IMAI CHEBEC (Xebec) – 1/80 Scale Plastic Sailing Ship Model
Rare Vintage Japanese Kit – Long Out of Production

This model was built from the highly regarded IMAI No. B-296 CHEBEC kit in 1/80 scale. Produced in Japan many years ago and now long out of production, this kit is considered one of IMAI's finest offerings and has become a rare collector's item.

IMAI was famous for the exceptional quality of its molds and engineering. Although this is a plastic kit, the parts were molded with such precision and detail that they convincingly reproduce the appearance of a finely crafted wooden ship model.

The Chebec (or Xebec) was a fast and elegant Mediterranean vessel used extensively by Barbary corsairs during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its sleek hull, pronounced overhangs, and distinctive lateen rig make it one of the most beautiful and exotic sailing ships ever designed.

This model is fully rigged and armed with:
• 20 deck-mounted cannons
• 20 swivel guns
• Detailed anchors, yards, spars, and standing and running rigging

One of the most striking features of the kit is the elaborate decorative carving along the port and starboard bulwarks and across the stern. To highlight these intricate ornaments, I carefully hand-painted every detail using my finest brushes.

The flags were custom made from the lead foil wrappers found around wine bottle corks. After flattening the material, I hand-painted the Algerian corsair designs and shaped them to appear as if they were fluttering in the wind, adding a dramatic and highly realistic touch to the finished model.

Additional features include:
• Ship's boat mounted amidships
• Ornamental stern gallery with gilded relief work
• Open deck grating and finely detailed deck furniture
• Hand-painted decorative motifs throughout

Even after many years, this remains one of my favorite builds. The combination of IMAI's superb engineering and the unique character of the historic Chebec resulted in a model that captures the grace, power, and mystery of the legendary Mediterranean corsair vessels.

DUTCH POWER" | Shallow Draft Anchor Handling Tug / Utility Vessel
Classification / Flag: Machinery / Performances: Flag / homeport Dutch, Zierikzee Bollard pull 45,1 tons Year of built 2009 Max speed 12,5 knots Classification Bureau Veritas Main engines 2 x Mitsubishi S16R-MPTA I ✠ HULL ✠ MACH Tug Total output 2.340 kW = 3.182 BHP Unrestr. Navigation AUT-UMS Propulsion Twin fixed propellers in nozzles Class valid up to 2024 Diameter propellers 2,10 meter, Van Voorden Call sign PBTZ Bow thruster 340 kW IMO number 9547879 Generator sets 2x Mitsubishi 6D 16 T MMSI number 246607000 Generator power 2x 120 kVa Hydraulic powerpack 1x Mitsubishi S6A3 MPTK 600HP Dimensions: Length O.A. 31,10 meters Deck Equipment (running on biodegradable lubricant oil): Beam / width 9,50 meters Winch Maaskant Waterfall Winch Depth at sides 3,10 meters Towing drum Pull Force 45T, Holding F. 90T Draft (min. – max.) 2,60 – 3,10 meters 700 meters x 42 millimeters Air draft (min. – max.) 9,50 – 16,0 meters Anchor handling drum Pull Force 60T, Holding F. 120T Gross tonnage 257 GT 400 meters x 42 millimeters Net tonnage 77 NT Working wire 1x 400 meters, 42 millimeters Deck cargo cap. 3x 1 TEU Tuggerwinch 2x 8 tons on aft. deck Clear deck area 108 m2 Towing pins, wire catcher Delta pins Wire catcher Cargo deck load 15 tons per m2 Push bow Rubber Fender 900 mm Stern roller 4.840 mm x dia 700 mm Tank capacities / Transfer: Moonpool Dimensions 700 mm x 700 mm Fuel oil / gasoil 112.000 liters Incl. David crane for lifting Fresh water 31.000 liters Situated portside midships Lube oil / Dirty oil / Sewage 2.650 / 2.650 / 12.720 liters Main marine deck crane HEILA HLRM 200-4SL Fresh water generator 3,5 m3/day Maximum lift capacity 9,0 tons at 16,31 meters Transfer of fuel oil 35 m3/hr Transfer of fresh water 35 m3/hr Navigation & Radio: 2x Radar, Echo sounder, V-Sat, AIS, GPS, Autopilot, 2x Compass, Navtex, SART, EPIRB, 2x VHF, SSB, CCTV, 2x Inmarsat-CF & GMDSS Sea Area: A1, A2, A3. Accommodation: Facilities Airconditioned, 8 bunks (5 crew) Passenger transfer 15 P.O.B. (incl. crew max. 24hrs)

