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๐ Priceless
12 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Methinks a Photoshop special!
Dr John F. Leeds and Bradford. BBC ๐ค๐ค๐ค
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๐ฌ Re: Police boat
12 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Well done Tony,
A lot of work, - but I think you will gain far more satisfaction than merely assembling what is all too often a grossly expensive, far from accurate and altogether imperfect model boat kit.
Builders seem very much to be an endangered species, so keep up the good work.
with best wishes,
Dr John F Leeds and Bradford MBC ๐๐๐
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๐ฌ Re: Typhoon
21 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Hi RR,
I have three 30-36 inch models powered by a motor of that size with 3 S LiPo batteries. All really go like stink and I strongly suspect that your Typhoon will do likewise.
None of those models have water cooling but all rely on a car type ESC with a tiny electric fan. Hence I would suggest that you will not need water cooling - that is unless you run flat-out all the time on huge lake, or things get mighty hot in Loiseville!
Good luck and please let us know how you get on.
Dr John F. Leeds and Bradford MBC๐๐๐
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๐ FB Marketplace bites again
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Wow what a find!! I am pretty sure these items came from an old guy called " Gunns". The name comes from his speciality of really good resin guns and turrets for model warships. chap
This chap traded at the Model Boat Convention and at the Blackpool Model Boat Show for many years. Indeed, at Blackpool last October his son was helping sell off stock at drastically reduced prices - and I guess that you have bought up a good proportion of the remainder.
Although not a warship fan myself I am pretty sure you will find a ready market for the items over your needs.
Yet another sign of the drastic fall in model boat traders across the UK since even before the Pandemic. We all need to help each other to keep our really great hobby alive.
Dr John F Leeds and Bradford MBC ๐ค๐ค๐ค
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๐ Boat Show Traders
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Hi Redpop,
Component Shop (who are now the promoters of the Blackpool Show) have a special website for the Show (search Blackpool Model Boat Show 2023). This shows the traders who have booked in to date. I would suggest you check this site towards the end of September to get a final list.
The Blackpool Show in October is the last survivor of a long long list of previous shows - and is definately not to be missed!!
Dr John F Leeds and Bradford MBC ๐๐
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๐ Model Boat Magazineโs
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Dear Bill,
Please put my name into the hat. I would be glad to refund your postage every few months.
With best wishes. Dr John F Leeds and Bradford. MBC. ๐๐๐
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๐ Question of the Day?
2 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Iron was discovered first, so I guess it was the first used in shipbuilding.
John
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๐ Question of the Day?
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Bunker fuel - all others are far more expensive.
John
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๐ฌ Re: Italeri Vosper MTB. Converted to RC
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Many thanks. I have this very model although in a less than perfect state.
Your excellent pictures will certainly help my rc. Conversion!
Dr John. F. Leeds and Bradford. MBC. ๐๐๐๐
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๐ XT60 CONNECTORS
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Apart from the very good advice on the previous posts, I have learnt the very hard way to connect the XC 60 connector to it's partner. That is before applying any heat at all from your soldering iron.
That way the connector will not distort under heat and so make difficult or even impossible to connect once the job is done.
Additionally, the pre-joined connector will allow excess heat to safely disperse.
Good luck.
Dr John. F. Leeds and Bradford. BBC. ๐๐๐๐
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๐ Finishing Balsa to look like metal
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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I agree with Admiral Rick. Balsa, especially the soft block - is a real pig to paint to any sort of presentable finish.
I tend to give up and cover with 0.5mm plasticard, with thinned impact adhesive and easily painted as required. This gives a great finish while the balsa supports the thin plastic.
Dr John F Leeds and Bradford. MBC. ๐๐๐
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๐ YMBC York Model Boat Club Regatta 11:00 - 16:00
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Many thanks Mike,
It would be a really great day - York MBC's events are a true example to all other model boat clubs!
