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Billing Boats Boulogne Etaples
This is a boat I was lucky enough to be offered when I was visiting Black Park lake near Slough with my daughter. We were taking it in turns to sail my Billing's Samson II when a pleasant chap asked if would be interested in buying the Boulogne Etaples he had with him. It had been built to a very good standard by a friend of his who had since passed away, and he had been asked to dispose of his models to people who would appreciate them.
He wanted only a token sum, plus my word that I'd look after it. There were several local club members there who had been trying to buy it, but I discovered they were mainly interested in putting it on ebay for a tidy profit.
The model spends more time on the shelf than it does on the water as the detail work is quite fragile, but when I do take it out, it attracts a lot of attention due to the fine detail work of the original builder.
I have since bought a kit for the same model, simply because I get fed up with telling people that I didn't build it when they inevitably ask whether I did.
The attached photos show the detail work (taken in my 'workshop') and the on the water picture was taken at Hinksey Park in Oxford.
Oxford-Dave
26 days ago
8 Attributes
10 Photos
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Model Slipway Tsekoa II
This model was bought ready built just over a year ago, since when it has been stored in its transport box waiting for me to have time & bench space to restore it to its original condition.
I have started and sold on two of these in the past, the first had very little done to it before I sold it when I moved abroad, and the second was some ten or more years later, which was sold when I moved back to the UK.
I am attaching some pictures in the hope that someone will recognise it and know its history.
The model was bought from someone near Southampton, but he hadn't had it long and didn't know much about it.
The wooden box and display stand are well made and the stand has Dave Metcalf's name on it, so I wonder whether this was one of Model Slipways demo models at some time.
If any of this looks familiar, please let me know. I am always interested in the history of the models I 'rescue' and restore to working condition.
Oxford-Dave
1 month ago
3 Attributes
1 Photo
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Graupner Glasgow paddle tug
This model is one I have wanted for years, but I thought I'd never find one after Graupner folded.
However, I found this on ebay and it was only a little over an hour's drove to collect it (I couldn't imagine the damage a courier would do to a boat this heavy & fragile).
On getting it home, I replaced the radio with one of my own, and took it to the Oxford Model Boat Club's regular Sunday morning meeting. It floated well and at the water line, and the paddles turned, but far too fast. The 6v lead acid battery was refusing to hold charge so it was replaced with a NiMH.
On checking the boat over when I got home I found it to be completely dry inside, which was a relief, and on checking the motor it was an MFA geared 540, with a ratio of 2.5:1 at the output shaft, which then drove the paddles through a further 3:1 geared reduction.
After a little thought, I drove over to my local model shop (Howes) and bought two more MFA geared 540s, one at 11:1 and the other at 6:1. I decided to fit the 11:1 first, and next time out with the new motor and a good 6 cell NiMH pack, the Glasgow performed perfectly. Much easier throttle control with the higher gearing. The boat makes headway even when the paddles are revolving so slowly that I can see each individual paddle.
The boat needs a bit of attention to the details, but that will be done over the winter.
Overall, it was worth waiting for, though I am sure I'd have appreciated had it fallen into my lap earlier.
Oxford-Dave
1 month ago
6 Attributes
3 Photos
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Billing Boats Samson II
I originally bought the kit and started to build a Samson II over 30 years ago, but I sold it unfinished when I left the country.
So, when I returned to model boating a few years after returning to the UK, I snapped this up when I saw it on eBay.
My timing wasn't the best, as I had to drive from Oxford to Cannock the day after Boxing Day 2018. The model was in fair condition, but had a pair of fairly high kv brushless motors turning racing props - hardly appropriate for a harbour craft!
I spent a week or two removing the shafts (they were at the wrong angle) and changing the motors for a pair of brushed 385s.
The model has seen plenty of time on the water, and is still in use.
Oxford-Dave
1 month ago
9 Attributes
4 Photos
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Robbe W3 Police Boat
This is my most often sailed boat - it looks great on the water and has a fair turn of speed. I bought this from an estate sale and re-motored it six years ago, and since then it has seen more time on the water than all my other boats combined.
It's looking a little rough now, due to the use it has had and because it was attacked by an angry swan which flew across the pond and jumped on it!
Oxford-Dave
1 month ago
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7 Photos
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Deans Marine Motor Gun Boat
I bought the Dean's Marine kit of the Motor Gun Boat from Harrow model shop in the early 90s. I set to and built it without any problems, and it was soon on the water. It was a lovely model to sail, both at my home water (Black Park, near Slough) and at the various open events I took it to over the next 2 or 3 years. Sadly, I sold the model when I moved abroad in 1996.
