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    Model Boats Website
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    Registered
    16th Sep 2021
    Last Online
    26th Dec 2025
    Chum444
    Member Stats
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    Member No.#6343
    Registered📅16th Sep 2021
    Last Online📅26th Dec 2025
    City📍Woods Hole
    Country🇺🇸United States
    Gender♂️Male
    Age👶Not Provided
    Posts💬570
    Followers📣8
    Likes Received👍2474
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    8 Followers
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    Members Harbour
    DMS HAMMERHEAD
    Picked up a vacuum formed ABS hull of the Smit Nederland a few years back. As usual for me I build something different than was contemplated by the original components. In this build I decided to go with a Damen 1204 Stan tug. After significant structural reinforcement of the typically weak ABS hull & significant assistance directly from Damen ( working with them was in itself a lot of fun) I completed DMS HAMMERHEAD.
    Chum444
    1 year ago
    10 Attributes
    2 Comments
    Fantail launch
    A Midwest steam launch built as a fantail launch from Woods Hole.
    Chum444
    2 years ago
    8 Attributes
    4 Comments
    Svitzer FERRIBY an ASD tug
    I saw this tug working in Southampton. Its lines were striking to my eye so had to build it. FERRIBY’s Mate was very generous with his time providing me with photos & dimensional information for the real tug. I have not had much sailing time with it due to initial esc failures (since resolved) & it’s 32 lb weight. The little I did run it showed extremely good maneuverability & the need for much practice at the helm. The hull is Gary King’s TIGER SUN greatly modified to become FERRIBY. All else scratch built.
    Chum444
    2 years ago
    9 Attributes
    3 Comments
    27” Monterey Clipper
    My build of the US famous Monterey Clipper. There was a fleet of these fishing boats along the north coast of California extending to Bodega Bay, northward. San Francisco had the largest fleet with several shipyards, Hicks engine shops, & other chandeliers to service them. The history of the Monterey is far too long to describe here. I can be contacted to provide excellent references to consult.
    Chum444
    2 years ago
    9 Attributes
    20 Comments
    ASTERIAS 1/48 Clyde puffer
    My 1/48 scale puffer.
    Chum444
    2 years ago
    7 Attributes
    5 Comments
    Bugsier 18
    Part of my tug boat fleet; Bugsier 18. Some not quite completed photos.
    Chum444
    2 years ago
    8 Attributes
    4 Comments
    Buddy Davis sportfisherman
    Built this sport fisherman, Blank Check, based on a 47 ft Buddy Davis (manufacturer) fish boat. I had a one-time opportunity to run the real thing on an offshore tuna fishing trip.
    Chum444
    2 years ago
    10 Attributes
    6 Comments
    Trap Play
    Another of my lobster boats. Originally built for model lobster boat races in Bristol, Maine. Unfortunately no model races for a long time & none planned for the future.
    Chum444
    2 years ago
    9 Attributes
    15 Comments
    Lobster boat WREN
    Some details I added to a Midwest lobster boat I refurbished.
    Chum444
    3 years ago
    7 Attributes
    6 Comments
    PNW tug
    A build of a Pacific Northwest (PNW) log tug, the Dorothy Mackenzie. I purchased this “ kit” from a friend in Ca in the US. I say kit but it is a collection of well cast parts originally sold by Gary King. Built with a suppled drawing but no instructions other than advice from my CA friend, Gary, and Umi Ryuzuki.Also searched a lot of photos of Dorothy builds constructed by others. Not sure I will name her Dorothy as I have strayed from true to type details in some cases. That partially because I have been told the log tugs are now repurposed for tasks other than towing log booms. Hope to finish her up while in Fl as well as pairing it with a Taranis X7 radio.
    Chum444
    3 years ago
    7 Attributes
    13 Comments
    Members Blogs
    3 Posts
    3 Followers
    20 Likes
    Next project: 36 ft Northern Bay sport fisherman
    The Northern Bay lobster and sport fishing boats are built in Qgunquit, Maine. Known as Down East boats they are semi-displacement hulls. They are very good sea boats stable in heavy seas. Compared to semi-vee hulls common to many other sport fisherman boats in the U.S. the Down East hulls tend to be wet boats. As with everything else, boat design is always a compromise. 1&2 The inspiration 3&4 Beginning steps
    Chum444
    1 day ago
    26 Posts
    10 Followers
    181 Likes
    Lindsay M a scratch built Wasque 26 ft
    Awaiting graphics to finish off THUNDER& METEOR so pulled this one off the shelf to resume the build. I’ll start at the beginning posting highlights so as not to take up too much time. Photo 1&2 One of the many real boats. These are iconic around Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, & other Atlantic bordering states. Photo 3 Starting the frame & keel.
