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Liked Question of the Day? 13 hours ago
Liked A little bit of luck 2 days ago
Liked A little bit of luck 3 days ago
Liked Gaff Rigged Bristol Pilot Cutter Autumn / Fall 13 days ago
Liked Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ? 14 days ago
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📝 Question of the Day?
13 hours ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave (
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PhilUK -
I had no idea of the answer (or even the question!) but I remembered someone saying the answer with the most words is usually the correct answer.
It wasn't!
I had no idea of the answer (or even the question!) but I remembered someone saying the answer with the most words is usually the correct answer.
It wasn't!
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📝 Double Jointed Universal Couplings
1 day ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Here is the link to the place I have bought metal couplings from. They aren't double couplings but it is easy to join a pair together with a short piece of suitable piano wire (or similar).
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📝 Double Jointed Universal Couplings
2 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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I've bought metal couplings that look the same as the one you have posted a picture of, I get them from ebay and they are definitely sent from the UK, usually arrive in a couple of days.
I'll dig out the link when I get back after our club's mid-week meeting at the lake.
I'll dig out the link when I get back after our club's mid-week meeting at the lake.
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📝 Question of the Day?
2 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Yes, I can see your point as well, but in theory, if not posting means no loss of points, there would be a temptation to hold on to a good position if you weren't sure about the answer.
I like to pit my wits against the daily question, and have to admit that at least half of my replies are a semi-educated guess. I know far more about model boats than I do about issues affecting full size boats. But i never check before submitting my guess!
I like to pit my wits against the daily question, and have to admit that at least half of my replies are a semi-educated guess. I know far more about model boats than I do about issues affecting full size boats. But i never check before submitting my guess!
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AlessandroSPQR
📝 Question of the Day?
2 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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But if that was applied, then as soon as someone reaches 100% they could stop posting and just stay there.
BTW - congratulation on reaching the top, please don't take my comment personally!
BTW - congratulation on reaching the top, please don't take my comment personally!
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📝 A little bit of luck
2 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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I haven't taken anything out of the box yet, and doubt that I would be able to fit it back in if I did! When I make a start on it, I will post plenty of photographs.
Meanwhile, here is a picture of the full size boat.
Interesting to see your take on a drumbeat, I played bass in various rock & blues bands for 50 years until arthritis forced me to stop.
Meanwhile, here is a picture of the full size boat.
Interesting to see your take on a drumbeat, I played bass in various rock & blues bands for 50 years until arthritis forced me to stop.
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hermank
Madwelshman
📝 A little bit of luck
3 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Ian L1 - there are very few model shops that still have proper shops to visit and browse through, and staff that know what their customers want.
I am fortunate to live less than 30 minutes drive from Howes models in Kidlington, and as a regular customer the owner lets me know if he has something he thinks I would like. Most are finished and ready to go, but some poor chap had died and left a loft full of unstarted models, his widow sold them to Howes and I happened to drop by at the shop soon after they had arrived. Nick knows what sort of models I like, and he was spot-on with the Drumbeat.
I am also very fortunate to have a wife who puts up my boats around the house (her dad was an aeromodeller, so she's used to it!), and far from saying 'oh no, not another one' she told me to go back in and buy it. I had to admit to her that I had already done so!
The kit is exactly as it left the factory, a real time capsule from the 90s, when the Drumbeat was the pinnacle of Model Slipway's range.
I also have two other MS models, a Sentinel and a Tsekoa - both bought second hand and in need of restoration. The Tsekoa was built by David Metcalf himself, so is definitely worth getting it back on the water.
I am fortunate to live less than 30 minutes drive from Howes models in Kidlington, and as a regular customer the owner lets me know if he has something he thinks I would like. Most are finished and ready to go, but some poor chap had died and left a loft full of unstarted models, his widow sold them to Howes and I happened to drop by at the shop soon after they had arrived. Nick knows what sort of models I like, and he was spot-on with the Drumbeat.
I am also very fortunate to have a wife who puts up my boats around the house (her dad was an aeromodeller, so she's used to it!), and far from saying 'oh no, not another one' she told me to go back in and buy it. I had to admit to her that I had already done so!
