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Full-size Plan The World’s

worth £12.50 Best-Seller!
August 2015 Vol.65
No.777

GET ON BOARD
www.modelboats.co.uk

WILDCAT
53 1:12 scale
Models by Design
full semi-kit review

SPEEDLINE
MODELS
Deep Dive VII revisited

DRAGONFORCE!
LING GROUP

Joysway RG65
FREE
MODELLING

radio controlled
MODELL

ABOMA N!
PLOARTH
W model yacht
a traditional £12.50 comprehensive
1930’s diesel tug review £4.75
Model
The

PO BOX 104
Dockyard
MGB77. 71.6ft BPB 1:24 920mm
73ft Vosper Type 1 1:24 scale 965mm
£243.01
£252.20
Louis Heloise 1:10th French Bautier.1025mm £23.50 Rudder assembly 45mm long x 30mm wide £4.95 Lime Strip 0.6 x 4mm x approx 1 metre long
Lime Strip 0.6 x 5mm x approx 1 metre long
£0.38
£0.41
Bronnington. minesweeper 1:100 465mm £107.18
Harold Underhill Plans Raboesch Brass Propellers Lime Strip 0.6 x 6mm x approx 1 metre long £0.44
Redruth MTB 488. B.P.C. 71.6 MTB 1:24 920mm £272.63 Cutty Sark Clipper Ship 698mm £29.54 Brass Propeller (A Type) 20 -3 Blade-M4 £9.94 Lime Strip 0.5 x 7x approx 1 metre long £0.47
Steam Yacht Medea 1904. 1:48 870mm £139.86 Lime Strip 0.6 x 8mm x approx 1 metre long £0.25
TR15 9BJ Tradition. Seine net trawler 870mm 1:24 £360.92
Marie Sophie of Falmouth 1033mm
Lady of Avenel. Wood. 850mm
£44.41
£33.30
Brass Propeller (A Type) 25 -3 Blade-M4
Brass Propeller (A Type) 30 -3 Blade-M4
£9.94
£10.84 Lime Strip 1.5 x 1.5mm x approx 1 metre long £0.36
H.M.S. Cossack Destroyer 1938 1200mm £272.63 74-Gun Two-Decker (Circa 1813 1422mm £77.71 Brass Propeller (A Type) 35 -3 Blade-M4 £10.84 Lime Strip 1.5 x 10mm x approx 1 metre long £0.73
Mail order Only. SS City of Truro 1:96 960mm £356.95 Lime Strip 1.5 x 2.0mm x approx 1 metre long £0.40
Lady Daphne Thames Sailing Barge812mm £29.54 Brass Propeller (A Type) 40 -3 Blade-M4 £10.84
Phone line open Mon-Fri 9am- 1pm Yarra Twin Screw berthing tug 1:48 580mm £223.95 12-Gun Brig-of-War. Lines, 1187mm £55.51 Brass Propeller (A Type) 45 -3 Blade-M4 £12.65 Lime Strip 1.5 x 3.0mm x approx 1 metre long £0.45
Snow Goose Broads Cruiser 1:24 scale 740mm £137.95 Cunard Liner Servia, 1:192 scale 850mm £33.30 Brass Propeller (A Type) 50 -3 Blade-M4 £12.65 Lime Strip 1.5 x 4.0mm x approx 1 metre long £0.50
63ft Motor Anti-Sub Boat No33 1:24 812mm £198.08 40-Gun Frigate (Circa 1790 831mm £66.61 Brass Propeller (A Type) 55 -3 Blade-M4 £12.65 Lime Strip 1.5 x 5mm x approx 1 metre long £0.55
Tel UK: 01209 861733 Response. Steam Picket Boat 1:36 460mm £93.91 Valerian. Brixham Trawler 1069mm. £49.23 Brass Propeller (A Type) 60 -3 Blade-M5 £15.36 Lime Strip 1.5 x 6mm x approx 1 metre long £0.58
Tel Int: +44 1209 861733 Diesel Ring Net Fishing Boat 615mm £29.53 Brass Propeller (A Type) 65 -3 Blade-M5 £15.36 Lime Strip 1.5 x 7mm x approx 1 metre long £0.61
Card Models Lime Strip 1.5 x 8mm x approx 1 metre long £0.65
Three Brothers. Rye Fishing Smack. 797mm £29.54 Brass Propeller (A Type) 65 -3 Blade-M4 £15.36
www.model-dockyard.com SD14 general cargo ship 1:70 2133mm. £295.00 Muirneag. Scottish Zulu- 1612mm £66.61 Brass Propeller (A Type) 70 -3 Blade-M5 £17.61 Lime Strip 1 x 1mm x approx 1 metre long £0.36
USS Missouri. 1:200 scale £61.24 Clyde Puffer Sealight, 588mm £19.68 Brass Propeller (A Type) 75 -3 Blade-M5 £17.61 Lime Strip 1 x 1.5mm x approx 1 metre long £0.36
U.K Delivery GPM SMS Seydlitz 1:200 scale 1010mm £56.95 Leon. Wood Brigantine 514mm £59.07 This is just a selection of a huge range of 3, 4 and 5 blades Lime Strip 1 x 10mm x approx 1 metre long £0.55
Kits and Boat Hulls Add £9.00 Prince of Wales Battleship 1:200 scale £51.95 Iron Paddle Tug 1:48 scale 863mm £44.40 props in stock Lime Strip 1 x 2mm x approx 1 metre long £0.37
Timber orders Add £9.95 Tirpitz 1:200 scale Full hull 1260mm £49.99 This is just a selection of the range available. Lime Strip 1 x 3mm x approx 1 metre long £0.38
Other Order value up to £50 Add £5.00 Bismarck 1:200 scale Full hull 1250mm £48.98
Raboesch Bow Thrusters Lime Strip 1 x 4mm x approx 1 metre long £0.39
Other Order value Over £50 Add £9.00 HMS Mercury 6th rate frigate 1779 1:96 scaler £44.95
Static Display Kit Plans Lime Strip 1 x 5mm x approx 1 metre long £0.45
Bow thruster unit with motor 14mm I/D £33.87
Over £190 Free Delivery Admiral Hipper, cruiser 1935 1:200 scale £40.81 Greek Bireme 440mm construction plans. 560mm£7.12 Bow thruster unit with motor 16mm I/D £33.87 Lime Strip 1 x 6mm x approx 1 metre long £0.50
Free delivery does not apply to shipments HMS Enterprise 28 gun Frigate 1:96 scale £40.80 Vikingship, construction plans. 1:50 440mm £7.12 Bow thruster unit with motor 19mm I/D £33.87 Lime Strip 1 x 7mm x approx 1 metre long £0.51
Graf Spee. Full hulled model at 1:200 scale £30.60 Santa Maria planset 1:65 scale 540mm £8.85 Bow thruster unit with motor 22mm I/D £38.39 Lime Strip 1 x 8mm x approx 1 metre long £0.53
weighing over 2 kilos, being sent to the
HMS Sheffield 1:200 full hull £28.54 Pinta planset 1:65 scale 450mm £8.14 Bow thruster unit with motor 25mm I/D £38.39 Lime Sheet 0.5mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £5.82
Channel Islands or Northern Ireland, Scottish
HMS Repulse. Battleship 1:300 scale 806mm £27.53 Nina planset 1:65 scale 450mm £8.14 Mini Bow thruster unit with motor 10mm I/D £27.10 Lime Sheet 1mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £5.40
Islands, Scillies, or IOM. Delivery here will be
IHMS Dreadnought 1:200 £26.50 Mayflower, construction plans. Scale 1:60. £11.29 Bow thruster unit with motor 30mm I/D £81.29 Lime Sheet 1.5mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £6.70
charged at cost.
HMS Cambeltown 1;200 scale 470mm £25.95 Sovereign of the Seas, plans 1:78 1100mm £16.18 Lime Sheet 10mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £15.59
Yamato. Japanese Battleship 1:400 685mm £23.95 HMS Prince, construction plans 750mm £20.04
BECC Letters&Number sets Lime Sheet 12mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £21.37
Orders are sent by 1st class post or UPS Lime Sheet 15mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £25.99
carrier. Large parcel deliveries to Scottish Plastic Kits San Felipe, construction plans. Length 950mm. £13.43 2A Arial Lettering 2 mm, £4.07
Chinese Junk, construction plans. 1:100 400mm £7.02 Lime Sheet 2mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £8.09
Highland and Islands, the Isle of Man, Isles of 3A Arial Lettering 3 mm, £4.59
Trumpeter HMS Nelson 1:200 scale £206.95 French Xebec construction plans 1:60 720mm £10.99 Lime Sheet 20mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £31.76
4A Arial Lettering 4 mm, £4.59
Scilly and Northern Ireland will be shipped by Merit USS Hornet 1:200 scale £238.48 HMS Victory, construction plans 1:100 950mm £18.82 Lime Sheet 3mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £9.53
6A Arial Lettering 6 mm, £4.59
3 day UPS carrier . Deliveries to Channel Tamiya IJN Yamato 1:350 717mm £270.95 HMS Bounty, plans 1:60 720mm £13.43 Lime Sheet 4mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £12.71
8A Arial Lettering 8 mm, £5.10
Islands will be shipped by Euro 48 service Trumpeter USS Missouri 1:200 scale 1352mm £249.16 New Bedford Whaler, plans. 1:16. 550mm. £12.72 Lime Sheet 5mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £12.71
10A Arial Lettering 10 mm, £5.10
Trumpeter Bismarck 1941 1:200 scale 1265mm £203.95 Venetian Gondola, plans. Length 570mm. £5.90 Lime Sheet 6mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £12.13
12A Arial Lettering 12 mm, £6.12
Trumpeter USS Arizona BB-39 1941 1:200 £160.16 Riva Aquarama plan set 1:10 scale 860mm £23.09 Lime Sheet 8mm thick x 100mm x 1 mtr £13.86
We ship Worldwide too Lindberg PT 109 MTB 1:32 scale 749mm £149.95 Endeavour Plan set 1:80 scale 480mm £8.85
15A Arial Lettering 15 mm,
20A Arial Lettering 20 mm,
£7.14
£8.16
This is just a selection of sizes. Other woods stocks include
All prices correct at time of going to press but we Heller HMS Victory 1:100 scale £149.95 Endeavour J Class Plans set 1:35 1130mm £22.38 Walnut, Maple, Tanganykia, Beech, Pear, Balsa, Obechi
25A Arial Lettering 25 mm, £10.20
reserve the right to supply at the prices ruling at the Heller Le Soleil Royal 1:100 scale £149.95 Titanic Plans set 1:250 1070mm £48.83 5A Arial Lettering 5 mm, £4.59 Admiralty Paints
time of order despatch. E&OE Lindberg Sea Witch. Clipper 1:96 scale 838mm £149.95 Lady Nelson Cutter Plan Set 1:64 530mm £8.85 Available in most colours
Revell Flower Class Corvette 1:72 850mm £107.10 Granado Plan Set 1:64 800mm £16.79 Available in 14ml flip top capped bottles in the following colours.
Italeri Schnellboot S-100 1:35 £161.95 HMS Fly Plan set 1:64 800mm £21.37 Quaycraft Ship’s Boats Light Ivory, Red Ensign , Maroon Admiralty, Polished Bronze,
Amati Kits IItaleri MTB77 1:35 scale 632mm £89.95 HMS Vanguard Plan set 1:72 1171 £40.49 QS77 1:72 scale 27 ft Clinker whaler 115mm £19.44
Antique Bronze, Olive Green,
Italeri PT109 Torpedo Boat 1:35 scale £89.95 HMS Pegasus plan set 1:64 800mm £21.37 Walnut Brown, Matt Flesh, Gold/Brass, Copper, Dull Black,
Dutch Royal Yacht in Bottle 1:300 95mm £44.95 QR27 1:96 Scale 27ft Whaler 85mm £9.36
MTB Vosper St.Nazaire Raid MTB 74 £89.95 Mercury plan set 1:64 860mm £25.13 Matt Black, Dull White, Matt White, Yellow Ochre, Red Ochre,
Egyptian Ship Sahure Dynasty 350mm £74.95 QL43 1:48 18ft Lifeboat Double End 114mm £14.88
Lindberg Blue Devil Destroyer 1:125 910mm £99.95 Cutty Sark, construction plans, Scale 1:78. £31.00 French Blue, Flat Matt Varnish, Matt Varnish
Greek Bireme 480 BC 560mm £74.95 QL37 1:32 16ft Clinker Double End 150mm £19.08
Trumpeter HMS Repulse 1941 1:350 £87.21 This is just a selection of over 1000 plans available Satin Matt Varnish £2.25 per colour
Venetian cargo ship, 1750 450mm £119.95 QR25 1:96 Scale 25ft Motor cutter 79mm £9.84
Trumpeter HMS Hood (1941) 1:350 £80.09 Books
Santa Maria 1409 540mm £120.95
Trumpeter USS Alabama BB-60 1:350 £71.19
R/C Equipment QD24 1:24 14ft Clinker Dinghy 178mm £20.28
Pinta 1409 450mm 1:65 scale £89.95 QP16 1:48 16ft Royal Navy 16’ dinghy 100mm £11.04
Trumpeter Prinz Eugen 1945 1:350 £64.96 Hi Tech Lite 4 channel 2.4GHz Tx/Rx Combo £49.95 QL53 1:48 20ft double end lifeboat 125mm £15.84 Plank on Frame Models. Volume Two £25.00
Nina 370mm 1:65 scale £89.95
Trumpeter HMS Queen Elizabeth 1943 1:350 £62.29 Hitec Optic 6 (2.4 GHz) combo £119.99 QS75 1:72 Motor cutter 109mm £20.88 Plank on Frame Models. Volume One £20.00
Mayflower 1620 1:60 scale 650mm £164.95
Trumpeter HMS Belfast 1942 563mm 1:350 £62.29 Hitec Optic 5 channel (2.4 GHz) combo £72.50 QP27 1:48 27ft Royal Navy Whaler 172mm £22.32 Ship Modeling Simplified £14.95
Chinese Junk Scale 1:100 400mm £84.95
Trumpeter Graf Spee. 1:350 531mm £47.16 Viper Marine 40 amp speed controller £53.22 QD34 1:32 14ft Clinker Dinghy Stern 123mm £17.76 Rigging Period Fore & Aft Craft £22.50
Xebec.1753 720mm 1:60scale £149.95
Trumpeter Admiral Hipper 1941 1:350 £62.26 Planet 5 Transmitter and Receiver Set £54.99 QL59 1:48 . 22ft Lifeboat. double ended 140mm £16.56 Ship Modeling from Stem to Stern £16.95
H.M.A.V Bounty 1:60 scale 750mm £222.95
Tamiya Bismarck 1:350 717mm £61.99 FR30HX 30amp speed controller £47.14 QS70 1:72 16ft Clinker dinghy, 66mm £10.32 Card Modelling £22.95
Robert E Lee Paddle Steamer 1:150 600mm £244.95
Revell Type VIIC U-Boat 1:72 £59.99 15HVR 15amp speed controller £37.69 QN32 1:128 32ft Cutter clinker 75mm £7.08 Ship Modelling from Scratch £19.95
New Bedford Whaleboat 1860 1:16 scale 550mm£117.95
Tamiya Tirptz 1:350 717mm £58.50 Viper Marine 25 amp speed controller £34.99 QL36 1:32 16ft Clinker Transom Stern 150mm £19.08 The 100 Gun Ship Victory £14.99
Bluenose. Fishing Schooner 1:100 scale 540mm £87.95
Tamiya HMS King George V 1:350 £49.99 FR12VR 12amp speed controller BEC £33.86 QP12 1:48 12.5ft Clinker Dinghy.Stern 80mm £11.16 The Battleship Dreadnought £16.99
Titanic. White Star Liner 1912. 1:250 1070mm £378.95 Tamiya HMS Prince of Wales 1:350 £49.99 The Battleship Bismarck £16.99
Hi Tech Mega Arm Sail Winch 19.8kg/cm £30.99 QD20 1:24 10ft Clinker Dinghy 123mm £17.88
Endeavour J Class. Wooden Hull 1:80 480mm £79.95
Proportional Drum Sail Winch £30.63 The Battlecruiser Hood £14.99
Rainbow J Class. Wooden Hull 1:80 510mm £79.95 Plastic Kit Upgrades QMB15 1:96 26ft Lifeboat double end 83mm £12.96
Advanced Ship Modelling by Brian King: £16.95
Rainbow J Class 1:80 480mm Preformed Hull £76.95 Viper Marine 20amp speed controller £28.99 QB14 1:72 20ft clinker lifeboat 83mm £12.72
German AA Weapons WWII 1:350 £8.40 Viper Marine 15amp speed controller £22.99 This is just a selection of over 100 boats available Model Marine Steam £14.95
Enterprise J Class 480mm 1:80 £75.95
Naval figures 1:350 scale £7.20 Viper Micro Marine 10amp speed controller £22.99 Scale Model Tugs £14.95
Endeavour J Class 1:35 scale 1130mm £258.95 Scalelink Etched Brass Historical Sailing Ships: Remote Controlled £14.95
