Here is my partial build model of the Frederick Mistral. The kit was made by Anfora and for some reason they call it "Duna". What stopped me from continuing was the rudder control. This was via a chain that ran on both sides of the deck just inside the gunwale. This ran from the pilot house back to a cam like arm on the rudder post. there were a series of pulleys along the inside of the gunwale to keep the chain in place. My problem was that I could not find a small chain that could withstand the tension. I made a lot of corrections/modifications to it following photos of the real tug. This included many new/replacement parts that I had 3D printed by Shapeways. They are shown in the last three photos. This is an interest tug *(the historic original is still floating on the Danube River) and I wish I could finish it. Lew

My "Scale Model Boats" (and tanks... and more) web site is http://lewsmodelboats.org It goes into a lot of detail on my model boats, tanks, R/C, 3D modeling, 3D parts, tips, and beyond, including many photos and links to videos. Along the same line, I have YouTube channel "eymccauley" (American Civil War naval officer) link: https://www.youtube.com/c/eymccauley/videos where you can find videos of scale model boats, tanks, club meets here in Florida U.AS.A.) and more.

As weird as it sounds I just can't seem to see a model boat go in the trash. In this case, you can see the derelict model in the first two photos. It's not very fast and has a low freeboard. I decided to have some fun with this one - the photos are evident as to what I did. (1/12 scale.) Lew

Disclosure: First off, these are not my models, but that of the "Old Navy" Steve Lund and Bill Hathaway. I had the pleasure of meeting them in 2007 at the Monitor Center at the Mariners' Museum in Virginia, U.S.A. At that time I was involved in Civil War reenacting (role as a U.S. navy officer) and we were all participating at a special event. The "Old Navy" guys brought a trailer loaded with 1/35 scale R/C ironclad models. I am putting together this information in case others are interested in building a Civil War ironclad, and need more information. I thought I had more still photos of the models but these are all I found. The video shows many of the models. [Sure, the U.S was not the first country to have an ironclad but did have the first battle between the in March 1862. Between the north and the south about 66 ironclads were completed during these four years. Some quite simple and others quite out of the norm. If you want to build a U.S. ironclad check them out - the variety is amazing.] The first photo is the full scale replica (hollow) of the U.S.S. Monitor located behind the museum. The second photo is that of Steve (right) and Bill (left), middle person is unknown. They are standing in front of an accurate reproduction of the Monitor at 1/35 scale. It an R/C - powered model. The remaining photos are close-ups of the Monitor model. So here is my video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMnEmFW0XPk The video is a bit old but I think you get the idea. Steve and Bill made an excellent book, 'Modeling the Ironclads" which is available at: https://thenrgstore.org/products/modeling-the-ironclads . However you can preview it or print this out yourself you can download it at: https://walternelson.com/ironclads.pdf ps. I was going to build a 1/35 scale Monitor but got side tracked while searching for a way to make thick, black smoke which I could not find and this project eventually gave way to building other models.

Well, we all started somewhere! My first model boat (not including inexpensive model kits as a kid) was the Sterling kit, "Emma C. Berry." I had planned to R/C it including glassing the hull, but never got that far. So jumping forward to the next model I scaled up that little Standard oil tug kit "Despatch No. 9". I scaled it up to be 42 inches long and about 35 pounds in weight. Made mostly out of planked balsa with fiberglass covered hull it was not well done with many imperfections but from 10 feet away it looked good. Back then (early 1970's) there was not too many components available for large R/C scale models especially here in Florida, the "boonies" back then. I used a automobile heater motor for the drive and a servo driven three position switch for the speeds (low, medium, high) with power resistors. Another servo driven switch for forward, stop, and reverse. The radio was a four channel Heathkit that I had to build up. Power came from a 6V motorcycle battery. I enjoyed this boat for a few years. I bought the Graupner Schnellboot "Wiesel" in London in 1975, started it, but it took another 35 years before I finished it. Is that a record? Now the old tug sits up high on a shelf where it gets little notice. It reminds me to think about how the finished boat should not look. (Even the "S" on one side of the stack is up-side-down.) To make matters worse, I added some expanding foam 😮 under the deck for floatation - oops, needless to say I got more camber to the deck that I really wanted. Lew

What do you do with a boat hull that nobody wants, not in good condition, and not realistic looking? Build something different! This boat was the model for a "Balloon Boat". OK, this was a competitive one design boat where each boat had a balloon tied to the stern and a long prick on the front. The object was to puncture all the balloons and the last boat remaining with a balloon inflated was the winner. This was the prototype from which a mold was made and fiberglass hulls were produced. Now back to this boat... As you can see this hull has a weird shape and not built for speed. However it is very stable. By tearing out the guts and adding a Kort nozzle with a five blade prop yet trying to keep a "scale" appearance, this boat became the SSMBC's rescue boat. All it needed was a yoke to catch the disabled boat. Simple electronics, a stable platform, good power all makes for a good rescue boat. So far the record push for this boat is a 60 pound whaleback freighter.

