Members Harbour
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PCF 314
PCF 314 is a scratch built Vietnam era fast patrol craft in 1/16 scale. Construction is largely thin plywood. Hull is plank on frame. Power is from two 540 size motors. Nimh batteries 9.6 volts. Operating features include running lights and searchlight, rotating radar and steering wheel at open rear steering position turns with rudder. Like all of my models has a custom carrying case.
Commodore-H
11 months ago
6 Attributes
3 Photos
7 Likes
Covid 19
This was built during Covid 19 shut down. It was modified from a Zippkits tugster kit that I had around.
Commodore-H
4 years ago
4 Attributes
4 Photos
5 Likes
Mermaid sport fisherman
Mermaid is built from a fibreglass hull I purchased on ebay. I saw it several times and finally gave in and purchased it. It is from "bhc" and it is a good quality product. They have many types of hulls but no plans so you are on your own. I decided it would be a sport fisherman with a cuddy cabin and outboard motor. I made many cardboard patterns till I was satisfied.
I always wanted to try an outboard. Motor shell was purchased from Graupner and fitted with an Astro 05 motor that I had on hand. (I may change that).
Haven't really tried it yet, but goes well in the Jacuzzi. It not quite finished yet
Graphics are by "Callies" they are an internet company that will make you anything you want at a reasonable price.
They were very understanding and cooperative. I highly recommend them. It was much cheaper and easier than buying your own vinyl cutter
Commodore-H
6 years ago
0 Attributes
6 Photos
4 Likes
(Naval Ship) Sprinkles
Sprinkles is a scratch built U.S. Coast Guard PWB, patrol waterways boat.
Operating features include; searchlight and running lights, revolving blue emergency light, rotating radar, and a water monitor that fires 10-15 feet and can
I studied various styles of water monitors and finally decided on one that is a composite of several types. Bending the tubing was difficult, nozzle was made on Unimat. Power is from Sig "gas passer" pump.
I purchased the rotating beacon on ebay and power is from 5V voltage regulator. (Motor: Electrofly) (ESC: Viper) (10/10)
Commodore-H
8 years ago
8 Attributes
5 Photos
2 Likes
(Working Vessel) Sprinkles
Latest boat still under construction is Coast Guard PWB. There was a kit at one time but mine is scratch built. When finished it will feature working; running lights, searchlight and rotating beacon as well as operating water monitor and radar. (Motor: electrofly 600) (ESC: mtronics) (10/10)
Commodore-H
8 years ago
7 Attributes
2 Photos
2 Likes
(Pleasure Craft) Milkshake
This little guy was built about 40 years ago. it is based on a ABS hull that was part of a Sterling kit made many years ago. I used the hull and just made up the rest. Originally it had a hedge clipper motor now it has a robbe motor and runs on 8 2/3 aa batteries. it is one of my favorites runners because it is little and really fast and maneuverable. Generally runs rings around other boats
Currently it is on it third refit. (Motor: robbe) (ESC: mtronics) (10/10)
Commodore-H
8 years ago
8 Attributes
4 Photos
9 Likes
(Naval Ship) DEFIANCE
This an Asheville class gunboat. Hull is fiberglass and was purchased. Everything else is scratch built. Operating features include radar, lights, smoke, rotating forward turrent and anchor (Motor: Mabuchi (surplus)) (10/10)
Commodore-H
8 years ago
7 Attributes
1 Photo
1 Like
(Racing Boat) Dr. Louise
Purchased on eBay as a complete wreck. Totally done over and ready to go but haven't sailed it yet (Motor: Outboard) (10/10)
Commodore-H
8 years ago
3 Attributes
3 Photos
3 Likes
(Naval Ship) Dr. Louise
Was originally a kit but highly modified.
Operating features include two operating radars, lights (mast head battle lights searchlights, running lights. Forward gun rotates and fires live black powder, barrel is spring mounted and recoiled. Sound effects, horns and battle station alarm. Exocet missile launcher fire bottle rockets. (Motor: Falcon) (ESC: Graupner) (10/10)
Commodore-H
8 years ago
7 Attributes
1 Photo
3 Likes
(Working Vessel) Dr. Louise
Scratch built admirals barge
Wood hull. Simple model easy to transport and operate. At top speed much too fast, half of boat lifts out of the water surprising and fun (Motor: Robbe) (ESC: Viper) (10/10)
Commodore-H
8 years ago
8 Attributes
3 Photos
3 Likes
(Working Vessel) Orca
Scratch built Orca from movie "Jaws"
Built from one 2 x 4!
" We're gonna need a bugger boat"
seeing my models people often ask if its a kit, and how much does it cost. Here I am holding the kit, one piece of wood, price $1.85
Here is the Orca in its carrying case. I found that this kind of carrier works well for me. it allows me to carry the boat in one hand leaving the other free to open doors, etc .It also makes it easy to put the boat down and pick it up again and protects it during transport. (Motor: Scratch built) (ESC: Viper) (10/10)
Commodore-H
8 years ago
8 Attributes
Members Blogs
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Operating horn
I'd like install a working horn in several of my models, but haven't found the right one yet. I tried one from RAM, but volume is too low. I tried many things to increase the volume but no success. To be heard outside on the lake you need it pretty loud. Don't like spending too much on this.
Anyone have any good suggestions?
Commodore-H
6 years ago
Recent Posts
๐ฌ Re: Casualty of war out of surgery
18 days ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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I also had major surgery
Call me Bigfoot
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๐ saga of the fuse
26 days ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Great idea Toradog
What kind of circuit breaker do you use, where do you get it?
