This was a precedent 49 inch kit that I made during last year. I wasn't at all Impressed with the kit. The precut plywood parts were cut with knife blade tools and the tools were obviously past their sell by date. The shapes were very poor. if I make another kit I will make a point of looking for a laser cut hit.
Having said that I am pleased with the outcome.

Completed (nearly, still a few more crates needed) in July after a 2 year build on a Kingston Moldings hull. Not a scrap of plywood has been used, all made from Oak, Mahogany, Beech and brass. All fittings scratch built, boiler from Maccsteam in Macclesfield, engine TVR 1 A BB from Macclesfield model engineering supplies. Runs on 60/40 butane propane mix. Radio 3 channels used on Futaba 6EX 2.4 ghz set, 1 fo1 for fwd/reverse, I for steering.

This model of the tourist attraction in Liverpool a few years ago.Sadly after a couple of mishaps all four have been withdrawn from service. The model however survives. it was scratch built from photos and site visits by myself (Max Ferrie).There were no plans available. it is about 28inches long and roughly 1/12 scale.It was built almost entirely from plywood. As you will see from video it operates on land and water. it is six wheel drive using differentials on all wheels. When in water it is prop drive. it has two small electric motors for power, the wheel drive being very low gearing (too low really it goes very slow on ground). it was completed in 2010, and is filmed sailing at the portable pond at Toys For Boys in Waterloo in 2010. it has sailed at Hoylake MBC also.
It is powered by two 6volt 4AH batteries in series to give 12volts.

Following the legendary Keil Kraft Eezebilt plans for a Mermaid Ocean going boat. Plans exploded to 200%. Trying to build it completely out of Plywood and Foam Board.

OA Length 710 mm, Beam 180 mm. AUW 1.98Kgs.

She carries the name 'JAYSHIL". it is a portmanteau derived from the names of my late parents.

Model features working lights as prescribed by the international Maritime Authorities:

http://www.bosunsmate.org/seamanship/lights.php

In keeping with Rules 22 and 23:

http://www.bosunsmate.org/seamanship/rulesoftheroad.php#rule23

Brushed 550 motor, Reversible ESC, 2S LiPo, Turnigy Blue Prop, Working Lights and indigenous Sound Generator unit.

Video is available here: (you may need to turn down the volume a bit as the horn is rather loud)

I would welcome any queries and/or comments on this build.

Thanks and Regards,

VC

Owing it's origin to the RNLI lifeboats of the 19th century, the US Coast Guard 36'MLB saw service from 1900 to 1987. The USCG built over 300 boats of this class in various "mods" spanning it's life history. Constructed of wood and fitted with a bronze keel it was powered by a 4 cylinder engine later modified with a diesel motor. Early powered 36' boats carried oars and sails as auxillary power. My 36500 model was based on the famous Chatham Lifeboat Station in Massachusetts, USA. On Febuary 18, 1952 the CG 36500 rescued the 32 survivors of the tanker PENDLETON during a night time nor'easter storm. Without radio or radar the Coast Guardsmen found the stricken T-2 tanker in the blizzard, taking the crew off one at a time. With each pass of the lifeboat a tanker crewman climbed down a rope ladder and "fell" into the lifeboat. With all on board, the 36500 found it's way back to Chatham harbor much to the delight of the towns people and the Coast Guard! The most amazing fact regarding this rescue was that the 36 footers were only designed to carry 19 people, including the 3 man CG crew, without capsizing.
The model was scratchbuilt of balsa strips and aircraft plywood, using official USCG blueprints. Powered by a 6 volt motor and a 2 channel radio, the Chatham lifeboat is pleasure to run in my local pond.

HI " I thought I would put my biggest model from my collection for all to look at ! HMS Avenger took approx 3 years to build . " She is a type 21 frigate at 1/64 scale . At 6 feet long . Scratch built on a fibreglass hull from plywood plastic card & metal parts . Works on a six channel futaba skysport .
Full working red & white leds on deck and cabin , lynxs helicopter with working rotor blades with landing lights. Working radars, bofor gun , A ships whooping sound . Runs on two speed 700 motors off a 12volt gel sell battery which give a good 1hr sailling time . Controlled by a 50 amp speed controller with two brass propshafts behind good size rudders which give a excellant turn .
My model HMS Avenger is a copy from the real ship in which took part in the Falklands war in 1982. Painted in the same grey with a green deck . She looks great on display or on the water . Avenger gets a lot of interest from the general public . please enjoy looking at the photos shown at Sheringham & Eaton park Norwich Norfolk .
" thank you .. A Prestney

puffer scratch built made from old wardobe plywood
for the frames then plated up in thin ply like it would be when built looks nice in the water.

puffer scratch built made from old wardobe plywood
for the frames then plated up in thin ply like it would be when built looks nice in the water.

My Dad built this Fireboat 40 years ago, following the Practical Electronics magazine article. I watched as he built the plywood boat then built the discrete electronics; it was full of batteries but was great fun. I later fitted the 2-channel radio and then dad repainted it blue? its now time to give it some TLC and get it back as it should be.

Scratch built SDM MkII tug 1/48 scale.

Hull started out as polystyrene foam and plywood. Started July 29,2006 and in the water by Aug. 11th for sea trials. Detailed over the following 18 months.

The model is powered by 12vdc using Graupner Speed400-2.33:1 gear drive, and the small Graupner Schottel drives #1761. Separate ESC and Steering control for each drive.

The Lighting is 3mm LED cast into clear, or tinted, polyurethane lamps.

It sails the Pacific Northwest, USA, homeport Portland, Oregon.