Join Us On Social Media!
|
|
|
Download The App!
Login To
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
Login To
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
Model Boats Website
Fleet Admiral)
Commodore)
Admiral)
Commander)
Rear Admiral)
Petty Officer 1st Class)
United Kingdom
Recent Posts
💬 Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
1 day ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP (
Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 23 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Waiting in anticipation!! 😀😀
Hope the weather isn't too bad for the sail
Hope the weather isn't too bad for the sail
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
zooma
AlessandroSPQR
Login To
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
💬 Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
7 days ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 41 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Having watched your video my Aerokits FireBoat does exactly the same sort of nose dive when slowing down and twists to the side.
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
AlessandroSPQR
zooma
💬 Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
11 days ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 52 Views · 2 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Will can you please explain what an inrunner and an outrunner is please? Thank you
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
AlessandroSPQR
💬 Re: Classic Model Power Boats
14 days ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 55 Views · 6 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Bob asked me to upload this video to Classic Model Power boats thread of my Aerokits RAF crash tender. It is 50+ years old and was refurbished during the lockdown with new running gear. It is now powered by a brushless motor powered by a 11.2volt LIPO battery.
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
Madwelshman
Steve P
zooma
AlessandroSPQR
Mike Stoney
💬 Re: Trawler
15 days ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 42 Views · 1 Like
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Hi Bob,
The crash tender was fitted with an electric motor and a lead acid battery until it got refurbished during the lockdown with new running gear. I supposed since there was no fuel contamination and vibrations this has stopped any of the joints deteriorating.
The crash tender was fitted with an electric motor and a lead acid battery until it got refurbished during the lockdown with new running gear. I supposed since there was no fuel contamination and vibrations this has stopped any of the joints deteriorating.
▲
⟩⟩
AlessandroSPQR
💬 Re: Trawler
15 days ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 42 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
I presume most of these old models were glued together using Cascomite powder mixed with water. My Aerokits RAF crash tender is 50+ years old and all the joints seem fine and it was built using this type of waterproof glue.
▲
⟩⟩
RodC
hermank
AlessandroSPQR
💬 Re: Chris Craft 63' Connie
2 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 49 Views · 1 Like
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Looks great. Well done!
▲
⟩⟩
Brightwork
📝 Sailing Robbe Smaragd
2 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 19 Views · 2 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Pardon my ignorance but what is a blister please?
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
AlessandroSPQR
📝 Question of the Day?
2 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 43 Views · 1 Like
Flag
📝 Reply
Likewise Roy!!
▲
⟩⟩
Steves-s
📝 Do you recognize this ship or have you ever seen it?
2 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 45 Views · 2 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Lovely pictures!
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
AlessandroSPQR
💬 Re: Todays buy. Neptun
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 50 Views · 4 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Still sounds a bargain though!😀
▲
⟩⟩
Len1
roycv
AlessandroSPQR
hermank
Login To
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
💬 Re: Launch Day - Day 9
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 18 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
No Grandad got to finish the fizz!
▲
⟩⟩
Len1
RNinMunich
AlessandroSPQR
📝 Final launch day
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 27 Views · 5 Likes · 5 Comments
Flag
💬 Add Comment
After 2 years of on and off work Bruma is ready for the maiden voyage! In my excitement I unfortunately I forgot to attach the mainsheet to the boom!
Having it as a sailing vessel is in phase 2 - I have bought some ripstop white sail cloth to make some test sails. The detachable keel has been made and for a this trial test I'm attaching a 900gram fish shaped fishing weight.
We christened the boat with a small bottle of fizz. When I have some time I will edit the video taken and post it on here. For now here are some stills - one looks like she is just leaving a harbour wall! Pity that the duck brings us back to reality!!
Having it as a sailing vessel is in phase 2 - I have bought some ripstop white sail cloth to make some test sails. The detachable keel has been made and for a this trial test I'm attaching a 900gram fish shaped fishing weight.
We christened the boat with a small bottle of fizz. When I have some time I will edit the video taken and post it on here. For now here are some stills - one looks like she is just leaving a harbour wall! Pity that the duck brings us back to reality!!
