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    Model Boats Website
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    ChrisG
    Member Stats
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    Member No.#3057
    Registered📅30th Sep 2014
    Last Online📅28th Mar 2023
    City📍Sandiacre
    Country🇬🇧United Kingdom
    Gender♂️Male
    Age👶78
    Posts💬238
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    Members Harbour
    Aeronaut Bella sail boat
    I built my Bella many years ago, first sailing boat build. Having built an Aeronaut Diva I was impressed with the kit price and the build method and materials. Saffron as she is named was a joy to build, lovely to look at and an absolute joy to sail. She is quick manoeuvrable and being light easily transportable. For a novice sailor particularly a great first sailing boat build.
    ChrisG
    2 months ago
    2 Attributes
    4 Comments
    Aeronaut "Diva"
    About 20 years ago my daughter bought me my first model boat kit and it was the Diva. I had a great deal of fun building her and even more fun with her on the lake. This little boat is the speediest and most manoeuvrable I have sailed and she still makes me smile. I have recently been asked a few questions about the build which has reminded me to recharge her batteries and get her on the water.
    ChrisG
    3 months ago
    0 Attributes
    6 Comments
    Tug from the past
    At about the time I retired and was looking for an indoor hobby I noticed on that well known auction site an unused tug kit for sale, reasonably priced, no it was cheap! I bought it and was surprised and pleased that it was better than expected. The kit was from PBM Patrick & Blunt Models Ltd I cannot remember what I paid but the original price tag still attached to what is left of the box shows £38.99, were things ever that cheap? Hull construction was balsa sandwhich, deck and superstructure balsa and plastic mouldings which had degenerated and had to be remade by myself i.e wheelhouse and funnel and other bits. Although I completed her with geared motor and steering she has never been in the water. She sits much loved in a glass case in my bedroom and hopefully sits there for much longer. Regards ChrisG
    ChrisG
    6 months ago
    7 Attributes
    9 Comments
    (Working Vessel) Doris
    Doris is built plank on frame and is a copy of the Thames Bawley by the same name, number LO284. The original which is still afloat in Gillingham Kent was built in 1909 in Harwich by J & H Cann for Leigh on Sea publican Mr Choppin who named the ship after his favourite daughter. Dimensions of the original 40ft length 14ft beam 5ft 6in draft, weight not known. The model is a dream and looks really good, she sails well and the motor is only to help her 'about' when she is feeling challenging and to bring her ashore if and when the wind dies. I have no r/c control of the sails which is something I am still considering as a consequence she goes everywhere on a broad reach her best sailing position anyway. I do hope you like her thanks for looking Chris G (8/10)
    ChrisG
    4 years ago
    7 Attributes
    1 Comment
    (Tug Boat) Loch Ranza
    I bought an unfinished Graupner paddle steamer kit which was in a bit of a state and spent many happy hours making her look loved. The hull and paddle wheels were in an acceptable condition but the deck and superstructure left lots to be desired. The previous owner had purchased the motor which was 50.1 geared and pushes the boat along well all other bits including 'smoke' brass portholes and new superstructure added by myself. She was a delight to finish and looks an absolute dream on the water. (Motor: MFA 919D series) (8/10)
    ChrisG
    4 years ago
    5 Attributes
    4 Comments
    (Working Vessel) Wellard
    I decided to build a canal/river maintenance barge and had a Thames lighter grp hull as a starter. This was too long so I took a chunk out of the middle and joined the two halves. The decks, hold, cabin and the rest was very much scratchbuilt. There is a lot about this model that would make either the purist or the local H&S man cringe but it was fun and looks great on a shelf in the workroom or even better on the odd trip to the lake. The Hiab crane although in wrong place I think really finishes off the model well the crane and the loo paper haha. Hope someone out there likes it. Regards (5/10)
    ChrisG
    5 years ago
    8 Attributes
    1 Comment
    Andree v Bretagne trawler
    Purchased as an abandoned project, in fact not even started, price reflected this as it was cheap. it is a Robbe St Germain I believe no longer available. This is about the eighth model I have built and I reckon the most rewarding, lots of opportunities to personalise the ship. Lack of plans from the seller made the manufacture of this planked hull, a challenge. She looks lovely on show at home and is a dream on the water with no problem in very rough water. if you find one for sale go for it. (Motor: 919d series 4.5-15v) (ESC: Viper 15) (10/10)
    ChrisG
    5 years ago
    8 Attributes
    1 Comment
    Members Blogs
    15 Posts
    15 Followers
    90 Likes
    Bluebird of Chelsea
