Recent Posts
π Mantua Bruma - Ocean going motor sailor
25 minutes ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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That is abdolutely brilliant Roy. Really looking forward to seeing how he did the sailing conversion. Thanks also for the building instructions. My kit should arrive next week. Cheers Duncan π
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π Mantua Bruma - Ocean going motor sailor
8 days ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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I've found on another website a blog of someone who has added a sail conversion but unfortunately there isn't quite enough info for a relative novice like myself! I thought some other members maybe interested in looking at these links. The first link below shows quite a few photos of the conversion and the boat sailing whereas my second link is the build of the actual boat as it comes without the sails. I've also emailed mantuamodel.co.uk to see if they might produce a sail conversion kit with a removeable keel. If others show an interest they may consider looking into producing an additional accessory package!π
Sail conversion link:-
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2314493-Mantua-Bruma-my-first-sai |
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2314493-Mantua-Bruma-my-first-sai |
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π Mantua Bruma - Ocean going motor sailor
8 days ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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My typing is the problem! There shouldn't be an 's' on models.
mantuamodel.co.uk - I believe.
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π Mantua Bruma - Ocean going motor sailor
8 days ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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That sounds great! Being a novice I will rely on your experience with the motors and ESC's. Someone the other week had told me that each motor required an ESC which are normally not cheap - so I thought that could get expensive! If you wouldn't mind sending me the links for the motors and ESC when you get eventually get round to ordering them I will really appreciate that.
I also have an apology to make in that I gave you the wrong email address for mantua - I was being rushed because the 3 grand kids wanted to go out!
I've just tried to access it again and my virus scanner has now blocked it saying it is a suspicious site!
The link I tried was mantuamodels.co.uk
Perhaps stay away for safety!π
Cheers
Duncan
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π Mantua Bruma - Ocean going motor sailor
8 days ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Hiya,
I've now ordered the kit from Amazon and will probably order the special Bruma motor kit which only uses one motor to drive both propellers (Cornwall models). I didn't post the links to the sailing version on the site because I wasn't sure what people would think about referring them to another website. If you think it will be OK can you please send the text I sent you with the links back to myself and then I will re post it. I couldn't find what I sent you!
I've also emailed bruma.co.uk with our ideas to see if they might produce and accesory kit for the conversion. I said I'm sure it will increase sails of the kit if it could be a true motor sailor with a removeable keel. Perhaps another email might help to persuade them!
I feel better and more comfortable that you are also going to try to do the same build. So look forward to keeping in touch to discuss build options etc.π
Cheers
Duncan
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π Mantua Bruma - Ocean going motor sailor
8 days ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Hi,
If anyone has built this kit and also added a sail conversion (which is not part of the kit) I would love to hear from you. I'm considering building this ocean going cruising yacht which can be motorised but thought it would also be great to have it as a sailing yacht.
Looking forward to hearing from anyone.
Cheers
Duncan
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π Riva Aquarama Maiden Voyage
11 days ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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After a test in a paddling pool at home it was off to the local model boat club in Bury for the maiden voyage - along with a bottle of fizz! It was such a beautiful day it was so perfect for a launch. After christening the boat it was time for the moment of truth - will she run OK! I'm pleased to say that she handled very well although I thought she might run a little faster. The bonus was she was perfectly dry inside - great! Perhaps a direct drive rather than going through the supplied gearbox that arrived with the motorising kit. Since I'm going to have it as a display model I'm not that bothered about the speed. Perhaps it is about the correct scale speed of the original boats than weren't fitted with dual V12 Lamborghini engines! Please see this video of the V12:-
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π FINISHED AT LAST!!
15 days ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Hi Everyone,
Finally after 2 years and 2 months I have finally finished my Riva. Even though I say it myself I think she looks beautiful! I must admit I haven't put all the cleats on because the base of the cleats are flat and so small that I think they could easily get caught and broken off when I get round to sailing her. This could end up damaging the mahogany veneer.
To fit the forward chromed metal fittings I put a layer of masking tape on the bow then drew round the bases and cut out the shape with a modelling knife before roughing up the varnish and then gluing the fittings with 5 minute Araldite. The 4 engine air vents on the sides were a bit daunting to fit with the very fine 'Aquarama' lettering and also having to drill through the hull for each vent. I used cockpit glue as it is relatively ease to wipe away any excess. I had to nail the back strip on first so I drilled tiny holes so that I didn't have to use the hammer too much! I then chromed over the strip and the nail with the chrome pen I mentioned earlier in the blog. Unfortunately on one side strip there was a nail hole missing and 'try as I must' I could get my hand drill to create this tiny hole 0.3mm. Once in place The holes in the metal strip for the air vents show where to drill. I was surprised that I had to go through completely to hold the peg on the back of the air vents. I tried to epoxy the inside of the holes in order to seal the wood around the holes. I've fitted the seats to the floor with magnetic door catches so that I can easily remove the seats for cleaning. Eventually I will replace the floor with a planked floor but this wasn't part of the kit. I found using digital callipers useful to measure the size of the pegs on the fittings and then chose the appropriate drill bit. Because this has been my first build since my early twenties I have had to buying quite a lot of stuff and tools to complete the build. I would like to do another build but I don't think my hands are not up to that any more unfortunately.
