My own design deep "V" hull with upper-works loosely to 1:15 scale replica of the Mitchell 31 boats previously used by various Hampshire constabularies in and around the Solent. The intention is to fit this model with a working, rotating, radar scanner using the servo motor and gearbox from an old video camera lens system; working lights including flashing blue police lights and a sound-alike "wee-wah" siren - just for the hell of it (and because I can)! Technical details: Hull length: 867mm. Construction: GRP layup with 1.5 and 3mm ply and balsa deck, cabin etc. Motor: MFA Torpedo 850. Propeller: X50mm plastic. Battery: 2 x three cell LiPo pack in parallel. Speed controller: Mtroniks Viper 25Amp. Radio: Hobby King 2.4GHz.
My son says this is way off a replica of the Solent police launches of that time: a) it moves too fast, b) it's not billowing black smoke, c) it's not making enough engine noise, and d) it's not towing half the Solent behind! 😀
HI fellow model leers.this is my latest model.Built in 1926' for the Ffyfe(bananas) family. Originally it was run on steam,but in 1939 converted to diesel,this was kept until 1957 when all the staterooms were replaced by cargo holds . She was then made into a feeder bringing eleven thousand boxes from Rotterdam to Southampton. She was scrapped in the seventies.my model of her was from 1926 the scale is approx 1/30th her length is 48 inches including bowsprit, and has a beam of 10 inch amidships. She is totally scratch built, plank on frame, all the decks are individually planked with black card in between , wheel house and all other parts are mahogany. She runs on a decaperm geared motor @ 6 volts, and the lighting system consists of 10 accommodation lights, port and starboard , wheelhouse, and both mast headlights,the large saloon skylight is also lit up with a set of disco lights on a separate circuit. The funnel houses a heavy duty smoke unit switched on by switching unit.
💭 Hi Chiefpurser, Stardust looks really good, did you have problems with buoyancy, and how much does it weigh, how do you transport and launch such a big model?
Looks a good pool, where do you sale?
HI thanks for the comments. No problems with buoyancy only 6oz lead to bring her upright, a bit tender but will be adding a further 16 oz of ballast before next outing. She will weigh 18 lbs. transport is not a problem back seat of the car. Lifting and lowering into lake with two strops. This is not really a big model. I have one at 58 inches. We sail in several locations in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. My next model is already on the stocks and will be a jet boat a bit like a super doper cabin cruiser, own design and scratch built as per stardust. Regards jim
Hi, this is Hercules 51" L 14" Beam was scratched built
12 years ago . it's powered by 2 robbie 1000 off a 12v
battery with a vantec ESC . it has a working fire monitor
2 sound systems with 2 -4" Kort Nozzels .
It is all planked by Cherry veneer deck and superstructure
It olso has working lights for the night runs.
I run this tug evry weekend for the past 10 years and it
still looks new . I live in Whitestone NEW York and I
belong to the Empire State Model Mariners Club .
Check us out at Empire State Model Mariners RC Groups
I am Band1.
just adding the little final touches and other small fixings. any tips on what sort of glue to use to fix all the small bolt heads around the rear deck main hatches? istarted the build last august so it has taken me 10 months to 99% complete the build including the Y boat,but still not had it in water yet but very soon
I've at last done something with my mystery Orange hull, featured earlier, whilst in St Lucia last year I saw a launch used as diving support with almost identical shape called 'KIKA' so that's what it had to be!
Power from an old 600 Johnson type motor with 7.5v battery and 20A ESC, with prop & running gear from my oddments box. Tried her at Mangerton Mill last week, she goes well but needs a more powerful ESC as 15A fuses blow at 3/4 power, also veneer deck has started to bubble - so work in progress really!
My model of Soclaine (MGS) Built in 1985. Trawler kit originally called le Zenith 1/24 Scale. My name change is in memory of our beautifull daughter who went to heaven just over four years ago. Anyhow model is beautifull on the water powered by Como MFA 919 Series Electric Motor.
All power is from a lead acid 12 volt battery,lights, running gear . Using a simple set up of two channel Planet T5 Radio.
I sail the boat at Rutherglen Boat Club Glasgow. The weight of this boat is really awesome and I kept adding lead untill it was nearly Impossible to lift,must be getting soft in me old age.. 👍 lol Deck crane is made from odds n ends and an addition..IAN
Dear friend Dennis
Your kind words mean so very much to us and we thank you most sincerely for such a kind thought..Yes our wee lass was truly the gentlest kindest human being you could Imagine..See her here http://cheryl.hamilton.muchloved.com
My fist at attempt not that great I know built from scratch using old wood from the garage cutting it into 1mm thick planks and double planking it and spliting 6mm ply to get 2mm, found some old veneer to do the deck,Powerd by two 480 electric motors 7.2.