Passenger ship crew figures 1:350 scale £8.40 Viper Marine 15 Plug Play speed controller £22.99
Victory Models Kits Naval Crew Figures German WWII 1:350 £8.40 Programmable mixing module £20.34 11mm 3 rail stanchions & railing 840mm £10.20
Period Ship Kit Builders Manual £16.95
Etched lifebelts set 1:350 scale. £8.40 Waterproof mixing module (w-tail) £17.80 Model Ships Fittings £12.95
Lady Nelson Cutter. 1:64 scale 530mm £116.95 1:96 R.N 3 rail stanchions and railing 11mm £10.20
R.N Naval figures Far East 1:350 scale £8.40 Waterproof mixing module £15.70 Model Submarine Technology £12.95
Granado. Bomb Ketch 1756 1:64 800mm £259.95 1:128 scale vertical laddering £10.20
Bismarck etched detail Tamiya Bismarck 1:350 £22.30 Full range of R/C installation equipment available Painting Model Boats £12.95
HMS Fly. Swan Class Sloop. 1776 1:64 800mm £283.95 1:72 R.N pattern 3 rail stanchions and railing £10.20
Tirpitz (designed to be used with Tamiya kits) £30.60 Scale Model Steamboats £12.95
HMS Vanguard. 74 gun 3rd rate 1782 1171mm £678.95
HMS Hood detail sheet pack 1:350 scale £30.60
Sound Modules 1:192 R.N pattern 3 rail stanchions £10.20
Making Model Boats with Styrene £12.95
HMS Pegasus Swan class sloop 1:64 800mm £339.95 Clarendon serif Letters 2.5, 3 and 5mm high £10.20
Admiral Graf Spee etched sheet set 1:350 scale £24.99 Petrol/Diesel Engine with Horn £43.40 Simply Model Submarines £12.95
Mercury: 20 gun Brig 1820. 1:64 860mm £353.95 1:200 Angled step ladders with handrail £10.20
HMS Repulse etch detail sheets 1:350 scale £19.50 Steam Engine Sound £43.40 The Model Tug Boat Book: £12.95
Revenge 1577 1:64 scale 885mm £369.95 Vertical rung ladders 4.5mm & 5.5mm wide £12.00
Prinz Eugen etched set. 1:350 scale £22.30 Whooper £35.73 Scale Model Warships £12.95
1:128 Angled step companionway ladders £10.20
Caldercraft Display Kits HMS Repulse railings set 1:350 scale £19.50 Fog Horn £35.73 Submarines. Models and their Originals £12.95
1:128 scale vertical laddering £10.20
Prinz Eugen etched railings set 1:350 scale £22.30 Ship Klaxon £35.73 Scale Model Boats. Building & Operation £9.95
HMS Diana 38 Gun Heavy Frigate 1180mm £440.95 5mm and 6mm wide Angled step ladders £10.20
Prince of WaleS etch sheet pack 1:350 £20.60 Air Horns £35.73 Radio Control In Model Boats £9.95
HMS Snake 1797 18 Gun Sloop 1:67 910mm £193.95 6mm & 8mm vertical rung laddering £10.20
HMS Dreadnought 1907 Etched detail 1/350 £19.50 Large Ship Horn £35.73 Introduction to Marine Modelling £9.95
H.M Brig Supply 1759. Yard transport 675mm £134.95 This is just a selection from the huge range available
HMS Dreadnought 1907 Railing Set 1/350 £14.99 Large Ship Steam Whistle £35.73 Ship Modelling Solutions £9.95
Endeavour. Bark 1768. 1:64 725mm £224.95 Wooden deck for HMS Hood 1:350 scale £36.50 Tug Boat Air Horn £35.73 1:24 scale Crew Figures Scratch Building Marine Models £9.95
HMAV Bounty. 1789. 1:64 660mm £184.95 Wooden deck for Graf Spee1:350 scale £32.30 Photoetching For The Plastic Ship Modeler £12.95
HMS Mars: Captured Dutch 18 gun brig 790mm£182.95 Wooden deck for HMS Repulse 1:350 scale £34.80 Motors Standing civilian crew member £8.12 Super-detailing the Cutter Sherbourne £19.00
HMS Jalouse French brig 1794 815mm £204.95 Seated civilian crew figure wearing woollen hat £8.12 This is just a selection from our huges range of books.
Wooden deck for Prinz Eugen 1:350 scale £34.80 Schottel drive unit 70mm dia prop £95.94
HM Yacht Chatham 1741 1:64 530mm £83.95 Standing R.N/Civilian officer with binoculars £8.12
Wooden deck for Tirpitz 1:350 scale £34.80 Schottel drive unit 50mm dia prop £76.48 Modelling Tools
HM Mortar Vessel Convulsion. 1804 1:64 530mm £89.95 Civilian crew member standing wearing beret £8.12
Wooden deck for Admiral Hipper 1:350 scale £34.80 Schottel drive unit 40mm dia prop £62.71
HM Schooner Ballahoo. 1804 1:64 520mm £59.95 Civilian/R.N Officer wearing cap and pullover £8.12
DX Wooden deck & Etch for Hornet 1:200 £230.70 543/12 low drain motor for large props £18.85 Mantua 12v Electric Fret saw 12v £110.00
Granado. Bomb Ketch 1756 1:64 785mm £204.95 R.N/Civilian wearing waterproof jacket £8.12
DX Wooden deck & Railing for Bismarck 1:350 £37.99 Mabuchi Low Drain 545 £9.96 Mini Compressor £99.00
HM Brig Badger 1778 1:64 600mm £164.95 Standing civilian captain in sheepskin jacket £8.12
Wooden deck for Bismarck 1:350 scale £31.50 Mabuchi 540 £7.43 Mantua Spar Lathe. 12V £99.00
HM Schooner Pickle 1778 1:64 565mm £124.95 Seated ships captain wearing cap and pullover £8.12
Wooden deck for Tirpitz 1:350 scale £31.50 Mabuchi 480 motor 4.8 to 8.4v £7.00 Mantua 12v Electric Planer £79.00
Standing R.N/civilian officer in wet weather jacket £8.12
Caldercraft R/C Kits Wooden deck for KG5 1:350 scale £33.20 Electronize 365/14 low drain £5.56 Amati heavy duty Building cradle £52.60
R.N/Civilian wearing waterproof jacket £8.12
Wooden deck for Price of Wales 1:350 scale £33.20 Motor mount for MFA 800/850 Motors £4.50 Building Slip £54.95
Joffre. 1916 Tyne Tug. £251.95 R.N crew in dress uniform leaning on rail £8.12
DX Wooden deck & Railing for Warspite 1:350 £53.80 385 Motor 6 to 15.0 Volt with mount £6.56 Mantua 4 speed mains transformer £48.40
Imara. Twin Screw Berthing Tug £458.95 Seated civilian crew member 1:24 scale £8.12
DX Wooden deck & Railing for Bismarck 1:200 £192.80 540 Motor 6 to 12.0 Volt with mount £10.36 Deluxe Modellers Tool Chest £38.95
Resolve. Twin Screw Admiralty Tug £508.95 This is just a selection of the range available.
DX Wooden deck & Etch for Missouri 1:200 £215.99 RX15 540 Motor 6 to 8.4v Volt £35.95 Amati Electric Plank Bender £31.54
Amaranth. Motor Fifie £120.95 GLS Flower Class Deck & Fittings Set. 1:72 £99.99 RE800 Motor 12.0 Volt with mount £27.49 Rigging Thread Rope Walk kit £37.13
Milford star. Post war East Coast side trawler £228.95 GLS Flower Class Type `C' Bridge Set 1:72 £38.40 Strip Clamp. £32.95
RE850 Motor 12.0 Volt with mount £27.49 Rigging Thread, 0.1mm Natural (10mtr) £1.64
Marie Felling single screw steam tug £395.95 GLS Flower Class Corvette Depth Charge Set £39.38 Bench Vice. £17.50
Motor mount for 540/500.550 and 600 Motors £2.75 Rigging Thread, 0.25mm Black (10mtr) £1.64
North Light. Steam Clyde Puffer £251.95 This is just a selection from Gold Medal, MK1 Design, Swann-Morton 3 knife ACM Tool Set £22.61
MFA 540 Motor and 2.5:1 Gearbox 4.5 -15v £19.33 Rigging Thread, 0.25mm Natural (10mtr) £1.64
SS Talacre. Single hatch Steam Coaster £251.95 Master, Great Little Ships and Eduard. Planet, special work bench £10.58
MFA 540 Motor and 6:1 Gearbox 4.5 -15v £19.36 Rigging Thread, 0.5mm Black (10mtr) £1.76
H.M.T Sir Kay Round Table Class Minesweeper £294.95 20 piece twist drill set .3 to 1.6mm £13.23
R/C Boat Plans MFA 385 Motor and 2.5:1 Gearbox 4.5 -15v £17.56 Rigging Thread, 0.5mm Natural (10mtr) £1.76 Amati Pin Pusher De-Luxe £11.45
Hull and Plan Sets 950 series 385 Motor and 6:1 Gearbox 4.5 -15v £17.56 Rigging Thread, 0.75mm Black (10mtr) £1.89 Pin Pusher £9.07
Miranda Edwardian steam launch 42in £12.50 951 series 951 Motor and Gearbox 298:1 6volt, £9.00 Rigging Thread, 0.75mm Natural (10mtr) £1.89 Waterline marking tool £10.48
Grand Banks Schooner 1193mm £87.50 Will Everard Thames Barge: 1:48 scale £17.50 800/850 Belt Drive Reduction Unit 2.1:1 £40.80
Victoria Steam Launch 1:12 scale 762mm £40.45 Rigging Thread, 1mm Black (10mtr) £2.02 A3 cutting mat £11.18
Brave Borderer: 36in Vosper patrol boat, £12.50
Pilot 40 . Pilot boat 698mm £50.45 Enterprise:Northumbrian Coble. 27in. £12.50 Raboesch Propshafts Rigging Thread, 1.0mm Natural (10mtr) £2.02 Pounce Tool with 4 wheels £11.16
Rigging Thread, 1.3mm Black (10mtr) £2.77 Assorted grade Sanding Sticks (5) £10.94
Bluebird Of Chelsea . 1:24 scale 654mm £46.95 "Pilot 40 police/pilot launch 27½ £12.50 Propeller Shaft M4 270mm with 220mm tube £15.36 Rigging Thread, 1.3mm Natural (10mtr) £2.33
Forceful Paddle Tug . 1:48 1003mm £51.49 Inchcolm: Clyde puffer 24¾in. £12.50 Shroud Making Jig £12.72
Bronze Bearing Propeller Shaft M4 290mm £25.29 Rigging Thread, 1.7mm Natural (5mtr) £3.09
Guardsman Customs launch 1:32 scale 571mm £37.45 Liverpool Lifeboat: 1:12 scale £12.50 Zona Fine Kerf Universal Razor Saw 32tpi £9.39
Bronze Bearing Propeller Shaft M4 290mm £25.29 Rigging Thread, 1.8mm Black (5mtr) £4.16
Burutu & Bajima Tug 1:50scale 768mm £47.45 200 Series RAF Seaplane Tender: 950mm l £12.50 Zona Fine Kerf Universal Razor Saw 42tpi £9.39
Bronze Bearing Propeller Shaft M4 186mm £23.49 Rigging Thread, 2.5mm Natural (2.5mtr) £4.28
Tyne Life Boat 1:19 scale 740mm £46.49 H.M.S Ark Royal : A 1:192 scale model, 50in. £12.50 Zona Fine Kerf Universal Razor Saw 24tpi £9.39
Bronze Bearing Propeller Shaft M4 211mm £23.49 This is just a selection of the range available.
Smit Nederland Hull 558mm £42.45 Vosper MTB : 26 1/4 inches £12.50 Zona Ultra Thin Kerf Razor Saw 52tpi £8.34
Bronze Bearing Propeller Shaft M4 236mm £23.49
St Louis Belle Mississippi Steamer 838mm £72.45 Steam Yacht Greta: 44in £17.50 Bronze Bearing Propeller Shaft M4 261mm £23.49 BECC Flags Zona Ultra Thin Kerf Razor Saw 32tpi £8.34
Liverpool Lifeboat l 905mm 1:12 scale £91.50 Launch Out: 27½in., side and pair trawler, £17.50 8 piece twist drill set .5 to 2.0mm £7.38
Bronze Bearing Propeller Shaft M4 290mm £23.49 GB02 White Ensign, Size: AAA 10mm £3.05
RMAS Moorhen Hull 1:43 scale 740mm £51.45 P.S Totnes Castle paddle steamer 42½in. £12.50 Rigging Tool £8.14
Ballraced Propeller Shaft M4 290mm £34.22 GB02 White Ensign, Size: AA 15mm £3.05
Cervia, Thames Tug 1:48 scale 711mm £71.50 Joffre:Tyne Tug30½in. £12.50 Archimedean Hand Drill £6.74
Ballraced Propeller Shaft M5 290mm £34.32 GB02 White Ensign, Size: A 20mm £3.05
Brave Borderer 1:32 scale 914mm £86.50 St Louis Belle 1:64 Mississippi stern-wheeler £12.50 Pin Vice with collets for .01 to 3.0mm drill bits £6.64
Ballraced Propeller Shaft M4 450mm £39.74 GB02 White Ensign, Size: B 25mm £3.05
HMS Warspite. Queen Elizabeth class £154.00 T.B.D Cruiser Leader: 1:144 32in. Scout class £12.50 K&S Tube cutter £6.50
Ballraced Propeller Shaft M5 450mm £39.74 GB02 White Ensign, Size: C 38mm £3.96
H.M.S. Devonshire. Cruiser 1504mm £134.00 200 Series RAF Seaplane Tender: 1:12 950mm £12.50 Wooden Clamping Pegs (3) £5.75
Propeller Shaft with skeg M2 230mm £23.49 GB02 White Ensign, Size: D 50mm £3.96
H.M.S. Liverpool. Town class1409mm £120.00 H.M.S Kent : 1:96 scale early cruiser 58" £17.50 Miniature hand plane £5.06
Scale Propeller Shaft with skeg M3 270mm £25.29 GB02 White Ensign, Size: E 75mm £4.95
Fairey Huntsman:1:8 scale 1066mm £12.50
Plan & Material Packs Celia Jane:Thames Barge 1:24 scale. 50in. £22.50
Scale Propeller Shaft with skeg M4 330mm £30.71 GB02 White Ensign, Size: F 100mm £5.97 THE MODEL DOCKYARD CATALOGUE
Vosper MTB Hull Pack 670mm £39.99 Joffre:Tyne Tug 1:48 scale 30½in £12.50 Rudder Assemblies GB02 White Ensign, Size: G 125mm £7.91
Higgins Hellcat CNC Pack 610mm £44.99 Britannia 1893 . Royal racing yacht, 1:32nd £29.50 GB02 White Ensign, Size: H 150mm £9.91 Our non illustrated catalogue contains a brief description and
Rudder assembly 60 long x 41mm wide £5.36 Also available, Naval ensigns in red, Blue as well and
HMS Temerity CNC Pack 890mm £42.45 Pibroch A 1:50th scale Clyde Puffer, 400mm £17.50 principal dimensions of over 12,000 product items that are
Rudder assembly 33 long x 22mm wide £4.42 National flags from most maritime nations
Osprey Scottish wooden fishing boat,500mm £31.50 available from our extensive range aimed and the the scale
Deans Marine Kits Altair gaff rigged schooner 1:32nd 1200mm £33.50
3 way tiller arm. For 5mm dia mm rudder posts £2.72
Timber modeller. these include both static and R/C Kits, Plastic kits
3 way tiller arm. For 4mm dia mm rudder posts £2.72
LCM 1653 1:24 scale 710mm £213.75 Princess High speed luxury motor yacht.1:24th £17.50 and upgrade parets; the largest range of boats fittings to be
3 way tiller arm. For 3mm dia mm rudder posts£2.72 Lime Strip 0.5mm x 2mm x 1000mm £0.34
25ft Motor Boat 1:12 scale 690mm £175.95 Constance Bowater paper freighter,1030mm £17.50 found anywhere, building materials, boat plans, boat hulls,
Double Tiller Arm. Fits 3/16 or 5mm shaft £1.15 Lime Strip 0.6 x 10mm x approx 1 metre long £0.31
Compass Rose. Corvette1:96 673mm £177.65 Boston Fury 1960 East Coast Trawler 1125mm £17.50 props, couplings, motors, propshafts etc etc. Whether you
Rudder assembly 67mm long x 44mm wide £5.36 Lime Strip 0.6 x 3mm x approx 1 metre long £0.35
H.M.S. Solebay.Destroyer 1945 1210mm £306.33 Waverley paddle steamer 1365mm, £17.50 interest lies in working radio control, display period ships or
Rudder assembly 53mm long x 36mm wide £5.53
Hoop Op Zegen Beamer trawler725mm £17.50 static kits, our catalogue has everything you will need, £3.00
 Vol.65 Issue 777: August 2015

