|||
Not Registered
Go AD FREE & get your membership medal
BRONZE
Less Ads
SILVER
GOLD
Ad Free
Cancel
Anytime
ยฃ2.50
ยฃ4.50
ยฃ6.50
Subscribe
Go AD FREE & get your membership medal
BRONZE
Less Ads
SILVER
GOLD
Ad Free
For A Whole Year!
ยฃ25
ยฃ45
ยฃ65
Donate
You Will Be Helping Towards:

  • Domain Fees
  • Security Certificates
  • iOS & Android App Fees
  • Website Hosting
  • Fast Servers
  • Data Backups
  • Upkeep & Maintenance
  • Administration Costs

    Without your support the website wouldn't be what it is today.

    Please consider donating towards these fees to help keep us afloat.

    Read more

    All donations are securely managed through PayPal.

    Many thanks for your kind support
  • Join Us On Social Media!
    Download The App!

    Login To
    Remove Ads
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    Model Boats Website
    Model Boats Website
    Home
    Forum
    Build Blogs
    Media Gallery
    Boat Clubs & Lakes
    Events
    Boat Harbour
    How-To Articles
    Plans & Docs
    Useful Links
    The Games Chest
    Registered
    30th Dec 2021
    Last Online
    19th Dec 2025
    DuncanP
    Member Stats
    Stats
    Member No.#6658
    Registered๐Ÿ“…30th Dec 2021
    Last Online๐Ÿ“…19th Dec 2025
    City๐Ÿ“North of Manchester
    Country๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งUnited Kingdom
    Genderโ™‚๏ธMale
    Age๐Ÿ‘ถNot Provided
    Posts๐Ÿ’ฌ413
    Followers๐Ÿ“ฃ8
    Likes Received๐Ÿ‘1566

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Send Private Message
    ๐Ÿ’ต Gift a Membership
    Members Following
    Follow DuncanP
    ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Ronald ( Fleet Admiral)
    ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง SouthportPat ( Commodore)
    ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง roycv ( Fleet Admiral)
    ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น AlessandroSPQR ( Fleet Admiral)
    ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ChrisG ( Commander)
    ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ช hermank ( Rear Admiral)
    ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง Norway ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญ Mike Stoney ( Rear Admiral)
    8 Followers
    Recent Activity
    Liked Re: R.A.F Crash Tender 13 hours ago
    Commander
    Ranks Points
    Fleet Admiral 10,000
    Admiral 8,000
    Vice Admiral 6,000
    Rear Admiral 5,000
    Commodore 4,000
    Captain 3,000
    Commander 2,500
    Lieutenant Commander 2,000
    Lieutenant 1,600
    Sub-Lieutenant 1,200
    Midshipman 900
    Warrant Officer 600
    Chief Petty Officer 1st Class 450
    Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class 300
    Petty Officer 1st Class 200
    Petty Officer 2nd Class 150
    Master Seaman 100
    Leading Seaman 50
    Able Seaman 20
    Recruit 0
    464 Points Away From Captain!
    Points
    ActivityWorthAwarded
    ๐Ÿ‘ Likes (rcv'd)11,566
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Forum2440
    โœ๏ธ Comments2258
    โœ๏ธ Blog4224
    ๐Ÿ“ท Photos44
    ๐ŸŽฅ Videos100
    ๐Ÿ“ Place80
    ๐Ÿšค Harbour824
    ๐Ÿ“ Guestbook1010
    ๐Ÿ˜Š Avatar1010
    2,536 Total Points
    United Kingdom
    Signature
    This user has not added a signature
    Members Harbour
    Members Blogs
    Recent Posts
    ๐Ÿ“ Holiday greetings from the seaside
    2 days ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 27 Views ยท 5 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ“ Reply
    I whole heartedly second Chum444 seasons greetings! Have a wonderful time ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿ˜Š

    Login To
    Remove Ads

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Classic Model Power Boats
    12 days ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 36 Views ยท 6 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Add Comment
    Hiya Boatshed, I like your models but especially the small plastic RAF crash tender still with it's original box. I had one of these which gave me as a youngster many hours of fun along with my model yacht. My Dad managed to get a photo of both of them sailing past each other. I now have the 34" Aerokits model boat.