Nearly 30 years later, I still missed that boat, so bought another kit at Dean's Marine Christmas open day a couple of weeks ago.
I plan to get it finished ready for the better weather of the late spring.
Quite a few of the cast resin & white metal parts in the kit are in the process of being replaced by Dean's with 3D printed versions, and I am looking forward to preparing them to fit the model.
I am attaching a few pictures of my first MGB, the static pictures were taken in my daughters' paddling pool, the action shot was taken at Black Park.
Oxford-Dave
2 months ago
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Members Blogs
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Model Slipway Tsekoa restoration
I bought this boat second hand about 15 months ago, built and supposedly ready for the water, but although the exterior looked good, the shafts were rusted into the shaft tubes.
The model came with a transport/storage box and a display stand. I have discussed the model with Dave Metcalf (formerly of Model Slipway) and sent him some pictures and he has told me that it is one that he built - so this model is definitely worth returning to the water.
Other than minor cosmetic issues, the prop shafts and tubes are the only issue. I have removed one without any collateral damage (not easy as DM had installed them very thoroughly!) and have made a start on the second.
I now have to decide what to replace the shaft tubes with - the underwater fittings and the hole in the hull are for 8mm tubes, so my choice is limited. The de-luxe option is a pair of Raboesch prop shafts & tubes - but at a price - ยฃ120 for the pair, or I can use the simpler but equally sturdy tubes from Model Boat Bits, who have supplied the majority of the prop shaft assemblies in my other boats and all function well. The cost for a pair of these complete with oilers is ยฃ32.00 - quite a difference.
As this is not a high powered or fast vessel, I am inclined to go for the latter option and save myself nearly ยฃ90 in the process. As a pensioner, I do not have unlimited funds available.
Does anyone have any other opinions on my choice? It is a lovely model with an interesting provenance, but I suspect that the MBB shafts will be good enough - the model was originally fitted with similar shafts.
Oxford-Dave
13 hours ago
1 Post
1 Follower
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Deans's Marine 63' ASR restoration
Thirty plus years ago I built a British Power Boats co. Motor Gun Boat from the Dean's Marine kit, and sailed it all around the south of England at various shows. I sadly sold it when I was moving abroad, but never forgot the great little boat.
Last December, I was shown a Dean's 63ft ASR (same hull as the MGB both in model and full size versions) which the oxford model boat club was selling as it had been donated in order to help the club raise funds.
The motor (540), ESC and rudder servo plus Tx & Rx were removed by another member of the club and a little money changed hands.
Got it home, and started working on it. Obviously, I needed to replace the drive and radio components, as the prop shaft and stern tube simply fell out when I picked it up - I think it was held in mainly by the motor coupling!
The coaming around the deck edge had definitely seen better days and was held together but patches of plasticard. I moved the entire coaming and replaced it, with a light wooden strip to help it sit against the edge of the deck.
I then turned my attention to the stern tube. I had a spare of the same size (bought a while ago from Steve at Model Boat Bits) and set about removing the mass of filler that was intended to hold it in place. Once the filler was removed, a rather large hole was revealed.
At this point, I visited Dean's Marine for their Christmas open day and bought a second MGB kit, as I still wanted to replace my old one and also because the dimensions for mounting the prop shaft, etc. were the same for both the MGB & the ASR.
I have followed Ron Dean's advice and added an inner stern tube support as a precaution. Just a piece of 1/8th ply held in place with microballons and cyano.
Two months or so later, I now have the ASR hull ready for the final placement of the battery tray & radio gear, which shouldn't take long. I will then make a start on its sibling the MGB.
Oxford-Dave
14 days ago
Recent Posts
๐ฌ Re: Model Slipway Tsekoa restoration
10 hours ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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Good sensible advice, DG. I have just bought a pair of 8" long. 8mm OD (very mixed measurements!) shaft tubes from Model Boat Bits having found an unused couple of 4mm shafts of the correct length.
Managed to get the second 8mm tube out of the hull with very little damage.
There doesn't seem to be much to do once I've got the drive set up other than to install the radio and work out the best way to set up the bow thruster.
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๐ Model Slipway Tsekoa restoration
13 hours ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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I bought this boat second hand about 15 months ago, built and supposedly ready for the water, but although the exterior looked good, the shafts were rusted into the shaft tubes.
The model came with a transport/storage box and a display stand. I have discussed the model with Dave Metcalf (formerly of Model Slipway) and sent him some pictures and he has told me that it is one that he built - so this model is definitely worth returning to the water.
Other than minor cosmetic issues, the prop shafts and tubes are the only issue. I have removed one without any collateral damage (not easy as DM had installed them very thoroughly!) and have made a start on the second.