    I have had an interest in Dunkirk Little Ships since assisting a very good friend to move his from Cookham nr Maidenhead down the Thames through the City of London to Sheerness and out into the North Sea and up to Lowestoft and into Oulton. The trip which took several days is one of the most memorable of my life. When looking for a new project and with 1/24 plans available for Bluebird of Chelsea which is also a Dunkirk Little Ship I decided to attempt this as my next build. She was built in the early 1930`s for Malcolm Campbell the holder of many speed records on land and water and was 52ft long 11ft 4in beam 4ft 6in draught and displacement of 23.4 tons, powered by twin Perkins diesels. She was restored after a busy life including sterling work off the Dunkirk beaches during the WW11. If I can do the model justice she should be an absolute beauty to build. I have made a start in the usual way by cutting the frames and starting the old favourite plank on frame. Lots to do but the right time to get started. Regards ChrisG
    ChrisG
    16 days ago
    11 Posts
    12 Followers
    50 Likes
    Thames Slipper Launch
    Thank you for the response to this build it is nice to know that others are interested in your models and thanks Doug for the pictures and links I had seen some of them but certainly not all, cant believe the £180,000 asking price for "Baby Greyhound". The decision had been made and I would put lots of effort into the deck and cockpit, I seem to have a thing about planks and intended to do an elaborate planked deck which hopefully will look super with a gloss finish. This is to be done before the laser cut deck is fixed to the frames to make it easier to cut, glue and sand. I have lots of planking in my workroom so the task was to ensure I had enough of each style for the job. As the laser cut deck is lined out it was easy to work out the planks needed and the .5mm inserts between the planks. The glue I always use is Evostick blue the waterproof one, it works for me. I bought some veneer and some lined wood both pale and black to line the planking marquetry style, this is well worth the effort as it defines each section and seems to tidy the job, the difficult bit is to finish the bow and stern neatly which took lots of time and patience. Still had the locker lids which I would have liked inset into the deck to do but decided instead to raise them slightly and finish them in the same style as the deck.
    ChrisG
    11 months ago
    5 Posts
    9 Followers
    23 Likes
    Thames Slipper Launch
    I was lucky to be given a kit for building a Thames Slipper Launch, the kit available from H.A. Kits who sell through Ebay designed is to be in 900mm length. The kit is basic and designed to be a static display model but with the option of it being motorised for R/C use. The kit arrived very well packed and quite secure with a stand kit which he sells seperately and is available in several sizes. I was very impressed with the laser cutting with pieces from the thicker sections taking some time to remove from the sheets but a little effort produced pieces which required little or no sanding of the edges. The thinner sections parted from the sheets with ease and again need little sanding. Although the instructions are quite basic the pieces are all well marked and quickly the build becomes obvious. At this stage I decided that I would build a working model but planned to finish it to as high spec as I was capable of and proceeded to consider options in the build process.
    ChrisG
    6 months ago
    1 Post
    1 Follower
    8 Likes
    Half Hull models
    Back in the Autumn while considering my next build I decided to attempt building a couple of half hull yachts. I sent for a reference book about half hull modelling but it covered basically the carving of half hulls from a large piece of timber, very nice but I wanted to persue my favourite which is plank on frame. I had a 1/35 set of Amiti plans for a J class which is my favourite classic yacht but it seemed huge so I sent for the 1/80 plans which turned out to be just the ticket. My intention was to build two one for each of my adult daughters as a Santa stocking filler. The frames were cut from a leftover stock of 3mm ply and the planks were some stock 2mm again leftovers. The build progressed The Amiti plans are good and with a little bit of thought can be easily adapted to a half hull configeration. Problem, the instructions are in Italian, minor problem if you speak Italian, I dont but I managed. I adopted normal plank on frame method which is detailed in many publications and soon had a lovely shaped hull, also with it being small lots of my small clamps came into their own which required a minimum of pinning. The next job was to make and fit the rudder, template shown on the plans and decide on how much or little rigging or deck furniture to make and fit. I decided on the minimum and decked the model with one piece of ply and no rig. Worked out well in the end as both models were wall mounted and the deck was not visible. It was a real delight to sand and finish the hulls and achieve a beautiful hull design, and as mentioned by Nerys this was what you were presented with years ago when commissioning a boat build, with the boat builder probably asking "will this be alright for you boss". The hulls were primed and made ready for a paint on Humbrol finish in the colours of Endeavour which was lovely to do and after a couple of coats and a glue on white line the pair were finished. I made two lovely hardwood back boards for them and a nice man on Amazon made two beautiful small brass plaques showing the yachts name, and description. The whole exercise was really enjoyable and it was good not to have to do a bath test for leaks I have still to decide on my next main project as I am not sure that the 6m yacht that I have the frames for on the building board is right for me but meantime have started a half hull of another classic a Bluenose. All the best for 2022 to all on MBW. Regards ChrisG