The kit is exactly as it left the factory, a real time capsule from the 90s, when the Drumbeat was the pinnacle of Model Slipway's range.
I also have two other MS models, a Sentinel and a Tsekoa - both bought second hand and in need of restoration. The Tsekoa was built by David Metcalf himself, so is definitely worth getting it back on the water.
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hermank
EdW
📝 Question of the Day?
3 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Glad I got it right then! I have always hated doing lines.
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📝 A little bit of luck
3 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Thank you for your kind comments. My wife is very supportive of my hobbies (she wasn't too unhappy when I had to give up riding motor bikes, though!) and said exactly what I was thinking about the Drumbeat - might be the only untouched example left. I would have kicked myself severely had I let that slip through my hands.
I'm currently building a Billing's Emil Robin, but that shouldn't take too long, though I have 'several' unstarted kits in the loft (and a few in the model room, three under the bed…), but the Drumbeat will be built slowly and carefully - no spare parts available!
I'm currently building a Billing's Emil Robin, but that shouldn't take too long, though I have 'several' unstarted kits in the loft (and a few in the model room, three under the bed…), but the Drumbeat will be built slowly and carefully - no spare parts available!
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hermank
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📝 A little bit of luck
3 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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I was out with my wife for lunch in Oxford today, and dropped into my local model shop on the way home to buy a couple of 385 motors & props.
I know the owner there quite well, and he often invites me to look at his latest acquisitions, and initially was interested in a Graupner SAR boat, but then he hit me with the news that he had a brand new in box Model Slipway Drumbeat of Devon that had just come in for resale.
This is a kit I had always lusted after - I used to be a member of the Hanworth model club and one of the members had a Drumbeat and I often saw it on the water.
After a short friendly haggle, he made me a decent offer, and I rapidly accepted it.
I took the motors, etc. I had bought and put them in the car and told my wife that there was a long discontinued model unstarted available. Bless her, she immediately said I should go and get it before someone else snaps it up. It was in the car and back home before I really knew what I had done.
The kit was genuinely unstarted, never even take out of the box. I think this one will be bumped up to the top of the building list, though I have just started a Billing's Emil Robin and want to get that on the water soon.
I also have a Model Slipway Tsekoa that I bought built but well used. After some investigation, it turned out to have been built by Dave Metcalf, so it will definitely be worth restoring.
I know the owner there quite well, and he often invites me to look at his latest acquisitions, and initially was interested in a Graupner SAR boat, but then he hit me with the news that he had a brand new in box Model Slipway Drumbeat of Devon that had just come in for resale.
This is a kit I had always lusted after - I used to be a member of the Hanworth model club and one of the members had a Drumbeat and I often saw it on the water.
After a short friendly haggle, he made me a decent offer, and I rapidly accepted it.
I took the motors, etc. I had bought and put them in the car and told my wife that there was a long discontinued model unstarted available. Bless her, she immediately said I should go and get it before someone else snaps it up. It was in the car and back home before I really knew what I had done.
The kit was genuinely unstarted, never even take out of the box. I think this one will be bumped up to the top of the building list, though I have just started a Billing's Emil Robin and want to get that on the water soon.
I also have a Model Slipway Tsekoa that I bought built but well used. After some investigation, it turned out to have been built by Dave Metcalf, so it will definitely be worth restoring.
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Madwelshman
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📝 Early Radio Control Experiences
6 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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As we are discussing radio gear, my first radio was an ABC mini sonic, 27mhz, super regen (meaning I couldn't use it if there was anyone else sailing within range). One button for left, right, and throttle. I bought it with help from mum & dad for ten quid from the Model Shop, Manchester. I think it was on Deansgate. We lived just outside Stockport at the time.
I made a plywood box (like a shoebox, but with a swept up bow), put a little mabuchi motor in it and saved up for a 6 volt lead acid battery. I used to take it to the lake at Poynton and was amazed that it actually floated and I could steer it around, though it was very slow, but I don't think I could have kept up with the steering at anything above walking pace.