    ๐Ÿ“ Bluebird of Chelsea
    20 days ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 27 Views ยท 1 Like
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ“ Reply
    Hiya, I got some plans from Cornwall Model Boats and after chewing it over I thought it was beyond my capabilities to cut all the parts required. I don't have a laser cutter plus I wouldn't know how to get the plans onto a laser cutter. Hence the idea of using a kit which I have in fact now ordered. They do a 1:18 and a 1:12 scale. I've chosen the 1:18 because I wouldn't have room for a larger one. Having said that the larger one would have probably been easier to build as some of the parts would been larger and easier to handle!
    Well done to yourself for doing a scratch build of this beautiful classic boat.๐Ÿ˜Š

    ๐Ÿ“ Bluebird of Chelsea
    21 days ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 47 Views ยท 3 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ“ Reply
    Hi,
    Has anyone built the 800mm long Bluebird of Chelsea from the Chinese company called Crown?
    If so, any info about how easy the build was and what you thought of the kit will be much appreciated
    Cheers
    Duncan

    ๐Ÿ“ Modello RC scala 1/60, di piroscafo armato a goletta, liberamente ispirato alle cannoniere classe US
    29 days ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 22 Views ยท 3 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ“ Reply
    Superb craftsmanship to create a model with such intricate detail. Well done gold stars all around!!๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š

    ๐Ÿ“ Question of the Day?
    1 month ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 37 Views ยท 2 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ“ Reply
    Rather shocked this morning to find I had dropped from 7th yesterday to 20th this morning! Having answered today's question correctly I went up to 18th !!???

    ๐Ÿ“ Early Radio Control Experiences
    1 month ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 72 Views ยท 6 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ“ Reply
    The first radio set I had I don't believe it even had crystals. It was just a large black box with two silver toggle switches and a telescopic aerial. I had to get a government radio licence to operate it legally. I think the license was 17s 6d. What category would this radio control set fall into? Pre crystal. I know I had to check around to make sure no one else was doing r/c.
    ๐Ÿคฃ

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
    1 month ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 50 Views ยท 3 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Add Comment
    Yes I live in Helmshore. Was your shop on the main road in Rawtenstall? If it was, it is a great shame it is no longer there just like the one in Manchester I worked in that that is no longer there!

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
    1 month ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 53 Views ยท 5 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Add Comment
    Hi Bob, I must have been about 14 or 15 at the time. I use to wash cars on a Sunday morning in order to save enough cash to buy a second hand radio control set! It was non proportional with two switches which you had to switch on and off for short periods of time to steer and also adjust the speed. There was no way I could afford a proportional set which were several hundreds of pounds back around 1966! My bedroom always had a smell of diesel because to me it was too valuable to keep it in the garage! I stored it on top of my wardrobe. I now regret having sold it but the diesel engine was rather trouble some to start! I also had to save up to buy my own full size bicycle. How things have changed! ๐Ÿ˜‚
    The Sea Commander was secondhand so I didn't build it but I did a lot of modifications including using, for example, silver foil around the windows. When I was about 15, I started working in The Model Shop on Deansgate in Manchester on Saturdays and during school/college holidays This is where my Dad bought the boat from as a present after I had a serious eye operation in East Grinstead (about 240 miles from home) because they couldn't do the operation in Manchester. I was in hospital for 5 weeks but my Dad could only have 3 weeks holiday. So I had no visitors for 2 weeks! So the boat was for me being brave in hospital all on my own. When I was about 20, I built the already part built Aerokits RAF Crash Tender for my brother's birthday but after a few years he 'fell out' with it so he gifted it back to me! You have seen the video of this Crash Tender running on our pond on this thread. Hope you like the pictures of the boat from the mid 1970's - taken from colour slides. A trip down memory lane for me !๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜€

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
    1 month ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 55 Views ยท 4 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Add Comment
    Yes in the 60's my Sea Commander was set with a turning circle on the racket tiller! I had a pair of waders and I used to stand in the middle of the pond watching it go round. One time the ratchet sprung loose with the vibration of the 3.5cc diesel engine. The consequence was it crashed into the concrete side of the pond and damaged the bow!

    ๐Ÿ“ How many revs do you need on a brushed motor for a 32" model
    1 month ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 64 Views ยท 3 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ“ Reply
    Hi Roy, Thanks for your valued advice. I have ordered a MFA 38O from Howes models. Cheers D

    Login To
    Remove Ads

    ๐Ÿ“ How many revs do you need on a brushed motor for a 32" model
    1 month ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 70 Views ยท 7 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ“ Reply
    You may have seen the video of Flying Christine II model on my recent build blog. It is fitted with a MFA torpedo 400 4.5V -> 15v motor with a 8.4v NiCad battery. I want it to be able to just lift onto a plane so a bigger motor is required. A brushless motor has been suggested but that would mean also changing the ESC and I want to keep the price to a minimum!! I've looked at the 500 series motors but the have a range of RPMs. What do you advise as a minimum RPM of a motor with a 35mm 3 bladed prop please?