With best wishes. Dr John F. Leeds and Bradford MBC ๐๐๐
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๐ YMBC York Model Boat Club Regatta 11:00 - 16:00
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Hi Mike,
Could you please advise when the wonderful York Model Boat Club plan their next regatta this Summer?
I regret my Boss at home is filling up the calander!
Dr. John. F. Leeds and Bradford. BBC. ๐ค๐ค๐ค
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๐ฌ Re: Fairey "Maybe"
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Well done - you must be attached to your Dad's old boat.
1962 was a long long time ago and this is a real survivor! Hang on to it.
Dr. John. F. Leeds and Bradford MBC. ๐๐๐๐๐๐
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๐ Rawdon Model Boat Club Open Day August 2023
4 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Hi Mike,
Your efforts are paying off and I shall certainly spread the word at every opportunity!
Dr John F Leeds and Bradford. MBC ๐๐๐๐๐
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๐ฌ Re: Just for fun!
4 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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I think that I will stick with my old rubber ducks!!
Dr John F Leeds and Bradford MBC. ๐๐๐
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๐ What are peoples thoughts on the Frsky Tandem XE and Ethos
4 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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48 channels -- the mind boggles!! I suspect that I must be like most enthusiasts on the esteemed site - in rarely using more than three!
Each to his own, but possibly we are over complicating things here.
With best wishes. Dr John. F. Leeds and Bradford. MBC. ๐ค๐ค๐ค
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๐ฌ Re: Plans
4 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Hi,
I am pretty sure that Free Plans and a full write-up for the Cigarette fast electric model were included in a Model Boats magazine of a couple of years back.
The magazine's excellent website should allow you to ascertain the edition concerned and possibly buy a copy.
Failing that, I understand that Sarik Hobbies offer copies of most Model Boats Magazine plans.
With best wishes. Dr John F. Leeds and Bradford. MBC. ๐ค๐ค๐ค
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๐ Does anybody knows where is โMastmanโ?
4 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Hi Chugalone,
I am sorry to advise that "Mastman" retired and ceased trading a couple of years back.
This excellent trader was Mr Dave Watts who specialised in Thames Barges as well as tugs. I know that he still a leading light of the Association of Model Barge Owners site and forum (AMBO) -- so you may be able to contact him through such sites.
I used him quite a few times but all good things have to come to an end and he is simply no longer trading.
with best wishes Dr John F Leeds and Bradford MBC ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐
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๐ YMBC York Model Boat Club Regatta 11:00 - 16:00
4 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Ditto to Flaxbybuck's post. It was the third YMBC Open Day Regatta I have been to and every one was indeed a winner.
York are almost impossible to fault in being an extremely well-run model boat club. They have great facilities and are endowed with a wonderful and private sailing water in the remote East Yorkshire countryside.
Apart from a great day's sailing - to top it all I even won a super prize in their raffle -- it almost makes you tempted to move house!!
Dr John F. Leeds and Bradford. BBC. ๐๐๐
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๐ TEAM NZ GETTING READY FOR BARCELONA AT 50 KNOTS
4 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Wow!! A sailing hydroplane - clearly optimised for strong and steady winds. lane
Let's us hope they guessed the future weather conditions off southern Spain correctly.
Dr John F. Leeds and Bradford. MBC. ๐ค๐ค๐ค
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๐ Date line for old boats
5 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Hi Steven,
This seems a really good idea to support all collectors and\or buyers of old ex-kit boats.
Apart from the 2 magazine articles now listed, I would suggest that advertisements from (ideally) kit makers and if not from the larger hobby retailers would be a really good source of data.
Such advertisements are mostly gathering dust in the poles of old modelling magazines; now held by this forum's members and elsewhere.
These make really excellent reading for all sorts of reasons. They are totally irreplaceable and should not be discarded if at all posdible.
That means we should sell or pass them on to the modellers if the "big boss" at home invariably so insists!