I made a plywood box (like a shoebox, but with a swept up bow), put a little mabuchi motor in it and saved up for a 6 volt lead acid battery. I used to take it to the lake at Poynton and was amazed that it actually floated and I could steer it around, though it was very slow, but I don't think I could have kept up with the steering at anything above walking pace.
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📝 Fairey Swordsman Plans
7 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Was this the one featured in Model Boats June 1970?
If so, I have it in the loft, I'll get it out when I get back from the lake this afternoon.
If so, I have it in the loft, I'll get it out when I get back from the lake this afternoon.
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Madwelshman
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💬 Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
7 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Post moved to early RC experiences thread.
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💬 Re: Classic Model Power Boats
11 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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I agree, the boats I sail most often are between 2 ft and one metre (my Robbe Police Boat is almost exactly one metre) - anything under 2 ft gets difficult to see on the water, anything over one metre is hard to store, difficult to carry downstairs, and makes loading the car harder as well.
I think I'm starting to regret the untouched Sea Queen kit I've got Upstairs!
I think I'm starting to regret the untouched Sea Queen kit I've got Upstairs!
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Madwelshman
💬 Re: Classic Model Power Boats
11 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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I sold the large Crash Tender as it was simply too big for my modelling room. Having done that, I bought a Jotika Sea Queen kit, as yet unstarted.
The Veron Fast Patrol launch was nearly 4 1/2 ft long and no lightweight, but I was about half my current age then.
Big boats are great on the water, but a real pain to move around the house, especially with a model room upstairs and along a narrow landing.
The Veron Fast Patrol launch was nearly 4 1/2 ft long and no lightweight, but I was about half my current age then.
Big boats are great on the water, but a real pain to move around the house, especially with a model room upstairs and along a narrow landing.
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💬 Re: Classic Model Power Boats
12 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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I remember seeing adverts for the Hanseat, but have never seen one in the real world.
It's bigger than the larger Crash Tender, and when I had one of those, it took up far too much room!
It's bigger than the larger Crash Tender, and when I had one of those, it took up far too much room!
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📝 Tools
12 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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That works for me, too. I look high and low for a tool I know I have, eventually give in and buy a replacement. As soon as I have got it, I put it away, invariably next to the tool it was replacing!
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💬 Re: Original LesRo Sportsman Restoration.
14 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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I have used kitchen paper (the absorbent type) and heat to draw oil out of wood in the past. Something like a Solarfilm iron or similar could be the answer. Obviously, once the paper is oily it needs to be replaced.
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hermank
💬 Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
14 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Harry - that's a very useful snippet as I am building (very slowly between other projects) a Jokita Sea Commander at the moment.
I will definitely trim the keel back to be level with the lower skins as the evidence now appears conclusive.
Dave
I will definitely trim the keel back to be level with the lower skins as the evidence now appears conclusive.
Dave
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📝 When space runs out .....
15 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Try giving them 'cute' names, or even ask your wife to name them. She'll have a stake in their well being if she does that.
(I have to say that I haven't tried this myself, but please let us know if it works!)
Dave
(I have to say that I haven't tried this myself, but please let us know if it works!)
Dave
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📝 When space runs out .....
15 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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I'm fairly tight on space, but I do have a small bedroom that is exclusively mine and is home to most of my boats. I am planning to put up some more shelving soon to make life a little easier.
My wife quite likes the boats - I recently moved my Billing's Samson II out of the lounge and upstairs into my modelling den, and she keeps asking when it can come back.
It needs a little renovation, and once done, it will return to the top of the cabinet, next to my Boulogne Etaples.
My wife quite likes the boats - I recently moved my Billing's Samson II out of the lounge and upstairs into my modelling den, and she keeps asking when it can come back.
It needs a little renovation, and once done, it will return to the top of the cabinet, next to my Boulogne Etaples.
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💬 Re: Classic Model Power Boats
16 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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I saw that Sportsman, but decided against placing a bid as it seemed to have been used with an ic engine, and I don't enjoy reviving oil-soaked plywood!
It would also have added to the number of boats in the loft, mostly unstarted kits, but also a few awaiting restoration.
It would also have added to the number of boats in the loft, mostly unstarted kits, but also a few awaiting restoration.
