had a set for my birthday and they're excellent. They do need careful cleaning up as in mould lines need to be filed/scraped/sanded to a decent finish and then given good primered surface. No hook though, but it does include nav and riding lights. This site also has masts for sale in plastic, but I made my own in brass as I will the hook and davit. I have also just had a set of crew figures cast from my patterns and they will be available soon...a driver(Helm), a boss with binoculars and a lazy slob laying around in the after cockpit. Needs a roll-up to finish his look. No idea of price yet as don't know how much rubber to mould or resin to cast for a set. Yes, 1/16th scale. All this to finish a model I had 55 years ago! But I reckon it deserves it. Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Windows, stoopid question.

Very neat job, Doug. On the front windows of the Crash Tender the material is 1/16th Perspex and I've done pretty much what you have, mark, saw and file to fit, but of course the missing window frames have to be made up, so I did them in 1mm styrene, of which I have a huge stock, thanks to the generosity of Ivan at IP Engineering when he was starting the Company and I was designing kits for him. What I've then done is glue the glazing to the frame material and will have to hand paint the frames with the same paint as the superstructure. Not ideal, but I can't see any other way. At least the unit just pops into the hole. On the 3mm ply cabin windows I will have to do what you have when I can find some 3mm Perspex. I have some somewhere. There are no visible frames on those, contrary to what the fittings companies might say, only gutters over the tops which I can do with brass wire. Thanks for the confirmation of DON'T DO IT! Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Crash Tender davit info...

Hi Martin. I have a drawing that shows the davit but not in very much detail 🤔. It is designed to be swapped between attachment points on both port or starboard sides ( hence 'portable' davit) and when not required it is stowed in the centre deck with the ends locating in some sort of retaining points on the deck and then (presumably) secured to the wall of the cabin. I added some detail to the white metal casting that came with my Vintage Model Works kit and also modified it to swivel on a removable fixing bracket. See my build blog for more detail on how I made mine. https://model-boats.com/builds/view/23951 Good luck with the restoration. Robbob.

6 years ago by robbob

Forum

Fire boat

Kevin, having just got hold of a SLEC fittings kit for a birthday present from my dear wife I can confirm that in fact they are not in plastic, but white metal. All of them. There are no instructions or parts list. They are the old Yeoman fittings kit, a set of which I was promised by Ivan of IP Engineering as I was involved with his works for a while as a pattern maker and he showed me all the original patterns for what I assume is what SLEC now sell, as Ivan flogged off all his Company rights to them. Chances are he is now just casting fittings sets to SLEC as they don't have casting facilities at their place in Watton. I had an original Mersey Marine set with my Crash Tender for my 11th Christmas, but it was stolen and they no longer exist alas. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Response

Cabin roof mechanism

I still have a 34" Raf crash tender still unbuilt that I bought back in 1994 when they released a run of 50 on the 50th anniversary of the model in the Model Boats magazine. I also have a Vosper 46” RAF Crash Tender Kit By Vintage Model Works sitting in my shed. One day I will get around to building them Along with restoring my Sea Hornet, Sea Commander, Sea Queen and my Huntsman along with several other boats, including an MFA Spearfish and a Stratos interceptor, Hydrofibre Pipedream both of which were the same company just that they had a change of name. Along with at least 3 others. I will do them sometime.