Published by MyTimeMedia Ltd

Enterprise House, Enterprise Way,
Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF
Phone: 0844 412 2262
From outside UK: +44 (0) 1689 869 840
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SUBSCRIPTIONS
contents
Regular Features
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Tel: +44(0)1858 438798 6 61
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General items, what’s on, comment Glynn Guest with a useful hint
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Editor: Paul Freshney
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PRODUCTION
Designer: Steve Stoner
Illustrator: Grahame Chambers
Retouching Manager: Brian Vickers
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RANGE FINDER TEST BENCH
ACCOUNT MANAGER Dave Wooley has a close look at
Duncan Armstrong: 0844 848 5238 New items for the modeller
E-Mail: [email protected] the Royal Navy LCVP (Landing
Craft Vehicle and Personnel) Mk.
SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER 5, and continues with the Deans 65
Kate Hall
Marine HMS Skirmisher project READERS’ FREE
MANAGEMENT CLASSIFIED
Publisher: Julie Miller Your free private advertisements
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Chief Executive: Owen Davies John Parker investigates the 66
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Craig Dickson reports from
Stevenage
50
BOILER ROOM
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Richard Simpson discusses the
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Model Boats, ISSN 0140-2910, is published monthly with an additional

issue in January by MYTIMEMEDIA Ltd, Enterprise House, Enterprise
Way, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF, UK. The US annual subscription price is
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58 READERS’ MODELS Graham Buckton

describes his superb THV Vigia model

For plans, hulls, binders, books, back

issues and many other products,
please visit www.myhobbystore.co.uk
or call +44 (0)844 848 8822 Model Boats August 2015
(phonelines open 9am - 5.30pm GMT)
 contents

FREE
PLAN
A bo m a S ee
page 3 6
Bow piece

T
his issue
includes
a Full-
Size Complimentary Free
Plan designed by James
Pottinger worth £12.50
for Aboma, a classic
1930’s tug that was diesel
powered, although having
the appearance of a steam
tug. In addition we have
Part One of Brian Roberts’
full in-depth build of the
large 1:12 scale Models by
Design Wildcat 53 semi-kit,
plus reviews of Rivos, by
Jo
John Elliott, an inexpensive
re
ready to run fast electric
m
model that performs really
Special Features w
well and at the other end of
th
the speed scale, a look at
th
the Joysway Dragonforce
RG
RG65 class yacht by our
ne
new contributor, John
G
Gittins. This radio controlled
m
model yacht, that sails well,
pr
provides an easy, quick and
in
inexpensive way into model
ya
yacht racing as well as
so
social sailing.
34 Phil Button returns to
Rivos!! th
these pages with ‘Painting
John Elliott reviews the Helion RTR fast Q
Queen Alexandra’s Bottom’,
electric model a tale of a near disaster at
10 the boating lake that has
SEMI-KIT REVIEW! WILDCAT 53 had a happy ending and
PART ONE 36 Andrew Cope has a go at
Brian Roberts builds the
e 1:12 scale Models FREE PLAN! ABOMA
FRE model submarines, building
by Design semi-kit Jame Pottinger presents this month’s
James the Speedline Deep Dive
Complimentary Free Plan for a 1930’s diesel
Com VII, now manufactured and
tug, together
t with a supporting article marketed by Speedline
Models.
In Readers’ Models,
Graham Buckton describes
his THV Vigia, a unique
Trinity House Vessel, his
superbly built version being
based on an inexpensive
fibreglass trawler hull
purchased by chance at a
model show and then using
a MyHobbyStore plan.
We also have the usual
regulars, with John Parker
in particular looking at ‘The
Holbrook Connection’ and
40 answering the question as
20 PAINTING QUEEN
PAINT to why there is a submarine
DEEP DIVE VII ALEXANDRA’S BOTTOM!
ALEX memorial park in Australia
Andrew Cope reprises the Speedline Phil B
Button
tt with some unexpected repairs that is 400 kilometres from
Models subma
submarine
i kit to his steam powered model the sea.
So I hope there is
something here for all
31 53 readers of this August 2015
magazine.
DRAGONFORCE L’HERMIONE Paul Freshney - Editor
John Gittins builds and sails the Joysway Anthony Addams updates MB readers on
RG65 model yacht this ship’s progress

Model Boats August 2015 5

▲
 signals

Compass 360 Exhibition at Bag Lane Church,

Atherton, Manchester M46 0JX.
No traders, no stalls, no singing!
Entry fee £2 accompanied children
Glynn is the Guest of Honour
for 2015 and there is a special
competition for young people
up to the age of 16 building a
Model Boats notice board for your news are free, 1000hrs to 1600hrs. model from his plans. Full entry
Mostly NWSMBC boats but also information is on the Model Boat
Editorial Contact - Paul Freshney trucks trains and aeroplanes. For Convention website, together
further information please contact with how to obtain a UTE plan
You can reach the Editor, Paul Freshney, on 01277 849927. Bill Power, tel: 01942 891422. (February 2013 MB) free of
The editorial postal address is: Model Boats, PO Box 9890, Information supplied by David charge. Entries must be via the
Brentwood, CM14 9EF.
Lawrence Model Boat Convention and its
The email is [email protected] website:
www.modelboatconvention.co.uk
Model Boats is Published by MyTimeMedia Ltd The Otago Model
Enterprise House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF. Engineering Society
This very active club was formed Ending of
in 1936 and is based in Dunedin, Model Weeks at
New Zealand. It has clubrooms Thornwick Bay
Plans Service Contact - Call 0844 848 8822
at 1 John Wilson Drive, South Following the take-over of
The Plans Service is expanding all the time! Dunedin, PO Box 2163, and Thornwick Bay holiday site by
encompasses model engineering, Bourne Leisure, Jim Worner
Over 3000 plans for model builders of all persuasions, Aircraft, model railways and model boats. has been informed that after the
Boats, Locomotives, Traction Engines, Steam and IC Engines - A regular newsletter ‘Conrod’ is October 2015 Model Week, the
we even do Woodworking plans. published which keeps member site will no longer accommodate
up to date with all their activities. model boat events. This is a set-
To purchase plans, please call 0844 848 8822
Visitors and new members back, as most suitable sites are
See and buy all of these at www.myhobbystore.com are welcome, and the contact now owned by Bourne Leisure
information is: and as their company policy is to
Website: www.omes.org.nz ban the sailing of model boats in
Email: [email protected] their swimming pools, this brings
Norman Ough Kirklees MBC Model boats: Henry Goosselink to an end a sequence of events
Article On Sunday 13th September (no email), tel (local): 488 3284 that have run at Primrose Valley,
This was due to be published this club will be holding a Warship Skipsea and Thornwick. The 3rd
in this August issue and & Naval Day at Wilton Park, to 9th October 2015 event will
was ready to go, but due to Bradford Road, Batley, WF17 Model Boat however go ahead, as planned, at
space considerations as it 8JH from 1000hrs to 1600hrs. Convention 2015 Thornwick Bay.
is a large nine or ten page There will be a small raffle, A final reminder that the theme I offer my thanks to all who
article and is best published refreshments, free car parking, of this event, being held for the have supported me and the
complete rather than in two static and on the water displays. 26th time at Haydock Park on team over the past 25 years and
parts, it has been held over Although the theme is warships, Saturday 29th and Sunday especially to my hard working and
to the September issue, you are welcome to attend with 30th August 2015, is ‘Glynn loyal team of workers. The only
on sale on the 7th August, all other types of model except i.c. Guest Models’. The number of hope for the future is if anyone
where together with a steam and high performance fast electric clubs and already committed with a site could offer a home for
powered QE2 model, it will boats. For more information, trade exhibitors, means that this these events, or if any modeller
be one of the main feature please contact Stan, popular event will as always, be can recommend a possible venue,
presentations and it is well tel: 01132 675790 or please well worth visiting both to buy then please
worth waiting for. check the club website: those items we all need for our email: [email protected].
Paul Freshney - Editor kirkleesmodelboatclub.weebly.com hobby and viewing some fantastic Information supplied by Jim
models. Worner - June 2015

Solent RCMBC
Glasgow Richmond Their annual Charity Exhibition Obituary - Keith Julier
is being held on Saturday 5th
MBC September 2015, 1000hrs to As this magazine went to
Their Charity Show is being held 1600hrs at: All Saints Church Hall, press in early June, we were
on Sunday 6th September Greenbanks Close, Milford-on-Sea, informed of the death of Keith
2015, 1100hrs to 1630hrs Hampshire, SO41 0SQ. Entry is by who sadly passed away at the
at Richmond Park, Glasgow charity donation in aid of the RNLI end of May. Regular readers
(opposite Shawfield Stadium). and Hampshire Air Ambulance. will remember Keith’s reviews
of period ship kits and also the
Have-a-go boats for the kids, a Refreshments are available and
numerous articles he contributed
‘Bring & Buy’ table and a raffle there will be over 80 models on
on scratch building this type of
with some tremendous prizes will display. Further information from
model. He was also author of
all be held on the day. Hot and David McNair-Taylor,
a number of books on building
cold food with beverages will be tel: 07887 967887. techniques and constructing
available throughout the event kits. In recent years his declining
and there is adjacent parking and health precluded continuing with
personal facilities. North West Scale
his regular reviews and articles, models, whether in scratch
Further information and Model Boat Club which will be very much missed built or kit form.
directions via the club website: On Saturday 8th August by those building period ship Paul Freshney - Editor
www.glasgowrichmondmbc.co.uk 2015 this club is holding an

6 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 signals

MYA News INSIDE EDGE, going absolutely

flat-out, whilst others struggled to
keep control and at the leeward
gate he had pulled up to third
there is already a big entry. For
more details, please check:
www.marbleheadsailing.
wordpress.com
Roger Stollery reports from the Acorn place. On the beat back to the
finish he picked all the right wind
Trophy Marblehead ranking event shifts and came through to win
with everybody asking, ‘how did

G
uildford MYC was 5 and 6, Tony Guerrier sailing his he do that’?
delighted to welcome QUARK in Races 7 and 8 and Phil Final results showed Peter
the biggest fleet of Holliday also sailing a QUARK in Stollery retaining the Acorn Trophy,
Marblehead r/c yachts to their lake the Race 9. Everyone watching Rob Vice was second and although
at Abbey Meads for a very long the racing was treated to a jaw- Tony Guerrier tied with his brother
time on 31st May, as 29 entries dropping piece of sailing by Peter Austin they were third and fourth
were received and nine races Stollery, who at the beginning of respectively on count back.
were sailed in difficult shifting the second lap of Race 6, was in The next Marblehead Ranking
wind conditions, very light at the the back half of the heat. The wind Event will be the National
windward marks, but plenty of blew up for the downwind leg Championship at Manor Park on
wind for planing on the downwind and he managed to keep his boat, 18th & 19th July 2015 where
legs.
The morning’s racing was
slow as a result of waiting for
the awkward wind direction to
settle, moving marks and many
ABOVE: Peter Stollery - was the
skippers not used to sailing in winner of the Acorn Trophy at
heats and a protest. Rob Vice Guildford Model Yacht Club’s Abbey
Meads lake in late-May 2015.
and Peter Stollery sailing their
UPROARs won all four of the early
races with Graham Bartholomew Top 10 results:
sailing a STARKERS tying with
1st Peter Stollery
Rob on 14 points on the lunchtime
2nd Rob Vice
leaderboard.
3rd Tony Guerrier
The wind then became more
4th Austin Guerrier
westerly, parallel to the control 5th Hugh McAdoo
area and stronger in the afternoon, 6th Graham Bartholomew
with some of the fleet changing 7th Darin Ballington
down to their B rigs. The winning 8th Peter Popham
boats included Peter Popham 9th Roy Stevens
sailing a CREAM CRACKER in 10th Phil Holliday
Race 4, Peter Stollery in Races ABOVE: Tony Guerrier (Sail No. 50) is actually getting the best start in Race 8.

MODEL BOATS Model Boats Magazine is

now only a click away!
ONLINE! You can find us online at...

www.modelboats.co.uk
Website content includes: ● A Link to www.myhobbystore.com which has over 3000
plans available and numerous modelling items, books and
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R/C and Accessories, Static, Kits, Scratch build, Steam,
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Kit and Product Reviews, Hints, Tips and Technical, Show
and Regatta Reports and General Interest Articles on
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▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 7

 signals

Next issue
The Model Boats September 2015 issue is on sale on the 7th August 2015

Norman
Ough

QE2
This 84 page issue includes a
major feature article by Alistair
Roach that remembers and
commemorates the remarkable
model making and drawing
skills of Norman Ough who died
in 1965, 50 years ago. Model
Boats is also very pleased to
include a Feature Article by a
new contributor, Tim Henderson,
about his unique steam powered
QE2 model.
See more about what’s in Model Boats magazine month-to-month
onth-to-month in forthcoming issuess and see
s some of the articles you may
have missed from past issues and subscription offers on our website: www.modelboats.co.uk

We have a great range of subscription packages that you can choose from, including our new Print + Digital package which give subscribers
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still why not make it your first copy in a year’s subscription to Model Boats magazine? See our subscription offer on Page 26 in this issue…

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Contents may be subject to change.

