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Vosper MTB 379
This model was built with the occasional help of my grandson. It was constructed from plan
mturpin013
1 year ago
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RIVER POLICE LAUNCH circa 1950
METROPOLITAN POLICE THAMES DIVISION RIVER POLICE LAUNCH circa 1950
MODEL BUILT BY MICHAEL P TURPIN 2021 TO 1:12 SCALE
FROM VINTAGE MODEL WORKS KIT
At this scale, the model represents a launch measuring 30ft in length and 8ft 9” in the beam. It is one of the standard types as built by Tough Brothers of Teddington, employing the partially diagonal planking system which produces a lightweight but strong hull. The engine was of sufficient power to provide an efficient speed of 12 knots in the tidal waters in which it operates. The cabin and seating has been designed such that it is possible to keep an all-around look out whilst on patrol, as well as an open stern area capable for carrying equipment and the recovery of bodies from the water. Operating from their headquarters at Wapping, London the River Police are responsible for law and order on the river. Previous to 1964, they patrolled the Thames from Erith to Teddington but subsequently this range was changed to cover from Dartford Creek to Staines.
The model has some construction differences. The hull is ply-sheeted and not planked, and has a box construction for the main internal space. The deck is planked using walnut, as are all its wooden fittings.
All metalwork and above-deck fittings are scratch built, the spotlight illuminates and the mast head carries flashing red & blue lights.
Power - Turnigy 3548 840KV out-runner brushless motor.
Electronic Speed Controller – Hobbywing Quicrun 16BL 30 water cooled.
Brass propeller -55 mm 3 blades.
Battery pack - Turnigy 2200mAh 3S 25C Lipo Pack.
Radio –Flysky FS-I6X 10 channel.
Main power switch is the steering wheel and has a dash board which is illuminated. The battery pack, which powers the main motor and the lights through a voltage reduction unit, is housed below the front panel
Receiver, ESC and steering servo are all housed beneath the rear seat and back bulkhead.
mturpin013
2 years ago
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Freeman 22
The Freeman 22 was a luxurious cabin cruiser built for the holiday trade. It was moulded in glass fibre in a choice of colours and had an insulated superstructure, with a double berth and two single berths. It was powered by an in-board petrol engine.
Length - 22ft
Beam - 7ft 6ins
Draft - 2ft
Cruising speed - 8–9 knots
Weight - 26cwt
Engine - Ford 105 E watermota with a 2:1 reduction gear on a flexible drive
The model of the Freeman 22 was a free plan given in the Model Boat magazine and was a project for my grandson who actively worked on all aspects of the build, the parts were all cut using a fret saw and trimmed with a sander and then built up on a building board. The hull is sheeted in ply as is the deck and superstructure. The hull was fibre glassed for additional strength and then painted using acrylic paints.
Length – 23"
Beam - 7"
Power – MFA Como 457RE540/1 brushed motor
Electronic Speed Controller – Viper Marine 15
Brass propeller 30 mm 3 blade
Battery pack – NiMh 9.6 V 5000 mAH
Radio - Turnigy Mini CH5 D/R
mturpin013
2 years ago
9 Attributes
12 Photos
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Crash Tender
A 3 year build It has a lot of working detail - Fire monitors, spot light/rotates, cabin lights, cantilever cabin roof, detailed cabin interior, smoke unit
a little more detail:-
Hobbywing Seaking 120A-V3 Speed Controller
Turnigy Aerodrive SK3 - 5045-660KV Brushless Outrunner Motor
Hobbywing Boat ESC Programming Card
9.6v 50000 mah Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) Battery Packs x 2
Later replaced for longer run time by
Turnigy High Capacity 5200mAh 4S 12C LiHV Pack w/XT60 x 1
mturpin013
3 years ago
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Freeman 22 Norfolk broads’ cruiser
This little boat was done for my 5yr old grandson alongside doing my crash tender. Its from a free plan issued in Model Boat magazine.
mturpin013
4 years ago
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Members Blogs
1 Post
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Planking the side panels
On the real boat the side panels are actually the inside faces of the planked hull and are angled at about 45 degrees, so to try and simulate this I decided to plank some side panels to fit down the sides of the lower deck, Once again I used some 0.8 mm ply as a backing. The backing sheets were cut to the shape of the box side which is tapered towards the stern, next I cut lengths of plank at random to mix the different shades and the ends are cut to 45 degrees so they can be set against the bottom edge when gluing, these are then laid on the backing sheet in position ready for gluing.
The backing ply is stuck to the building matt (which in turn is stuck to the building board) with double sided tape, this will stop the sheet warping when the glue is drying, it also allows me to fasten a piece of wood along the bottom edge to push each plank against and also to rest the angled “ply pusher” (see picture) against it to ensure each plank is at 45 degrees and is pushed up against the corking.
I work from a full length plank first to give a firm piece to push subsequent planks against, I will work from this plank to the right and then finish planks to the left. The process is quite repetitive – spread an area with glue just in front of the last plank then lay a strip of black card against that last plank making sure its covered in glue, then take the next plank and lay in the glue and using the angled “ply pusher” push the plank securely home, then remove any excess glue and repeat the process. This whole process takes about an hour to place all the planks in place, the side piece is then left to fully dry and the second side is prepared ready to glue.
Since the sides are planked with walnut timber its only right that the end sections are treated in the same manner to give a consistent look. For this I had already purchased some walnut veneer which I used on the motor housing. Pieces where cut to size for each end then the surfaces were coated with aliphatic glue and the veneer pushed against each end and pressed home using “ply springs” (bendy ply sticks)against a flat board. Once the ends are set I can then cut out the various apertures that were previously cut out for the wires, pipe ducts and fuse holders, these are carefully cut using taper cutters and small files.