▲
⟩⟩
ToraDog
Len1
RNinMunich
hermank
AlessandroSPQR
📝 Launch Day - Day 9
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 30 Views · 10 Likes · 5 Comments
Flag
💬 Add Comment
We made it just!! Launching the boat before our grandson goes home. It is not completely finished but sufficient to do a test sail. We will have another week at October half term to finish it off. (Gosh talking about Autumn already!!) So far only got 2 coats of undercoat on and the plan is to paint the decks blue. More filling and sanding needed to make it super smooth and also the fitting of the doorway. Electrics need a tidy up and we need a more suitable propeller. Our grandson is very happy with the results. Hope you enjoyed this blog and picked up some tips if you decide to build one yourselves. Once edited I will make a short video available.
▲
⟩⟩
RNinMunich
Len1
DWBrinkman
ToraDog
Chum444
peterd
roycv
AlessandroSPQR
hermank
Ronald
📝 Day 8 Nearing the end !
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 31 Views · 5 Likes · 1 Comment
Flag
💬 Add Comment
We started by fitting the rudder, rudder servo. Since access is very poor we did this before fitting the transom. We had to cut away some of the servo platform to enable the rudders supporting nut to fit flush when tightened down. For those building I would suggest this is oval hole on the bulkhead is cut out so the nut doesn't touch the bottom part of the oval cutout. It was more difficult at this stage of the build but this problem might depend on which rudder you have purchased. After resting rudder operation we fitted the transom. It was only then that I thought I should have done this with the rudder tightening screw facing inwards just in case we need to change a damaged rudder. As it's now, we will have to remove the transom if this situation occured! Ugh! My Grandson fitted the plastic window frames having sprayed them metallic. Then inserted the plastic windows which was easier said than done. I was then busy doing a temporary fitting the electrics and applied the final undercoat just before 11.15pm !! Time was a problem to do a complete job as tomorrow is our Grandsons last day before going home and he wanted to do a test sail 😀😀
▲
⟩⟩
peterd
Ronald
Len1
hermank
AlessandroSPQR
📝 Hand Painting
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 54 Views · 8 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
I have first used two coats of sanding sealer then 2 coats of Quick Dry Rustin's primer undercoat and finish with Humbrol enamel. The primer undercoat is available in 250ml cans and Humbrol enamel in 50ml can. I have chosen these products because they are available in small quantities. The inside of the hull I've painted with epoxy finishing resin. Overall I think the finish is good especially since I haven't got anywhere to spray without damaging surrounding areas with fine clouds of spray!😉
▲
⟩⟩
ChrisF
Steve P
jumpugly
AlessandroSPQR
Len1
hermank
SimpleSailor
Nickthesteam
📝 Day 7 Putting side skins on
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 31 Views · 4 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
This was a bit of a challenge. I don't know where we went wrong but we couldn't get the bow sides to meet when trying to make sure the side skins also went upto the transom sides. In the end we put a tapered fillet into the bow and then finished with epoxy putty. We used temporary brass pins to secure and had to resort to using a bit of cyno glue on places. Once the glue was dry we coated inside the hull with epoxy resin. We put 2 coats of sanding sealer on the outside of the hull sides.
