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RAF Fire Boat 34" Original Keil Kraft Kit
I purchased this unused very early kit at a car boot sale for ยฃ3.50!!!! over 30 years ago and laid the keel, bulkheads & stringers in the early 90's. It then went up in the garage loft until 2021 during lockdown when it was resurrected and work has progressed. I had been an avid aero modeller but that had been abandoned when I took up classic car restoration in 1994, so now I have more time on my hands I thought it would be a good idea to get this model finished. Even after all this time (kit over 50 years old) the ply and timber all in good condition with only minor delamination (surely a testament to kit suppliers of old) I have nearly completed the hull, decking and superstructure and trial fitted the propshaft and motor. I am struggling with getting the rubbing strakes right at the moment, planning to use steam bent 1/8" obechi and cyno glue with six pairs of hands!! I am planning to seal the hull and use aerosol spray paint. Father Christmas gave me a full set of deck fittings but that is a long way off. Also noticed a recent post about the Mid Thames Boat Club which is not too far from me, so planning to make contact and get a bit more advice. Really pleased I found this website as it helps a lot. I will keep you in touch with the progress Happy New Year everybody Pete
PeteJev
2 years ago
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Recent Posts
๐ Death of a member.
6 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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Colin my sincere condolences at your tragic loss, it must be a very hard time for you and your family my thoughts are with you.
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๐ฌ Re: Electric ducted fan Bluebird
9 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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Very impressive and stable even after a bit of turbulance.
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๐ฌ Re: MV Sarinda
9 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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Looking forward to the rest of the build. Great to see a historic boat being recognised. What scale are you building? All the best Pete๐๐
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๐ฌ Re: RAF Launch. Part5.Internal rebuild starts.
10 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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Hi Bill Hope all goes well with the hip. I note that your replacement bulkheads and lower decks are all in balsa instead of the original ply. Any specific reason for this or just that balsa is easier to work. All the best Pete
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๐ฌ Re: Finishing touches RTTL 2755 finally complete
11 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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Rogal amazing detail cannot do anything but admire your skills๐
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๐ Rttl2755 maiden voyage Video
12 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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Super video Rogal lovely boating pond you have. Can you tell me was the boat a kit or scratch from plans. If kit I would love for this to be my next project. Happy sailing Pete
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๐ Rttl2755 maiden voyage
12 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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A superb model one to aspire to. Please enlighten the uneducated what does Rttl stand for, the hull looks very similar to that of my Fire Boat is it in the family?
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๐ฌ Re: RAF crash tender refurb
1 year ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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๐ฌ Re: Update
1 year ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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Excellent video, good to see the perspective from water level it makes the video so much more realistic, the crew figures are really good and set off the model perfectly. I hope I can film my models like this.
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๐ฌ Re: RAF crash tender refurb
1 year ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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Excellent pictures they tell the full story. I hope my fireboat will be as good. ๐๐Pete
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๐ฌ Re: Success
1 year ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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Well done Neil they look great, I look forward to seeing them in action. You have beaten me hands down in the building process, I have just got my windows in!!!๐
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๐ฌ Re: Water test
1 year ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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I was chuffed when my FTB floated, I took advantage of a torrential downpour that gave me a temporary lake at the bottom of the garden. Since then I have glazed the boat and fitted the rudder and servo and the rear deck towing eye. Working on all the deck fittings at the moment. Must do the decals and white plimsole line. I plan to give her two coats of clear sealant. What did you use Norway it looks very shiny. Pete๐
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๐ฌ Re: Aerokits Fireboat
1 year ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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๐ฌ Re: Perkasa (SLEC Kit)
1 year ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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I like the finish you have achieved on the hull, well done. That big battery built in seems to be giving you a great performance. Any chance of some photos inside showing your set up. Lovely boat, I think it will be my next build after I have finished the RAF Fire Boat it has only taken 30 years so far!!!!! but getting close now. Pete
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๐ DUKW
1 year ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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Hi Guys - I visited the D Day Museum at Portsmouth this week and there is a DUKW on display there including amazing real footage of the landings. Well worth a visit if you are in the area. It gives real insight into the hardships and sacrifice the services went through on that day. Also not far away was the Tangmere Aviation Museum and in a display case there were two models of RAF Rescue Launches, HSL 2509 and HSL 2548 both built to a very high standard and detail. I wish I had more time to fully research these museums. Pete
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๐ฌ Re: Window fettling
1 year ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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Hi Neil - I am doing exactly the same job on my fire tender, using the SLEC windows and have been putting it off as it seems very fiddly. The forward cabin widows on my model were much too big and I have had to insert some infill pieces. Much appreciate the pictures it has helped significantly. I have painted the surrounds white, should they be aluminium colour? all the best
Pete
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๐ฌ Re: RAF Fire Boat 34" Original Keil Kraft Kit
1 year ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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Hi just to let you know I am still progressing albeit very slowly. I took advantage of a very large rainwater puddle at the bottom of my garden to check water tightness. All good and very pleased to see that it floated. I have just started to do the windows and portholes glazing and surrounds it seem to be taking an age. Enjoy the good weather Pete
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๐ฌ Re: Progress is being made
2 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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We are working in parallel !!! just painted my boat after trial fitting the gear. I have used what I had in stock but had a couple of mishaps with paint reactions. Lesson for the future do not mix paint types without testing. I found the black Hammerite very good and a reasonable finish. I will look forward to your updates - Pete
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๐ฌ Re: RAF Fire Boat 34" Original Keil Kraft Kit
2 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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๐ฌ Re: Re: RAF Fire Boat 34" Original Keil Kraft Kit
2 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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๐ฌ Re: RAF Fire Boat 34" Original Keil Kraft Kit
2 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
Master Seaman)
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Hi Duncan P many thanks for that additional info, that was a similar strategy I used for the hull skinning so I will try that again with the rubbing strakes. Have you any photos of the RC and motor installations as I have not yet decided on the locations of the kit. Also did you need to ballast the boat. Thanks Pete
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๐ RAF Fire Boat 34" Original Keil Kraft Kit
2 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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๐ฌ Re: RAF Crash Tender
3 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง PeteJev (
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