There is a video clip showing my process, please forgive the background music and heavy breathing, it sounds like I'm on my last legs, it must be a very sensitive microphone on the camera
mturpin013
2 years ago
Recent Posts
📝 YMBC York Model Boat Club Regatta 11:00 - 16:00
22 days ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Regatta starts at 10:00 and goes on until 4:00 on Sunday 21st May
All are welcome to sail their boats, and we have club boats that you can have a go with.
Laytham Park Lake, YO42 4PS The post code gets you very near but coming from Foggathorpe go through Laytham about another half mile and the lake is on your left
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💬 Re: VINTAGE RUNABOUT,- NEW ACCESSORY
1 month ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Hi JB that really looks good you should be pleased with the result
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📝 20 Cabin front
1 month ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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💬 Re: Rc boat trailer/stand
1 month ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Have you tried sand blasting before painting?
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💬 Re: Rules & more Rules
1 month ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Sorry, but what is a balloon buster? its a type I've never heard of is it one of these?
Picture please😜
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💬 Re: 18 Dash board
1 month ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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The gauges are just pictures copied from internet, I then just use Microsoft Word to arrange them in the positions I want.
Then print them and finally laminate
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📝 19 Bow protector
1 month ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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📝 18 Dash board
1 month ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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📝 What Radio do you use?
1 month ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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I have 4 sets of Flysky FS-i6x using the extended number of channels (10) and they have been without fault and they are reasonably priced
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📝 Favourite homemade tool
1 month ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Simple devise for marking the cutting line when removing excess ply after skinning.
The peace of wood runs along the edge making contact with the chine and marking with the pencil the exact line to cut along
(sorry the pics are a bit out of focus I wasn't intending publishing them)
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📝 Battery Box and Receiver Cover
1 month ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Pictures are worth a thousand words 👍
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📝 YMBC York Model Boat Club Regatta 11:00 - 16:00
2 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Regatta starts at 11:0 and goes on until 4:00 on Sunday 23rd Apr
All are welcome to sail their boats.
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💬 Re: Building The Police Launch From The Wooden Model Boat Company
2 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Hi Greg what sort of paint are you using?
I'm still an advocate of cellulose, (a left over from spaying kit cars)
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📝 R/c switch for 6v-12v water pump for fire monitor
2 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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I used a similar switching devise for my Crashtender controlled via a single channel, mine was from Hobby King
PS
DuncanP has a tread on "R/c switch for 6v-12v water pump for fire monitor"
Please keep your comments to this subject otherwise Duncans question will get lost
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-receiver-controlled-switch-1.html |
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📝 End strategy
2 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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All sorted, my Grandson is a keen modeler so as far as I can see he will get everything
(not sure where he and his dad will put it all) maybe they'll move into my house.
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💬 Re: Pylon mast and getting some paint on
2 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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I had similar issues with parts for a friends aircraft carrier, I used 1mm and 0.5 mm brass wire and soft soldered the framework together, I may have a go with carbon fibre as I know he want some more making.
PS the centre mast is only a "prop" for manufacture
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💬 Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
2 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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A great finished craft, you should be really pleased with the result and looking forward to the maiden voyage.
don't forget pictures of the Maiden voyage.
Those seat cushions are really something else.
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💬 Re: Launch
2 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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That's some really nice bench work
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📝 What Paint Do Members Use?
2 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Sorry but I'm old school and still use cellulose, I find it the cheapest to buy in litre tins and apply with full size spray gun and a smaller top filler for the smaller jobs and finally an air brush for detailing.
I suppose it stems from spaying kit cars some years ago
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📝 17 Motor cover (completed)
2 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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📝 Adding to your own blog
2 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Is anybody else unable to add to their own blog?
I've contacted Stephen for help but Id be interested if anybody else is having an issue
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💬 Re: Revamping a Damaged Model Schooner for a Non Profit
3 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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You've made a great restoration always good to see new life put into a an old damaged craft.
I'm doing a similar job on my Inga IV
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💬 Re: Cockpit
3 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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I really like the mast lowering mechanism, I think Ill adopt that for my current build
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💬 Re: Huntsman
3 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Keep at it Nick you will get eventually and as for the quality of your build, everybody works to the best of their ability so don't criticise your own work, as long as you do your best you can't do any more.
However it looks good to me
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💬 Re: Motor cover
3 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Sorry for the repeat of this stage of the build, this was covered some 20 or so days ago, I will see if Stephen can delete it to keep continuity.
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💬 Re: Kitshack 28" Vosper 68' RTTL
3 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Some interesting detail, its coming along nicely, keep at it and keeping us informed of the detailed processes, we can all learn from a well detailed blog.
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💬 Re: Getting rid of the waterjet
3 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Glad to see the jet drive dumped
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💬 Re: Hallet SK Drag boat
3 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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Each to their own, I think some may think its crazy,😮 so what, some may think its fantastic,😁 so what, its if you are happy with it that's all that matters.😆
Personally I think its great, talk about "Pimp my ride"😜
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📝 Dumas dauntless
3 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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I used a twin prop set in my grandsons MTB
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📝 Orca
3 months ago by
🇬🇧 mturpin013 (

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That's a Beautifully detailed model, I'll look forward to seeing the detail of the build, there's always something to be learned by seeing others build, I only wish more members would detail their builds.
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