6 years ago by BOATSHED

Response

The Vosper 46” RAF Crash Tender Kit By Vintage Model Works

Dear Modellers and builders of the Vintage Model Works kit series. You will find my earlier pictures and various writings on the original earlier postings by me in OZ of my still some 30/plus years Crash Boat in which I wore out several I/C motors and my girl still runs in Salt Water at the local LAKE ILLAWARRA in New South Wales and you are somewhat fortunate with ready made fittings. I did not ever know of the "page" ( wish I had a copy ) on your wall of the rear well of fire hose details and fittings , wow what a bonus, as a colonial had several years till Peter Dimberline and I had contact and he helped me to authenticate my vessel. The ESSENTIAL secret of the Crash Boat is the spray rails. So many look toy in the videos and TOOOOOOO fast . The spray rails are doubled at width protruding from the hull and lesser at the point of "rise of the wood " towards the upper bow point. The depth is not too critical at a bit of about an eighth of an inch thickness or a bit thinner for the whole length as you do not want to see a "thick log ", rather again it is the width rather than depth. I know I have written on this before on this webb site in the past. The turns thus on the go become when starting on and STAY more on the go are more flatter rather like a full sized hull which has a planing/ flatter hull turn to the flatness of the water than a typical poorly behaving model boat hull which invariably heels TOOOO much and somewhat digging in , (in turns). The HARD CHINE hull design was meant to not only rise to a comfortable plane attitude but ALSO to turn without that annoying behaviour of "digging in" when it should still perform and exhibit that hard chine design attitude when in a turn . "Digging in" equals water resistance AGAINST the hull and loss of performance and loss of plane attitude and against wave resistance when the hull designers team is trying to maintain hard chine performance in the forward turning direction. I harp on this point that this hull design is one to respect . The older I get the more I expect of all my model machines that I am lucky to see on computers, as we certainly have more need to respect the masters, the likes of Peter Du Cane and T E Lawrence and Hubert Scott Payne of Vospers and Thornycroft and The British Power Boat Company and ELCO and Higgins, all of whom I have researched so much over my life and I have been to the memorial of Lawrence in the desert in Wadi Rum. I try to do it right. Regards to all builders Lyle. My mates and I have to run in 2 to 3 inch chop at times, such is the Lake Channel ! My wife has reminded me that some of my fleet do seem to have BLACK hulls and I only would build one model boat, when I bought the Aerobats Crash Boat home, the pictures are of some of my scratch built fleet.

6 years ago by Lyle

Blog

Veron Vosper RTTL 28''

So, once I have completed my Aerokits Solent built (My other build thread details this build) from plans I have started to look to my next project. I have sourced a set of plans for the Vintage Veron Vosper RTTL 28" from ebay. I shall bring this up to date with modern electrics and will be using the same electric brushless set up as per the Fairy Huntress featured in the latest issue of "Model Boats" I have sourced the motor, ESC, LIPO and other standard electrical bits from Hobbyking and have ordered the required wood from SLEC. I shall loosly base the model on the example that can be seen at the RAF Museum Hendon. Watch this space once building comences in the next 2-3 weeks!

7 years ago by Skydive130

Media

Fast Patrol Boat

At Ilfracombe pond is Bob Burrows Co kit of the Fast Patrol Boat. Bobs made a nice job of it and has brushless motor with Lipoly batteries. Forward / reverse control was nothing special on maiden voyage and came close to a good sinking !!!

7 years ago by lesliebreame

Forum

Introduction

Hello gentlemen, Im the "Tapemeasureman" from Atlanta, Georgia, USA. A carpenter, remodeler by trade, Ive recently became interested in vintage model steam engines. It is my intention to build (at the moment) a simple hull / boat to be powered by one of my steam engines. To be more specific, a hull of repurposed, recycled sheet metal on the 18" to maybe 36" size range. It will be powered by a 1 or 2 cylinder STEAM ENGINE AND BOILER. My thinking currently is something along the lines of THE AFRICAN QUEEN, although with a more simplified hull design I can create with bought sheet aluminum, or sheet steel from recycled paint cans or some such, something fairly easy to work with, readily available and cheap. Currently I am more interested in basic function than strict detail or creating a scale replica. In short I want to build a simple working water craft to utilize one of my steam engines be it propeller or paddle wheel propelled I am open to any and all suggestions and directions as I am completely ignorant on this subject and seeking enlightenment, so any help will surely save me countless hours of the trials and errors of starting from scratch, all alone. Any help with hull patterns, alternate information resources, tips on working in the various metals will be appreciated more than you know, and will leave me forever in your debt and very grateful. Thank you in advance, hoping you are having a great day.

7 years ago by Tapemeasureman

Forum

Unbekannte Flitze. A very flighty girl

Yep I agree with you, the lake I test on varies in depth from1/2 fathom round sides to 16.5 fathoms in middle with hidden snags under water I wouldn't dream of going for my models. I always have a marker float attached to 20metres of 20lb line, just in case one sinks and I always sail within 30 metres which is an easy casting range for my telescopic fishing rod. Don't listen to the doubting brigade they probably haven't had to retrieve a model in difficult circumstances, any way I accept that someone will always grumble if you disturb them while retrieving, but better that than the loss of a vintage model as most of my boats are over 50 years old. Cheers Colin.

7 years ago by Colin H

Blog

Display stand and transport case.