With best wishes. Dr John F Leeds and Bradford. MBC. ๐๐๐
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๐ Other Functions for Model Boats
5 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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I indeed encouraged Flaxbybuck to add such a device to his newly- built schooner. This was after my scale motor sailer "Lockdown Dream" actually sank on another club's lake while leading a race!
Scale-Sailing models are at most risk here as their sail areas are proportionately far larger than on full size craft. What is more when water gets during gusts "over the side" it stays in and sinking becomes ever more likely.
My pride and joy was only saved at all because the lake was 18 inches less deep than normal - so just one inch of mast was out of the rather dirty water.
Quick-release bouys are therefore quite vital for such models. What is more they at are least desirable for power boats with insufficient built-in buoyancy to still float when totally waterlogged.
By collisions or from "towering seas"; I have seen actually other boats sink without trace.
For the sake of one cork and some fishing line, a securely tethered marker bouy is one simple extra feature that can indeed save your treasured model!!
Dr John. F Leeds and Bradford. MBC. ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ด
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๐ Edina Model Yach Club Annual Spring Breakfast
5 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Hi Dave,
What a great idea!! Even in the more temperate UK, I am sure that many model boat clubs suffer from a good number of members failing to participate at the lake after a long Winter.
A well publicised sailing and breakfast meeting would be just the thing to welcome the new season of boating fun.
With many thanks. Dr John F. Leeds and Bradford. MBC ๐๐๐ค
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๐ Thoughts on Spektrum RC units
5 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Hi All,
I too have an older DX5E so I have used Spectrum for 18 years in total.
Interestingly, I have exchanged the DX5E free of charge - twice- for a new one just by sending the faulty unit back to the Spectrum UK servicing centre with a polite note - and this was even after 5 years use!
With far cheaper FlySky gear you definitely won't get this superb after-sales service. By contrast FlySky are really great value and in 4 years continuous use, I have no complaints at all with this long range and very reliable gear.
Spectrum's UK Service Centre closed a couple of years back and we are now left with sending their faulty gear to Germany. Therefore, if I had to make a choice today I would definitely choose FlySky.
Hope this helps.
Dr John F. Leeds and Bradford. MBC. ๐๐๐
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๐ฌ Re: Graupner HMS Belfast 1:150.
5 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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A really ambitious project on a rather complex model. I shall watch this build with interest!!
Dr John F. Leeds and Bradford. MBC. ๐๐๐
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๐ Quinte Model Shipwrights
5 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Hi Westwind,
A small but very active club far far away to us UK modellers.
Nevertheless, your website is one of the very best I for one have seen. A really good example to us all.
Many thanks for posting!
Dr John F. Leeds and Bradford MBC. ๐๐๐๐
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๐ Fairey Huntress Long Cabin
5 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Hi Rod C
Many thanks for your post. Flaxbybuck had a point that I did not address his query directly, - - but that is because even with scale models we must consider models and real craft quite differently.
Faced with heavy "sticky" water and effectively hurricane force winds, our tiny models certainly sail in a "challenging" environment!
As Buck says, strakes are a separate matter; and I have yet to be convinced they are strickly necessary.
Nevertheless I think we all agree that either by good hull design or by additional strakes; our models must get out of the water and on to the plane to go fast. Otherwise all our wonderful power is just wasted in making a huge wash!!
Happy sailing.
Dr John F Leeds and Bradford MBC. ๐๐๐
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๐ Boat Fittings Supplier
5 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Steve at Model Boat Bits is really good at making special some prospects and bushes for all sizes of model boats.
Bryan at Mobile Marine Models is happy to supply excellent GF hulls and plans for all their models on request.
John. ๐๐๐๐
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๐ Boat Fittings Supplier
5 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง johnf (

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Hi Gregg,
Try Reade Models www.reademodels.com
Good luck
Dr John F Leeds and Bradford. BBC ๐๐
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