    Chum444
    12 days ago
    12 Posts
    7 Followers
    102 Likes
    Damen 804 Stan Launch
    Here’s one I’ve messed around with off & on for awhile. Photo 1:The real launch. Photos 2 & 3:Starting the framework. Quite a story behind the kit. One individual produced a well designed kit with all highly detailed parts included to complete the build. There was another individual advertising kits based on the plans he stole from the first fellow. His was poorly made with junk parts seemingly from his leftover parts bin. Many of them unusable as they had no relation to the 804 launch. Well, I thought I had done the research to be sure I got the right kit. NOT! I ended up with the vastly inferior kit. It contained poorly fitting frames, a worthless motor, & had many parts either missing or completely out of scale or character for the launch. So, the challenge began.
    Chum444
    6 months ago
    49 Posts
    12 Followers
    316 Likes
    New project; THUNDER an inland tug
    Picked up a nicely laid up glass hull of the Smit NEDERLAND. Spoiler alert; it won’t be the NEDERLAND.
    Chum444
    5 months ago
    2 Posts
    4 Followers
    17 Likes
    WHOPPER STOPPER a Terry Jason sport fisherman
    A few photos of how this build came together. In New England we refer to this type as a downeast (Maine) sport fisher since it’s built on a lobster boat hull. A couple of photographs early in the process. Hull is a 36” long fiberglass hull built by a young craftsman in Bristol, Maine. Everything else scratch built. More later about when it was built; sort of the reason for this blog.
    Chum444
    1 year ago
    8 Posts
    3 Followers
    76 Likes
    QUICKWATER another small tug
    Some photos of another tug I’m working on. The inspiration is BEAUPRE, but not to be a duplication. Next couple of photos are the massing study I always perform to get a sense of size & location. F/G hull of the Brooklyn tug is the start point. The rest from scratch. This one is designed for actual towing; a first build type for me. As such it won’t be too detailed with components easily knocked off.
    Chum444
    1 year ago
    8 Posts
    10 Followers
    77 Likes
    Cape Islander lobster boat PHASE CHANGE
    I don’t plan to do a build log; I’ll just post some building progress photos in a couple of postings. I bought this hull on the Stateside RC Forums site from a fellow whose name I have long since forgotten. This Greg Hiltz hull sat on my shelf for many years before I finally decided to build it. It came with most accessories the gent had purchased from top shelf vendors.
    Chum444
    2 years ago
    14 Posts
    5 Followers
    95 Likes
    Windfarm crew transfer vessel (CTV), Outer Limits
    Wind farms in early stages in waters south of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. Seemed appropriate to make a guess about work vessels they might use.Blount Boatyard in Warren, Rhode Island has contracted with Vineyard Wind for construction of two CTVs. Not sure that one will be of what I am building but pressing ahead anyway. First photo is of the vessel I am generally constructing. It is a cat while mine is a blunt bowed workboat. Otherwise I will use it for overall reference using Blount’s GA drawing.
    Chum444
    3 years ago
    5 Posts
    5 Followers
    11 Likes
    C Raymond Hunt Pilot boat
    A few photos of an easy not-very-detailed Pilot boat build while in Florida to escape the New England weather. Not yet complete as I didn’t bring along soldering gear to complete the railings.
    Chum444
    4 years ago
    1 Post
    2 Followers
    3 Likes
    Svitzer FERRIBY ASD tug
    Build log of an ASD tug I completed about 18 months ago. Here is the link. https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2950778-Svitzer-FERRIBY-ASD-tug
    Chum444
    4 years ago
    6 Posts
    5 Followers
    31 Likes
    Stateside puffer build.
    Given that you folks on that side of the pond are expert builders of Clyde Puffers I am a bit hesitant to post this build thread. Accessing the many references on MBM have given me the info to get this far. https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3908689-1-48-scale-Clyde-Puffer
    Chum444
    4 years ago
    4 Posts
    3 Followers
    11 Likes
    Damen 1205 Stan Tug
    Below is the link to a recent tug build I completed. I much appreciate the helpful photos Damen kindly provided. https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3678247-1205-Stan-tug
    Chum444
    4 years ago
    Recent Posts
    📝 Massing study
    1 day ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 8 Views · 3 Likes
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    Since the hull I use is not an exact match of the hull of the 1:1 I typically end up with a non-standard scale rather than 1/12, 1/24, etc. My builds therefore involve a lot of TLAR. So I typically like to do a massing study to determine if the odd scale components I’m working with Looks About Right & are in the right position.