I now have to decide what to replace the shaft tubes with - the underwater fittings and the hole in the hull are for 8mm tubes, so my choice is limited. The de-luxe option is a pair of Raboesch prop shafts & tubes - but at a price - ยฃ120 for the pair, or I can use the simpler but equally sturdy tubes from Model Boat Bits, who have supplied the majority of the prop shaft assemblies in my other boats and all function well. The cost for a pair of these complete with oilers is ยฃ32.00 - quite a difference.
As this is not a high powered or fast vessel, I am inclined to go for the latter option and save myself nearly ยฃ90 in the process. As a pensioner, I do not have unlimited funds available.
Does anyone have any other opinions on my choice? It is a lovely model with an interesting provenance, but I suspect that the MBB shafts will be good enough - the model was originally fitted with similar shafts.
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๐ฌ Re: Model Slipway Tsekoa II
2 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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I have made contact with Dave Metcalfe and having seen the pictures says it is one that he built and later sold - so I have something a little more interesting than just an attractive well-built model.
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๐ฌ Re: Deans's Marine 63' ASR restoration
6 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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I am not sure what years these were in use, as my reference books are focussed on the motor gun boats and motor anti submarine boats. Most of the British Power Boat co.'s 63ft boats seem to have served from 1940 until the end of the war.
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๐ฌ Re: Deans's Marine 63' ASR restoration
6 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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That's a great picture - and the best part is that my model has the same angle and forward part of the hull out of the water at full speed.
I will try to get some action pictures of my ASR at speed soon,
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๐ฌ Re: Deans's Marine 63' ASR restoration
6 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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Today I have adjusted the prop shaft to allow a small amount of extra fore and aft movement, and spent an hour or more looking for the programming card for the ESC without success. I had it only a week or so ago when I set it up, but it has vanished completely. In the end, I changed the ESC for another, and I now have full power reverse, essential for stopping in a hurry (such as the concrete bank of the pond suddenly jumping out in front of my boat).
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๐ฌ Re: Deans's Marine 63' ASR restoration
7 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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As is the way with these things, having spent time on and off for the last month or two, last night I realised there was nothing left to do but try it on the water.
I took it to my club's water in Oxford, and after a test float with the battery in it which revealed it was floating close to the water line and didn't leak, so it took a lap or two around the pond, after which I checked for water ingress and found it completely dry.
I then spent the next couple of hours enjoying the realistic performance from the ASR with its 2836 1000kv brushless out runner and 2 cell 2900 mah lipo.
Great boat on the water, and a good looker as well.
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๐ฌ Re: Emile Robin
10 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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Looks great - I made a start on mine a couple of years ago, put it back in the box to make space and haven't taken it back out - your pictures inspire me to keep going.
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๐ Robbe W3 Police Boat
10 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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Well, despite reattaching over half the deck to the hull, after two hours on the water this afternoon there was just as much water in the boat as usual.
Looks like I haven't found the source of the leak yet, so I will investigate further tomorrow.
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๐ Robbe W3 Police Boat
12 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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I was never a BBC reporter, but did work for BBC TV News for quite a few years in various roles (really).
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๐ Robbe W3 Police Boat
12 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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I have had my police boat on the water almost every week since I got it in early 2019. The motors have been changed a couple of times, and it has been a joy to sail.
In the last few weeks, I noticed that it was taking on between 20 & 80 ml of water during an hour or two's sailing. Recently, the quantity of water in the hull has been increasing (I remove it with a large syringe, so can see how much was in there), so I decided to check and seal the stern tubes and rudder tubes. Very little, if any, difference was noted.
This morning, I put the model on the bench to check the stern tubes again, when I noticed there was a slight gap between the hull and the deck. On further investigation, the deck was completely detached from the hull for the first third of the boat's length, and a further long split was spotted along one side in the rear third of the hull.
I suspect that the damage to the forward third was caused by my over-enthusiastic ice breaking, but the damage further back is probably the result of the boat being attacked by an angry swan last summer. I wasn't bothering the swan in any way, in fact my boat was simply sitting on the water and not underway when the swan raced across the water, half flying, half paddling and jumped on the model.
I thought I'd repaired all of the damage, but obviously not. The deck to hull joint may have been weakened by the swan and only recently separated, but I have now repaired it.
As the hull and the deck are both moulded from ABS I was able to use a solvent and simply applied drops by brush while holding the parts together.
I hope to sail the boat again tomorrow, and hopefully won't need to syringe the water out this time!
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๐ Question of the Day?
12 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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Same question, but a different set of possible answers. I suspect the quiz bot thinks we're all too old to notice. It may well be right!