In preparation for the first public showing of my boat I have made a new display stand that looks a bit prettier than the first one I made. It’s designed to be more in proportion to the boat and to give a better view of the hull and I have included some model-boats.com stickers that are available in the site shop and also some Vintage Model Works logos kindly supplied by Mike Cummings at VMW 👍 As a finishing touch I have ordered an engraved brass plate giving some details of the original craft. I also found a wheeled flight case on eBay that the boat fits into perfectly without any adjustment to the existing foamed interior but I will have to re-make the mast to allow it to fold down for safety, not bad for £50 😁 The new stand fits into the base of the flight case but the boat also sits on some foam blocks for added support.

7 years ago by robbob

Forum

Aerokits P.T Boat

From Boaty Does anyone know if there are manufacturers who are producing replicas of the Aerokits 40 inch P.T Boat kit. I bought one many years ago but it was already built and had an I.C in it which I replaced with electric power. I foolishly sold it some time after when I took up kart racing and I am now looking for another one. The Company are excellent but I don't 😎think they do the P.T Boat

7 years ago by boaty

Event

Worcester Model Boat Club Open Day

Our recently established, but rapidly expanding club, https://www.worcestermodelboatclub.co.uk/ is holding its first open day at Cob House Country Park, Worcester Road, Wichenford, Worcester WR6 6YE. Our stand will be part of a Vintage Vehicle Day, organised by our hosts http://www.cobhouse.org/event/vintage-vehicle-day As well as a static display, there will also be the opportunity to sail on the lake, which adjoins all the amenities of the Mayfly Cafe. Parking is free and the cafe overlooks the lake. http://www.cobhouse.org/mayfly-cafe/ For more information please visit our website or contact us at www.worcestermodelboatclubuk@gmail.com

7 years ago by cormorant

Forum

How do I resolve my varnish problem?

I have spoken to the person who built the boat. it is based on a company design. it was scratch built and is made of strips of mahogany as I originally suspected. Having looked at the Vintage model company site it most resembles a sea hornet, however another kit may have been available at the time it was made. The strips of Mahogany were the builder making use of the materials they had to hand at the time, hence the vertical strips! The interior is covered in fine fibreglass mesh and 3 thin coats of fibreglass resin. Work on the restoration continues!

7 years ago by John2

Forum

Rediscovering my old hobby.

Rewind…. When I first started my build blog I described my visit to the London Model Engineer exhibition in January 2016 and that my enthusiasm for model making was re-kindled. It was as a result of seeing a crash tender model on the Blackheath MPBC stand and getting into conversation with the owner of the boat. He went on to inform me that kits were still being made for them and he gave me the names of a couple of companies to look at. His valuable information led to some further research on the subject and finding various sites including this one which I immediately registered with, and I subsequently bought a Vintage Model Works 46" RAF crash tender kit and embarked on my rediscovered hobby. Fast forward…. I attended the same exhibition this January and was delighted to see the same chap on his club stand and I took the opportunity to remind him of our previous meeting and discussion and to thank him for his advice and recommendations. He looked at some of the photographs of my boat that I had on my camera and he was very complimentary on my building efforts. That chap is Phil Abbott, otherwise known to his friends as Steamboat Phil, and I would like to give him the credit for re-igniting my model making interest. Thanks Phil, I hope you are following and enjoying my build blog. Robbob

7 years ago by robbob

Guestbook

Guestbook Post

Hi all, I joined the forum a day or so ago and have found it to be very useful. I have recently ordered myself a Vintage Model Works 46" RAF Crash Tender. it's my first boat but I have built a few aircraft over the years so hope that will help me. I have already gained some useful tips from the build blogs etc. and I'm sure I will be asking for lots of help and advice, thanks everyone, Ian.

8 years ago by justintime2001

Response

Gunwhale stringers.

Hi Boatshed. The motor is a Turnigy SK3 4250 controlled by a 90A boat ESC by Hobbyking, batteries are 2 x 9.6v 500mAh in series. This is a recommended combination by Vintage Model Works. incidentally the motor in my original 34" crash tender was a Taycol Supermarine. I would thoroughly recommend a brushless motor and a boat ESC to give you the reversing function. Fortunately there is a wealth of useful information about brushless motors on this site and I'm sure that someone more knowledgeable than me can advise you on the most suitable motor/ESC/battery combination for your boat. Mine has yet to have it's maiden voyage so I can't report on the performance but I'm quite confident that it will be a lot quicker than the one I built all those years ago ! Rob.