    ChrisG
    1 year ago
    4 Posts
    2 Followers
    16 Likes
    One meter class yacht. Nimbus.
    At the beginning of the year I had an urge to build another yacht the start of which was obtaining the plan by Graham Bantock. It can be built from a GRP mould but I decided to go for plank on frame again, my favourite boat building method also I had quite a stock of timber planking which was very suitable for the job of building the hull. Builders of this model are recommended to refer to Racing Sailboats by Chris Jackson which details the build methods very well and is a great help throughout the build. The planking went well, although at times I could have use another hand and elastic bands came in very handy. I was certainly very pleased with the hull planking. The next significant part of the build was to build and fit the fin and mast trunking. This to hold firmly in place the mast which goes through the deck to the keel and the fin which goes through the keel to the deck. This was also to be the first time I attempted to use GRP in a boat model. I built the trunking as per the plan and after checking all measurements several times glued it into the hull both at the base and to the inner gunwales. The inside of the hull after a tidy up was painted several times with clear GRP including around the mast and fin box. I ended up giving it two coats being generous around the keel but not forgetting the weight I was adding to the yacht. I was very impressed with the strength and rigidity it gave the build. I will state at this stage although I am checking weights and measurements carefully I am not planning for the completed craft to conform to any official measuring. I started making the fin and rudder by cross laminating some 2mm thick hardwood at the required sizes which are fin 460mm by 95mm the rudder 180mm by 70mm both being around 10mm at their thickest point. I was pleased with the rudder when shaped, faired down and smooth but less so with the fin which considering the stresses it would be under in a blow and with a 2.5 kg lead weight on the bottom. So I ended up buying a carbon fibre expertly built fin, very sleek and very strong also a smaller and smarter profile than I had a achieved. I then fitted the tidied up lead weight on the bottom and as the fin was shining black proceeded to paint the weight and rudder in black GRP. To be continued and many thanks for the encouraging remarks about the build .......
    ChrisG
    1 year ago
    Recent Posts
    📝 Hobby Room
    7 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 37 Views · 3 Likes
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    Hello
    I spend a great deal of my time in my workroom and I love it but if I had the space and set up of your Hobby Room I would never be seen especially during the winter months. It is magnificent and I am sure envied my most of us, thanks for sharing it with us and changing our colour to green.
    Best regards ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    10 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 6 Views · 2 Likes
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    Hello johnf
    Firstly I apologise for the late reply to your much appreciated comments re Bluebird. In some ways it is disappointing coming to the end of such a memorable project I am however looking forward to its finish in order to see the completed model.
    I hate to have to inform you that you are unlikely to see the model in the water as I decided quite early in the build due to space issues this model was for display only. Also as most of my builds only see the lake once or twice in their lifetime the cost of receiver, esc, power unit etc is not worth the return.
    I still have quite a lot to of work to complete her and hope that you like the finished model.
    Regards ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Aeronaut's Cabin Cruiser Diva - My First Build of an RC Boat - Part VII - Final Part
    14 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 29 Views · 2 Likes
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    Might I suggest that unless I hav`nt seen it an inline fuse is a good idea, it could save the esc or worse case scenario save the whole boat in the event of a circuit problem.
    Worth a thought ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Aeronaut's Cabin Cruiser Diva - My First Build of an RC Boat - Part VII - Final Part
    14 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 32 Views · 3 Likes
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    I concur, Cornwall Model Boats is excellent and their advice to go with Aeronaut kits is in my opinion sound, they do produce some good and reasonably priced kits. Keep up the good work regards ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Aeronaut's Cabin Cruiser Diva - My First Build of an RC Boat - Part VII - Final Part
    14 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 33 Views · 2 Likes
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    You should be very proud, lovely looking boat. I hope the hand recovers fully allowing you to get stuck in again.
    Regards ChrisG

