Working on this idea for a bit more refinement on the exhaust smoke idea. Graham mentioned these timers were worth a look, so I purchased a few from Ali Express for about 90c each. They work well for an off/on set-up but not quite as well for an on/off set-up. They are variable from 0-12 secs and have a lot of possible uses. I was trying for a puff of smoke at start-up (which in my application works in conjunction with the twin sound units (HSL and ST) and this initial test seems to work ok (bit of refinement with timing and air pump speed required yet). Already have the smoke going well but there's always a little morsel to add (ref Mr Creosote)

I'll be using the small 5A voltage regulating bucks in the models (the ones shown are just for testing) with one 2s LiPo running 2 regs,- one for pump, and one through the timer for the smoke pen. You can see the timer working with no input from the TX in the vid, When fitted, both will be switched on/off simultaneously with the solenoid 'latching' power on/off, circuit (thanks to Graham for the layout) using the left stick.
JB

my fleet, think i need a bigger pool happy with the lights and now the proud owner of an aziz will post pics of it later .smit rusland Southampton little tug ,yewgarth ,fairmount alpine ,pacific brigand, pilot boat all tested and running very well

Piper2 is another free lance design from Buxton Model Club Member Dean Ratcliffe. Piper2 is a Car Ferry /Landing Craft.
Audio commentary from Dean.

More photos in Model Boats Website - https://model-boats.com/
- "Boat Clubs & Lakes" - "Buxton Model Boat Club"

"Juno" is Bunkers Tanker, another free lance design from Buxton Model Club Member Dean Ratcliffe. Audio commentary from Dean.
More photos in Model Boats Website - https://model-boats.com/
- "Boat Clubs & Lakes" - "Buxton Model Boat Club"

Miss Sophie is a Freelance design " Motor Tug " built by Buxton Model Boat Club Member Dean Ratcliffe. Audio commentary from Dean.

More photos in Model Boats Website - https://model-boats.com/
- "Boat Clubs & Lakes" - "Buxton Model Boat Club"

Broadsword was a Herring Drifter / Armed Trawler from Buxton Model Club Member Dave Cole.
Audio commentary from Dave.

More photos in "Model Boats Website" - "Boat Clubs & Lakes" - "Buxton Model Boat Club"

💡Scratch built from plans. Plank on frame. Large brushless motor,150 amp esc,length is54 inches custom made propshaft ballraced at each end and middle. Has running lights,and large very bright searchlight. Flack Mats were made by better Half. Everything else was scratch built by myself.

RC Sailing :- Thames Barge - Sail Colours ?

A visual aid to just help decide on possible colour scheme for your Thames Barge .

" Elsa ", is a steam dredge barge built by Buxton Model Boat Club member Dean Ratcliffe.
She is roughly 1.24 scale, approximately 43 inches by 8 inches and is made from recycled and up cycled materials wherever possible. She has a single rudder and propeller, powered by a single motor from a drill, and two 6v lead acid batteries. She is a totally freelance design.

Buxton Model Boat Club member Dave Cole displays here his 1960`s "Aerokits" model Huntsman 31 .
Further information on the video commentary.

Robbe WindStar - owned and sailed by Barry who is a member of the Buxton Model Boat Club.
Listen to video commentary for more details .

As a follow-on to Grahams' comment on our latest collaboration on a smoke pulsing 'capacitor driven' device, we thought it was time to 'chuck it out there' and see what you think. I saw the vid on the guys warship with the very fancy gun smoke system a while ago and thought there must be a simpler way than the sophisticated and technical way he did it.

Having done press setting in my early days, I remembered that a big press we used to set had a hydraulic capacitor which helped get the ram moving (pretty much what electrical capacitors do for motors etc) I started with a common party balloon with no container and knew Graham would be interested, and it progressed from there. As usual, Graham has done a fancy bit of electronic control on his, with solenoid and timing and has it working nicely.
(just received my new solenoid which I will be adding in due course)

Balloon is stopped from filling by a micro switch to the air pump and air is released by solenoid at whatever timing you need (depending on how well your smoker can keep up). If the system has no leaks, the 'capacitor' can hold air indefinitely, ready for use, and will re-fill automatically, (pump only runs to re-fill) This idea can be modified to suit anything (guns, exhaust startup and run, steam to simulate steam whistle etc) Balloons of all shapes can be used eg -(long thin sausage balloons could be fitted inside a tube if space is an issue).

With a good air pump, the 'capacitor' will fill quite quickly and some good pressure can be achieved.
JB