Blog

Pilot Boat

approaches again so what better than a new project,.......to go along with the other two yet to be completed. I have excuses. Honest!! This new one is a bit different again. No wood at all this time. It is the Aero-naut Pilot Boat. I thought it didn`t look too much of a task but I think I will have to re-assess as it is tricky in parts. I have assembled the hull frame, which although the parts are rather loose fitting until glued went ok. I have, however, stumbled slightly on the next stage, to fit the hull skins. The instructions suggest to cellotape them in place prior to glueing. Not as easy as it sounds as considerable bending of the parts is required to get them to fit, too much for the tape. Does anybody know of an easier approach please. The ABS is extremely difficult to hold in position when trying to tape it, which incidently, does not hold anyway. Should I warm up the skins or will this distort them and give a rippled finish. Any help here would be appreciated.🤓 I will continue with the refurbishment of the Patrol Torpedo Boat for now as I have been trying to manipulate the sides of the Pilot boat into place for hours, no, days!!.😡😤

6 years ago by MouldBuilder

Response

Basic hull construction completed

I guess you will only be able to tell properly is when it's primered. I suppose you could always fill it and resand - that will be my fallback position! Is the motor size in the instructions? Had a look at a build article and it's not in there. if you haven't got it it's well worth getting because as well as the build of that very kit Dave Milbourn has written an article on finishing nd painting which I'm reffering to. it's the Model Boats Special Edition 2018. Chris

5 years ago by ChrisF

Media

Mowe 2

I hadn't built a model of any sort since I was 15 years old and that was a control line aeroplane with a glow worm engine. 45 years later and regressing nicely back to my teenage years, my wife bought me (reluctantly!) a RC Boat Kit - Mowe 2. I had been wanting to build again for many years, but children and family and home situation did not allow. So, over the cold Autumn and Months I carefully put my spare nights to good use, rather than watching night after night TV box sets and re-watching the entire James Bond movies, not once but 2 or 3 times.... Anyhow after 3 months...the finished product. I should have started a blog but didn't know of this site until a few weeks ago. Not a brilliant finished job, but a satisfying one, and it sails nicely on Bushy Park boating lake in Kingston-upon-Thames. Now o nto bigger and more complicated things...a Fairey Huntsman 31. This time I'll do a blog....👍

5 years ago by StuartE

Media

DS 30

Took time out from my new build to test float the barge I am building for my push boat to give it a long awaited float test for leaks and to mark the waterline. First decent day this !

5 years ago by Mariner85

Forum

Help with vintage rc.

I wouldn't want to stop people running old kit - far from it! I have a single-channel 1962 Macgregor with a Kinematic which I use occasionally - when there's no other 27Mhz around. But you need to be aware of the issues. With this sort of kit (and even worse for valve systems) you will find that summer is for sailing, and is for repairing. Here is the start of a thread on RC Groups with myself and Taurus Flyer sorting out a capacitor problem on the TX - which meant reverse engineering both the Rx and TX.... https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2609824-Reverse-engineering-and-repair-of-a-vintage-Metz-Mecatron-single-channel-radio/page32 One example of problems you may encounter is that the caps in old kit tend to die, particularly if the equipment has not been used for many years. Electrolytics, in particular, suffer. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolytic_capacitor#Failure_modes,_self-healing_mechanism_and_application_rules You can sometimes reform the electrolytics by turning the TX and Rx on and leaving them powered up for a day or so. it's tricks like this that you need to be aware of if you are going to run vintage equipment....

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Blog

Palamo's Fishing boat

Well it's here in Hamilton Ontario & I decided to R/C a kit by Ocio Creativo 1/45 scale length 410 mm fishing boat .The model is a static kit so the trick will be installing all the R/C equipment . The challenge is the bulk heads are solid & will need to be modified for motor ,stuffing box , battery ,Etc .