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๐ Deans's Marine 63' ASR restoration
14 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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Thirty plus years ago I built a British Power Boats co. Motor Gun Boat from the Dean's Marine kit, and sailed it all around the south of England at various shows. I sadly sold it when I was moving abroad, but never forgot the great little boat.
Last December, I was shown a Dean's 63ft ASR (same hull as the MGB both in model and full size versions) which the oxford model boat club was selling as it had been donated in order to help the club raise funds.
The motor (540), ESC and rudder servo plus Tx & Rx were removed by another member of the club and a little money changed hands.
Got it home, and started working on it. Obviously, I needed to replace the drive and radio components, as the prop shaft and stern tube simply fell out when I picked it up - I think it was held in mainly by the motor coupling!
The coaming around the deck edge had definitely seen better days and was held together but patches of plasticard. I moved the entire coaming and replaced it, with a light wooden strip to help it sit against the edge of the deck.
I then turned my attention to the stern tube. I had a spare of the same size (bought a while ago from Steve at Model Boat Bits) and set about removing the mass of filler that was intended to hold it in place. Once the filler was removed, a rather large hole was revealed.
At this point, I visited Dean's Marine for their Christmas open day and bought a second MGB kit, as I still wanted to replace my old one and also because the dimensions for mounting the prop shaft, etc. were the same for both the MGB & the ASR.
I have followed Ron Dean's advice and added an inner stern tube support as a precaution. Just a piece of 1/8th ply held in place with microballons and cyano.
Two months or so later, I now have the ASR hull ready for the final placement of the battery tray & radio gear, which shouldn't take long. I will then make a start on its sibling the MGB.
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๐ Question of the Day?
14 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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I just answered today's question, but when I hit return the questions (and answer) were completely different.
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๐ On my bench...
16 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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Pictures to accompany the previous post, showing that the stern tube is fixed firmly in place and the hole in the hull has been filled and awaits a coat of paint.
All in all, it's coming together OK.
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๐ Midhurst Model show
16 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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I don't remember ever having any instructions. I think my Meccano was bought second hand. I just made up things to build. Some worked, some didn't.
Pretty much the same as my modelling, though I usually buy kits with instructions these days.
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๐ Midhurst Model show
16 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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I miss my Meccano set, I have no idea where it disappeared to or when, but it must have been about 50 years ago. All those lovely metal plate and strips, and all those nuts and bolts. Like most young boys, I spent hours lost in a wonderful world. I learnt a lot from Meccano, and still mourn its loss.
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๐ On my bench...
16 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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The model has made some progress since I tacked the stern tube in place, the tube is now properly fixed with glass-filled resin (polyester) and the motor mount likewise. Only a few more hours of work required and the ASR can return to the water. I'll add some pictures after breakfast!
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๐ Midhurst Model show
16 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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I last went to the Midhurst show over 30 years ago (I was living abroad for quite a few years after that) but am hoping to get there this year. My wife has a friend who moved there, so I can take her along and gain a few brownie points!
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๐ Ice Breaking
24 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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I am happy to report that having replaced the ESCs in the Robbe Police Boat, it was running perfectly yesterday.
I have issued the crew with strict instructions to avoid showing off by breaking ice in the future.
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๐ฌ Re: Billing Boats Boulogne Etaples
26 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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Roy - Yes, the Hanwell club was small in numbers but big in characters! Small chap with a gravelly voice could well have been Les. Last time I saw him was at Black Park on the day I was there with my daughter and took on the custodianship of the Boulogne Etaples. I hadn't seen him for years as I had been living in Finland, so I asked him if he remembered me coming to the lake with my little daughters. Oh yes, he said - and then I reintroduced him to my elder daughter who was then a tall slender blonde in her early 30s. He could hardly believe so many years had passed.
Yes, you had the Aeronaut Victoria from me last year when I became frustrated at the lack of space I had/have in this house. I hope to see it on the water sometime. I still have an unstarted Aeronaut Queen which is probably going to remain unstarted as it is a fairly big model to store once built. The same applies to the Sea Queen kit, also unstarted. Too easy to tap a few keys on the laptop and a few days later have another large box to accommodate!
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๐ฌ Re: Billing Boats Boulogne Etaples
26 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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Thanks, Roy - I was never a member of the Black Park club, but sailed there as a member of the Hanwell club.
I'll definitely try to make it to your club's exhibition, so long as it doesn't clash with something else I've already agreed to do.