8 years ago by robbob

Response

fast patrol launch project

Hi Jon it might be worth phoning the Company as they may have knowledge of the exact items for your requirements not shown on their website. Also Scale Hobbies in Skelmersdale may be helpful too. Regards Boaty

8 years ago by boaty

Response

fast patrol launch project

Hi jonbliss, Had one of these about 9 years ago and fitted a 380 brushed motor in it running off a 7.2 volt nicad 😀 Currently I have an italeri PT109 with a 480 brushed fitted. Boat is quite fast but also very light. Battery is 7.4 volt Lipo 2200 mAh 30C. Also try Company website as they have details of both brushed and brushless motors plus details of related accessories for your particular model. Regards Boaty

8 years ago by boaty

Guestbook

Guestbook Post

I have recently inherited my Dad's 1960's Aerokits Sea Commander still in its original state with 3.5cc diesel IC and his own self-designed and scratch-built electrics. This is the boat that won the "M.P.B.A. R/C Speed Championship 3.5cc" in 1963. I would love to convert it to electric motor and modern r/c, preferably without destroying any vintage interest it may have, and see it running again but I think I'm going to need a lot of advice as I am a complete modelling novice. Hoping to show it on the South Manchester Model Boat Club stand at Haydock next weekend.

8 years ago by IanD

Forum

USA model boat clubs ?

I recently acquired a beautiful large (50 inch) wooden English fast ccabin cruiser molde and I am in the process of acquiring a 34 inch model of a 1936 rc equiped hydroplane I am very familiar with the vintage model sailboat otganizations in England, USA, france, etc I wonder if there is a model boat club associated with wooden powerboats on the east coast of the USA any hlp would be appreciated Dave Thibodeau Concord NH USA

8 years ago by davet

Forum

10 Rater

I suggest you make contact with the Vintage Model Yacht Group. They have a lot of knowledge of vintage model racing yachts and regularly have meetings where they sail restored boats. Here is a link to there website:- http://www.vmyg.org.uk/ Alan

8 years ago by ukengineman

Response

Side Pieces Cut

works at reasonable prices including fittings. Jim

8 years ago by Jimbo

Forum

fireboat fittings

HI Jim, Try Vintage Model Works, Tel. 020 8542 3100, they do a complete set of fittings for the 46 inch fireboat mainly in white metal, a complete window set and a set of waterslide transfers. http://www.vintagemodelworks.co.uk I have their 46 inch fireboat kit and have found them to be extremely helpful. Shaun

8 years ago by Flack

Forum

Your thoughts please

Just planning ahead a bit here, I am going to build the Sea Rover boat from the company this winter. Rather than stick the Perspex on the inside of the windows I would like to have window frames. I thought I had a good idea by heating angled plasticard in hot water and bending it around the aperture, this was not a success (and scolded my fingers) then I tried a heat gun, this was not a success either. I could cut the outer bit out of thin plasticard but the problem is getting it even all the way round and the same on all windows, then run thin plasticard around the aperture and glue it to the outer piece Mmmm So I would appreciate any good ideas or explanations from anyone that has done it. Alan

9 years ago by AlanP

Forum

Jetex

HI Tidtug I have seen the occasional article ref Jetex boats about and there is a guy named Marcus Brooks who has some interest in Jetex and has made attempts to revive it. Best bet for a boat at present is a scratch built job preferably a hydroplane type 6 to 8 inches in length and keep it light. The original Jetex Boat I had in 1962 lasted 10 years but if you find one on E Bay it will cost an arm and a leg plus the plastic is likely to be in poor condition. If you havent got a Jetex motor on hand you can always try to get the Rapier equivalent as there may be some enthusiasts who have retained some after production ceased. As for your Gloster Javelin, Replikit produced copies of Keil Kraft and Veron Jetex models and there was an American company called Easy Built which produced similar. For aircraft try SAMS Models website or Vintage Model Aircraft Company. Regards Boaty

9 years ago by boaty

Forum

Does anyone know. . . . . . . .