8 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 A wide range of electronic accessories, tools and kits ideal for model boats available!
This is just a small selection from the ranges we offer!
Please buy from your local stockist whenever possible. You can find them, and view
www.expotools.com all of our products at: www.expotools.com TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOMED.
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Other battery packs available G Force
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seen to the right. JR Price: £3.11 Price: £3.11
 Kit review

Wildcat 53 PART 1
Brian Roberts builds the 1:12 scale Models by Design semi-kit

E
arly in 2014 I built the 1:24 scale version of would be a delay before the semi-kit was available
the Windfarm Support vessel Wildcat 53 for delivery. On recollection, this was the same
manufactured by Models by Design (MBD) situation when my earlier order for the 1:24 scale
as a semi-kit. I was very pleased with the finished Wildcat 53 had been placed, and as I commented
model which looked really good on completion and in that review in Model Boats (August 2014), MBD
it behaved very well on the water with a fine turn offer a large selection of GRP hulls and as usually
of speed when required. Later, in August 2014 I each one is only made to order, this obviously
visited the Model Boat Convention at Haydock Park creates a waiting list.
with a friend, a show which I’d been to in previous Anyway, the order was placed for the
years that has always impressed me, but this visit conventional propeller driven version as opposed
exceeded all our expectations. to the water-jet version, but the next question was,
The show consists of modelling clubs and ‘How to get this large semi-kit to Wrexham and
traders, spread over several plush suites within the Andy had three options:
building, and the first room we entered was the
Lancaster Suite where we found the Bryn Bach 1) Two large boxes by carrier or Royal Mail, cost
Park MBC from South Wales. The first model seen about £40.
was indeed a superb a 1:12 scale Wildcat 53. This 2) Collection in person from Dorset.
had the ‘wow’ factor in abundance and the sheer 3) Collect it from Andy at the International Model
size and quality of finish were very evident and it Boat Show at Leamington Spa in November 2014.
was decided there and then that this could be my
next project for the winter months ahead. As it This last was the best and cheapest option
turned out, this particular boat had been built by as I intended going anyway, so at this point the
Andy Griggs of MBD and then subsequently sold. review should now be ‘What’s in the box’, but as
After mulling the idea for a couple of days, MBD there were some weeks to wait and a deck crane
were called with the intention of ordering a 1:12 seemed to be a good add-on idea, this was duly
scale Wildcat 53 semi-kit, priced at £480, only to be purchased from Macs Mouldings for £25 (Item No.
informed by Andy that there was a waiting list of M300) and it duly arrived and is excellent value for
several weeks. Hulls for his range were usually only money.
made to order and his workload was such that there

Macs Mouldings 1:12 scale

Data Box Deck Crane
Models by Design: These advertise regularly in this magazine This consists of three numbered bags of parts,
Reade Models (Reade Business Services), website: www.reademodels.com Photo 1, mainly of polyurethane resin and white
Macs Mouldings, website: www.macsmouldings.co.uk plastic tube, brass wire, black pvc tubing with
Safehaven Marine: www.safehavenmarine.com
two sheets of instructions. A couple of pleasant
Gresford SC: www.gresfordsailingclub.org.uk
evenings were spent assembling the crane and
it must be said how impressive was the casting

10 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 Kit review

1 3

4 5

accuracy of the resin parts which required a easier to leave the hull, deck and other major GRP
minimum of finishing and everything fitted together parts loose, with the host of other sundry items
perfectly. After two coats of Halfords grey primer in a large bag. Everything was transferred to my
and then a few coats of dark blue gloss from the car and on arrival back home, was laid out and
same source, the hydraulic pipes were fitted which photographed, Photo 4. The large bag was then
were a bit fiddly with my big hands, but that’s the joy opened, it feeling like Christmas had arrived early,
of model boat building, Photos 2 & 3. This was and the contents revealed. No parts list as such was
a nice interlude to keep me in the model making supplied, so I hoped that everything was present.
mindset and looking forward to seeing it installed on The principal GRP items are the hull, wheelhouse
the aft deck of the 1:12 scale Wildcat 53. & cabin unit, main deck, fore deck and a canopy
to be attached to the rear of the wheelhouse. The
contents of the large bag consisted of a multitude
The Wildcat 53 semi-kit of resin moulded items, Photo 5, and these would
What’s in the boxes? have to be identified later. No plans are supplied
Nothing actually because there were no boxes. with the semi-kit, but with the aid of photos of the
Andy brought the kit to the 2014 International full-size craft and a CD provided with the Wildcat
Model Boat Show and because of the large size parts showing their locations, construction should
of the hull and all the bits and pieces it was much be relatively straightforward.
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 11

 Kit review

All the windows and doors are on a pre-cut and washed with warm soapy water prior to the
sheet of shiny grey plastic and a pre-cut sheet first coats of grey primer, but before any paint was
of clear plastic for the glazing, Photo 6. It was applied and whilst there was unrestricted access
a little disappointing to discover that there were to the interior of the hull, it was decided to fit the
no markings scribed on to the GRP wheelhouse rudders, motors, esc’s and receiver, and then add
unit for the windows, as on the smaller version, the main deck sections.
but more about that later. Stout brass rod for
the railings, two rudders with built-in posts, two
propshafts with tubes, two brass skegs, a precut Rudders
sheet of plastic parts to assist with the mast This is a big model, so it is prudent to employ a
assembly, a length of brass tube for the mast and separate servo, using a Y-lead from the receiver,
various decals pretty much complete what you get for each rudder. A single servo is adequate on

“
for your money. However, as before though, Andy the smaller 1:24 scale model, but with a fair bit of
kindly supplied two cast resin motor mounts free of weight to manoeuvre, an individual servo for each
This is a big model, so it is charge which were gratefully received. rudder is most probably essential. A couple of spare
prudent to employ a separate Futaba S3003 servos were to hand and as this
servo, using a Y-lead from the type had always ‘done the job’ in the past, I was
What next?

”
receiver, for each rudder. confident they would be more than adequate for
It must be said that I found it a little daunting this model.
deciding what the next step was, due to the sheer The supplied rudders are cast in resin with
size of the model, but logic indicated that it was their posts already firmly in place, and so after
best to proceed as with the smaller model, so that determining the position of each one, suitable holes
was the plan. It’s worth noting that on the smaller were drilled in both port and starboard hull sections
1:24 scale craft the ring deck, which is essentially and a wooden block firmly epoxied over each hole.
the fore deck and side capping’s on the hull, was Then, a further hole was drilled through each block,
a separate section which had to be fixed by the taking care to keep them vertical, and finally the
builder. On this, the larger model, the ring deck rudder tubes were inserted and glued in place,
was already fixed in place, which was a blessing Photo 7. Two more wooden blocks were fitted
because I recall that there was a small problem tight up against the former ones and the servos
securing it on the smaller hull. ‘Popping-up while were then aligned with linkages and attached
fixing it’ sprung to mind when thinking back. accordingly, Photo 8.
All the GRP parts were of the usual high MBD
standard with very few blemishes. A few very
minor indentations were evident, but these were Motors
soon taken care of with the application of a little Having recently refurbished a 1:12 scale Speedline
Isopon P38 car body filler. All the GRP parts were Severn lifeboat with two new Emax BL4030
then rubbed down with fine grade emery paper 385KV brushless outrunner motors, which give an

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 Kit review

12

10

11 13

excellent performance for both speed and running were epoxied into the hull and the skegs treated
time, and on the assumption that the finished 1:12 the same way, Photos 10 & 11. Weight is not a
scale Wildcat 53 would weigh nearly as much as problem with this model!
the Severn, two more motors were purchased
from Giant Shark. Excellent service by the way, as
they were ordered one afternoon and arrived to me Water scoops & electronic
the next morning. These fitted very neatly into the speed controllers
mounts from MBD after the appropriate holes had The plan was to use two Hobby King 90 Amp water
been drilled and were then mounted onto wooden cooled esc’s as per the Severn lifeboat which meant
blocks prior to securing within the hull, Photo 9. that Wildcat 53 would need two water scoops to
The couplings used are from Model Boat Bits and aid the cooling, but because of their depth required,
these are custom made, with a 4mm hole one end none were commercially available. So with the aid
for the propshaft and an 8mm hole at the other of some 1/4 inch (6mm) brass tube and a soldering
for connection to the motor’s output shafts. These iron a couple were soon made, Photo 12. Two
couplings have been used before in other models 60mm brass propellers were temporarily attached
and have been very efficient in all respects. to the propshafts, suitable holes were drilled
Two holes were drilled in the hull and after between the propeller and rudder positions and
enlarging them with a round file, the two propshaft the scoops were firmly fixed in place with some
tubes were inserted and temporarily secured with thick superglue, all finished-off with a little filler,
masking tape. I did consider fitting ‘lube tubes’ as a Photo 13. I’d been waiting for about a month for
means of oiling the propshafts, but because access the esc’s to arrive at Hobby King’s UK warehouse,
to the inside of the hull is so easy, it was decided but then by sheer coincidence I noted that they
that when lubrication was necessary it would be were in stock in the UK that very morning when
just as easy to remove the propellers, withdraw the I’d gone as far as I could with the work inside the
propshafts and insert oil or grease. I’m sure a lot of hull. Two were immediately ordered, Hobby King
purists out there will disagree with this, but it works acknowledged the order and two hours later they
okay for me. emailed me to tell me that the order was on its
Then the tricky business began of aligning the way. Out of curiosity I then checked their website
motors, coupling them to the propshafts, spacing to find that the UK warehouse was once again ‘Out
the end of each about 45mm from the leading of stock’, so how lucky was that?
edge of the rudders and then fitting the supplied On their arrival a couple of days later, some
readymade skegs. Once satisfied that everything 3.5mm gold bullet connectors were soldered to the
was as accurate as it could be, the motor mounts esc’s and motors, with the former then positioned
were secured into the hulls with a generous in the hull with the aid of some Velcro. It was now
amount of Isopon P38 filler and the propshaft tubes an easy matter to connect some silicone tubing
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 13

 Kit review

14 15

17

16 18

from the water scoop tubes to the esc’s and then that the smaller deck is fitted first which then acts
the outlets exiting unobtrusively through the outer as a guide to ascertain the correct level of the main
sides of the hull, Photos 14 & 15. I know that deck, but before the smaller deck is fitted a little
this isn’t the actual case on the real boat, but surgery was needed. On the fore part of the hull
it’s a better option than having lengths of tubing there are two indentations, Photo 17, which have
extending from and exiting through the transom to be cut away and these then act as receptors for
and the exiting water is clearly visible as the model the steps of the smaller deck. This was done by
speeds past the operator on the lake. chain-drilling and a little work with the Dremel tool
created the two apertures to take the steps,
Photo 18. The foredeck then fitted neatly into
Power supply place and was secured with medium superglue,
All that was needed now were the batteries to finished off with filler where needed and finally
power the motors and receiver, then work inside sanded smooth, Photo 19. Before the main deck
the hull would be complete prior to fixing the main is fitted, two openings over the rudder post areas
and the smaller decks, the latter with a pair of need to be removed and replaced with removable
steps. The motors are powered by the same Turnigy covers which enable servicing access for the
5600mAH four cell LiPo battery as used in the 1:12 internal rudder linkages etc. Creating the two
scale Severn lifeboat, Photo 16. The receiver has apertures was easy enough by once again chain-
its own independent 6v NiMH rechargeable pack. It drilling, and sanding with the Dremel tool to the
provably doesn’t make any appreciable difference to pre-marked sizes as with the steps. The main deck
the overall balance of the hull with the main battery was a touch too wide to fit inside the hull (better
secure in its own tray at the bottom of one of the oversize than undersize), so there was the slightly
hull side units, but to be on the safe side a piece of tricky task of taking measurements every three or
lead of corresponding weight has been fitted into four centimetres inside the hull at deck edge level
the opposing hull of the catamaran. and transferring those measurements to the deck
itself. Surplus GRP was filed away, and after a final
check that the measurements were correct, the
Decks deck was eased into place in the hull and glued on
There are two decks to be fixed, the main one and a top of the 1/4 inch (6mm) square wood stringers
smaller one with two sets of steps moulded in, this previously installed, Photo 20. There were some
sitting at the forward of the hull. It is recommended inevitable small gaps between the edge of the deck

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20

21

and the hull, so some stripwood was glued to the

deck, hard up against the hull sides, followed by a
neat fillet of filler to finish the job, Photo 21. Except
for painting, the hull and running gear were now
complete, so work could start on the wheelhouse
and cabin.
22

GRP wheelhouse & cabin unit

The first job was to fix in place the rear canopy with
superglue and finish the joint with filler which was 23
sanded smooth when dry. As mentioned earlier,
there were no markings on the wheelhouse to
show the position of the windows, of which there
are twenty three. All the frames and glazing are
supplied ready cut on two sheets (please see Photo
6 again), and they came away very easily requiring
a minimum of finishing. After studying photos of
the full-size boat on the Safehaven website, the
positions of all the windows were carefully drawn in
pencil on to the GRP wheelhouse. They were then
chained drilled, Photo 22, and after the centres
had been removed, their edges were filed flat
and straight, Photo 23. For obvious reasons, the
glazing and mounting of the frames would be done
after the wheelhouse was painted, so it was put to
one side with the hull and I gave some thought to
the next step of the build. Construction of the rails,
particularly the complex system on the foredeck
was something I wasn’t looking forward to, but it
had to be done, so that was the next step.
(to be continued in Model Boats September 2015)

15
 warship scale

ABOVE: The LCVP Mk. 5. RIGHT: Combined Operations insignia on HMS Bulwark LPD.

Dave Wooley with his Worldwide Review of

Warships and Warship Modelling

Range Finder
W
elcome once again to our regular sortie
into the world of fighting ships and this
month we have a close look at a Royal
Navy LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel)
Mk. 5, plus we continue with the Deans Marine
HMS Skirmisher project as well as having the usual
Mystery Picture teaser.

Landing craft origins

Royal Marines have had some form of specialist
landing craft since the early days of WW2, then
with a fairly basic Landing Craft Personnel (LCP)
which was used for raids on enemy territory. This

“
craft had no bow door and a portable ladder over
It was the United States the side was used for disembarkation. It had a
Marine Corps that really shallow hull form based on the Northumberland
made landing craft their Coble and a tunnel under the hull for the propeller
own with the need for a made it suitable for beach landings. These craft
could carry 20 fully equipped troops and were
variety of craft during the
usually powered by a single 65hp petrol engine.
island hopping campaign It was the United States Marine Corps that really
in the South West Pacific made landing craft their own with the need for a Landing Craft Mechanised (LCM) being somewhat

”
during WW2 variety of craft during the island hopping campaign larger could transport larger vehicles, troops and
in the South West Pacific during WW2, as they even tanks. Speedline Models and Deans Marine
steadily defeated the Japanese. A typical LCVP was notably both produce radio controlled examples
36ft in length with a beam of just under 11ft and of such craft in 1:16 and 1:24 scales and the basic
capable of carrying 36 troops or 8100 pounds of 70 year old design is still visibly the origin for the
general cargo with a draft of only 3ft aft. They were modern 21st Century versions.
usually fitted with a 225hp diesel or 250hp petrol
engine depending on availability and were capable
of 9 knots with a theoretical range of 102 miles, Royal Navy LCVP Mk. 5
although I guess no one would want from choice The first batch of these were built by Vosper
to travel that distance in one of these craft. The Thornycroft at Woolston in Southampton between
steering position was to port with two 30 calibre 1995 and 1999 with the remainder by FBM Babcock
machine guns for self-defence and some 0.25 inch Marine at Rosyth Naval Dockyard between 2002
armour on the bow ramp and hull sides. and 2004. They are nominally 24 tons fully loaded,
World War Two saw the basic LCVP design fulfill the hulls being 15.25m long and 4.2m beam. The
all kinds of tasks for the military and of course current Mk. 5 is slightly larger than the previous Mk.