The History
The Düsseldorf fire-fighting boat was developed and built by the Rheinwerft company of Mainz-Mombach, and it is operated in the Ruhr industrial region of Germany. The vessel is designed specifically to cope with disaster situations, such as a ship on fire, a major oil leak or a harbor system in danger of explosion, and its fire monitors, operating at a pressure of 10.5 bar, can hurl water or foam 145 feet high and a distance of up to 310 feet. The two V-12 engines produce a total of 930 kW (1260 BHP), giving the boat a maximum speed of around 23 mph.

The Model
The Romarin kit of the Düsseldorf fire-fighting boat is large and capacious enough to accommodate all the equipment required to emulate the wide-ranging facilities of the full-size vessel. Optional working systems include the fire monitors, crane, anchor winch, radar, searchlights, blue light, horn and siren, and also the sound of the diesel engines. The plastic hull is moulded in thick-walled material, and it offers plenty of space for the numerous mechanical and electronic parts required for the auxiliary working systems. The model is propelled by two proven MAX Gear power systems, giving it an impressive turn of speed. Four large rudders guarantee extreme maneuvering capability both forwards and astern. The fire monitors can be swiveled horizontally and vertically from the transmitter, and with the recommended electric geared pump they can fire a jet of water a distance of 20 feet. If a working boat crane is fitted, the vacuum-moulded rowing board can be raised, swung outboard and lowered to the water in true scale style.

The TD SR12 receiver is equipped with a triple antenna (2×2.4G & 1×900M) design that provides multi-directional wide coverage for the remote signal and is designed for RC users who want to benefit from resilience and long-range in their radio communications.
TD SR12 also provides a socket that can be used to connect the NFC Switch panel to enable the built-in Power Switch function. Dual-power provides a safe and efficient way to power the system with your power sources connected via a pair of standard XT30 connections. The dual-power consumption system is designed to operate in balance mode, where it consumes the power line from either power source depending on which has the higher voltage. With a built-in black box module, the data (Power & Signal related) under unusual status during the flight can be recorded by TD receivers.
The configurable 12-channel ports are a big feature of TD SR12, each channel port can be assigned as PWM, SBUS, FBUS, or S.Port. With the FBUS protocol, the Tandem series receivers can open up the possibility of seamlessly pairing with multiple telemetry devices (Neuron ESC, Advance Sensors, etc.) as well as simplifying the builds setup.

HMS Exploit is an Archer-class (or P2000) patrol vessel of the British Royal Navy, built in Woolston by Vosper Thornycroft and commissioned in 1988.[1][2] She is assigned to the Royal Navy Coastal Forces Squadron, carrying out a range of activities both in the U.K. and overseas.
The ship's company consists of a permanent staff of the commanding officer, two senior rates and two junior rates, but can take up to twelve students with training officers usually embarked when conducting navigational training. Whilst at sea, students are able to put into practice navigation and seamanship skills they have learnt in the classroom during weekly training nights. These include chart planning, acting as Officer of the Watch, using the ship's radar and carrying out seamanship evolutions from anchoring to securing alongside. Instruction is given in engineering, firefighting, damage control and ship handling. The ship is based in HMNB Portsmouth.
Operational history

Royal Naval Auxiliary Service
XSV Exploit was originally ordered for the now defunct Royal Naval Auxiliary Service (RNXS) and had a distinctive black hull like other RNXS vessels.
On 19 March 1994, a serious machinery space fire occurred on Exploit approximately 30 miles off Lundy island as she was being transferred to Portsmouth from Greenock as part of the managed run down of the service by RNXS crew. The Padstow lifeboat and the RAF SAR Helicopter from Chivenor, were scrambled, and a tanker on route to Milford Haven was diverted to help, but were not needed. The fire was later attributed to a major mechanical failure of the starboard main engine, resulting in a large hole in the sump casing. The fire spread quickly to the air ducts, igniting various rubber coolant pipes causing thick acrid smoke.[3]
Royal Navy
In June 2017, Exploit, in company with HM Ships Smiter, Ranger and Archer, deployed to the Baltic to take part in the NATO BALTOPS exercise, the first time that Royal Navy P2000s have been involved in such an exercise.[4]
In the early 2020s, Exploit, along with other Archer-class vessels, was given a more operational role as part of the reconstituted Coastal Forces Squadron. In early 2024, Exploit and three of her sister ships deployed to northern Norway as part of the NATO exercise "Steadfast Defender".[5]