Your model was the 16" Scalex SeaHawk (catalogue number H316), made between 1964 and 1969 (with a break in production during 1967). Not to be confused with the Bowmans Seahawk of 1932, which was a twin-cylinder steam speedboat. it was essentially an H216 Diana, upgraded with additional trim. At 37/8d in 1966 it was the top of the range sailing boat once the 24" Osprey was withdrawn in 1965. Here is a (rather poor) scan of the relevant 1967 Scalex catalogue. For more discussion you could go to the RC Groups Vintage Model thread at http://www.rcgroups.com/vintage-and-old-timer-boats-849/

9 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

Fire boat window frames.

HI Paul the www co do full firings kit and all the windows set put in the details of the fire boat and that do all the aero kit boats the firings are of white metal the fire monitors the mast crane cleets tow Huck search light and !!!!???? Every thing els good luck malc

9 years ago by malctank

Forum

Fire boat window frames.

Hello I have a full set of firings and window. Frames. To fit the 1/12 scale fire boat go to company for full set OK! Malc

9 years ago by malctank

Forum

wiring help!

hI guys we have recently purchased a vosper 46ft RAF crash tender 34.5 Inch kit with motor, electrical speed controller and servo from the company. ON receipt of the kit we have realised we are missing a reciever(we have an existing Planet T5 digital remote control) the kit we have at present: H.KING HK 15139 servo CAR-45A electrical speed controller Turnigy Aerodrive D3536/61250KV motor question 1: can anyone recommend a reciever that will work with the kit and controller we have? question 2 : can anyone provide a wiring diagram to connect the kit we have? we were supplied with a diagram of sorts but connection between the speed controller and the mptor as welll as the reciever/servo Is vague plus cable colours are different and not marked. any Information would be much appreciated many thanks quirky PS. apologies If we have posted In the wrong area of the forum!

9 years ago by Quirky

Forum

Reversing brushless motors

HI everyone I have a query yhat someone may be able to answer.I would like to know Is It possible to use an ESC. with forward only to reverse a motor by putting a switch/switches between the ESC. and the motor. The motor Is quite small It Is the one recommended by the co. on their website. Cheers Mick (The blacksmith)

10 years ago by TheBlacksmith

Response

Working Monitors

HI Alan and Shaun I thought about some working monitors but gave up after trying to make some. I guess they would have to be made of plastic as the white metal ones are non starters. they are too complex and brittle. I wonder if Company are planning on making some as there is definitely a market out there for both restorers of the Fireboat and also the new builds from VMBC. I feel that the basis for working monitors should be around a car windscreen washer motor with flexible tubing leading to brass tubes inside the monitors themselves. A 12 volt supply could be provided by a small battery independent of the main power supply and on/off by a servo controlled switch. 😊 Regards Boaty

10 years ago by boaty

Forum

Marblehead....Vintage or Modern

Hi. I have aquired a part built Marblehead, It Is a Vic Smeed Genie and I would like some advice please. Should I keep It true to the plans or change the build for a more modern sail set up etc. I am new to boat building but am an experianced aromodeler, If It was a plane I would keep It original to compete In vintage events and It Is my experiance that the vintage models can fly just as well as the modern ones with the correct handling. With sailboats I have no Idea, are there vintage events?? How would this boat In original spec compete against more modern design?? Would she be easier for a novice to handle In original spec?? lastly has anyone owned a genie ?? Thanks Grandad

10 years ago by grandad

Forum

Boaty

Fireboat restoration completed after four months work and Company sent me a great set of cast metal fittings at 1/16th scale which finished the job . I opted for brushed 600 motor and I found a used 30 amp ESC In my parts box that Is lipo friendly though I will be sticking to NiMH 8.4 volt as they act as ballast. Locally, the lakes are relatively small and this Is another reason why I dont need a brushless with a lipo. Restoration was fairly challenging as the boat was of early sixties vintage and some of the superstructure parts had delaminated and needed replacing completely. To add to this, when I acquired the boat I found that they were several layers of paint, type not known, so It was having to get down to the bare wood. Another Interesting observation was that the original motor mount appeared to have been drilled to mount a Taycol Standard which I recall was advertised In the 1960s by Taycol and Installed In the Aerokits Fireboat In their brochure. On the water the boat performs well and after looking at other Fireboats I feel that there are further details to be added as I have tried to keep mine as It would have been originally. Boaty 😊 😊

10 years ago by boaty

Forum

Crash Tenders for sale on E-Bay

Just seen two ad for a kit and part completed Crash tenders. Can't find the Item numbers but they are In the Toys & Games/Radio Controlled/Boats and Hovercraft. One listed as: KeilKraft / Aerokits Vosper High Speed RAF Crash Rescue Tender kit - seem complete and Includes the original Yeoman casting fitting kit the other: VINTAGE VOSPER WOODEN MODEL BOAT RC RAF CRASH TENDER. Worth a look for all you Fireboat buffs!