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๐ Billing Boats Boulogne Etaples
26 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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This is a boat I was lucky enough to be offered when I was visiting Black Park lake near Slough with my daughter. We were taking it in turns to sail my Billing's Samson II when a pleasant chap asked if would be interested in buying the Boulogne Etaples he had with him. It had been built to a very good standard by a friend of his who had since passed away, and he had been asked to dispose of his models to people who would appreciate them.
He wanted only a token sum, plus my word that I'd look after it. There were several local club members there who had been trying to buy it, but I discovered they were mainly interested in putting it on ebay for a tidy profit.
The model spends more time on the shelf than it does on the water as the detail work is quite fragile, but when I do take it out, it attracts a lot of attention due to the fine detail work of the original builder.
I have since bought a kit for the same model, simply because I get fed up with telling people that I didn't build it when they inevitably ask whether I did.
The attached photos show the detail work (taken in my 'workshop') and the on the water picture was taken at Hinksey Park in Oxford.
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๐ Ice Breaking
27 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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It seems that my enthusiasm for ice breaking was unfortunate, as one of the ESCs in my Robbe Police Boat has refused to run in reverse since. I suspect that trying to use the props to pull it back into the water when it got stuck on the ice has overloaded an ESC. The boat uses one for each of the two brushless motors and I use differential motor control for docking manoeuvres and for other modeller's boat rescues.
I had a message from a clubmate last night to ask if I had had any problems with the mix as I gave him the settings and he is using it in a town screw boat. He described the problems he is having and they are identical to those I am currently trying to cure. The set up in my boat has worked faultlessly for 3 or 4 years of regular sailing.
I plan to test and re-test the tx mix, the rx and each of the ESCs and motors again to try to find where the fault lies.
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๐ On my bench...
27 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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I have spent most of the day trying to get a pair of ESCs that will work together in my Robbe police boat having damaged one of them when playing ice breakers recently.
Having failed to find any in my various boxes, I decided to get back to the ASR.
I had left the new shaft tube strapped in place and secured it with micro fibres and cyano. It was firmly in place and lined up with the centre line of the hull.
As the picture shows, the original builder had been more than generous when cutting the hole for the tube to pass through the hull, so tomorrow's jobs will include a good helping of glass fibre filler to make good the area around the shaft and also to reinforce the rudder tube.
I need to wait until the morning as I'll have to work with the windows open to minimise the smell of the resin, so best done while my wife is out.
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๐ On my bench...
29 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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Today my bench has been occupied by a Dean's Marine 1/24 th scale ASR (Air Sea Rescue) which I bought cheaply and ready to run from the club I am a member of. Within ten minutes of buying it, the radio, motor & ESC had been sold to another club member, so I took the non-functioning boat home to start work on it.
As I turned it over, the prop shaft and tube fell out. What I had hoped would be a quick clean, new motor and radio, and back on the water the following weekend.
My first task was to replace the coaming for the superstructure, which I finished this morning.
Over the last few weeks I was struggling to line up the new prop shaft (not helped by the large hole in the hull), but it was only today that I realised that the rudder had been mounted off centre.
Rudder hole fixed with cyano and microfibres, then re-drilled in the correct place, the rudder tube fixed in place.
Next, I established a true centre line on the hull and have tacked the prop tube in place with another dose of microfibres and cyano.
I'll be out at the club pond tomorrow, but hopefully can get the shaft tube firmly fixed in place later tomorrow or on Monday (the joy of retirement!).
No pictures as it is a bit of a mess, but should be back on the water in a week or so.
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๐ On my bench...
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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Hi Michel - they look exactly like the parts I buy for my boat stands. I put my first one together about a year ago after someone turned up at the Oxford club with a stand made with these.
I've been making do with just the one until now, in a week or two when the paint/stain is completely dry, I'll have a total of five.
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๐ On my bench...
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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NeilW - I would never get away with that! My modelling has to be done in a small spare bedroom as we do not have any outbuildings here. Unlike my previous house which had three or four outbuildings, at least one with insulation and electricity load on in the three acre garden.
Mind you, when I sold up in Finland and moved back to the UK, I was stunned at the difference in house prices.
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๐ On my bench...
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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No matter how big or small my bench is, I always end up working in about one square foot of it, and spend far more time looking for tools than actually using them.
I suspect that's the same the whole world over!
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๐ On my bench...
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford-Dave (

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I have spent most of my free time over the last few days putting some new boat stands together. They use the adjustable supports from HA kits and the bases are made from B&Q pine shelving and 1" square pine strip.
All glued & screwed together, I made one a year ago, but decided I needed more. I thought it made sense to make a small batch rather than one at a time.
They just need staining now, and the carrying rope passed through the holes I drilled in the strips under the base, then the rubber feet put on.
Also shows a typical modeller's messy bench!
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