5 years ago by GARTH

Blog

HMS BRAVE BORDERER

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” torpedoes 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

Response

Anteno 2 tug

I used an old cooker hood as the basis for my spray booth with the filters taken out and vented outside, and has built in lights. I also use it as my silver solder/brazing and small welding jobs using the back wall as one side with simple hardboard sides and a rotary table (old party susan) if you can remember them, it works really well and allows spraying in my workshop in the months.

5 years ago by mturpin013

Blog

aeronaut classic

i have bought a aeronaut classic kit to build over the , i have had to suspend other models (tugs) due to fumes and ventilation . it will be my first wood kit build , i would like to fit a brush-less motor in the Classic but do not know which motor i could use to replace a speed 400, can anyone recommend a brush-less motor for the classic

5 years ago by sandgrounder

Response

HMS BRAVE BORDERER

Thanks all for your help and suggestions. Plenty to noodle over during our cold nights. Rowen

6 years ago by Rowen

Response

HMS BRAVE BORDERER

Thanks jbkiwi and RN in Munich for your suggestions: Have never used Ali Express, those components look interesting. Will follow up. I have used a battery alarm of the type suggested and it does work well. Have a couple for use once back on water. The rule about adding a capacitor into the ESC circuit is new to me. Have ferrite rings fitted so will now explore adding capacitors too. Are these is series or parallel with the wiring? The relays are not used with diodes or any electronic gubbins. Wanted to make the circuit as simple as possible for a Mechanical Engineer, so used one separate relay per ESC. The relay operation is controlled by a RC switch off another Rx channel. it seems to work. Am aware of the back feed possibilities and hope to have avoided them with the separate circuits. Appreciate any thoughts though, can add diodes if necessary. Am using a new FLYSKY 10 Ch. Tx/Rx on this model which opens up a host of programming opportunities. Am experimenting with various features such an the interval between Fwd/Rv also limiting ESC response. As am now using the brushless motors essentially in unison, also toying with controlling the 2 x ESCs on a “Y” lead on a single control. Much to think about, pity our has arrived early and the pond has been converted to a skating rink.

6 years ago by Rowen

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First Snow!

She looks fantastic Ed, you must be very pleased! I don't know when we will see snow here this , if at all. Steve

6 years ago by cormorant

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Air boat

Thanks am going to make another one which will incorporate a pusher prop . At least that’s my project when all my fleet have been dry docked etc, did one last night ( 42 inch pilot boat ) a V.T. Nelson. Only another 14 to go.

6 years ago by Purser1944

Forum

Cleaning sails, toy yachts, etc....

Useful to know about Vanish. it certainly worked on my Star yacht sails. Fortunately the sails on the Ailsa yacht are lovely anyway, just some new rigging cord required. I would say the sails were the same as bed sheets. I used some white spirit to clean the deck on the Ailsa. Most of the dirt being handling muck. Then I waxed it with 3M wax...twice. it's wonderful stuff which I bought for our historic narrowboat's new paintwork. it was a wooden boat and when I replaced the cabins and had painted them with Tra-mar Coatings hand made enamel paint, I waxed them with 3M's wax and they went another 3 s before I sold the boat, with the rain still rolling off in beads. The Ailsa is now waiting for some spar varnish over the repair's creamish paint. I couldn't match it perfectly, but I didn't want to repaint the whole hull. All the repairs are under the waterline so it shouldn't show. The Star...I never heard of them using aluminium for masts. How would they have kept the rigging eyes in place? Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

HMS M.33

Good luck Steve, Know exactly what you mean about both biting the bullet (Deans kit prices!) and space! Earlier this year I bought the Deans kit for HMS Manxman, one of the Abdiel class fast Minelayer / Cruisers. Had been fascinated by this ship since I built the Airfix 1/600 version as a kid and read about her history on the Malta resupply runs and minelaying at Genoa, where I have recently worked with the Fincantieri shipyard. She's my main project,WHEN I have some bench space available, she's about 1.5m LoA!! I must say though, the kits aren't cheap but pretty comprehensive 😊 some fettling of the fittings seem to be necessary though. Bon chance with your Monitor, interesting subject 👍 Look forward to your build blog. Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Boat hull

Mick received with thanks it will keep me busy during the I will try and post progress when i start cheers Bob👍

6 years ago by Northumbrian

Forum

Transmitter-Rain Cover

Many years ago I used to do a lot of glider slope soaring. Standing on top of a hill on a windy day in the soon numbs the hands. I solved the problem by using an old tea cosy with a hole in the top. if the was rain around then a plastic bag was used over the top of the cosy. Alan

6 years ago by ukengineman

Forum

just need cable (wire)...