Only had the bath test at the moment but hoping get on the water soon at Fariford leys Aylesbury
HI John, for a first attempt at scratch building that looks very good. The plan I built from had no info at all just line drawing of the out line three view, placement of the bulkheads and of course the actual bulkheads. You can see from my blog how I built the basic hull. But I have built and flown planes since 1968 and would shudder to think what I put into the air in the early days let alone the dodgy radio gear (reeds!) So keep trying it is all a big learning curve, Thanks for your input Brian
My little Hungry Sailor aboard AMELIE ROSE OF POOLE,
Scale model of a Scilly isle pilot cutter from the ITV series
THE HUNGRY SAILORS. She is scratch built 3/4 to 1 ft. The hull is fibre glass on balsa plank with OpepI Oak deck, shes powered by a 700 auxiliary motor and Lipo battery, can be seen at Boundery Water Park.
Scratch built in 2004 from my own plan. Two layers of planks on ply frames, ply deck planked with 3/8 1/16 strips. Length of hull 50" by 13" breath. No motor sail only, winch for main & mizzen, sail arm for fore sails. Featuers a centre plate lowered by gravity and raized be a drum winch, also an expanding rudder, this has two servos to opperate. sails can be reefed or removed depending on weather conditions. Very good sailer Just goes in my car with the top mast & gaff boom lowered.
Sorry for the delay Cap'n, please don't keel haul me. Have posted 2 sailing photos. Reefed right down in a blow & in a breeze. Close to rocks no problem. HAMMER.
Converted George Turner garden railways static boat for scenic layouts. 2CH RC with novel means of rudder/servo operation - geared via idler because of limited space.
Better than scale speed, a bit of fun and works well on very small through to large ponds.
Colour scheme references the bird of the same name.. Lots of cut outs to provide under deck access.
HI Capn. Jim,
I have a set of mouldings for one of these and was wondering what to do with it. What motor / prop / esc are you using ?. Have you any further photos. Would be very interested in any other details you can give .
John w.
There were several different versions using the same hull. Either way I think the conversion will be fine.
The prop is a standard item. I think I might have cut it down a bit but with the brass bush reused.
Receiver is a 2.4GHz Planet R6M (6gms MICRO 6CH) with a 1A Action ESC (with reverse). All housed in the forward cabin accessed through forward hatch (added by me).
Rudder control is achieved with a micro (cheap) servo tightly fitted into a styrene box below the stern seat. I attached a tube to the rear of this box to provide the axle for the idler gear. Nylon gears part of a standard set you see at trade fairs. Rudder an old KielKraft (1" wide and 1.5" deep blade). I've made the stern access in two parts the seat and a rear plate over the transom to ensure complete access to servo, rudder and gears.
I used a small old brushed electric motor from my 'come in handy box' on 6v. this drives a 25mm 3 bladed plastic prop via tubing universal joint.
A 4xAA pack of rechargeable cells is stored under the deck as close to CofG as possible and in a resealable bag. I can just remove it if required through a deck amidships. The main deck is planked and non-removable.
The switch and charge point is mounted by the helm and easily accessble.
All up weight is 295gms. Freeboard is fine even when a little choppy and she is quite stable. I was going to put a cover over the cockpit but have not found the need.
I do have some more photos and will try an upload them. Good luck, this was a very satisfying conversion and I still enjoy her as a quick an easy boat to prepare/handle/carry and operate.
This model was scratch built from US Coast Guard plans. The boat is constructed of balsa wood and the hull coated with fiberglass resin. All the deck gear is scratchbuilt from brass, the propellers, led's and figures are the only commercial parts. Scaled at 3/4=1 foot the model measures 42 inches in length.
It's powered by a Pittman 12 volt motor and controlled by a 4 channel radio. Working features are running and spot light, siren with flashing blue light, sweeping radar antenna and deck lights. Built in 1985 the model the lifeboat is accurate in appearence for that time period.(The prototype has been modified since).
The actual lifeboat is attached the the Coast Guard's Motor Lifeboat School at Cape Disappointment and is one of four boats of this class.
Well, it took 24 years of "on again-off again" building but now its finished. I started the model the day we put the CAMPBELL in commission(I'm a plankowner) in 1988.The model measures 6 feet in length and is scaled at 1:48. The entire model is scratchbuilt from wood (hull, superstructure, deck) and few commercial parts were used. it's powered by two Dumas 12 volt motors as a direct drive system. I had hopes of adding working features such as lights, rotating radar antennas, articulating gun, working anchor but I was just happy to get it finished! it will probably make at least one run at the lake come springtime but the models ultimate "homeport" will be a museum, at 6 feet in length(and 40 pounds of ballast) it's a bear to handle just to get it into the car for transport. Still, I'm happy with the results, it was a model of a lifetime(but I'd never build another one like it)! 😉
Time well spent and the end result justifies the time taken. Please let us see some pics or even a video on the water before you berth in the museum 😀
I know the feeling re large heavy models but on the water they look so magnificent. 😀
Looks fantastic and what an achievement. I agree with Dave, it would be great to see some action shots before you 'retire' her to a museum. My heaviest boat is 25lb and I don't like carrying that any distance! She doesn't bounce about though.