    If you look really close you can see I’ve modified the shear line.

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    📝 Tower
    3 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 47 Views · 4 Likes · 1 Comment
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    The half tower will be among the challenges. It will be aluminum tubing to keep everything above the gunnels as light as is structurally possible. Aluminum tubing means no soldering so have to think about how to connect the pieces.

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    📝 Next project: 36 ft Northern Bay sport fisherman
    3 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 49 Views · 13 Likes · 3 Comments
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    The Northern Bay lobster and sport fishing boats are built in Qgunquit, Maine. Known as Down East boats they are semi-displacement hulls. They are very good sea boats stable in heavy seas. Compared to semi-vee hulls common to many other sport fisherman boats in the U.S. the Down East hulls tend to be wet boats. As with everything else, boat design is always a compromise.

    1&2 The inspiration
    3&4 Beginning steps

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    📝 Holiday greetings from the seaside
    8 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 52 Views · 21 Likes
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    No matter which holiday you celebrate I wish you joy & good health. May the New Year meet all of your expectations.

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    📝 Movie rust and aging...
    11 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 73 Views · 15 Likes
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    A salmon troller I built. Built as R/C but NOT!

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    💬 Re: "Port Seminole" a SSMBC portable dock system for R/C model boats
    12 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 56 Views · 3 Likes
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    Well on you Lew. Will look forward to updates as you make improvements. There is an old adage that posits that given enough time & bananas you can train a chimpanzee to do anything. Something to consider for an installation methodology.🤣🤣
    Kidding aside your PDS looks finest kind. I agree that a dock makes an outing much more fun. Not only can you leave a boat at the dock (assuming ample space for all) instead of launch/retrieve for each run but the actual docking maneuver creates its own challenge. Getting into/out of a space without crashing into nearby boats is a fun challenge. It’s also a reality of life in the world of skippering a 1:1. I know some clubs make docking a competitive event.
    Thank you for sharing.

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    💬 Re: A bit more final finishing.
    12 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 28 Views · 1 Like
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    Thank you Phil. The boat will go to Florida with the builder who escapes the New England winters for three months. In the past my wife & I enjoyed the snow & winter sports but age caught up with us so skiing is no longer an option.
    As mentioned earlier in this thread I usually do the maiden voyage early in the build. But rehabbing from knee surgery prevented that. So I will use the large test tank ( the condo association’s pool) for the first splash. Thus the crossed fingers.

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    📝 A bit more final finishing.
    12 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 34 Views · 8 Likes · 3 Comments
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    Most of final details completed prior to shipping boat to Florida for maiden voyage.🤞🤞🤞
    Then finish up punch list.

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    💬 Re: SSMBC (Florida) meet: 12/7/2025 military focus
    17 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 89 Views · 1 Like
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    Well, these photos tell me the conventional bow workboat with push knees is your build. So, I deduce that the second boat that caught my eye is also one of your builds. I would certainly be interested in build photos of both. Is the “cruiser” based on an actual 1:1?

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    💬 Re: Seaspan HAWK with "Z" drive build
    17 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 65 Views · 8 Likes
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    Nice work on the wheel house. That is quite difficult to construct given the angularity involved. 👍
    Here’s the one I did on SVITZER FERRIBY. Drove me crazy!

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    💬 Re: SSMBC (Florida) meet: 12/7/2025 military focus
    18 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 97 Views · 1 Like
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    Nice. Actually Lew I was interested in the second & the last boat pics from the 2 Nov meet. Builder/any details available?

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    💬 Re: SSMBC (Seminole, Florida) meet, Nov 16, 2025
    18 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 102 Views · 2 Likes
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    Thanks for posting Lew. Any additional information available for boats in second & last photo in your post of the 2 Nov outing?