▲
⟩⟩
Len1
hermank
peterd
AlessandroSPQR
📝 Day 5 and Day 6
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 41 Views · 7 Likes · 1 Comment
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Put the roof on the rear cabin. Had a lot of difficulty doing the prop shaft. There must be a better way! I thought the drill would follow the grove but not the case! First of all the drill I had was too short so I ordered a 300 x 6.5 mm drill. It ended up slightly too high so I had to make a new motor mount. Also made a cradle for the rudder servo. It is a small servo with the hope if I need to replace it I could get it out! I was told to do the servo installation before putting the transom because of difficulty access. We put the prop shaft in using Epoxy putty - sets really hard and is easy to mould to any shape - only £1 from the local 'cheap shop'! Just unwrap and mould the two components together - great. Got a grey and black one. Has anyone velcroed a rudder servo mount in place? I'm just thinking about easy removal in the future if necessary. I'm hoping the servo will be strong enough to do the job!😊
▲
⟩⟩
Len1
EdW
GavJ
AlessandroSPQR
hermank
Ronald
RodC
📝 Day 4 of the build
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 59 Views · 11 Likes · 3 Comments
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Not the most productive day! One problem after another! I found my extra length 6mm drill bit for the prop shaft wasn't long enough. So I have now ordered a 300mm length 6.5 mm drill bit from Amazon and hoping this will do the job. I think before fitting the prop shaft strengthening pieces I should have marked exactly where the prop shaft started to enter the hull. I had marked the exit fortunately but trying to get the correct angle wasn't easy to calculate. I also found that 6mm hole for the 6mm shaft was too tight a fit hence 6.5mm. We also made up the engine boxes as per the instructions as a separate entity. When we came to fit them the tabs wouldn't line up. Fortunately the Aliphatic glue hadn't fully set so we were able to pull them apart. We then fitted one of the boxes in situ which I think will be a better way for anyone else building this kit in the future. We managed to get the front cabin roofs in place and will now have to wait until tomorrow to do the rear cabin roofs. We lost the morning today because I had to fill in at the last minute on a Guide Dog Fund Raising event with our Guide Dog Puppy. Then this afternoon we had a field booked for a free run for the puppy!
Hopefully tomorrow we will make more progress but time seems to be evaporating quickly to get it finished for next Wednesday!! 😀
Hopefully tomorrow we will make more progress but time seems to be evaporating quickly to get it finished for next Wednesday!! 😀
▲
⟩⟩
Steves-s
RodC
daveh3
Len1
peterd
zooma
SimpleSailor
Rookysailor
hermank
EdW
AlessandroSPQR
📝 Day 3 of build
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 76 Views · 14 Likes · 1 Comment
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Today the cabin front was glued in place after chamfering the edges to get a reasonable fit. We made a temporary cradle to hold the hull upright which we made from some leftover ply cut outs from the Riva Aquarama kit.
The bottom skins were glued in place. This was rather tricky with the bending to shape, so I helped my grandson with this task. We resorted to using some brass nails and wide masking tape to hold the skins in place. The brass nails will be removed once the glue has dried.
Final job tonight was to glue the two halves of the side skins together and these will be left to dry overnight. The same procedure was done last night with the bottom skins.
Also my grandson assembled the rear cockpit well which will be glued to the rest of the cabin structure tomorrow.
The bottom skins were glued in place. This was rather tricky with the bending to shape, so I helped my grandson with this task. We resorted to using some brass nails and wide masking tape to hold the skins in place. The brass nails will be removed once the glue has dried.
Final job tonight was to glue the two halves of the side skins together and these will be left to dry overnight. The same procedure was done last night with the bottom skins.
Also my grandson assembled the rear cockpit well which will be glued to the rest of the cabin structure tomorrow.
▲
⟩⟩
Steves-s
RodC
daveh3
Len1
peterd
SimpleSailor
EdW
Chum444
Ray
thadlietz
Ronald
Rookysailor
AlessandroSPQR
hermank
📝 FLYING Christine II
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 80 Views · 17 Likes · 3 Comments
Flag
💬 Add Comment
This is a build of a HA-Kits Flying Christine II which is a model of the St. John's Ambulance service boat which is used to take patients from the Isle of Guernsey (UK) for treatment elsewhere - probably with more facilities! I'm getting my nearly twelve year old grandson to build it with just guidance from myself and I assisted with cutting of the tabs off the laser cut parts on the thicker plywood. We need to get the younger generation interested in our great hobby!
The box contains all the plywood laser cut parts on varying thicknesses of plywood. In addition there is a bag of plastic window frames and plastic window inserts. There is no propeller shaft, rudder or other bits to complete the model.
Construction so far seems to be fairly straight forward and it is something that my grandson is enjoying doing. It is the first model of any kind that he has built.
As he doesn't live near us he is here for just 10 days and we hope to get it completed by the time he goes home. The kit says use thick and thin cyno or Aliphatic glue. I have chose to use Aliphatic so we don't get little fingers stuck together! It will be slower but hope to speed up the process by starting building the cabin whilst the hull is fully curing before adding the skins - the order laid out in the instruction.