    ๐Ÿ“ Video of 1st completed sail
    2 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 29 Views ยท 5 Likes ยท 1 Comment
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Add Comment
    It was a beautiful sunny Autumn day on Wednesday for the 1st voyage of the completed HA Kits Flying Christine II. This kit was built by our 12 year old grandson with guidance and a bit of help from grandad.
    We now realise that we need a bigger motor! The current one is a brushed 400 Torpedo and it was run with both an 8.4volt and 7.2volt Nicam battery using a 35mm 3 bladed prop. I think we will swap the motor for a 1000kv brushless which will hopefully make the bow rise a bit!๐Ÿ˜ŠWe plan to in due course add a searchlight, radar scanner, bow roller and a nurse sitting in the back cockpit.
    Hope you enjoy watching the short video of it cruising along!๐Ÿ˜Š

    ๐Ÿ“ Final fitting out and completing
    2 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 40 Views ยท 10 Likes ยท 5 Comments
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Add Comment
    Half term arrived and my Grandson worked on finishing Flying Christine with granddad's guidance. I think my 12 year old grandson has done a fantastic job and we are very pleased with the final finish. As time goes buy I'm sure he will buy more fittings with his pocket money such as radar scanner and search light etc. We are planning to sail the boat on Wednesday morning before he and his sister travel back home which will be exciting. Hopefully I will be able to put some more photos of the boat on the water. Fingers crossed the weather will be kind for us!

    ๐Ÿ“ Question of the Day?
    2 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 43 Views ยท 1 Like
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ“ Reply
    Ed that's a great way to remember the differences with the order of the letters in the he alphabet! ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜€

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Classic Model Power Boats
    2 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 145 Views ยท 6 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Add Comment
    This is an Aerokits Sea Commander from the very early 60's. It had a 3.5 cc diesel motor. I couldn't afford a decent R/c unit . I had a non proportional 2 channel radio control unit which I bought second hand. Often went to the lake and came back without sailing it as the engine was a devil to start. I was about 16 at the time so my Dad had to take me to the pond and was as frustrated as my self especially when he locked the car keys in the boot and had to call the RAC! Now with electric motors I deeply regret having sold it! Has anyone seen it sailing anywhere?

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
    2 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 105 Views ยท 3 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Add Comment
    Waiting in anticipation!! ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜€
    Hope the weather isn't too bad for the sail

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
    2 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 113 Views ยท 3 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 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.

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
    2 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 117 Views ยท 2 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Add Comment
    Will can you please explain what an inrunner and an outrunner is please? Thank you

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Classic Model Power Boats
    3 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 160 Views ยท 7 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 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.

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Trawler
    3 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 71 Views ยท 1 Like
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 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.

    Login To
    Remove Ads

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Trawler
    3 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 71 Views ยท 3 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 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.

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Chris Craft 63' Connie
    4 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 58 Views ยท 1 Like
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Add Comment
    Looks great. Well done!

    ๐Ÿ“ Sailing Robbe Smaragd
    4 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 29 Views ยท 2 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ“ Reply
    Pardon my ignorance but what is a blister please?

    ๐Ÿ“ Question of the Day?
    4 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 52 Views ยท 1 Like
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ“ Reply
    Likewise Roy!!

    ๐Ÿ“ Do you recognize this ship or have you ever seen it?
    4 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 55 Views ยท 2 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ“ Reply
    Lovely pictures!

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Todays buy. Neptun
    5 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 58 Views ยท 4 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Add Comment
    Still sounds a bargain though!๐Ÿ˜€

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Re: Launch Day - Day 9
    5 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 50 Views ยท 3 Likes
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Add Comment
    No, Grandad got to finish the fizz!

    ๐Ÿ“ Final launch day
    5 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 38 Views ยท 5 Likes ยท 5 Comments
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 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!!

    ๐Ÿ“ Launch Day - Day 9
    5 months ago by ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง DuncanP ( Commander)
    โœง 59 Views ยท 13 Likes ยท 5 Comments
    Flag
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 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.



    About This Website
    Terms of Service
    Privacy Policy