18 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 warship scale

2 3

4 5

Battle of the Atlantic Commemorations in 2013. This Photo 1. The landing ramps of two
moored LCVP Mk. 5’s.
warship was not open for public access, but the Mk.
5’s and their RM complements were scheduled for Photo 2. Forward and when viewing
a number of impressive waterborne displays during within, it’s worth noting how the deck
surface is slightly arched.
the event, but I was fortunate to be able to view the
craft alongside, in action, and on the ship. Photo 3. These covering units provide
some protection for the troops within
Viewing the bow ramp doors, Photo 1, you from the harsh environment where
get the impression of the need to save weight, these craft might operate.
yet still provide useful protection for those inside Photo 4. Each one of these protective
the landing craft. As they say you really can’t get covers is removable.
enough pictures and Photo 2 is the sort of picture Photo 5. The rectangular box-like
I’m sure is good for model making. It’s worth fittings on either side of the hatch are
noting the prominent rounding of the deck plating liferaft containers painted grey.
and covered on each beam are the mountings for
7.62mm machine guns.
Covering most of the troop deck are five
removable full-width housings which provide
shelter from the sea during the run in to a beach,
but also some limited protection from enemy
gunfire, Photo 3. 35 full-equipped troops (or Royal
1 Marines) can be embarked together with the usual
crew of three and four such craft can embark a
complete company of 140 Royal Marines. The two
4 which was 13m x 3.2m, both being of aluminium doors at the front of the covered section open
construction. Notably though, the Mk. 5 is fitted outwards to allow a swift exit from the troop deck
with two water-jet propulsion units powered over a lowered ramp. These covers can be easily
by Volvo Petra TAMD-72WJ diesels developing completely removed to enable a totally open deck
860bhp. This arrangement gives the planing hull area which alternatively can accommodate small
form a top speed of 25 knots unloaded or 16 knots soft-skinned vehicles, a single 105 or 155mm gun,
fully laden. A further defining feature of the Mk. 5 or up to eight tons of stores. Photo 4 is another
is its six-sided wheelhouse, whereas the Mk. 4’s view of the troop deck covers, but looking forward,
was rectangular. Presently in 2015, four Mk. 5’s starboard side.
are embarked aboard the Royal Navy’s LPD’s HMS Moving further aft now and there is a deck over
Bulwark and Albion, and four are also carried by the the engine room and to the right of Photo 5 is
LPH HMS Ocean. the access cover to that space below with two box
types of liferaft containers painted grey, stowed on
either side of it, whilst on each beam are the covers
Photo Tour above the diesel engines. On the centre line is the
The opportunity arose to visit HMS Bulwark when pelican clip for securing the aft end of the LCVP to
she was visiting the River Mersey as part of the one of the davit falls.
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Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 19

 warship scale

Wheelhouse
This LCVP has a six-sided wheelhouse which can
accommodate two of the three crew and it is also
lightly armoured to afford some protection for
them, Photo 6. A closer look at the detail around
the windscreen and particularly the operation of its
wipers is in Photo 7.
On top of the wheelhouse is a folding mast that
supports a navigating radar at its head, the various
navigation lights and the communication aerials,
Photo 8. The next piece of equipment I have to
8 hazard a guess at its function, but it may well be a
7 thermal or infra red imaging device or perhaps a 360
Photo 8. There is a short mast that degree TV camera, Photo 9.
supports the navigation lighting and Moving aft at the rear of the wheelhouse there
radar. Photo 6. The six-sided wheelhouse for the crew.
is a watertight door, which has three locking dogs
Photo 9. I’m not quite sure as to Photo 7. Useful for model makers is this close-up view of and leads into the conning position. It’s also worth
the function of this electro-optical the wheelhouse.
device, but a number of options are
noting that the aft facing windows can be opened
mentioned in the article text. Photo 10. The rear of the wheelhouse looks to be quite a from the outside and there is plenty of other useful
‘busy’ area. detail for the model maker in Photo 10. The view

10

20 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 warship scale

Photo 11. The deck fittings

just aft of the wheelhouse.

Photo 12. Well clear of

the keel line are the two
water-jet units. When
looking at the port drive
unit, just visible is one of
the hydraulic pistons for
operating part of the drive
system.

11 12

13 14

of this deck area right aft, Photo 11, shows a HMS Bulwark’s well deck Photo 13. The cavernous opening at
cordage reel; a small powered winch; the type of the stern on HMS Bulwark, with two
Mk.5 LCVP’s in the foreground.
mooring bollard fitted and the scuttles over to port Both HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion have a
for internal access. So as you have seen, there is floodable rear well deck capable of handling four Photo 14. Secured in the dock on
Bulwark are two Mk 10 LCU’s. These
much more to these craft that at first sight might of the larger LCU (Landing Craft Utility) Mk. 10 are larger landing craft capable of
seem to be the case. craft, which are each 29.8m long and 7.4m beam. carrying a battle tank. They are not
carried slung beneath davits.
When fully flooded, these wells have a depth of
3m of water and there is also 550 linear metres Photo 15. HMS Bulwark with two of its
Water-jets of storage and parking space forward of them LCVP Mk. 5’s on their davits.
Just visible below the transom are the two PP170 within the ships, Photos 13 and 14. Their
water-jet units. These units are installed above four LCVP Mk. 5’s though are normally stowed
the keel to allow for the craft’s maximum reach in beneath the davits amidships on these warships,
shallow water, without damage to them, Photo 12. Photo 15.

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Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 21

 warship scale

17 16

18 19

Photo 16. The multi-tasking LCVP

davit,

Photo 17. The mast is designed to fold

down aft, so as to clear the davit.

Photo 18. Sensitive pieces of

equipment are covered when not in
use. this next picture of a Mk. 5 LCVP also suspended
Multi-tasking davit from davits, but aboard the LPH (Landing Platform
Photo 19. A Mk. 5 LCVP as carried by
HMS Ocean. Fitted to HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark is a special Helicopter) HMS Ocean, Photo 19. This picture
type of davit for the Mk. 5 LCVP’s. gives a clear view of the underside of the Mk. 5
Photo 20. HMS Bulwark departing the
River Mersey following the Battle of These are a Welin Lambie LUM Multi-Tasking LCVP showing its planing hull form and the external
the Atlantic Commemorations of 2013. Davit with a lift capacity of up to 26000kg and skids which allow the hull to rest upright when
incorporate the benefit of fully adjustable hook aground.
centres allowing the operator the option of changing Our final picture of an LCVP Mk. 5 is on HMS
the location of the fore and aft pick-up points by as Bulwark departing the River Mersey after the very
20 much as 2.5m either way, fore and aft, Photo 16. successful Battle of the Atlantic Commemoration
Whilst stowed under its davits, the LCVP has its event of 2013, Photo 20. These craft would
mast above the wheelhouse folded down, Photos make an interesting modelling project and be a bit
17 and 18. The need for collapsible mast and different from the normal landing craft we might
accompanying aerials is graphically illustrated in see at the pondside.

22 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 warship scale

21 22

24

25
23

HMS Skirmisher - Part Ten very like hatch covers, having a similar purpose to 26
a conventional skylight and having a porthole to
This month sees the method of construction for provide light into the space below when closed. For
fitting the engine skylight flat vents that are sited this last item, Model Timbers can supply almost any
on the after part of the main deck housing between diameter of brass porthole and they each include a
the two after boat supports, Photo 21. clear Perspex insert, Photo 24.
Unfortunately, there are few historical on-board
pictures of HMS Skirmisher and none of this area
of the ship, hence this last general picture just to Fixing the portholes
give some idea as to the location of them. The next The location of each of these was carefully marked
picture is from an earlier part of construction, but on the upper cover to correspond to the port
will provide a better illustration as to where these opening in the actual vent cover. The brass porthole
flat vents will be fitted on the model, Photo 22. can then be pressed through from underneath the
As I have mentioned previously, the main deck top cover as in Photo 25. With them fitted, two
housing units are removable as it helps when fitting strips of 0.31mm brass wire were fixed to their top
Photo 21. Both HMS Sentinel and HMS
out the model and for their painting. The same edges, making sure that these did not interfere with Skirmisher had a series of engine
applies now, as the unit indicated by the arrow can the vent cover being fitted, Photo 26. These are room skylight vents fitted between
their after davits. These skylights are
still be easily lifted clear. the bars to prevent damage to the glass in them flat on the deck and not in a small
on the full-size warship. What we have now are shed-like housing as is perhaps more
four of the vent covers fixed in place and closed, common.
Forming the vent housings with the remaining two to be fitted later in an open Photo 22. The location of the main
As part of the method for making these, I think position. As the underside of the brass portholes deck housing for the skylight flat
vents.
it helpful to approach their construction in logical protrude slightly down beyond the thickness of the
steps and with the help of the drawing and a upper cover, four circular openings were made in Photo 23. Each of the separate parts
for the vents has been prepared and is
number of period reference works it was possible the lower cover piece to allow the protruding brass ready for assembly.
to determine to a fair degree how each of the vents portholes to fit comfortably, and in so doing also
worked which helped very much in coming up with provide a close match for the upper and lower cover Photo 24. A brass porthole from Model
Timbers is ideal for the round porthole
a mode of construction. The over-riding intention pieces. At this stage the upper and lower covers that admits light when the vents are
was to have two of the vents open, with the were not permanently fixed together, Photos 27 closed.
remainder closed and this means opening the vent and 28, (overleaf) and you can also see the barred Photo 25. Each porthole is fitted with
voids on the lower cover, on top of which will sit an portholes. This was all quite fiddly work, involving two protective bars made of 0.31mm
brass wire from Albion Alloys.
upper cover unit. The reason for having upper and drilling holes and inserting rods (bars) which had
lower cover pieces as in Photo 23, is to allow the their very short ends bent at 90 degrees to then Photo 26. The 0.31mm brass wire
interior or grating beneath the vent door flaps to be be inserted in the actual vent openings. A jig was bars across the portholes can be
fixed either using solder paste or thin
not just visible, but also easily fitted. handy for making sure the receiving holes for these superglue.
In some respect, the vent covers which look rods were all equally spaced.
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Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 23

 warship scale

29 30

27
31 32

28
Open vent cover
securing frames
Although the lower cover is part
of the actual deck housing, it is
well to check and ensure that it is
still a good fit, Photo 29. Visible
on the drawing are three frames
sited vertically adjacent to the vent
covers, which seems to imply that
when a vent cover is fully open
it can be secured in place by a
spring loaded catch attached to
them. This is also shown in the
publication ‘Shipyard Practice as
applied to Warship Construction
c 1911’, but the builder’s drawing
Photo 27. Four of the vents are fixed
closed to the upper cover piece, whilst is not clear enough to show that
two will be fixed open. any such catch was actually fitted.
Photo 28. Temporarily fitting the Other pictures show similar vents
upper cover to the lower cover piece, having lever arms either side 33
exposing the gratings for the two open supporting a vent cover, which
vents.
would suggest that these could be
Photo 29. Putting the lower cover used to adjust the opening position from the inside . 0.45mm drill was used to make the holes and a
piece into position over the deck
housing. frame inserted into place. This was repeated for the
others, Photo 31.
Photo 30. A simple method was used Soldering the framework Once the three frames were fixed, dummy
for preparing the upright vent support
frames and then soldering them. Making the frames involved bending 0.4mm brass hinges were cut to size from 0.45mm brass wire,
wire into an elongated inverted U-shape then Photo 32. The next task was to fit the internal
Photo 31. The first frame is set in
place. soldering a length of 0.4mm brass to divide this in lever arms which are fixed to the underside of the
two. Soldering fine wire is quite straightforward, vent covers and to the inside of the openings. The
Photo 32. The other support frames
and hinges have all been added to the but depends by and large on good preparation. Not cover and their lever arms were then to be set at an
upper cover piece. sophisticated preparation, but maintaining some angle so as to have the covers in an open position
Photo 33. The adjustable arms were basic rules principally keeping the job clean and of approximately 60 degrees from fully closed.
added to the underside of the two secure for soldering. A ‘How to Solder’ feature This has been illustrated with other similar types
open vent covers and fixed into place. is scheduled for the MB 2015 Winter Special so of hatch, however what you see here is my best
I won’t delve too much into the nuances of good approximation and perhaps not a true exact copy of
soldering practice, but the type of soldering iron how it all would gave been, Photo 33. It is though
used can make a big difference. For this job a 60 what our Editor would call ‘modeller’s licence’, as
Watt variable heat iron was used with a fine flat- it does not look wrong and in the absence of any
ended tip, so the heat could be concentrated around other photographic data, is the best one can do 100
the areas to be soldered, Photo 30. years after the warship existed.
In the forthcoming September 2015 issue of
MB, in Part 11 we shall have a detailed look at the
Fixing the covers various types of davit fitted to HMS Skirmisher and
With the soldering completed, a pin vice with a how they have been made.

24 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 warship scale

Answer to the July 2015 steam turbines produced 65000shp, giving a top
Mystery Picture speed of 30.5 knots.
The vessel’s construction was at a somewhat
The clue was: A navigation error with deadly leisurely pace, the warship not being completed
consequences and as a further clue, look at the until the 2nd July 1925, and then serving only for
forward gun arrangement. a short time on the East Indies station, before
The mystery picture was of HMS Effingham, and being placed into reserve and it was not until 1937,
the clue? HMS Effingham struck a submerged rock though to 1938, that a full refit was instigated.
whilst travelling at 23 knots on 18th May 1940 near During this, all of the original seven 7.5inch guns

“
the Faxsen Shoal during the Norwegian campaign were removed and replaced by nine 6 inch Mk. XII
of WW2. As a result of the damage received and that were surplus C class cruiser guns. These were With the outbreak of war
an order that the ship should not fall into enemy mounted, as seen in the July MB Range Finder
hands, once the ship had been fully abandoned, the Mystery Picture, in a triple tiered arrangement and
in September 1939, HMS
Tribal class destroyer HMS Matabele sunk HMS hence the additional clue. There were three 6 inch Effingham was assigned to
Effingham by torpedo on the 21st May 1940. The guns amidships and three more aft, plus four 4 inch duties in the North Atlantic
ship actually rolled on to her side as she sank in anti-aircraft guns amidships on 01 deck, but these including a period hunting
shallow water and was eventually dismantled just were later changed again and the single weapons armed raiders, a task for which
after the end of WW2. replaced by twin 4 inch turrets. In addition there HMS Effingham had been
HMS Effingham was laid down at Portsmouth were three quadruple 0.5 inch machine guns. The

”
originally designed.
Naval Dockyard on 6th April 1917 as a warship to change that effected HMS Effingham’s profile the
counter the German surface raiders of WW1. These most, was the result of the two aft boilers being
were usually light cruisers or armed merchant removed, together with the aft funnel and the
cruisers and to match this threat called for a remaining uptakes then being trunked into a larger
fast well-armed cruiser type of warship, and the single funnel.
Hawkins class was seen as the answer. With the outbreak of war in September 1939,
At 12800 tons, these warships were considerably HMS Effingham was assigned to duties in the
heavier than the D class cruisers then under North Atlantic including a period hunting armed
construction and at 605 feet in length and 65 feet raiders, a task for which HMS Effingham had been
beam, were the largest cruisers to be laid down originally designed. The loss of HMS Effingham
until the RN County class of 8 inch gunned cruisers during the operations around Narvik in the Spring of
of 1924. 1940 still remain shrouded in controversy, as there
HMS Effingham was laid down 6th April 1917 has been much written over the years and even a
including the specified coal fired boilers, but these BBC programme on the subject. However, it would
were changed to oil fired during construction, seem that the course plotted was agreed by the
allowing the aft boiler room to be reduced in size, navigating team, but the drawn line on the map
so providing more internal space for fuel bunkers. unintentionally obscured the submerged rock mark References and
HMS Effingham had four propshafts and her geared on it, that HMS Effingham subsequently struck. acknowledgements
Landing craft ref: Allied Landing
Craft of WW2 Naval Institute Press.
LCVP Mk. 5 ref: Naval Institutes
This month’s mystery Guide to Combat Fleets,
picture - The clue is: pages 854 & 855.
Immortalized in defeat.
Scout/light cruiser engine
space vents ref: Shipyard Practice
as applied to Warship Construction
by M.C. Dermaid, c1911.
Warships - A Text Book by
E. L. Attwood, 1904.
HMS Skirmisher class drawings
sourced from the National Maritime
Museum.
Brass portholes: Model Timbers,
website: www.modellingtimbers.co.uk
Brass wire and tubing: Albion
Alloys,
website: www.albionalloys.co.uk
HMS Effingham ref: Cruisers
of the Royal and Commonwealth
Navies by Douglas Morris,
pages 168 to 171.
Cruisers of WW2 by M.J. Whitley,
pages 77 to 80.
My thanks to the Captain and
Ship’s Company of HMS
Bulwark for their help and
assistance during my visit. Also
my thanks to the RN Northern
Regional Office for their help and
assistance.