I couldn't find a way of ordering different colours, but Paypal playing up messed it all up for us anyway. I'm not a patient man so said to my wife, "sod em , get it from ebay" It'll turn up when it wants to. I don't do much on boats in the , but I must remember to cycle my batteries somehow or they'll die. I hate working models! Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

PS Waverley

Yes, that's what I liked; well populated and 'Alive'. Makes all the difference, especially for an excursion ship. 😉 If he uses a Dremel or similar he'll probably break lots 😡 I use a small pin chuck for my 0.3 - 1.0mm drills, gives more control and 'feel'. @ Marky; thought I remembered you paddlin' about somewhere😉 just got the ship wrong 🤔 How's it goin' matey? Now back to prepping terrace and garden for 😡 me poor ol' back! Cheers All, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

A Tragic Tale Unfolds

of 1967 / 1968 was a bad time for trawler losses. St Romanus, Kingston Peridot and Ross Cleveland went down. The St Romanus and Kingston Peridot were side haul boats and this made them unstable when taking in nets that were full. I don't know what type Ross Cleveland was but soon after we had lessons in school about the tragedies and our teacher explained how the later stern haul boats were much safer. Boaty😁

6 years ago by boaty

Forum

S.H.G Black tornado

hi got this off internet not eBay!!!! going to over the add meteor 40 engine propshaft n' tube were already fitted as was water scoop n' outlet ,rudder , trim tabs,a 2channel Acoms r/c receiver and and 2 servos no trans. but it did all work ( all in a gooy margerine tub possibly the best part of 40 yrs worth of GOO!!!! Hull /deck look to be in good condition! will keep u informed on "resto" over the months regards

6 years ago by thatsinkinfeelin18

Forum

replacing propshaft

the boat went quite well, it is too complicated for me to load a video, I cant remember what happened, but I had to repaint ot and it went horribly wrong, I managed to hand paint it in the end and it will do. I then got the Lloydsman ready to sail, then both were put on the top shelf of the garage out of the way and that is where they stayed asI cannot carry them from the car park to the boating pool at Coate Water, however I have acquired two golf trolleys and intend to adapt them for the boats. I have gone off the boats along with other hobbies due to arthritis, and is approaching,

6 years ago by RichardSReade

Response

BRAVE BORDERER

Doug, Am sure it can do both of those! So far, have not had a high speed run long enough to really test the brass shafts. I hope to only need to use it for a couple of test runs shortly before will dismantle, make those upgrades and then finish the model over the . Rowen

6 years ago by Rowen

Response

BRAVE BORDERER

Thanks Doug, Those features are part of my build / rebuild of the model. Funnily enough, the brass shaft in the brass sleeve seems to work.

6 years ago by Rowen

Response

BRAVE BORDERER

Thanks Colin, will check as intent to strip down and lubricate this as the build progresses. Plans are to replace the two outer shafts with Stainless steel, currently brass rod anyway. Not holding out much hope though as have been been through all the obvious mechanical issues already. Rowen

6 years ago by Rowen

Response

ellesmere port model boat club

well club days for members are like i said from 9am till 5pm in the summer all wek bar sundays when its 10 am till 5pm in the its 4pm we are hoping no closed season weather permitting our chairman is aldo a duty officer on sight so when he is on duty we can sail till say 8 or 9pm in the summer dont forget we are on a private site so u must be a member to sail on our lake u are allowed to come a sail and see our facilities if ya like it can join , weekends are the most popular time for our members u have to sign in before sailing and when u finish sign out thats about it we have our meeting at the boat musium every second tuesday in the month 7pm at the cafe , so when u feel like it come down a visit us we are a happy laid back club if u are on face book go to our open site ellesmere port model boat club and see our posts regards len

6 years ago by nutrunner

Forum

Schnnelleboot Battery

Thank you kipper just wasn't sure , I have not been able to progress the boat for the last 9 or ten weeks due to being out of action with my spine, I hope to get on now after the op last week but I don't think it will see the water till next year. So I intend to get the RC stuff sorted out over the

6 years ago by teejay

Response

Range Safety Launch?