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    📝 Rowing Dinghy 1/24 scale
    14 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 17 Views · 3 Likes
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    Hi johnf
    I have used the `cover it with a tarp` wheeze before on a Billings Yawl where I didnt like the pre formed plastic dinghy supplied, I got away with it in that occasion, also carrying the dinghy on deck upside down on a Clyde Puffer but that is not going to be an option on this build where the dinghy is on davits hanging from the transom. Nice thought though and thanks.
    Regards ChrisG

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    📝 Rowing Dinghy 1/24 scale
    14 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 18 Views · 3 Likes
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    I would like to thank all of you for your helpful ideas to enable me to get a suitable dinghy for my BOC build, if I don`t use them this time I will certainly consider them for a future project and some of your building techniques are simply amazing.
    Again many thanks ChrisG

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    📝 Rowing Dinghy 1/24 scale
    15 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 40 Views · 0 Likes
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    Hello ColinH
    You are very kind, I would be very interested if you have a suitable dinghy for my model. Look forward to hearing from you when you return.
    I have spent hours deliberating on "scale" and continue to doubt my thinking on the subject, I have never had a logical brain so to have your comment that my understanding of 1/24 is correct has made me feel very happy.
    Take care and many thanks ChrisG

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    📝 Rowing Dinghy 1/24 scale
    15 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 58 Views · 2 Likes
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    Hello Ron
    The model that this dinghy is to be used with is 1/24 scale and is +/- 28 inches long, on the plan the dinghy is seen to be 125mm or 5 inches.
    The plan is shown to be half an inch to one foot.
    Am I now confused ?
    Regards ChrisG

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    📝 Rowing Dinghy 1/24 scale
    16 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 70 Views · 1 Like
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    Thanks Neil
    Yes I have just looked at their site and they have some suitable plastic hulls which look ok, I intend to hang on for something wood for a while. I have bought from MMM in the past in fact attended one of their Christmas markets some years ago and I agree with you they are very good.
    Thanks ChrisG

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    📝 Rowing Dinghy 1/24 scale
    16 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 70 Views · 2 Likes
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    I need help to source a 1/24 scale 10 foot clinker built rowing dinghy to hang off the stern of my current build.
    I will consider a kit which must be wood or a plan to scratch build from. I have seen on Ebay a finished resin model which looks quite good and if need be will have to do but I really want it to be in keeping with the build.
    I am not clever enough to draw a plan so if anyone can help I will be most grateful.
    Regards ChrisG

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    📝 Bluebird of Chelsea
    16 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 39 Views · 7 Likes · 6 Comments
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    The skipper on Bluebird can now keep dry under the new wheelhouse roof complete with sliding hatch, made with 3mm ply, mahogany beams and trim and painted white, I am quite pleased with it but not convinced enough to glue it permanently in place. I am afraid a lot of the build is awaiting final fixing including, rear cabin, wheelhouse, mast, stanchions and deck lockers. But you bet your last shilling the minute I do fit them permanently I will remember something crucial that I have forgotten.
    There is still much to do including approximately 40 stanchions to be fitted with middle rails and wooden capping as well as lots of `pretty bits`, the build continues to be a fun challenge.
    Regards ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    25 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 48 Views · 1 Like
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    Hello Duncan
    I think we are all waiting for the warmer weather, not long to wait hopefully it has seemed such a long winter. Glad you like my model, it has turned out to be very difficult with an unbelievable amount of time measuring and checking and also thinking about bits and the order they need to be done in. Hopefully worth it in the end.
    Love your choice with the Riva.
    Regards ChrisG

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    📝 Bluebird of Chelsea
    26 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 53 Views · 6 Likes · 2 Comments
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    Well here is a little more but I`ll admit not much to show for two weeks enjoyment, so much has been scrapped as I have not been happy with it.
    I have finished the wheelhouse sides, back and front and all seems to fit and look as I had hoped it would, roof yet to do. The wheelhouse furniture, chart table, bench seats etc are made and fitted although not upholstered and no instruments fitted yet.
    Deck furniture built and the side rail stanchions also to be fitted after painting white.
    None of this has been easy especially in 1/24 with my dainty fingers 😊
    The list of bits to buy that I am unable to make continues to be endless, fenders for example, she sports 14 in total
    which I have managed source without first having to consult the bank, I think the other items are out there but the time it takes to find them online can take hours.
    I am really in no hurry to finish as I will then have to decide on another lovely project and at the moment have no idea.
    Regards ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    26 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 53 Views · 3 Likes
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    Well here is a little more but I`ll admit not much to show for two weeks enjoyment, so much has been scrapped as I have not been happy with it.
    I have finished the wheelhouse sides, back and front and all seems to fit and look as I had hoped it would, roof yet to do. The wheelhouse furniture, chart table, bench seats etc are made and fitted although not upholstered and no instruments fitted yet.
    Deck furniture built and the side rail stanchions also to be fitted after painting white.
    None of this has been easy especially in 1/24 with my dainty fingers 😊
    The list of bits to buy that I am unable to make continues to be endless, fenders for example, she sports 14 in total
    which I have managed source without first having to consult the bank, I think the other items are out there but the time it takes to find them online can take hours.
    I am really in no hurry to finish as I will then have to decide on another lovely project and at the moment have no idea.
    Regards ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    1 month ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 64 Views · 2 Likes
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    Sorry Duncan but I have reached the stage where taking my boats to water is becoming a real challenge. I love most of the models I have built but few have had their undersides wetted more than a couple of times over the last 20 or so years so I contend myself with the joy of building and admiring them around my bits of our house.
    Regards ChrisG