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 25

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 special feature

Deep Dive VII

Andrew Cope builds the Speedline Models submarine kit

I
think there comes a time when many of the market, much of the really quality scale stuff
us model boat enthusiasts have looked on appears to start at around £600 and quickly rises
enviously at that rarer breed, the submariner. ever upwards.
Many perhaps ponder the idea of owning a radio I was therefore pleased to stumble across the
controlled model submarine, but the complexities Speedline Models Deep Dive VII radio controlled
can look more than a little daunting to those just submarine kit. The kit costs around £150 and is a
becoming familiar with model boats. The thought relatively simple but effective way to slip beneath
of all that water desperately trying to force its the waves without a bank heist. The submarine
BELOW: Deep Dive kit vac-formed way into every electrical component each time it design is based on a ‘research vessel’ style and in
parts. submerges is enough to scare off most. The costs bright yellow you stand a good chance of seeing
BELOW RIGHT: The decals and can be just as off-putting, as while there are some it at depth, even if in murky water. The kit was
laser-cut parts. more affordable kits and ready to run options on previously manufactured and marketed by another
company, before being acquired by Speedline
Models. There didn’t seem to be any videos or
pictures of the model in action on the Internet, but
one was ordered on the basis it was likely to be
my one and only foray into submarines and at an
affordable price as well.
The purists will say that Deep Dive VII isn’t a
real submarine, as it has no static diving capability,

28 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 special feature

ABOVE LEFT: Bow area assembly.

ABOVE: Stern area assembly.

LEFT: The basic cut-to-size hull unit.

“ The submarine is constructed

mainly from vacuum formed
parts, which you just cut out
and either bolt or stick together
using styrene adhesive and/or

”
superglue.

relying on dynamic diving to go underwater. This way that leaves you confident the components will
means that it powers itself under the surface stay glued, and watertight.
by using a combination of its propeller’s forward All the main components are provided in the
motion and large front diving planes, it normally kit, but you will need to add your own radio gear,
being ballasted to only just float on the surface batteries and perhaps a few minor bits and bobs.
when not in motion. So while you can’t vertically A Ripmax 400 type of motor was installed, but a
dive with it, the model should always come back 500 type motor might also fit, but at a squeeze as
to the surface if something fails and in all honesty I torque rather than high rpm is needed here.
can’t say I have missed the ability to go straight to Construction is relatively straightforward, but if
the bottom of the lake via the shortest route. you fail to follow the instructions carefully and in
the correct order, you might find yourself in a bit of
trouble. My advice is to read the instructions several
The kit times and measure several times, before cutting
The submarine is constructed mainly from vacuum and drilling. Most of you might already know that
formed parts, which you just cut out and either bolt high frequency radio transmissions don’t travel well
or stick together using styrene adhesive underwater, so either a 40 or 27MHz radio system
and/or superglue. The latter is quite expensive, but is needed and most certainly not 2.4GHz. You can
is essential for sticking metal to hard plastics in a get away with a two channel set if you’re clever,
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 29

 special feature

The r/c and motor tray. The internal watertight box under construction.

The completed internal watertight box with lid. The batteries are under the round access cap. Ready for testing!

but I think at least three channels are required to you want the submarine trimmed nicely so as to
operate the model, as these are needed to control ‘fly’ horizontally in the water. Test it in the bath or
the rudder servo, a separate diving plane servo and something similar, before going to the lake.
the electronic speed controller. All the electronics
are housed in a watertight box (pressure vessel)
constructed from the parts provided and a helpful Conclusion
viewing window on top gives you the confidence Having now used Deep Dive VII for about a year,
that all is working okay at point of launch. I can confirm that I am very pleased with it. The
submarine is surprisingly fast and very agile under
the water with an unexpectedly tight turning circle
Ballasting and instant response from the large diving planes.
The only element of the project that required a little It does take a few runs to get used to the controls
trial and error was the ballasting. It doesn’t take too if you have only experienced surface boats, as you
much lead flashing to sink the model, as the outer actually fly the model through the water in three
hull floods with water on purpose, but getting the dimensions and the ballast balancing act mentioned
correct fore and aft balance took a few goes as earlier makes a significant difference to its fore and
aft trim. This is all part of the learning experience
sail, please visit YouTube and search and the model soon gives you the confidence to
for Buxton Model Boat Club 27 and explore the depths, safe in the knowledge it will
Buxton Model Boat Club 32, or go re-surface.
to: www.speedlinemodels.com. LED lights and an underwater camera might
Andrew is proud to a member of the perhaps be obvious upgrades, but that route is likely
Buxton Model Boat Club, website: to involve the scary and expensive complexities I
(To see more photos of the construction www.buxtonmodelboatclub.co.uk - was keen to avoid in the first place. So for now, I’ll
and a short video of the build and first Editor) just continue to enjoy the model and place a tick in
the, ‘Done the RC submarine-thing box’!

30 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 special feature

Dragonforce John Gittins builds

the Joysway RG65
model yacht

T
his Almost Ready To Run (ARTR) model yacht against this website, most of the suggested
first arrived in the UK model shops during the modifications had already been incorporated by
summer of 2013 and has been designed to Joysway. It was also possible to reference two
comply with the existing RG65 model yacht rules. YouTube videos by Mike Weston showing the
However, it has been so successful that it now has assembly of the model and this information was
1
its own class, as a sub-class, within the RG65 rules. helpful in the assembly and construction of it as
These radio controlled model yachts are 655mm featured here.
(26ins) long and can be transported fully rigged.
Dragonforce was initially a joint design by Mike
Weston of RC Yachts and model yacht designer Unboxing the yacht
Mark Dicks. Their intention was to produce a small The ARTR Dragonforce comes in a brightly
craft that would not only fit into a recognised class, coloured box of the type that we have come to
but also easily into a family car with its rig in-situ expect from manufacturers in the Far East. The
and all at an affordable price. As the design work box lid also shows that influence by having a large
progressed they were joined by John Tushingham dragon printed on the sails and it is available in two
who worked out the sail rigs and collaborated on versions.
the final design features. The commercial aspects
of the venture were covered with Ripmax as the UK 1) With a 4 channel 2.4Ghz receiver and transmitter
importers and Joysway as the manufacturer. installed and connected to the rudder servo and sail
The prototypes were shown by Joysway at the winch.
Nuremberg Toy Fair of February 2013 and after 2) Without the receiver and transmitter, but with the
modifications, imports into the UK commenced sail winch and rudder servo pre- installed.
during the Summer of 2013.
Length is 655mm, height 1338mm, beam I wanted a more ‘subdued’ sailing model, so prior
116.5mm and retail price, depending on version to starting the project, the Internet was searched
purchased, is from £135. It is available from the for an after-market suit of plain sails. The only
usual retail and online traders as advertised in this supplier who offered fast delivery and a realistic
magazine. price was Tim Long of Abersoch Boatyard. He also
had the kits in stock, so one was ordered without
radio gear, but with an A suit of sails, all delivered
Design modifications within a week.
There is a comprehensive Dragonforce website Lifting the box lid was a revelation, Photo 1.
which gives details of recommended modifications On top were two comprehensive instruction
to the kit as supplied by Joysway. It also details the booklets written in English and German. There was
class rules and specifications. The kit featured here a fully compartmentalised expanded polystyrene
kit was purchased in early-2015, but when checked interior with preformed spaces for all the major
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 31

 special feature

components. When the interior is lifted out there

are similar spaces underneath, which contain the
components for the boat stand, the jib and sail booms
and parts of the mast. With this quality of packaging
there should be no transit damage to the kit.

Initial stages of construction

As suggested in the instructions, the stand was
the first item to be tackled. This dry-fitted together
easily but needs to be glued to become a secure
cradle for the yacht.
Next step is the hull. The Dragonforce website
mentioned that sometimes the deck eyes were
a trifle loose and under adverse conditions could
leak. This was indeed the case with this kit and the
recommended procedure is to remove each of the 2
deck eyes, coat their treads with 5 minute epoxy

adhesive and refit them. tightened until the mast top was 40mm aft of its
I also was concerned about the visibility of a 3 ‘relaxed’ position. The jib boom was attached to the
comparatively small boat on a crowded lake so relevant deck eye as instructed. Final adjustments
some orange trim-line tape was applied to the hull, to the rig were made to ensure that the jib boom
Photo 2. Observant readers will notice that some was 25mm to 30mm above deck level and that it
was subsequently removed, because it seemed to cleared the mast by approx.. 5mm. Rigging was
ruin the sleek appearance of the hull, Photo 3. completed with the main boom and jib boom
actuating cords, Photo 6.
The final step in construction involved fitting the
Radio installation self-adhesive patches on the deck to cover the radio
The choice is pretty much yours, but the 2.4GHz gear and access to the batteries.
Spektrum radio is standard across the Gittins’ fleet, so
it was just a question of obtaining a suitable receiver.
The recommended installation position was decidedly Maiden voyage
on the small side, so only a receiver that would This took place on a sunny afternoon at the local
comfortably fit in the available space was wanted. The club’s lake and we were all pleasantly surprised in
model therefore ended up with a 4 channel system the way Dragonforce handled and responded to
even though only 2 channels are used. The receiver radio control. She revealed no apparent vices and
was connected to the sail winch, rudder servo and showed a reasonable turn of speed in the light and
its battery pack, Photo 4, so all that was then variable breeze, Photo 7.
needed to complete the electronics was to bind
the receiver and transmitter. Hull construction was
easily completed with a straightforward installation The future?
of its rudder and keel. It is intended to change the four cell AA battery
pack to a smaller rechargeable type which will be
Rigging fitted close to the base of the mast instead of at the

“
Rigging commenced with using five minute
epoxy adhesive to join together the two sections
of the mast, this adding strength to a potentially I wanted a more
vulnerable joint. The instructions suggest rigging ‘subdued’ sailing model,
the boat with the mast in place on the hull, but so prior to starting the
I deviated from this and laid the mast on the
project, the Internet was
workbench and rigged the sails, main boom and jib
boom with everything horizontal, Photo 5. This searched for an
meant it was possible to avoid the effect of gravity after-market suit of

”
as the rigging progressed. The instructions were plain sails.
very clear and there were no problems with this
part of the construction.

Final assembly
The mast was slipped into its socket in the hull and
the backstay loosely connected. The mast was then 4
measured up to a reference point and the backstay

32 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 special feature

“ Dragonforce was a
pleasure to build and it
can be transported fully-
rigged on the back seat of
a normal family car and

”
it sails well

aft end of the hull, as hopefully this will give a better

balanced hull and a lighter and faster yacht. Further
experiments and fine tuning should bring the best
out of this hull.
Currently it just has an A rig, but complete B and
C rigs are available at realistic prices for windy and
rough weather sailing.
Dragonforce was a pleasure to build and it can be
transported fully-rigged on the back seat of a normal
family car and it sails well, the designers having
more than achieved their aim with this little yacht in
my humble opinion.

Websites
Abersoch Boatyard Services
http://www.abersochboatyardservices.co.uk
Dragonforce 7 6
http://dragonforce65.com

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purchased online.
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 33

 special feature

ABOVE: The Helion

Rivos as supplied and
this is what you get
for £99.95

Rivos!
John Elliott reviews the Helion RTR model
On the water
There is little to do except charge the drive battery,
making sure it all works on the bench at home,
before taking it to the lake. Placed in the water, the
throttle was gently opened and off it went. Once in
open water, the throttle was opened to maximum
and it took off as it said on the box like a ‘water
rocket’. With a bit of rudder throw adjustment it is

T
his is one of the latest Ready to Run (RTR) surprisingly manoeuverable for this type of craft
fast electric model boats distributed in the at low speed. There are a few mechanical on the
UK by J. Perkins via the usual retail outlets model adjustments that can be made using the trim
and it is described as being the fastest in its class. tabs and skegs on the stern.
Apart from a few mishaps, like hitting the bank and
overturning the boat (it floated, did not sink and once
What’s in the box? the right way up again, everything still worked fine),
It has a durable ABS hull, 616mm long (712mm all giving about 30 minutes of fun. If run at full throttle
in total including the outrigger rudder) and is continually, the running time would be most probably
available in red or blue. The outfit comes complete reduced to around 10 to 15 minutes, but with a larger
with everything you need including a 2.4GHz two capacity battery fitted this could be improved. Whilst
channel wheel style of Tx complete with four dry operating the model, a tone was emitted from the
cell AA batteries, a watercooled 550 size motor, handset which was a warning that the transmitter
receiver and watercooled 30 Amp esc, together batteries were getting low, a useful feature as the
with a 2600mAh NiMH 7.2 volt battery, mains transmitter had been left ‘On’ for some considerable
charger and a stand. time whilst bench testing at home.
RIGHT: The inside of Rivos as
supplied in standard form with a
brushed motor.

Helion Rivos data

Prices:
Complete brushed motor RTR boat £99.99
Upgrade brushless motor pack £64.99
3600mAh LiPo battery £39.99
Charger RDNA008 for LiPo (Multi Chemistry) £24.99

J Perkins: www.jperkinsdistribution.co.uk
Videos: Search for Helion Rivos on YouTube.
Retail availability: Google ‘Helion Rivos’ to find suppliers

34 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 special feature

Alternative motor, esc and with the LiPo battery, but that effectively doubles ABOVE LEFT: The optional upgrade brushless
the initial on the water cost. The deck seal worked components.
battery?
well, and even though upside down for a few ABOVE: The brushless components fitted into
There is an add-on pack that includes a 1800KV minutes, only a minimal amount of water entered the hull - a 20 minute job.
water-cooled brushless motor, 40 Amp watercooled the hull. However, purchasers may wish to add
and waterproof brushless esc and an 11.1v 3s some buoyancy foam or small balloons for their BELOW: On the transom are manually
adjustable trim tabs and a skeg. These are
3600mAH 25c LiPo battery (Note: The specification peace of mind though. very sharp, so be careful.
at the time of writing was incorrect as this
brushless esc does not have a reverse facility, but
this is being changed). It is not essential to use the
LiPo battery as a standard NiMH pack will suffice,
but the extra voltage, capacity and low weight of
the former is an advantage. You will also need to
buy a special charger for the LiPo pack.
Fitting these upgrade parts is quite simple, as
only the brushed motor has to be removed along
with its matching esc etc.
A new motor mount is included in the upgrade
kit and coupling, plus some water tubing. The
whole upgrade process only takes 20 minutes
and full instructions are included. And on the pond
again? All I can say is, using a modern expression,
‘awesome’. The speed this tiny craft attained
was remarkable and quite thrilling, but you need a
decent expanse of water to reach its full potential.

Conclusion
For just under a £100, Rivos offers excellent value
and is great fun. The optional brushless pack will
give you that extra speed and longer running time

Rivos on the water. Speed is

scintillating both in its standard
brushed motor form and even more
so with the upgrade brushless pack.
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 35

 free plan

FREE
PLAN
RIGHT: Aboma under way. This classic picture
shows the arrangement of fittings forward
and at this stage of her career, she has been
given a rudimentary steering shelter with
canvas dodgers. The heavy balance weight
on the starboard side of the hinged funnel
should be noted and electric mast head lights
are carried, with emergency oil lamps stowed
at the bottom of the mast. (Photo courtesy
J.& M. Clarkson)

BELOW RIGHT: Naja, a similar tug with her

funnel hinged for going under a low bridge.
(Photo courtesy G. Lane)

Aboma
James Pottinger presents a Free Plan for
this traditional 1930’s diesel tug

T
ugs are a perennial favourite of model makers keenly by the other tug owners.
as evidenced by the many fine examples seen Aboma was the first of three motor tugs
at ponds and exhibitions, steam versions quite that Gaselee & Son (Thames river tug owners),
possibly still having the edge in popularity, even if purchased new from the shipbuilders Cochrane
electric powered. This example has the advantage of Selby in Yorkshire during 1933. This vessel was
of being to all intents and purposes a steam tug fitted with a 390bhp British Polar diesel at a total
as demonstrated by its tall funnel, but strange as cost of £6650 and was actually less costly than the
it may seem, is in fact a diesel driven vessel. This previous steam tug ordered by Gaselee & Son. She
idiosyncrasy is a bonus for model makers in that was 75 feet long overall with a beam of 17 feet and
they can convey the impression of a steam propelled gross tonnage of 67 tons. Aboma served faithfully
vessel, but can confidently say it really was diesel in the fleet until being sold in 1968 to Scrapping SA
powered and safely fit it with a radio controlled in Belgium, for just £650. Can you imagine picking
electric power unit. up an old tug for that amount?
The first diesel powered tug on the Thames was Gaselee & Sons owned 16 steam tugs in 1930,
the Grove owned by Hays Wharf in 1919, followed but when they took the plunge and ordered Aboma
by the Flanchford and Rocott for the same owners. in 1933 together with the other two, they rapidly
These were fitted with early types of diesel engine discovered that three diesel powered tugs cost
and with the continuing advance in power and the same to operate as two of their older steam
reliability it was only to be expected that their lower powered vessels. As always, decent photographs
BELOW: Mamba, a similar tug. fuel costs, superior thermal efficiency and ability to of tugs from bygone years can be hard to come by,
(Photo courtesy of Rays) start and get under way quickly was being watched but I have included here some of Aboma and also
those of very similar designed vessels.