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Madwelshman
💬 Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
16 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Interesting, I wasn't aware of the differences as I have only seen completed Sea Commanders and haven't been able to poke about inside any of them.
The cutouts in the bulkheads under the deck is puzzling, more work and no useful wood saved, so it could be to make running wires more easily, it is hard to think of any other reason just now. I suppose a small reduction in weight is a good thing, but in this case it is probably not enough to be noticeable.
The cutouts in the bulkheads under the deck is puzzling, more work and no useful wood saved, so it could be to make running wires more easily, it is hard to think of any other reason just now. I suppose a small reduction in weight is a good thing, but in this case it is probably not enough to be noticeable.
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hermank
💬 Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
16 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Hi Bob & co.
Here are a few pictures I took this morning of the Jotika kit of the Sea Commander that I started on New Year's Day 2023. Since then, I have done very little to it.
I have tried to show the area around the bow in case anyone can spot any differences between the Jotika version and the original Aerokits one.
The clamps are there to hold the parts in place while I get around to making sure they fit.
Here are a few pictures I took this morning of the Jotika kit of the Sea Commander that I started on New Year's Day 2023. Since then, I have done very little to it.
I have tried to show the area around the bow in case anyone can spot any differences between the Jotika version and the original Aerokits one.
The clamps are there to hold the parts in place while I get around to making sure they fit.
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💬 Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
17 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Good idea, Bob, I'll try to remember to take a few snaps when I am next upstairs in my modelling room.
Unfortunately, that will also reveal just how untidy it is in there!
Unfortunately, that will also reveal just how untidy it is in there!
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hermank
E8southport
💬 Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
18 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Yes, I expect he built his from the same kit I have spread out on my bench at the moment, the intention of my post was to save people wasting time looking for a Sea Commander on the Slec website.
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hermank
💬 Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
18 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Bob, I don't think SLEC have ever made a Sea Commander or Sea Queen kit. The pair that I have were made by Jotika.
Which is quite strange, as SLEC produces all of the smaller Sea series of Aerokits models.
Which is quite strange, as SLEC produces all of the smaller Sea series of Aerokits models.
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hermank
💬 Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
19 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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I am wondering whether the Sea Commander is being pushed beyond it's original design parameters. Looking at an early 70s Keil Kraft handbook, it is described as being suitable for free running or radio control, powered by 1.5 to 5cc engines.
Could it be that initially the keel was used as an aid to keeping the boat on a straight course for those who used it for free running, who may well have been the majority of those building it?
Another thought (I'll have to give up thinking) is that it might have been originally intended as a displacement hull, but built using flat sheets of ply for reasons of production which has made it look like a typical planning hull with chines instead of a smooth rounded displacement hull.
Could it be that initially the keel was used as an aid to keeping the boat on a straight course for those who used it for free running, who may well have been the majority of those building it?
Another thought (I'll have to give up thinking) is that it might have been originally intended as a displacement hull, but built using flat sheets of ply for reasons of production which has made it look like a typical planning hull with chines instead of a smooth rounded displacement hull.
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Madwelshman
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💬 Re: Classic Model Power Boats
20 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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About 35 years ago I bought a Veron Fast Patrol boat from a friend. I cleaned it up and repaired the damage it had sustained while laid up in my friend's loft.
At 52" length it was a pretty heavy thing to lug around, so I installed a large brushed motor and used two 12v lead acid batteries in series which helped it live up to its name. It was another victim of my clear out when I left the country. It was sailed many times on Black Park near Slough.
All this happened before the advent of digital cameras and mobile phones, so I have nothing but my fading memories of this impressive model.
At 52" length it was a pretty heavy thing to lug around, so I installed a large brushed motor and used two 12v lead acid batteries in series which helped it live up to its name. It was another victim of my clear out when I left the country. It was sailed many times on Black Park near Slough.
All this happened before the advent of digital cameras and mobile phones, so I have nothing but my fading memories of this impressive model.
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hermank
E8southport
💬 Re: Aerokits Sea Commander. Strange Handling ?
20 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)
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Thanks, Bob, I will build it with the keel and make the decision before the finishing.
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E8southport
hermank
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