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    📝 Bluebird of Chelsea
    1 month ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 79 Views · 7 Likes · 3 Comments
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    From the keel up, anti fouling finished including the prop shafts, brass props fitted and the single rudder also fitted and painted.
    The hull has had another two coats of Humbrol white with a P1200 wet and dry rub down between coats, I love that Humbrol paint and for someone who seems unable to spray paint the finish if carefully prepared is as good I wish for.
    She also now has a beautiful varnished mahogany transom.
    I have fitted the 19 portholes and am pleased with them.
    The deck has had just 3 coats of thinned varnish again with P1200 wet and dry between each one, at least another 3 coats before finish. I am aware that decks should not have a shiny finish but this is destined to be a display model and I like it that way.
    I continue to struggle with the wheelhouse, the back and two sides are built but I continue to `screw up` the construction of the 3 windscreen sections, getting annoyed now with patience wearing thin☹️
    The cockpit sole is fitted with stairs to fore and aft accommodation, and I have started making the on deck furniture, benches and lockers all in mahogany.
    Still thoroughly enjoying the build, more to come.
    Regards ChrisG

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    📝 Very sad news Martin555
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 136 Views · 19 Likes
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    Always one of the first with an encouraging and positive word, he will be greatly missed by so many of us.
    Condolences to his family, God bless
    ChrisG

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    📝 Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 88 Views · 9 Likes
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    I was hoping that this was to have been a progress report but there has not been much of that over the last 11 days.
    At one stage the choice between throwing scrapped mahogany away and buying a wood burner was hard to make.
    I am not going to own up to the number of attempts at an acceptable wheelhouse that I have made suffice it to say the attached photos are the best of the bunch. I have two sides, a back and the three pieces which form the windscreen glazed and made but not yet glued together.
    Drilling the holes in the hull for the portholes (12) has also been a bit fraught, the cedar planking does not like to be drilled to size (10mm) even with the sharpest new drill bit so I have resorted to drilling small bore holes and filing them to size. Cedar when dry seems very fragile, I will be re-thinking my planking wood in future builds.
    Hopefully my next blog will be more cheery but it is so nice to see so many successful builds progressing on this website.
    Keep up the good work, Regards Chrisg

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    💬 Re: Aeronaut's Cabin Cruiser Diva - My First Build of an RC Boat
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 54 Views · 2 Likes
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    You are lucky to get a date for surgery unless private, I hope all goes well on the 23rd and that after resting you will be fit and rearing to go.
    Your rate of progress shames me👍
    Regards ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Aeronaut's Cabin Cruiser Diva - My First Build of an RC Boat
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 53 Views · 2 Likes
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    An impressive list and I am a particular fan of Aeronaut Bella, she is a delight to build and a joy to sail, simple and unsophisticated and yet like most simple things works well.
    I will watch your progress with interest.
    Regards ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Aeronaut's Cabin Cruiser Diva - My First Build of an RC Boat - Part VI
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 54 Views · 2 Likes
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    Looking good and a credit to you especially as a first build.
    I like Aeronaut kits and they are such good value, I am looking forward to seeing pictures of her on the water, you will feel a proud guy especially on the first trip around the pond.
    What is the next build going to be I wonder ?
    Regards ChrisG