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    📝 Tugboats to the sacred island
    21 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 36 Views · 1 Like
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    Chug, anxiously awaiting build photos.👍

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    📝 Tugboats to the sacred island
    21 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 36 Views · 2 Likes
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    Alessandro, from the shape of the bow, it looks like MILLENNIUM might have been constructed in a Chinese shipyard. Any idea if that is true?

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    📝 Model Expo/Nauticurso Pesqueiro 1:32 Scale
    27 days ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 27 Views · 3 Likes
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    Some fine chug! Excellent detailing.A well used weather beaten version would make an interesting build.

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    📝 Round Bumpers
    1 month ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 52 Views · 3 Likes
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    Ron,
    Here is a site in the U.S.


    http://modelsminiatures.com/fendering/
    ▲
    📝 Modello RC scala 1/60, di piroscafo armato a goletta, liberamente ispirato alle cannoniere classe US
    1 month ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 19 Views · 4 Likes
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    Magnifico!

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    📝 Details, details, details
    1 month ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 41 Views · 7 Likes · 1 Comment
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    The helm.
    Looking aft at the cockpit
    Motor box & stern seat.
    Overall view of cockpit,
    Clamshell vents for circulating air thru bilge.
    Cabin porthole.
    Cleat & fairleads on foredeck.

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    📝 How do you create the coiled ropes?
    1 month ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 27 Views · 3 Likes
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    Jump. That is a great little tool. Tx for posting.
    👍

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    📝 How do you create the coiled ropes?
    1 month ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 27 Views · 3 Likes
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    On my side of the pond coiling a line is referred to as “ faking” the line. Some refer to it as “flaking” but I believe faking is the original term. In fact the terms are used interchangeably. Makes for a good discussion over an adult beverage! 😎

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    📝 120 years of modelboat history
    1 month ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 62 Views · 2 Likes
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    What an appropriate venue! Looking forward to more photos.

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    📝 How do you create the coiled ropes?
    2 months ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 69 Views · 3 Likes
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    Alessandro, for coils of larger diameter “rope” you can tie them the same as you do with real rope. But for the most part I too use cya. You have to use VERY SMALL drops however. Otherwise they will be stiff & hang incorrectly. Yours are Bella!

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    📝 Post-Scotland inspiration
    2 months ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 52 Views · 4 Likes
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    Keep the photos coming Ronald.👍

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    📝 Andrea Gail
    2 months ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 59 Views · 2 Likes
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    You might consider just sistering a short length of wood on both sides of the keel that overlaps the break. Not true to type but a straightforward repair that’s below the waterline so won’t be all that noticeable.

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    💬 Re: Continuing with details
    2 months ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 48 Views · 2 Likes
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    Those boats look some fine Ronald. Do you have build logs for them herein? Tx for the info for figures; they’re never easy to find.

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    💬 Re: Continuing with details
    2 months ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 53 Views · 6 Likes
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    Owner very upset it’s 1 Nov & no maiden voyage.

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    💬 Re: Lindsay M a cratch built Wasque 26 ft
    2 months ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 17 Views · 0 Likes
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    ..

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    📝 When space runs out .....
    2 months ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 47 Views · 8 Likes
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    Excellent comments all. I would add an understanding & supportive wife to the top of Alessandro’s tool list. Disclaimer, I’m not in anyway suggesting one’s wife is a tool, only that her support is at the top of any list.
    Mike S’s comment about tidying up after one’s passing is what concerns my wife; a valid issue. Each of my two sons & three grandsons gets a boat. My only granddaughter gets the sailor’s valentines I’ve crafted. Flash! Next boat will be named after my granddaughter & designated for her! Six boats accounted for is a rather small part of my fleet. That’s why I am attempting to sell/donate one when I start a new one. Admittedly I am falling behind in the sell/donate portion. So, I also am always interested in what others are doing.

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    📝 When space runs out .....
    2 months ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 58 Views · 6 Likes
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    Ahhh; the age old problem. Most folks I know begin selling some of their boats. I’ve done that, do that. Ya ain’t gonna make any money! 😐 I’ve also donated a few to local museums & donated a few for auction by charitable organizations.

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    📝 Unknown hull and deck
    2 months ago by 🇺🇸 Chum444 ( Captain)
    ✧ 42 Views · 5 Likes
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    “ It appealed to me as I thought I could use my imagination for the above deck….”
    Now we’re talking! Allow me to encourage your use of imagination. 👍

    ▲


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