Hi Neville, I recognise the 'I want it all and I want it now syndrome' cropping up again😉 Wev'e been down this road before haven't we!? You don't have any "structural' problems. The original builder simply cheated and covered over the 'back bay' instead of fitting it out. And - Why do you want to mess with the cabin tops? To get the boat going for some fun just leave the superstructure like that for now and think about it and fiddle with it in the . The deck looks fine from the photos. Just flat off with some 1000/1500 grit wet & dry and give it a spray of medium sea grey and finish with satin or matt varnish. After you've fixed and repainted the hull. If you do all we've said to fix the hull, and apply the fix up to the joint of hull and deck there will be as good as no chance that the deck will leak. When all is said and done YOU saw the boat before you bought it and YOU had a specific purpose in mind apparently. Namely; some quick fun. Soooo - fix the hull, have some fun learning to drive it, and leave the fiddly bits and embellishments until the 'closed season'. Then you can deliberate and decide if you want to restore it as an RSL or convert it into something more exotic. Looking forward to your cogitations on the electrical layout😉 What Action bits are you thinking of using? BTW: if you had a fire at all with the heat gun either you have it too hot, turn it down to about 300 -350°C, or you're hanging about too long in one place. The gun should only be just hot enough to start the paint surface bubbling up. ATB Doug

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

HMS Campbeltown 1941, 1/96 scale

Hi Steve, Hmmm! Hope I have more luck with the HMS Manxman kit I bought from them! That weren't cheep cheep either🤔 That and an Akula 2 sub with static diving system are my projects😉 Hope you got justice in the end! Cheers, Doug 😎 BTW: "a 4m shaft"!? 😲 What are you building? A 1/10 scale HMS Queen Elizabeth?? 😁😁

6 years ago by RNinMunich

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Preparing the Hull Part 4

How is the build progressing. I am thinking of getting this kit as a project and would like to see what you have managed to achieved. Chris

6 years ago by octman

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Range Safety Launch?

The most beautiful thing about it there is no fumes that your signifigant other can complain about.It can be used indoors even in the even when the furnace is running.It also dries very fast so you can carry on with the next step to finish your fabulous model to show us your results.

6 years ago by Donnieboy

Forum

ESC info...

I was looking at that one! But as for the programming card...Gawd knows. I wouldn't know where to begin! Right now I'm bloody panicking as I can't find the Supermarine motor for the Crash Tender! I thought it was in the old motor drawer, but it ain't. I'm crossing fingers it's in a box in the loft. My son-in-law will have to go up there when the weather cools. Even he doesn't deserve the temperatures up there! Got my watt meter today, so that's now in a box with the condition meter and multi-meter, oh and the chenglish Charger and its power pack. BL motor and CNC 32mm prop still on the slow boat. So the ESC will be the last of the clobber for a while. By the time I have it all together it'll be and all put away again! Thanks again, Doug. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Response

Lifeboat and Davit Completed!

Three 27 foot RN whalers, I don't think so! You know what it took me. To work on those block and tackles! NO way, I'm glad I didn't glue my fingers to anything! During the build of the Brooklyn. I have glued my fingers quite a few times. Luckily not to the boat itself! Oh, Thanks I forgot about lashing down the lifeboat!😲 I can't wait for fall season! I love the month's......