BEWARE when initially gluing both halves of the deck together it says you may strengthen the joint by gluing some scrap on the back of the joint. We unfortunately chose a piece about 2mm too long so later in the build it came into contact with one of the bulkheads - so we had to trim it back!
The only other thing was the instructions didn't clearly mention gluing two of the cabin bulkheads together to make one. After a bit of thought and looking at the cabin layout it became obvious that C2 and C3 needed to be first glued together. Having said that when attaching to the cabin frame C3 follows C1 (as one part) and C2 is then before C4!
Make sure you use plenty of masking tape to ensure that the cabin structure doesn't get glued onto the deck! See photos
So this is where we are at the end of Day 2 - more to follow!
Apologies in that the photos are not in the correct sequence!
The box contains all the plywood laser cut parts on varying thicknesses of plywood. In addition there is a bag of plastic window frames and plastic window inserts. There is no propeller shaft, rudder or other bits to complete the model.
Construction so far seems to be fairly straight forward and it is something that my grandson is enjoying doing. It is the first model of any kind that he has built.
As he doesn't live near us he is here for just 10 days and we hope to get it completed by the time he goes home. The kit says use thick and thin cyno or Aliphatic glue. I have chose to use Aliphatic so we don't get little fingers stuck together! It will be slower but hope to speed up the process by starting building the cabin whilst the hull is fully curing before adding the skins - the order laid out in the instruction.
BEWARE when initially gluing both halves of the deck together it says you may strengthen the joint by gluing some scrap on the back of the joint. We unfortunately chose a piece about 2mm too long so later in the build it came into contact with one of the bulkheads - so we had to trim it back!
The only other thing was the instructions didn't clearly mention gluing two of the cabin bulkheads together to make one. After a bit of thought and looking at the cabin layout it became obvious that C2 and C3 needed to be first glued together. Having said that when attaching to the cabin frame C3 follows C1 (as one part) and C2 is then before C4!
Make sure you use plenty of masking tape to ensure that the cabin structure doesn't get glued onto the deck! See photos
So this is where we are at the end of Day 2 - more to follow!
Apologies in that the photos are not in the correct sequence!
▲
⟩⟩
Steves-s
daveh3
Len1
peterd
DWBrinkman
Ray
Nickthesteam
Rookysailor
hermank
roycv
EdW
SimpleSailor
AlessandroSPQR
RodC
RNinMunich
Ronald
thadlietz
Login To
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
💬 Re: Tippecanoe T37 Build
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 36 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Looking forward to seeing some photos!
▲
⟩⟩
Collie
AlessandroSPQR
Len1
💬 Re: "Sailor Sam"
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 111 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Amazing animated sailors! The chap smoking made me laugh. Well done everyone - superb
▲
⟩⟩
Len1
hermank
DWBrinkman
📝 ESC For Twin Screwed Boats
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 63 Views · 9 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
On my current build which has two motors I have 2 x ESC's combined with a W-Tail mixer. The W tail mixer assists with steering as it speeds up one prop when turning and also controls the rudder where as I believe a V-Tail mixer doesn't control the rudder. The MTroniks one that I have will also handle 3 screws if required.
▲
⟩⟩
Len1
Steves-s
RodC
jumpugly
AlessandroSPQR
EdW
Nickthesteam
SimpleSailor
hermank
📝 Getting near to completion
3 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 39 Views · 9 Likes · 2 Comments
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Just a bit of an update. Basically I think that all that is left now is the standing and running rigging to complete. Because I plan to eventually in stage 2 have it with sails, I have had to consider strengthening everything. I have purchased 2 purpose made goosenecks which I have slightly modified so that the swivel doesn't easily pop out of its socket. In order to lock it in I have attached a cut down winch which was in the kit. The smallest gooseneck was for a 10mm mast and these masts are 8mm. Therefore I used the brass in the kit which was for you to make a gooseneck as a filler to bring the mast diameter up to 10mm. I have also bought replacement 15.3mm dummy bottlescrews from Mantuamodels.co.uk. Unfortunately they come in packs of 10 and I needed 12 - so hence 2 packs! The eyes on these are much bigger, so threading the rigging through will be much easier! All the eyelets I've soldered the ends so they won't uncurl under strain and glued them in with the original slow setting Araldite. I've been informed by another model boat builder that the fast setting 5min Araldite goes soft in water so I thought I wouldn't take any chances! I will have to think carefully about the rigging and extra fittings as I don't want jib sheet and mainsheet getting caught on something like the horn and search light etc. Hopefully in the next few weeks I will be able to show some photos and video of it run under motors. Roy can you please give me some ideas on how to make some test sails for the model please? Also Roy, I hope seeing these last stages will inspire you to start this model which I believe you have on your shelf!
