Model Scale 3/8"to the foot - Fell in love with hull design and just had to build it. Plans were from the book Sailing Trawlers by Edgar J. March Lent to me by Becky, Master of the Thames Barge Cabby.
Just a few photos of my first scratch built model. Although it is supposed to be a simple model to make (according to the plans) I am finding it to be quite a challenge.
I am sure my experienced Club members (CADMBC) will pass on advice when required. Ian
Thank you Frank, I have now added the facility for the false keel and also the prop shaft. Progress is slow as I am in the process of selling my Mothers flat and it is also pretty cold working in my garage at the moment. I will add a few more piccies as soon as I start to add the deck. Regards, Ian
these tugs are all 1/32nd scale the tug doing the main towing is a modified Cruiser kit, and the tug dragging on aft is a scratch built tug called the SIMLA she was originally built for wm watkins london and worked the Thames for nearly 80 years.
the model is electric powered with a 12 volt system, the tanker is 16ft long and has her own power as well (just in case). 😯
HI we sail at The Blue water shopplng centre,near Greenhithe in kent the tanker is in 7 sections and each section is held to the next with two steel pins.we don't tend to take it anywhere owing to the transport problem. Geo
The tugs are towing the chantry club 16ft towboat, the two tugs are 1/32nd scale scratch built with 12 volt motors, they are The Vanquisher and The Dhulia, both River Thames tugs and in real life could be seen working together at Thames Haven oil terminals towing Tankers.
The four tugs in this clip are all 1/24th scale and are scratch built,they are the Ionia, The contest, the cervia and The Atlantic Cock, in their real form they were all River Thames Tugs.all of the models were built within the last 11 years and are all still going strong. Unfortunately all of the real tugs are all scrapped now except for the Cervia , she is now preserved in Ramsgate Harbour Kent.
this is the Vanquisher, she was the first Diesel powered ship towing tug built for the thames in 1955.
the model is scratch built plank on frame, with 12volt motor, lights,and revolving radar.
HI Dave yes she is a rough representation of am old T2 type tanker. made of plywood in 7 sections each section is held to the next with two vertical pins through slots and brackets, she has her own power as well, she was made for towing around the lake we use at Bluewater shopping centre,I will put some pictures of her construction in the build blog pages for you, all the best george.
Hi" to all model boat builders. I thought I would add my new project to this fireboat website for all to see ! I bought this from fleabay as a total wreck. She is a rare Scratch built from a plan of a Walton Thames RAF ASRL launch at 36 inch long & 8 inch wide.took me approx 6 months to do the rebuild. Brush painted with 5 assorted colours with decals working lights ect.
Walton Thames is now running on a new Johnston speed 600 electric motor. 50 amp speed controller 45mm pitched propeller.A 6 volt at4.ah which gives good running time & good scale speed. Photos are taken at Eaton park Norwich England. Enjoy. 😊
My next project will be a 1950s Aerokits/Keilcraft Sea hornet. " So watch this space "
Thank you fellow model boatmen for your kind comments.
on my model boat builds
Yes it would be a very good idea for a build blogg on my next project . 😉 A Prestney
based on a Lesro kit of the MK21 Sun tug. This slightly later version was fitted with fire monitors for handling tankers in the thames esturary as well as normal docking duites of liners and freighters.
Fitted with a decaperm 3:2 geared motor and twin 12v 7amphr batteries, it can run for several hours, even when towing other boats around the pool.. Fog horn installed, lighting system, working decca radar, Illuminated map desk and decca unit on the bridge.
Thames fireboat gamma,stationed in london cherry tree dock about WW2 used in blitz raids.
Fibreglass hull,wooden deck,twin 550 motors,single working fire monitor,twin working spot lights,and nav lights.
Was a older display model now fully working but steam generator is a bit temperamental.only used at shows has been at Twyford water works open day recently.
Thames Fire Service fire boat,this has twin 540 motors,12v pumps(not working yet) and nav lights.Fibreglass hull with wood decks etc.
The model is quite old and has been a static for some time until it fell into my hands,the name Gamma on the bow.
Looks pretty much scratch built and a very good job whoever did it.
Sails occasionally at Gang Werily Fawley Hants.
This is another work in progress,hopefully we will make it to a fun-day maybe next year.
"Gamma' was a sister ship to the well known Massey Shaw fire boat the latter on which I served during the sixties. Both craft did trojan service during WW ll, Fb. Massey Shaw also took part in the Dunkirk Evacuations. Gamma was retired in the mid 50's, the company that bought her removed her pumps and converted her to a Thames Passenger Cruiser whereafter she plied between Greenwich and Westminster Piers for several years.
WOW! BRAVO ZULU! That's really cool that you gave her life. I have built static kits most of my life, but in 89, I built my 1st RC USCG MLB. I still love statics, but watching a boat (or plane) that I've built, actually perform like the actual craft is wonderful.