6 years ago by figtree7nts

Forum

LED Tug Mast Navigation Lights

Hi Pete, the wiring diagram as such will stay as it is, but after my test results I will revise the resistor value (upwards) to reduce the power requirement without reducing the perceived brightness. Also to damp down the whites a little and bring up the yellows, otherwise I reckon the white mast lamps will be blinding and the yellow deck lights will look oddly dim. I would be tempted to use whites for the deck lights, maybe put a dollop of yellow glass lacquer on them to tone 'em down a bit. Apropos Fletcher Class; I have 1/144 kit I intend to convert to RC. My H class destroyer 1/72, HMS Belfast cruiser and Graf Spee pocket battleship 1/128 are also all about 4&1/2 to 5 feet! Don't know how much longer I'll be able to carry them to the lake so I'm considering building a trailer, like I've seen here on the site, and using Jessica's old RC beach buggy to haul them 😊 Also have a 1/96 kit of the fast cruiser / minelayer HMS Manxman which is scheduled for the next build. Also 4 foot something 😲 Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

BRAVE BORDERER

Hi Doug, Certainly having fun and gaining more appreciation for the various drivetrain combinations available to us. My objective for this summer is to get a combination, using all three shafts, that works properly at all speeds. This coming will refine by using items such as you recommend. That item would help, so will keep the details on one side. The program would be assisted enormously if a supplier (located in Hong Kong) was able to meet back-order commitments!

6 years ago by Rowen

Forum

Windows, stoopid question.

Well at least they went to a good home. I have an Adept shaper which I am restoring in the . Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Response

U-181

My crew were made by Shapeways. Somewhat expensive, but I needed an unusual scale. I asked a question and the designer got back to me. I was able to select from a few different groups and he also did a few pose mods. The crew is available as U-181. I think they can be scaled down to any scale, although the Revell U-boat crew are also available and a lot cheaper. Some of them now sail on my 1/72 Z39 destroyer. So far I have put 9 crew members onto the U-boat and I have 3 remaining. They are for the front 105mm gun. My periscope has a very simple working method. A balsawood cylinder at the bottom of the periscope. Sub dives and the periscope comes up. Sub surfaces and the periscope goes down.

6 years ago by reilly4

Forum

RE ads90's Vosper Firefloat

It is a little while ago since this subject was raised but I came across it to day whilst passing my time looking through this continuingly interesting web site, but for what it is worth I will outline a bit I know about the RAF marine branch. I was one of the last National Service RAF enlisted men and started my service 5 th April 1960. I was then trained as an Air Wireless Fitter at Yatesbury and on passing the reqired tests was posted to RAF Mountbatten in May 1961, this was sited on the coastline of Plymouth Sound and the marine craft were moored on the Cattewater. Not long before I got there, the main base for the RAF Marine activities was on the I. of W. at Calshot but the decision had been made, due to the great contraction of the marine arm, as helicopters had taken over the rescue task and the loss in interest in aircraft operating from water, the MU ( Maintenance Unit ) was moved to the operational station at Plymouth. Mountbatten was quite busy with various activities and it was the H.Q. of Coastal Command the other activities was in providing targets for Shackelton training, dingy drill for aircrew and survival training for aircrew on Dartmoor. All the useful marine craft were moved to Plymouth and I would imagine things like Fire Floats would have been disposed of prior to the move. All that was at Mountbatten were RTTL's of various standards, RSL's and Pinnance's. The only strange item was an old Rescue Launch which was powered by 3 Napier Lion engines, all the later RTTLs had Rolls Royce Merlin derivatives. This was the only large boat that I ever had a fast ride on, but unfortunately we were only a few miles out of the Sound when one of the engines failed and we had to limp home. I never had a fast trip on a RTTL. I used to have lots of trips outside the breakwater on RSL's on RAF crew dingy drill, when the pilot under training had to jump off the boat with his uninflated dingy and when the RSL made as many waves as possible he had to inflate it and climb in whilst the launch continued to rough the sea up as much as possible. He then stayed in his dingy for about 45 minutes which was not very pleasant in . It was for us lesser mortals an enjoyable spectator sport to see commissioned officers undergoing sme discomfort. I think that all the odd marine equipment was lost when Calshot closed.

6 years ago by nasraf

Forum

Charging NiMhs, one for Doug?...