10 years ago by Dave M

Forum

Marblehead....Vintage or Modern

HI grandad and welcome to the site. How you complete the Genie depends on what you wish to do with the finished model. if you intend to compete the model in vintage events then you would need to comply with any racing rules re design/sails etc. As an ex flyer I agree that older proven designs still work well but will not be as fast as the more recent offerings but will handle just as well once you get some experience. I am not familiar with the Genie so can only offer some general practical advice. Some early yachts used to use a mechanical vane steering mechanism and did not have radio control, modern models are fully radio controlled for both the sails and rudder. Unless you have a suitable pond with all round access a Vane steering model would be a bit of a non starter. I suggest you look at http://www.vmyg.org.uk/ for details. If you can find a local model boat club this would be of great help in deciding how to proceed as they will have the knowledge and skill to get you on the water and enjoying sailing. Hopefully another member will have owned a Genie and will be able to give more detailed help. Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress 😀

10 years ago by Dave M

Forum

Fireboat Funday/ Day 7/9/2014

Well I did make it with my little Victory industries Fireboat but didn't sail it 😯 there was lots of wash from the bigger boats. it was a good event and I'll definitely be there next year, weather, money and health permitting. Sign of age that, time was it was only money permitting 😯 In the end the club sold themselves short as they had a BBQ selling burgers and drinks and there was a stall around the corner doing likewise as well as the Ice cream van. Well done and thanks King Lear.

10 years ago by smiggy

Event

Fireboat Funday/ Day 7/9/2014

HI all King Lear Model Boat Club would like to Invite you to the Fireboat Funday/ Day which will take place on Sunday 7th September 2014 at King Lears Lake, Watrmead Country Park, Nr Wanlip, Leicestershire, LE7 1PD. We welcome you for an Informal and friendly event where likeminded owners of Model Fireboat/s can get together, so bring a boat and have a sail. There are toilet facilities In the Country Park but no catering or cafe except for an Ice cream van, so bringing your own lunch Is recommended. There are however two pubs within two miles of the Country Park where 'pub grub' Is available. Contact the club at (Email Removed - PM Only) for any further Information, further details about the club can be found on our website at www.kinglearmodelboatclub.co.uk and further Information can be found about Watermead County Park on their website at www.leics.gov.uk/index/environment/countryside/countryparks/watermead. There Is a £2.50 entry fee to the country park so please have the exact change ready as this Is paid to an unmanned machine which does not give change. Graham

10 years ago by froggyt996

Forum

Fireboat Funday/ Day 7/9/2014

Looking forward to seeing many of you on Sunday! it's looking to be a warm sunny day, fingers crossed the forecast won't change! If you're coming, remember to click the "Are you attending?" button at the top of this page! Anyone looking for me will find me in a blue/white model boats website cap. Anyone who's a member who hasn't ever received a badge, I'll be giving them out free on the day! Just say hello, let me know your username and you'll get a badge 😊 See you all Sunday! Stephen

10 years ago by fireboat

Forum

Fireboat Funday/ Day 7/9/2014

HI all Forgot to say IC's are welcome but need to be properly silenced to 80db and below. Any boats above that will be asked to be taken off the water as this is a country park. Own insurance is required. Regards, Gray

10 years ago by froggyt996

Forum

Fireboat Funday/ Day 7/9/2014

HI all Just a reminder that this event is now only 3 weeks away! Please check our website for more details. Regards, Gray

10 years ago by froggyt996

Forum

Hello

HI Roger, welcome to the world of boats, I also went through cars and planes, but find that my reactions are too slow now, so I now restore and sail s, both R/C and free-sail, fleet now has 11 boats, the oldest from about 1920, and the newest from about 1970. The guys on this site have given me loads of help and encouragement with my rescued projects, so browse the site and enjoy your modeling. Good luck and happy sailing. Colin.

10 years ago by Colin H