TRACKER DUNDEE PILOT BOAT
FORTH Ports, the UK’s third largest port group, has placed an order for two new pilot boats to join their fleet working on the Rivers Forth and Tay. The investment in the vessels to work on the busy waterways will see the arrival next year of the next generation of pilot boats built by Holyhead Marine.
Pilot boats are important vessels on the river as they transport maritime pilots to the ships that need guided safely into port through the lock gates in Leith and Grangemouth, to a berth at a quayside in Dundee or Rosyth or to one of the deep-water anchorages in the River Forth. As the statutory river authority for the Forth and Tay, Forth Ports marine team operate over an area of 280 square miles of navigable waters.
The two pilot boats have been designed in Scotland by Camarc Design and will be built this year by Holyhead Marine in Wales. The pilot boats are 16.6 metres long and are the most advanced boats in operation with an updated hull design and engines offering increased efficiency. In the future, the engines would be capable of operating on HVO fuel (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) which could result in a C02 emission reduction of up to 90%. [**NB: further tech info is listed below]
Alan McPherson, Chief Harbour Master for Forth Ports’ Scottish operations, said: “It is important that we invest in our marine fleet to deliver the best service for river users and at the same time, decarbonise our vessels using the very latest engine technology. The Rivers Forth and Tay are two of the largest and busiest waterways in the UK with thousands of vessels using the rivers each year, ranging from very large offshore drilling rigs in Dundee, to container vessels heading to Grangemouth and cruise liners sailing into both rivers. We look forward to receiving the new pilot boats next year.”
Forth Ports currently has 5 pilot boats and 11 tugs operating across the River Forth and Tay.

Perhaps not a boat, but no pond is complete without one of these gems.
This lighthouse is fully remote controlled.
The lamp rotates at 12 rpm allowing a flash of light every 5 seconds.
A 5kg weight is mounted under the island and winched down to the bottom of the dam to anchor the island. The winch is powered by a 6V Ryobi Cordless Screw Driver's gearbox and motor.
The Fog Horn is operated by a 9V motor with a counterbalance causing a vibration inside the tower, amplifying the sound effect of a steam horn.
It's built at 1:35 scale and stands 80cm tall.

I have taken the old wooden hatch cover off to find out what was inside there was something that moved around when you tilted the boat found the end of a hand made brass anchor and the remains of some sort of leaf or plant the joints are sealed with tar the inside has been carved out i find it very strange that the two items were sealed up inside i think it is very old possible the 1900

A US Navy ARS ( Auxiliary Rescue Salvage ship), built to 1/48th scale. Twin screw with working radar, lights, anchor, and fire monitor. Built from a bare hull, with a lot of Thanks to Shapeways 3D printed parts. She is shown, at anchor, with a friend USN ATF ( Auxiliary tug Fleet) in the back ground.

The robbe odin. 45 " long working anchor. .stern winch..radar..lights..water cannon.. 16cl deisel engine sounds..smoke..lights..driven by a power 1000 motor

When in Australia I was taken by the history of HMVS Cerberus, whose hull is now a breakwater in Port Philip Bay. After a lot of research on the internet I decided to build a model of it. it is not totally accurate as I could find no definitive plans. Therefore most measurements were made from photographs and guesstimates of scale from sailors in pics. it is radio control but not, as yet, tried out; still one or two items to be completed: eg mast & anchors. Update all but finished anchors and various
bits and pieces of deck fittings to be placed. New phot shows where we are. The partial print showing below is a painting of HMS Caroline in dry dock. Spent fives years in the RNR here in Belfast on board her.

Completed cabin equipping and crew aboard, operating rc anchors winch waiting for calm see to launch (no lake or pool nearby! Sic!)

Completed cabin equipping and crew aboard, operating rc anchors winch waiting for calm see to launch (no lake or pool nearby! Sic!)