Hi Martin, No need to get yer knickers in a twist 😲 With the NiMh just stick 'em on your iMax every 2 months and run 'em through a discharge / charge cycle. Otherwise in three months they'll probably be Dodo-like 🤔 NiMh batts lose about 1% charge per day. So, assuming fully charged to start with, they will die in about three months. They should not be discharged below 1.0V per cell or they most likely will not recover and will not take a charge anymore. Your TX LiPo you have no control over so just rely on the charger in the TX. Over just switch it on every month or so and check if the red LED lights. if it does stick it on charge until the green LED lights again. Your other LiPo you can give a Storage charge with the iMax. Check it with your Capacity Tester now and again. Storage charge will probably indicate 30 to 50%. if it's less than 30% put it on a Storage charge again. Voltage per cell should never be allowed to go below 3.0V MINIMUM. Start a Battery Diary!! Cheers, Doug 😎 Back to hull sanding for me 😡 P'ing down again today so no outdoor spraying🤔 Just discovered construction fault in my fish cutter😲 First hull planks were set flush with the keel bottom instead of leaving about 1/4" of keel showing 😭 To saw or not to saw ? That is the question!!

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Charging NiMhs, one for Doug?...

I thought they all had to be cycled to keep any charge in 'em. What do I know? All my batteries have died...Lead acids, Nimhs (except for the new ones for the testing of the Spektrum). I hate bloody batteries. I don't use my stuff often enough to keep them working. Such as all . Basically from September to May all boating is on hold. So batteries get left. I now have a Digital radio which uses 4 AAs, but they get charged in a wall wart, no packs of them and no fancy connectors, so that still leaves out the NiMhs. I suppose all you can do is run a motor or something. Maybe a light bulb. Then recharge. What a faff. I wasn't cut out for working models. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Crash Tender davit info...

Gents, chinchilla dust is the flavour of the month treatment for making country lanes in model scenery, which, as you know, is my pursuit. But, having a wonderful clear up in the workshop to incorporate this mornings win at a local auction of a 10 drawer document cabinet, I found my dust and it was a bit course. The Chinchies were obviously a little damp when ground So, perhaps a trip to Wickes is called for. I was right next door earlier and forgot all about it, dammit. No matter, plenty to do afore then. So nice to get all my plans and decals and info sheets in their own drawers. Tea break over, back on me 'ead. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Response

MV TEAKWOOD

She looks superb Rowen, very well spent. Hat Off 👍 A wisp of smoke, a light or three and a flag or two and she'll be Peerrrfect! 😁 The voltage stepper is a neat trick! What current can it handle? Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Charging NiMhs, one for Doug?...

Doug, what gave you the idea that I spent all that on my Spektrum DX5e? it cost me 45 quid from somewhere up North, brand new. The Rxs were, I thought, too much, so I got an Orange for 8 quid. I got the Spektrum because I was considering doing aircraft. 4 footers, scale, so not needing anything fancy, but costs of everything else stopped that. if they did a 2 function set cheap, I'd have had it. No chance selling the DX5e as it will have been superceded at least twice since I bought mine, probably at least once since I first removed it from its box! The Tx., isn't complicated. I was careful NOT to buy one that needed a degree in pooterism to operate. it's a toy boat fer Krissakes...go left, go right, speed up, slow down, stop, maybe go backuds, although my kind of real boats rarely do. I'd use my old REP single channel if some toad hadn't stole it. But it doesn't stand me in that much. This new Rx. which states DX5e compatibility is 7 quid. After that, if it don't work it will be back to the 27 meg. or nothing at all (much better exercise). As to the battery capacity thing, it is exactly the same to look at as the ones you linked me to, but, although it didn't say it didn't do Nixx, the fact is it doesn't. On the box is a row of x's where the facilities are shown under NiCd and NiMh. Sending it back would cost almost as much as the thing cost in the first place. in the unlikely event that I ever get any LiPos, it'll do for those. As to the NiMhs, I'll put them through a discharge recharge cycle on the imax thing according to what you and Haverlock have said. Then, just do the same when I've finished sailing. I use this stuff so rarely I suppose I should think again about whether to get any more stuff at all. is it possible to constantly cycle the batteries during the long fallow period? Should they be discharged by running a motor or can one trust the imax to do the job? Once again, thanks for your time, Doug. I do appreciate your efforts to help out the Luddite. BTW, when I bought the DX5e it really was the cheapest option, trust me! Now, I'd probably get one of those cheapies that are sold by the same outfit I bought my DX5e from, but they weren't around then. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Charging NiMhs, one for Doug?...