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๐ saga of the fuse
26 days ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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I gave up using fuses years ago. They always caused a headache, no matter what size I used. It always seem to blow at the worst possible time. I realize Iโm taking a chance not using a fuse but so often the least little bit of grass or leaves in the prop and the fuse blew and the boat ended up drifting around in the lake. If you donโt have a fuse, and your prop gets fouled, you can always go forward and a stern to clear it.
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๐ Question of the Day?
1 month ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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I am sinking like a submarine
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๐ Question of the Day?
1 month ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Another good answer is "none of the above"
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๐ Question of the Day?
1 month ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Good question. Ask the same question tomorrow, make it three in a row
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๐ Here I go again
1 month ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Cat will have that finished no time. Can't wait to get his paws on it. Most cats are model boat experts.
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๐ Question of the Day?
1 month ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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What happened?
No Royal Navy ship disaster today?
So AI has to ask about bulkheads again
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๐ Question of the Day?
1 month ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Seems I already answered again, must have been my ghost. I wonder if I got it right?
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๐ Bluebird K-7 Obsession
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Bluebird K7, very cool I'd like to see someone do it with a real turbine
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๐ Question of the Day?
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

Lieutenant Commander)
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Yes sir!
The good old B11, first in the Dardanelles. Very famous world renowned ship. Internationally well known loved and remembered, hero of the First World War.
Next question
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๐ Question of the Day?
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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What an easy question, everyone knows this and thinks about it everyday. UGH!
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๐ Question of the Day?
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Tomorrowโs question
What Royal Navy ๐ณ๏ธ ship sank in Sicily on March 12th?
Titanic?
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๐ American Scout C-2 Freighter
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Good choice, I will keep it in mind next time I need ballast.
Those tiles may not look the best on a bathroom floor but make excellent ballast.
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๐ Harro koebke
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Congratulations, she's a beauty
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๐ American Scout C-2 Freighter
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Now that you have completed the weight test you can eat the soup.
My choice for weights is to visit then local tire shop and pick up all the discarded wheel balance weights. They can be cut up and placed in plastic bags. The same method works as source for weights I sometimes need during construction to hold parts in place temporarily.
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๐ Question of the Day?
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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AI navigated with a sunstone, now they are lost
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๐ Solder
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Beautiful work Greghiltz
Here is some of my soldering, now painted.
Little push tug has a mile of ladders and rails.
I will look into Antex, thank you
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๐ Solder
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Thanks to everyone for some interesting replies.
Yes, many of the small parts on my ships, ie. railings are made of brass and soldered with a small butane torch. That almost always works. I use soldering paste, which is as old if not older than the solder (50 years?) My favorite soldering iron is also ancient, I would like a new tip but the old one is not coming off. If it ever had a name that is long gone. ( may have been a Radio Shack) I have a couple of cheap soldering irons that I picked up here but there they are not as good as the ancient one with the rotting and stuck tip.๐๐
Does anyone have any suggestions for a new one? Anyone think I need fancy variable temperature electronic job? ๐ค
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๐ Solder
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Anyone have any thoughts on solder? I have some rosin core that is at least 40 years old. Doesnโt seem to work to well, balls up doesnโt spread as it should
I also have cheap newer stuff which is old enough to vote and drink which doesnโt work so well either,
Any thoughts on the subject?
Does solder expire? Should I toss it all out and spring for some newer better stuff?
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๐ Question of the Day?
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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I bet Vikings got lost a lot
Got this right twice in row
Ask me again tomorrow.
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๐ Question of the Day?
2 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Thank you AlessandroSPQR that was a vey interesting discussion of the vikings.
There is often some discussion of how or if the vikings were the first Europeans to "discover" America. I far as I understand they mostly stayed close to the coast when they sailed and were most interested in attacking and plundering places that were not well armed.
I feel that in order to be considered the discoverer of a place you have to be able to make a map to show other people where you have been and be able to make return trips to the same place. I haven't heard that Vikings were able to do this. Columbus actually was able to navigate accurately and made many return trips so I credit him with the discovery.
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๐ American Scout C-2 Freighter
3 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Sorry to hear about the car, Get her a nice new one. Those thing happen all the time, no one was hurt.
Did you say you have HO trains? So do I.
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๐ American Scout C-2 Freighter
3 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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You doing a beautiful job. Keep up the good work.
Good decision not to use the dried up balsa wood. That stuff wasn't even too good when it was new. It is difficult to get a good paint finish on balsa wood.
I am not good at all with plastic and prefer to use plywood.
The railings contribute greatly to the overall appearance of a model. I would look a HO trains and see what you can get.
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๐ Question of the Day?
3 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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I am in the same boat, answering questions correctly but going nowhere fast. Rudder ๐is not working. Iโve been promoted to civilian.
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๐ American Scout C-2 Freighter
3 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Thank you for great explanation of DC motors.
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๐ American Scout C-2 Freighter
3 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Yes, Jumpy I was going to bring everyone's attention to it.๐คฃ๐คฃ The shop looks a little dirty. That is the way that happens, the more the boat gets built the dirtier the shop becomes it is a sign of progress, and genius at work๐
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๐ American Scout C-2 Freighter
3 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Problem solved. Looks good. Next problem.
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๐ American Scout C-2 Freighter
3 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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WOWZA!
Beautiful and nearly done
Just a few details to go, deck superstructure, rigging etc. Youโre making a great job of it. Take your time make the rest as nice as the hull.
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๐ Question of the Day?
3 months ago by
๐บ๐ธ Commodore-H (

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Got that one
Ask me same question tomorrow
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