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    📝 Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 94 Views · 6 Likes
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    Getting somewhere at last, I have 2 wheelhouse sides basically cut out to shape and am building the wheelhouse three front panels like you would build window frames. I have the glass in the rear panel and the window frames fitted.
    The interesting bit will be gluing and fitting the six pieces together to form a perfectly formed wheelhouse.
    Looking at the plan and comparing it with the height of the deck, wheelhouse and accommodation block a height variance is apparent, but it looks right. When looking carefully at the finished 1/12 build in Model Boat Int. the wheelhouse looks proportionally higher than I would have expected, but again looks right. I have done a load of accurate measuring and calculated heights and sizes with 1/24 scale and all seem have an acceptable tolerance.
    I shall go ahead as I am, if it looks right then by golly it is right.
    Regards ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 97 Views · 2 Likes
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    Hello Colin
    That is worth a try but I am not very successful normally with GRP working, if I get more desperate than I was yesterday I might well give it a shot. I have managed to get the window frames and plastic windows in the back panel of the wheelhouse done today and they are ok, not brilliant, so I am going to go slowly and carefully words I do not usually use and proceed with the sides. The front 3 windows should not pose the same type of problems, said he 🤣🤣🤣
    Regards and thanks ChrisG

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    📝 Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 103 Views · 4 Likes · 2 Comments
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    I now know why builders prefer 1/12 to 1/24 scale B O C
    models to build. I have spent 2 days attempting to build the rear and two sides of the wheelhouse and have destroyed no end of mahogany sheet of both 1mm and 1.5mm sizes.
    You name a method and I think I have tried it. I now propose to overlay hand cut 1mm strips of mahogany on top of the already cut but extremely delicate mahogany panels. I then wonder how I am going to fix the plastic windows with the sandwich, judiciously applied araldite as super glue will not do the job.
    I am not sure if I am writing this for help or sympathy or just to relieve my frustration, I have even tried carefully drilling holes in the aperture corners and using a craft saw with 0.3mm blade to join the dots, several broken blades later and I gave that up.
    Anyway, been out for lunch eldest daughters treat and refreshed will have yet another stab at it.
    If at first you screw it up then try, try, try again. 😠😠😠
    Regards ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Sideways Step or Two.
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 59 Views · 3 Likes
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    Hello Stephen
    I wish you and the Admiral a speedy recovery I am sure it must be a very difficult time for you and the family.
    Take care best regards ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 107 Views · 0 Likes
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    Hello Roy
    I will keep my fingers crossed that Martin Summers occasionally looks at MBW and I am honoured with an invite to see the full sized craft I am even prepared to pass on the tea and biccys. 🤣🤣
    The paint brush episode just happened by chance and I thought it might help someone else, so simple.
    Regards ChrisG

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    📝 Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 111 Views · 6 Likes · 3 Comments
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    I now have the rudder problem sorted and in the process have acquired a back copy of Marine Modelling Int. which shows a build blog of a magnificent 1/12th model of Bluebird of Chelsea in fact 2 of them. This has come at a very good time as I was getting annoyed at my lack of progress since the start of the year and this has given me the encouragement to get stuck in.
    As I was getting nowhere with the wheelhouse, it is so critical to the build and complicated that I decided to build the rear cabin hoping that it would help in getting the correct `look` and in perspective. The plans are great but I find that often ones eye is essential.
    Anyway it is built and I am quite please with it, still need a finishing tidy and varnish.
    A little tip, whilst pottering around and looking for a job I looked around the workroom for some dowel for the mast and 2 flag poles fore and aft. I chanced upon several small paintbrushes that had seen better days all turned from hardwood and the diameter I needed, I cut them off to length discarded the bristle bit rubbed them down and have ended up with freebie tapered mast and two flag poles.
    Regards ChrisG

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    💬 Re: Aeronaut Bella sail boat
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 29 Views · 1 Like
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    Hello JohnF
    You are several steps ahead of me, I have considered modifying her to a Gaff rig. Roycv who posts on here often has a beautiful Bella that he converted to gaff rig some years ago.
    When I get around to it my next boat to gain entry to my harbour will be a beautiful plank on frame 1mtr Nimbus which I built a couple of years ago. I love this particular yacht which lives in my bedroom as it is too big to go anywhere else in the house.
    Regards ChrisG

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    📝 Aeronaut Bella sail boat
    2 months ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 11 Views · 7 Likes · 3 Comments
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    I built my Bella many years ago, first sailing boat build. Having built an Aeronaut Diva I was impressed with the kit price and the build method and materials.
    Saffron as she is named was a joy to build, lovely to look at and an absolute joy to sail. She is quick manoeuvrable and being light easily transportable.
    For a novice sailor particularly a great first sailing boat build.

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