Hopefully all rigging will be done by the end of this week as I'm helping my grandson in building his first model boat which is a HA Kits Flying Christine II. It is a model of the St. John's Ambulance boat that was used to ferry patients from the island of Guernsey for medical treatment to the mainland. He is coming to stay with us next weekend for 10days and we are hoping to have it completed in that time! I will do a build blog with him - so I hope you will all follow this build as well!😊
Hopefully all rigging will be done by the end of this week as I'm helping my grandson in building his first model boat which is a HA Kits Flying Christine II. It is a model of the St. John's Ambulance boat that was used to ferry patients from the island of Guernsey for medical treatment to the mainland. He is coming to stay with us next weekend for 10days and we are hoping to have it completed in that time! I will do a build blog with him - so I hope you will all follow this build as well!😊
▲
⟩⟩
Len1
GaryLC
peterd
roycv
RNinMunich
hermank
Ronald
Wolle
AlessandroSPQR
📝 Where do you build your models?
4 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 77 Views · 4 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Have you got some inside photos please?😊
▲
⟩⟩
Len1
hermank
AlessandroSPQR
Wolle
💬 Re: June 25 2025
4 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 65 Views · 5 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
I'm impressed with your instrument panel! How did you create it please?
▲
⟩⟩
SouthportPat
Len1
Brightwork
hermank
AlessandroSPQR
💬 Re: Tank test
4 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 48 Views · 4 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Thank you Alessandro! I really appreciate your comments especially coming from such an accomplished model boat builder as yourself. It's taking a long time but it's getting there slowly. Thanks again😊
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
tomarack
Len1
AlessandroSPQR
📝 Tank test
4 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 48 Views · 9 Likes · 2 Comments
Flag
💬 Add Comment
After our Guide Dog puppy had finished having fun cooling off in a pet pool, I took the opportunity to have the first floating test of the motor sailor Bruma
All the radio gear, battery, motors, servo and winch were in place and I was very pleased with how she floated level. Pool is not deep enough to test with the detachable keel attached. That will be for another time. Initially I will just sail as a motor sailor and then try with sails on. Still lots to do before ready for maiden voyage! 😊
All the radio gear, battery, motors, servo and winch were in place and I was very pleased with how she floated level. Pool is not deep enough to test with the detachable keel attached. That will be for another time. Initially I will just sail as a motor sailor and then try with sails on. Still lots to do before ready for maiden voyage! 😊
▲
⟩⟩
RNinMunich
Wolle
tomarack
jbkiwi
peterd
Len1
roycv
AlessandroSPQR
hermank
💬 Re: Made some progress!
4 months ago by 🇬🇧 DuncanP ( Lieutenant Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)✧ 53 Views · 4 Likes · 1 Comment
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Hi Ronald. No I'm planning to have it either running on the motors or sailing under full sail. I spent a lot of time working out how to arrange a removable keel and also planning how to get two motors, battery and a winch into the small space! Then recently I had to think how to get the electrics safely stored away. Roy recommended using two motors rather than a single one mentioned in the kit which has a gear box because apparently this version is very noisy. We also discussed keel arrangements. It is going to be a lot of trial and error! Initially I will only sail it on the motors and then do the sails later but at least everything will be in place for conversion to sail! Hope this answers your query. Cheers Duncan 😊
▲
⟩⟩
AlessandroSPQR
roycv
hermank
Ronald
Login To
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