Doug, I'm told that all the goodies are on their way, so should arrive tomorrow or Saturday. Saturday, I hope as I won't be tempted to play with them when I should be doing work-type jobs. Weekends is boaty time this time of year and slot racing/scenic time in the . I wouldn't have dreamed of correcting your memories of the Navy Lark in public! And when I speak of my "dear wife", Chris I don't mean that she is in any way like Ramona! We used to cackle to the Navy Lark while the Sunday lunch was in it's final stages of cooking every week. There used to be 2 shows together Sunday lunchtime, Navy Lark and Round the Horn/Beyond our Ken. Both were a scream. The Clitheroe Kid I could live without though. "How bona to varda your jolly old eek". You'll remember that I'm sure. Cheers and thanks again for your help. if I can get the iMax to do 0.3A, I'll do the 12 hour jobby. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Sails for Vanity

Hi all, come summer, come the boats. is for slot cars. I have been filling and sanding my Vanity model. Today it got its first coat of black enamel primer and apart from a few tiny blemishes will be fine, so I started thinking about sails. My wife can't get her machine to behave itself, so, bless her, said to buy a suit, but I can't find any guide to prices except a brief mention on Nylet's site about a medium Gaff set and that is 195 quid, which is not possible. So, where do folks go for affordable sails for gaffers and other unconventional non "class" yachts, like Vanity? It's a big old rig. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

getting a bit slow?...

used to be model railways and slot cars. Now just slot cars and small scale static boats, 1/48th scale. I always promised myself a collection of 1/4"-the foot inshore craft. I really can't be doing with the over-pensioned old fools who spend a fortune on some very average kit and another on wheels and gearbox, motor, building, painting, lining, weathering, blah, blah and finally bragging about on forums. Kit snobbery is not only annoying, but to a scratchbuilder like me it is utterly stupid and pointless. And as a model railway club near me now charges 100 quid to join and still only turns out a glorified toy train set, it is, alas, no longer a hobby for me. We have a sign on our wall that says, "The more I learn of people, the more I love my dogs". QED. Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

getting a bit slow?...

Hi Martin TEA work of the Devil, I just know what you mean about I do try and get some work done on my boat's but I feel more like it in the summer, only thing is I try and sail them as much as possible. Fred

6 years ago by Fred

Forum

It's a sad day!.

Come visit us at Tarlair - you can run IC or anything else on our pond. Beautiful location too - just stay away in or when it is windy

6 years ago by aanside

Forum

getting a bit slow?...

I do my interwebbin' when I have a cuppa. Even decorators gotta drink tea? I would have thought that model boats come alive this time of the year, with the better weather. I don't touch mine all . Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Place

South Bavaria Scale Model Boat Builders

Ahoy! Talking about ponds in our particular region, we are very fortunate to have several areas fed with pristine Alpine mountain water sources and one in particular by an underground thermal source, so no freezing, etc, etc. And best of all, no friggin' bird poop nor underwater vegetation. Can't beat that. There is a nice park with its nice pond called "Loisachbad" just a few hundred meters from home which is my "official" homeport. However, during the place to go is the Badersee, that non-freezing pond I just mentioned. Other places to go about 20 minutes from here driving north towards Munich are the Kochelsee (near Murnau), Starnbergsee, and the Olympia Park, about 1 hour north from here in Munich. That one is nice but unfortunately the area is a minefield of bird poop. And the Plansee, a mega beautiful place about 30 minutes from here in the Austrian side. Cheers, b.

7 years ago by Krampus