This boat kit was started by buyer and passed though many hands until it finally reached me. Before starting I looked at the history of the PT-61. In the middle of WWII it was converted to a gunboat along with PT-59 & PT60. Trying to gather information took a long time before being able to start construction (which involved de-construction by the original owner). This is a heavy model but runs like the real one would because of all the armor, guns, and ammo on board. Yes, the real PT-61 did have two 40mm Bofors and sixteen 50 caliber BMGs. All three motors work, the outer two run through ESCs and the center one has a servo driven switch running forward only on another channel

This Springer (Jo Ann) is my third Springer build, I made it for my son. It is based on a real truckable pushboat but one that I saw within about 1,000 feet from where we operate our model boats (Lake Seminole Park, Florida). To get the real one in the water it had to pass the pond within a 100 feet of the road. I took a lot of photos of it from the shore and planned out how to build the model.

Ah, the "Skeleton Crew" Bill E. Bones! This Springer obviously has a comical theme. Unfortunately it is kind of top heavy and wind is its enemy. I will probably make an alternate structure for it. Bad planning!

Looking for a fun boat? Take a look at the Springer type tugs. Zipp Kits is one manufacture that makes the Springer easy to build and inexpensive. You can easily scratch build on yourself. I bought four of these. At 18 inches long they are small and "turn on a dime" and can be quite quirky like trying to ride a wild horse - a lot of fun. You can build them in almost any style (above the deck) from looking like a real truckable pushboat (like this model) to something completely zany. Let you imagination run its course. If you follow the regulations/specifications, these boats are meant to be "one-design" that is from the deck down there as rules and dimensions that apply so the boats can compete in water sports and racing. This one is base on a real pushboat that I found on the internet. The cabin can rise up thanks to some old inkjet printer parts I save a while back.

Want to build a barge to go with a Springer tug? Modular barges are truckable, that is they can be brought to a site, unloaded, fastened together to make a larger barge or bridge of almost any configuration. The real ones come in several sizes, 10 X 10, 10 X 20, and 10 X 40 (feet), X 5 feet high, are the most common sizes. A variety of accessories can be added. Mine is actually one barge scored to look like four 10 X 20 barges tied together. It is made out of wood (34" sides, ends, X 1/4" top and bottom with some weight added internally.

This is a scratch build inland waterways (U.S.) towboat, often called a push boat. (Not based on any real boat.) It has two motors individually controlled turning props in Kort nozzles plus four flanking rudders and two regular "barn door" rudders which gives it exceptional control, just like the real ones. It just loves to push barges!

Bought this little model (about 18 inches long) wanting to motorize it. It took some time figuring out all of the electronics and getting the components to fit in the little compartment. It runs great as long as it is not too windy.

One model boat I would never thought of buying/building was this one. It was partially built and got a good deal on buying it. With the double ended boat which gives great handling, and the multiple details of a fishing trawler, it is a boat that has a lot of appeal. I downloaded a number of photos of the type of trawler on England's east coast. Re-worked the hull a little as well as the rigging, added many details, lighting, etc. I like to run it when the wind is not too high.

This model was given to me by the original owner. It was about 80% complete but in "not so good" condition. It was partially working and I think the builder was frustrated with the multiple functions required. After looking at the model I realized that the kit manufacturer (Robbe years ago) design the kit after the real boat back in 1965. In 1979 it was lengthened and otherwise modified and the model bears little resemblance to the real fire boat as it exists today. This is my current project (September 2022). Photo descriptions (starting from top left): 1 - As received 2 - Real Dusseldorf FLB-2 (original length) 3 - Real Dusseldorf FLB-2 (extended length current 2022) 4 - My hull extended 5 - My superstructure frame (fwd) 6 - My superstructure frame (aft) 7 - My superstructure frame (side)

I partially built this boat, set it aside for a few years, the restarted it after the internet was available. That prompted me to do some research which resulted in me back-tracking and making major changes through completion.

Overhauled/modified and a lot of details added. Upgraded to an 8 channel RC Spektrum radio and two ESCs.