A model
As is usual with my plans, this is a drawing which a
model maker can use to build a scale model of the
original, but I do not include ‘glue Part A to Part B’
instructions, so it is for those with some general
experience in the hobby and who can interpret a
plan and its dimensions. Here follows a description
of the various parts of the tug, starting at the bows.
The main deck layout is pretty well standard
for this type of river tug, no hawse pipe being
provided for the anchor which is lifted out by a davit
right forward. This davit can be located on either
side of the bow in hinged sockets located inside
the bulwark rail and a hand operated windlass is
used for winding the anchor cable in or out. The

36 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 free plan

skylight unit on the foredeck has a hinged escape A hinged funnel was (and can still be) a feature
hatch and deadlights around its sides, but these of tugs that operate on the upper reaches of the
do not have protective bars, although those on its Thames, to allow their passage under the many
top surface do have them. The mast is fitted in bridges and a heavy counter balance weight is fitted
an angled tabernacle on top of this skylight trunk, on each side of it to assist in lowering and raising. I
but is mounted at an angle to allow the lowering have drawn this arrangement as shown on original
of the mast to rest on the starboard side of the plans and seen in photographs, but have to confess
wheelhouse casing. The mast is weighted at its I cannot see how the top section can hinge down
bottom by a heavy balance weight to facilitate the given the position of the pivot point and the shape
raising and lowering of it. of the actual split.
The lower section of the wheelhouse is of A single tow hook is mounted on the aft bulkhead
steel with a teak planked upper section around of the engine room casing with oil fuel filling trunks
the steering position. When first built, this was with hinged covers and associated control valves
open with vertical posts at its corners to support immediately aft of it on the deck. ABOVE: The aft deck of the preserved
protective canvas screens, but later a roof was Another small skylight trunk with a top hatch and tug Brocklebank in Albert Dock,
Liverpool. Again, this is very much
added with glazed side, front and rear screens to sliding cover is located on the aft deck with round bar shows the aft arrangement of an
afford some protection from the elements. section towing beams positioned over its top. Please electrically driven capstan, bollards
and eye plate. The notable point
The bridge controls were fairly basic with a note the tank mounted at the forward end of this being that traditional tug deck fittings
central compass, steering wheel and the engine trunk and a small Gog eye and bollard located right changed little over the years.
room telegraph on the port side. The navigation side aft to take the cable used to control the tow line.
lights are shown on the plan view in an extended The circular flush hatches on the deck are for
position mounted on pivoted bars, but these access to the small coal bunkers beneath it which
could be folded inwards along the sides of the feed the stoves in the accommodation below and
wheelhouse if required. a number of swan neck vent pipes are situated
Steering chains to the rudder are led inside the around the deck, typically as shown on Section
bulwarks, port and starboard, through the bulwark A-A on Sheet One. The top sections of the stove
stanchions. On the straight lengths there are steel chimneys and the ensign pole aft can obviously be
rods with chains and guide sheaves on the curved lifted-off when towing operations are in progress.
hull sections as well as the area leading up to the No winch was fitted to the aft deck, all towing
steering gear gypsy wheel. A length of coil spring ropes being manhandled.
was inserted on each side to take the shock loads
and these are enclosed in protective steel tubes.
Stop plates were fitted to limit the travel of the tiller, Colour scheme
the whole assembly being covered by a slatted Gasalee & Sons Ltd were well-known tug owners ABOVE: A close-up of twin tow
hooks on Brocklebank mounted on a
wooden grating at the stern, very much in the on the River Thames, readily identified by the common pivot and support rail. Note
conventional style of tugs of this era. prominent three red rings on the buff coloured the emergency trip wires which lead to
The engine room casing under the funnel has an funnels. the helmsman, in order to release the
tow in an emergency.
entrance hatch with hinged cover on the port side Black: Upper hull, lower fixed section of funnel,
at its after end and vents and flush deadlights are bollards and samson posts, towing beams.
fitted to its top. You will notice the total absence of Mid-Brown: Deckhouses and lower section of mast.
cowl vents, which no doubt some viewers of the Buff: Funnel, ventilators, hatches, inside bulwarks,
model might query. Curved tow line limit stop posts upper section of mast, cutwater at bow.
are fitted at the aft corners of the engine room Red Oxide: The deck.
casing with braces to their forward sides, but the White: The line around the hull at the top of the
one on the port side is slightly further aft, to avoid bulwark, name and port registry.
fouling the casing’s top hatch opening. Teak: Wheelhouse wood panel planking.

Rana (and Fossa). (Photo courtesy

Richard Emmet)
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 37

GALLERY
by Roger Suitters

Atlantis XV
T
his passenger carrying submarine submarine has three crew including a
is located at Bridgetown, pilot and co-pilot. Once dived, various
Barbados. Other similar craft exciting fish can be seen, coral, a
operate in the Pacific as well as the shipwreck and the sea bottom.
Caribbean. When you check-in for your The submarine manoeuvres so that
day’s adventure, a signature is required all the passengers are able to view each
which is then used on a certificate to and every thing, before it heads back to
confirm you have dived to 145 feet in the mother vessel, the actual dive lasting
the submarine, which is actually towed about 40 minutes. Once surfaced, the
to the dive site and following a series of passengers transfer back to the support
safety checks, the passengers are only (mother) vessel and the submarine is
then allowed on board. There is enough towed back to port ready for another
battery capacity for 12 dives and the voyage.

Principal particulars
Length: 65 feet
Weight: 80 tons
Normal operation depth: 150 feet
Maximum diving depth: 600 feet
Speed: 1 to 1.5 knots submerged
Capacity: 48 passengers and 3 crew
Viewing: 13 x 2 ft. diameter viewports both sides
and 52 inch front port
Propulsion: Battery powered electric thrusters
Cabin pressure: Air-conditioned at normal sea level pressure
Buoyancy: Sealed water tanks, adjusted to provide
positive buoyancy as required
Contacts: Email: [email protected]
Website: Barbados.atlantissubmarines.com
Reservations: (246) 436-8929 3 Also on Facebook

38 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 ▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 39

 special feature

2 1

Painting Queen Alexandra’s

Phil Button with some unexpected repairs to his Disaster!
steam driven model The day was warm and the lake was almost flat

T
his may seem to be an unusual title for an calm with virtually no breeze to speak of, so it
article purporting to be about model boats, should have been the ideal conditions for a model
but please bear with me as all will eventually with a rather tall superstructure that can be
become clear. Those of you who are regular heart-stopping if it catches a sharp gust of wind on
readers of Model Boats may remember an article the beam and then heels violently. The first time
in the November 2012 issue covering the trials and around the lake went without a hitch and she was
tribulations during the extended build of my live brought alongside for a boiler refill and top-up of the
steamship model Queen Alexandra. In case you engine lubricator before being steamed-up again
have forgotten, Photo 1 shows her in all her glory for a further voyage on the water. The Spektrum
on the boating lake at Sheringham in Norfolk. 2.4GHz DX6i transmitter has a timer facility so that
At six feet long and weighing around 15 kilos, one can have a visible and audible reminder to not
she is an approximately 1:40 scale model of the allow the boiler to run too low on water and it was
1902 Clyde turbine steamer Queen Alexandra, and now showing that there were about two minutes
is fitted with a vee-twin steam engine and boiler of left to go on this second run, so Queen Alexandra
my own design and build. Photo 2 is a postcard started to head back for servicing.
view of the original vessel and Photos 3 and 4 are As she crossed the open area of the lake in
of the boiler and steam engine fitted in the model. a slow and graceful curve, I became aware of a
Having enjoyed sailing the model at a number of three foot long electric powered motor torpedo
boating lakes, where she has attracted a great boat heading straight for Queen Alexandra at high
deal of attention, I had no real concerns about that speed. Being broadside-on to a fast moving boat
particular Sunday in May 2014 and no inkling that is not a healthy place to be and with a large model
my troubles with this model were not over. such as Queen Alexandra, making violent evasive

40 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 special feature

3 Queen Alexandra as originally built with

white funnels.

4 5

whom shall remain nameless to save their blushes,

Bottom! their inflatable recovery boat was launched in an

attempt to find the model. I have been told that
the lake can be up to 12 feet deep in places, but
that where Queen Alexandra had gone down was,
‘only around 4 feet’. I did not relish the thought of
6

manoeuvres is definitely not an option as it takes a going swimming and/or diving to find the model,
while to respond. but as it turned out it was not too difficult to find
‘He must be going to slow down and/or steer as the gas supply to the burner was still turned on
around me’ was the immediate thought, but no, the and the sunken model was emitting bubbles of the
MTB kept on coming at full speed and collided dead butane and propane gas mix. This led the recovery
amidships with Queen Alexandra. The immediate team directly to the right spot and as long as none
result of this collision was that Queen Alexandra of them were smoking, then all would be well, but
rolled violently to starboard, shipped rather a large recovering such a large model from even just four
amount of the pond’s water and promptly sank. feet depth or so, is not easy.
There followed a moment of utter disbelief, she To cut a long story short, the model was
couldn’t be gone, could she? Then someone said; recovered using a lawn rake to push it into
‘That torpedo boat just hit something, it wasn’t the shallower water where it could be slid along the
big steamer, was it’? Of course it was, and all that bottom by hand to where I was waiting anxiously to
was left on the surface was the now stopped motor complete the recovery. A six foot long model holds
torpedo boat and all the removable upper sections a great weight of water and we were most reluctant
of Queen Alexandra. Photo 5 is a photo-montage to try to lift it directly to avoid breaking the hull’s
of all those normally removable bits that actually back, so it had to be unceremoniously tipped on to
remained afloat, photography on that fateful Sunday its beam ends to empty the water out first.
not being a priority as you will understand. After around 90 minutes on the bottom of the
lake, the hull contained dirty water, mud and an
assortment of small lake-dwelling creatures. Most
Recovery of the damage to the hull appeared at first sight to
After effusive apologies from the pilot of the MTB be just a destroyed stern handrail, Photo 6, and
and other members of the model boat club, all of superficial scratches that had been caused by the
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 41

 special feature

7 8

9 10

lawn rake recovery operations, Photo 7, although of it drying-out and Photo 8 is of the badly water
this last picture also shows some of the hull damaged bow underwater section.
damage as it dried out. Photo 9 is of another part of the keel, that
appeared at first to be sound, but as that dried,
cracks appeared. Anyway, after a fair few weeks of
Repairs drying out, the hull was rubbed down, repaired and
The electronics of the radio control gear had been filled as necessary.

“
totally filled with water, namely the 4.8v receiver Photo 10 is of the filled and repaired bow area,
battery pack, Spektrum receiver and six servos. Photo 11 is of the amidships lower hull area and
The worst damage resulted After rinsing all of these with clean water and Photo 12 is of the stern. All this work led to the
from the water having reached allowing them to dry, the battery (after recharging) reason for the title of this article, because when my
parts of the hull that it should and the servos worked as before. It always wife returned home once during the repair process
amazes me that much of our modern radio control and asked what I had been doing that particular
not have been able to get to in
equipment does not seem to mind being dunked, morning, I replied, ‘Painting Queen Alexandra’s

”
normal operations if allowed to dry out properly. However, the same Bottom’.
cannot be said of the Spektrum receiver, which Photo 13 is of the hull now repainted and
refused to bind with any transmitter. Subsequently, looking as good as new, but I have to remind
this receiver was dismantled and the printed circuit readers that if this misfortune ever happens to you
board scrubbed both sides with a toothbrush (and I hope it doesn’t), with a wooden hulled model
and clean water, allowed to dry and it now works please be patient and wait for it to dry out properly,
perfectly once again. and then wait a bit longer before commencing
The steam engine, boiler, lubricator, pipework repairs.
and oil interceptor were also filled with water and
all removed from the hull, further rinsed-out with
clean water, oiled as necessary and put aside for Epilogue
later refitting. At the time of writing, Queen Alexandra has been
The worst damage resulted from the water returned to her former glory and she can once
having reached parts of the hull that it should not again grace boating lakes with her presence. The
have been able to get to in normal operations and model has been through the usual bench tests
this did not become apparent until after some days and all seems to be well, but I am waiting for

42 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 special feature

11

13

12

warmer weather (this being written in the Winter of

2014/2015) before taking it on a trip to the lake again.
I consider what took place to be an unfortunate
accident that could have happened to anyone, but
all the same, why did it have to be me?
Yes, I am still visiting the club involved and I still
talk to the MTB pilot as life is too short to hold
grudges, but Queen Alexandra is also now 17 years
old, so was perhaps getting to the point of needing
a return to the shipyard for a bit of a refit anyway.
It turned out that the radio control transmitter used
with the MTB had an intermittent fault, so it is very
difficult to blame anyone for what happened and
to paraphrase a well known saying about kitchens
and heat, ‘If you can’t take the knocks, then stay off
the lake’. One clown at the pondside congratulated
me on having the world’s first steam submarine, (Phil Button is to be praised for his forbearance ABOVE: Queen Alexandra in all
her glory on the boating lake at
but I suggested he look up the Royal Navy K class over the unfortunate accident to his model. Sheringham in Norfolk.
submarines as they beat me to it by around 100 Colliding with ‘minding their own business’
years. wildfowl is something that should never happen
Finally on that ill-fated day shortly after the and perhaps the lesson from all this is that
recovery of Queen Alexandra, a fast electric boat we should all look where we are going when
ran into a Canada Goose that was quietly minding operating our models, particularly the faster
its own business on the water. The goose took ones when on shared water facilities. With
fright and immediately took off in great haste, sadly regard to the intermittent transmitter fault,
I have to say to the amusement of some of the personally I would have got it seen to sooner
general onlookers. One of the club officials then rather than later, as the model is always worth
said, ‘That’s it, I’ve had enough for today, I’m going far more than its radio control system and in this
home’, as obviously two such events in one day case, also someone else’s model.
was now proving too much for him. Paul Freshney - Editor)

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 43

 BRISTOL MODEL 2
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 history

The entrance to the Commander

&Jetsam
Holbrook Memorial Park.

Flotsam
John Parker delves into the archives
29: The Holbrook Connection

I
t’s an odd thing when you come across a 2.5in (43.3m) and beam of 12ft 7ins (3.8m), though
submarine that has apparently beached itself, this was enough to give them much better
400 kilometres from the nearest ocean, but for sea-keeping qualities than the A-Class. Maximum
drivers approaching the township once known as speed was 12 knots surfaced and 6.5 knots
Germanton, a little north of the Victoria/New South submerged, with a crew of 15 and armament
Wales border on the Hume Highway in Australia, of two 18 inch (457mm) torpedo tubes. Diesel
it is a regular occurrence. Closer inspection will propulsion did not arrive until the D-Class, so a
reveal the strange sighting to in fact be the deck single petrol engine of 600hp (448kW) provided the
casing and sail (conning tower) of a 90 metre long motive power, with a 180hp (134kW) electric motor
Oberon class submarine erected in a park over for submerged running. Fumes from the petrol
a concrete waterline ‘hull’ to form a convincing engine were a constant problem for the crew as the
realisation of a submarine running on the surface. small hull had no dividing bulkheads.
Why here though, of all places? You have to go back
a hundred years for the answer.
The mission
Holbrook’s submarine had recently been fitted
HMS B11 with a replacement battery of improved capacity
In December 1914, 26 year old Lieutenant and this was the major factor in its choice as the
Norman Holbrook RN was in charge of HMS B11, vessel to attempt a forcing of the Dardanelles,
a Royal Navy B-Class submarine on patrol in the the narrow strait joining the Sea of Marmora
Mediterranean Sea following the outbreak of World to the Mediterranean, so as to attack Turkish
War One. As its designation suggests, the B-Class shipping in the area of Chanak. The mission would
was just one step removed from the A-Class that be hazardous in the extreme, as the strait was
formed the very first class of submarines used by protected by a string of forts and coastal batteries
the Royal Navy. Built by Vickers from 1904 to 1906, on each side, a dense uncharted minefield and an
the eleven vessels of the B-Class were primitive adverse current which ran to 4 knots in places.
and small. They had a displacement of just 287 tons This would require the B11 to run at a near
surfaced and 316 tons submerged, a length of 142ft maximum submerged speed of 6 knots, a rate its

46 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 history

LEFT: Large scale model of the

submarine B11 in the park.