I think the next stage is a bath tub test and then sit and admire it before I pluck up courage for the maiden voyage! I hope you have all found my blog interesting and helpful especially if you attempt this kit. I've learnt a lot along the way and had some sleepless nights wondering how to tackle certain things! Hopefully my blog will help you to avoid some of these deep searching thoughts!π
Cheers Duncan π€
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π What is this called?
1 month ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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I agree - pushpit on a yacht and on the bow is the pulpitπ
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π Getting towards the end of the build
1 month ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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π Please see above for post!
1 month ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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This was a duplicate - sorry
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π¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
1 month ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Brilliant! I've enjoyed following your build through all your trials and tribulations and your perseverance has won through to deliver you a model to be proud of. Well done!ππ
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π Switch off question of the day mesagez
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Thank you for your help. Cheers
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π Switch off question of the day mesagez
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Hi, Is there a way to switch of the message,of the day messages I'm receiving please? I did originally sign up for them but I haven't taken part. Cheers Duncan
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π R/c switch for 6v-12v water pump for fire monitor
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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I intend to switch it off manually after approximately 20 to 30 seconds - so not worried about having a timer. π I'm just aiming to satisfy the requirements of the pump. Perhaps a bad decision on my part of the water pump I chose. It was just that the spec indicated it was self priming and suitable for a water monitors and I managed to resource one for Β£4+ less than other offerings of this particular pump. π
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π R/c switch for 6v-12v water pump for fire monitor
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Hi Lew, The reason for mentioning the 30second burst is that this is a restriction that was posted on the Caldercraft water pump that I have ordered. I chose this pump as it is self priming because I couldn't be certain that the inlet pipe would be below the waterline.
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π R/c switch for 6v-12v water pump for fire monitor
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Thank you for advice and info supplied by LewZ, hermank and Scratchbuilder. All very useful. Before I decide which way to go, I would still like to hear from anyone who has used the relay shown in my previous post which I found on Ebay. Thank you. π
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π R/c switch for 6v-12v water pump for fire monitor
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Hi Hermank, Thank you for your reply - what do you mean by an ordinary switch please - I'm new to all these electrics. When looking on some model boat websites they are advertising as well as the water pump a switch to use with them but they are around Β£21 + postage whereas this one is under Β£5 including P&P.
The pump is as follows:-
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π R/c switch for 6v-12v water pump for fire monitor
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Hi,
Has anybody had any experience of this switch for use on switching on a pump for a fire monitor with bursts of 30 seconds for the water jets.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165781038931 |
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π¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Looks superb! Well done - it was worth preserving. Pity it isn't going to be a sailing model. It would have looked great on the pond!ππ
Cheers Duncan
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π In for a Dip
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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It happens to the younger ones as well! When I was about twelve I was sailing my model yacht in Lake Windermere at Easter so it was rather cold. Suddenly my Mum saw a my woolly hat floating on top of the Lake.! Parents rushed to where I was sailing my boat and dragged me out. We had to go straight back to our hired caravan with me just wrapped in a dry coat! I now feel a bit anxious leaning over to launch as I have low blood pressure so sometimes feel a bit feint when standing up. I have now made some launch straps so I don't have to lean or bend down too much. Much safer way of launching and recovery! ππ
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π Servos not working / moving
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Have you put the plugs into the receiver the right way round? Also try the other sockets on the receiver. Just a thought. π
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π What Paint Do Members Use?
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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I've hand painted with white, red and black Humbrol paints. I get the 50ml ones not the tiny ones! I think the results are very good.
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π help with model of boats
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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One difference I know between SLEC version and the aerokits is that the front wheelhouse windows have very much more rounded corners on the front windows. I know because the window kit that I bought from SLEC had the rounded window frames and didn't fit on my 50 year old model. SLEC were brilliant as they asked me to trace the window frames and then they made a set of 3 to match my model. They are so very helpful. ππ
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π help with model of boats
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Can you please send some photos of them. Thanks
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π Final finishing
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Thank you. Very much appreciated. I let you know how I get on at resourcing a small amount from a car repair place. Cheers Duncan ππ
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π Final finishing
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Hi Chris. I have hand painted the decks and sides of the hull with yacht varnish. Below the water line I have then over painted in white enamel. I was perhaps aiming for too higher perfection by trying to remove the odd dust specs. Removing these with say 3000 grade sandpaper or rubbing compound will remove the shine so that is why I was wondering about then finishing with polish. Colin H has recommended trying Farecia G3 rubbing compound. Sounds good but I was quoted Β£24.95 for a 1 litre bottle - and I certainly wouldn't need that much! He suggested visiting a car body repair centre to see if I could buy a small amount from them - sounds an idea! In the end if I can't get some cheap I will just leave it as it is!
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π Final finishing
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Thank you. I'll try that idea. π
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π Final finishing
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Thanks Colin. Do you have to then put a wax polish on afterwards in order to get a high gloss? Do you attach your fittings before using G3? I had a look at the website and there is also a G10 which indicates leaving a high gloss but I was rather shocked at the prices. I only need a tiny amount because this will probably be my last build! Unfortunately my hands are not upto doing another one. Thanks Duncan.
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π Final finishing
2 months ago by
π¬π§ DuncanP (

Warrant Officer)
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Can you please advise as to the best way to do a final finish to varnish and also white paint to remove tiny flecks of dust? The end result will still need to be a high gloss finish. Have you any products you can suggest but please bare in mind I'm in the UK. Also I will need to glue various metal components onto the varnished decks so I need to think about good adhesion as well. Thanks in advance. π Cheers Duncan
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