BELOW: The small size of the B11 can

be gauged from the relative size of her
crew members.

BELOW: Commander
battery could only sustain for a short time, so as to cleared the minefield, he was taken aback to see Holbrook VC.
advance at just 2 knots, a slow walking speed. With the outline of what proved to be the Messudieh, a
preparations made, Holbrook set off at 0300hrs on 9100 ton pensioned-off battleship being used as a
the 12th December. floating fortress. This he soon sent to the bottom,
Trimmed well down to avoid detection in the despite return fire, using two torpedoes fired from
weak morning light, he dived to 25 feet on the 800 yards. Once again, the B11 now had to run the
approach to the straights, but was troubled by a gauntlet to make its escape, made more hazardous
re-occurring noise and vibration coming from the this time by a faulty compass and a Turkish gunboat
front of the boat. Forced to surface to investigate, that gave chase. Surfacing outside the mouth of
he discovered the specially constructed bow the Dardanelles after a long period submerged, the
guard, designed to deflect mine moorings, had air in the hull was said to be so depleted that the
partially broken away and there was no option but petrol engine long refused to start, but Holbrook
to dismantle the remainder and proceed without eventually managed to return safely to his base at
its protection. Keeping close to shore where he Tenedos and a hero’s welcome.
expected the current to be slower, Holbrook soon
ran into another unexpected problem. Where the
fresh water running down the strait from the Sea of Afterwards
Marmora met the salt water of the Mediterranean, Lieutenant Holbrook had demonstrated
areas of varying water density formed, causing the the potential of even an early B-Class
B11’s depth to fluctuate wildly and placing great submarine to wage war, and it paved the
strain on the men who worked the craft’s way for later more advanced submarines
manually-operated stern hydroplanes. of the E-Class to penetrate as far as the
Some hours later and still undetected, Holbrook Sea of Marmora. In recognition he was
took his craft down to 80 feet to traverse the awarded the Victoria Cross, the first to
Kephez minefield, proceeding completely blind. be given to a submariner, and his fame
When he came to periscope depth once more, spread far and wide as his exploits in
having calculated on dead reckoning that he’d the Dardanelles made headline news.
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 47

7
 history

ABOVE: B-Class submarine drawing

in the Holbrook Submarine Museum. Mr. Phi Phillips,

ABOVE: Mr. Phillips’ model prior to Residents of the Australian farming community an ex-RN submariner himself, was building a model
shipment from the UK. of Germanton were particularly inspired. In the of the first submarine he served on, HMS Ro Rorqual,
wave of anti-German feeling that was sweeping when a friend, Mr. Robert Mathews, dropped by
the country following the outbreak of World War and asked him if he would like to build a mod
model
One, they had already voted to change the name of the B11 that he could take to Australia. Mr.
of their town, and seized now on the new name Mathews had bought the Holbrook family printing
of Holbrook. Thus was born the start of a long business in the 1950’s, and was well versed in the
association with the traditions of the Silent Service Holbrook family history.
that led to far inland Holbrook becoming known as Mr. Phillips then began a search for suitable
the ‘Submarine Town’. plans, which he was able to obtain from the
Retiring from the Navy and later promoted to the Royal Australian Navy. His resulting model, some
rank of Commander, Holbrook served once again 900mm long, was duly shipped to Australia and
with the Admiralty Trade Division in World War Two presented to the Holbrook Submarine Museum in
and visited the town that had been named after him a glass case by Mr. Mathews and his wife Jean on
three times in the post-war years, most recently 19th November 2004. The model now forms an
in 1976, shortly before his death that year at the important part of a presentation in the theatre room
age of 88. His second wife, Gundula, presented his of the museum, in which a holographic likeness
medals to the town in 1982 and donated $100000 of Gundula interacts with the exhibits and tells the
towards the cost of establishing the deck casing story of her husband’s forcing of the Dardanelles
and sail of the decommissioned Oberon class in the B11. She does this in a very characterful and
submarine HMAS Otway as a centrepiece of the moving way, whilst holographic crew members
Commander Holbrook Memorial Park. The Otway run down the foredeck of the model to remove
Memorial was officially dedicated in 1997 with the mine guards or the model is surrounded by the
Gundula, having made her fifth trip to Australia explosions and sound effects of enemy fire.
at the age of 92, present at the ceremony. In the
park may also be seen the ‘Duck’s Arse’ (normally
submerged tail section of the Otway), a Mark 8 Conclusion
torpedo, a large 1:5 scale model of the B11 and the It is satisfying to be able to relate a story in which
Holbrook Submarine Museum. wherein lies another the threads, some a century apart, come together in
unexpected UK/Australia connection, this time this way, and to recognise the role of model makers
involving a model submarine. and their models in bringing history alive to new
generations. I recommend a visit to Holbrook to
all Model Boats readers finding themselves in this
Mr. Robert Phillips Australian part of the world.
Robert, a Model Boats reader, wrote to me in Model maker drawings for ships of the Royal
August 2014 about the AE1 and AE2 submarines Australian Navy are now made available through
BELOW: The model as it now appears (Australia’s First Submarines, September 2014 the Navy Historical Society of Australia, please see:
as part of a presentation in the theatre
room of the Holbrook Submarine issue) and went on to mention that it was he who http://www.navyhistory.org.au/shop/ship-plans/
Museum. built the 1:48 scale model of the B11 that resides

48 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 Email: [email protected] Tel 01202 763480
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Calda Craft R/c Pirate Ship 1:60 .780mm ................................................... £88.04
ARTR (Almost Mayflower 1:60 .650mm................................................... £165.36
Joffre: Tyne Tug 1:48th 775mm ....................................... £232.23
North Light: Weston isle coaster 1:32nd 660mm ........... £232.39 Ready To Run) VICTORY MODELS Static
Marie Felling: Crown Colony Tug 1:32nd 1105mm....... £368.34 Controlled via 2
S.S Talacre: Single Hatch Coaster 1:48th 863mm........... £232.36 Sciabecco 1:60 .720mm..................................................... £133.06
functions Chinese Pirate Junk 1:100 400mm..................................... £81.19
Cumbrae :Clyde Pilot 1:32nd 864mm............................ £247.96
Sir Kay: Table Class minesweeper 1:48th 933mm....... £266.36 With 1 brushless Viking Long Boat Oseberg 1:50 440mm.......................... £106.99
Imara :Tug Crown Colony Tug 1:32nd 1105mm........... £431.91 outboard motor H.M.S Pegasus 1776 Sixth Rate Swan Class 1:64th .........£349.00
Brannaren: Coastal tanker 1:48th : 1067mm.................... £277.36 HMS Vanguard Ship Of The Line 1/64th 1171mm ......... £694.00
After installation of HM Cutter Lady Nelson 1:64, 530mm, 1/19c 10 gun........ £124.95
Milford Star: Steam Trawler 1:48th 933mm.................... £212.57
Alte Liebe: Harbour tug 1:25: 984mm............................. £260.81 the receiver and HM Bomb Vessel Granada, 1:64, 800mm……………..... £268.90
HMS Fly, 6th rate Swan Class Sloop, 1:64th 810mm........ £291.00
Schaarhorn: Steam yacht 1:35 Length: 1140mm.............. £311.55 drive battery, the
Resolve: Salvage Tug 1:48th 1165mm............................ £472.00 model is ready to
Amaranth: Herring Drifter : 1:40th 600mm...................... £101.79
go: CALDERCRAFT (Nelson's Navy) Static
Thunder Tiger Sea Dragon Racing Yacht 993mm.... £179.00
Laser :1/4 Scale Laser Yacht Inc with bag & radio.......... £413.00 Description: ARTR (Almost Ready To Run) model ,GRP hull ,Built-in
H.M.S Victory: Ship Of The Line 1:72 1385mm............ £709.00
Graupner True Blue: Bermudian Rig.............................. £144.99 brushless outboard motor ,Built-in controller ,Built-in servo HM Brig Badger: Brig 1:64 600mm .............................. £161.00
R/C Yachts Simple installation of the RC components Price:£255.60 H.M.A.V. Bounty : 1:64 660mm .................................... £157.99
HM Revenue Cutter Sherbourne, 1:64, 500mm……....... £72.61
HMS Mars: 1781 Armed Brig, 1:64, 790mm…………... £183.68
HM Mortar Vessel Convulsion: 1:64, 600mm…….......... £91.00
Robbe Atlantis, Wishbone Schooner, 1:20, 1730mm....... £439.00
Robbe Windstar, 1Mt class inc Std Rig (Sail)................... £338.99 Westbourne Model Centre HMS Agamemnon, 1781 3rd Rate, 64 gun, 1:64 52"...... £615.00
HM Brig Supply, 1759, 675mm, 1:64 sc……………...... £135.50
Aquacraft Vela One Meter sailboat .....................................£410.39
Thunder Tiger Vouger II 1Mt .............................................£149.99
41 Seamoor Rd Westbourne Dorset HMS Cruiser, 1797, 18 gun brig. 1:64, 850mm……….... £193.57
HMS Snake, 1797, 18 gun Sloop, 1:64, 910mm……....... £194.57
ProBoat Westward RTS Return to base motor 69Cm ....... £139.60 BH4 9AE HMS Diana, 38 gun heavy frigate, 1180mm…………..... £442.19
ProBoat Serenity 1Mt Ep RTR 914 mm..............................£245.99 Mary Rose, 1545, 1:80, 730mm……………………….... £241.17
Tell/Fax 01202 763480 HM Bark Endeavour, (Cooks) 1:64, 725 x 275mm….... £208.06
HMS Jalouse, 1794 ex French 18 gun brig 1:64 815mm… £204.99
Opening Hrs 9:15..5:00Pm Mon-Sat Half Day Wed

th MODEL BOAT
26 CONVENTION
Sat 29th & Sun 30th August 2015
Theme ‘Glynn Guest Models’
Haydock Race Course
Signed from M6 J23
Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside WA12 0HQ
N Q
Hundreds of models on display • Competitions • Trade Stands • Pond for ‘Have a Go’
Admission £7.00 (Adult), £3.00 (Child under 16), Children under 5 FREE.
Doors Open: 10.00 am and Close 5.00 pm Saturday & Sunday.
Refreshments and Snacks Available • FREE Parking • Disabled Facilities
For further details contact: Mrs Jean Barlow
Tel: 01492 583433 • mob: 07789 348817 • email: [email protected]
 steam basics

Boiler Room
Part Fifty Six: Lapping Richard Simpson’s series on model steam plants

I
n the July issue as we
Under the microscope
looked through the
possibilities of putting our Traditional machining techniques would have
routine tasks into some sort typically left the surface of the metal in a relatively
of Maintenance Schedule rough condition, which, when looked at as a section
and one thing I mentioned under a microscope, would look something like
was lapping. Then it occurred that in Diagram One. The tool marks would leave
to me that the topic of grooves in the metal surface and the surface of
lapping metal surfaces these grooves would be rough. Lapping is designed
together may be well worth to remove the machining grooves and improve the
considering in another Boiler surface quality to something more like what you
Room article, so as we move can see in Diagram Two. When the two metal
on this month we will have a surfaces are then brought together to work as a
look at this in a bit more detail. sealed joint, the two parts should ‘bed’ together
Lapping seems to be one of to form a good seal, effectively finishing off the
those old fashioned ‘black lapping. Sometimes people can get a bit carried
arts’ that gets mentioned away and strive to produce a beautifully polished
every now and then, but I’m surface with as fine a finish as possible, however
not always sure that everyone this can then work against you. The fine surface
understands not only how will actually hold very little lubricant in it and so the
we do it, but just what is bedding-in process can actually lead to overheating.
happening in the process. The surfaces are best left at around a fine wet and
dry grade of 1000 grit to enable the bedding-in to
continue to a good sealed contact.
What is Lapping?
Lapping is basically the
preparation of a metal surface How to ‘Lap’ your components
to make it as accurate and One of the most common mistakes with lapping
smooth as possible, usually can actually cause you to do a lot of damage to the
for the purposes of sealing parts and that is by not understanding just what is
a metal to metal contact. going on with the process. You are basically using
In the good old days of an abrasive grit to remove the surface of the metal.
high pressure steam As the surface becomes finer you then move on to
1 plants on ships, there was a finer grit to improve the surface further, and so on.
no such thing as a gasket I have seen many cases in engineering workshops
between joints as the high where an abrasive compound, or grinding paste,
Photo 1. Most general purpose pressure would have simply blown it out. The only is put on to a surface plate and the component is
hardware outlets may only supply acceptable joint was that the two surfaces were lapped to it. In this case not only are you removing
waterproof abrasive papers up to
around 600, or maybe even only prepared by lapping and then held together under metal from the component, but you are also
400, grit. To get to 1000 grit you will high pressure to form a seal. Even nowadays, many removing it from the surface plate. After many
have to look at such places as car
body shop consumable suppliers, diesel engine high pressure fuel pipes are joined by uses, the surface plate itself becomes concave, yet
possibly online, who all stock such lapped metal to metal contact joints, held together they continue to ‘lap’ components on it. Now we
papers, which is around the standard
you should be thinking of for model
under high pressure. However, lapping is becoming are making them deformed as well to match the
engineering lapping. less used as the ability to generate very high quality surface plate, so you have to ‘lap’ on a perfectly
machined surfaces is far more common than ever flat plate, otherwise you will never generate a flat
before. A perfect example of this are the CNC surface.
machined valve parts of the TVR1A engine from The best way (for me at least) is to tape abrasive
Graham Industries. Even though the instructions paper to a flat surface and rub the component on
advise lapping, the surfaces are so perfect they this paper. As the grit of the paper wears then
really do not need it, although just the very briefest you simply replace it so the base surface remains
of wipes to better prepare the surface for bedding- flat. A piece of glass from a small picture frame is
in may be worthwhile. Lapping is therefore making ideal, but a perfectly flat metal surface is just as
the surface of the metal as perfect as possible good. On to that is put the wet and dry sandpaper,
and in the case of our steam plants we are almost Photo 1, and some light oil to lubricate the cutting
certainly going to be looking at lapping two surfaces process, Photo 2. You will quickly see the oil turn
that are going to be sealing together, but also cloudy as the abrasive grit on the paper and the
sliding over each other, as in a slide valve or a raised surfaces of the component are eroded by the
steam regulating valve. lapping process. As the surface of the component

50 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 steam basics

becomes perfectly flat with an even matt finish

across its surface, you can then clean and degrease
the part and change the paper for a finer grit.
There are many and varied ideas on just what
motion is best to rub the machined parts across the
paper; some suggest a figure of eight and some
suggest circular with alternating directions, but I’m
not sure this is too critical. I would however avoid Diagram 1
a linear motion as this may tend to favour pressure
on one edge, but ideally the machined finish
should require very little lapping anyway as you are the sealing surfaces when assembled, which Diagram One. Traditionally a
doing nothing more than preparing the surface for should be supplemented with more lubricant when machined surface would never be
perfectly flat, as each successive
bedding-in. Basically I do figures of eight until bored, in operation. The two lapped surfaces should pass of the tool would leave it’s
then do circles! now polish themselves together until a perfectly own distinctive cut and therefore
a low point. Nowadays modern
Avoid heavy pressure as light pressure should generated surface is created, after which they tooling and machine tools can
do the job and it should not take too long to should remain sealed for a long time to come. generate far finer surface finishes
which may be acceptable without
generate the even matt finish. Lapping is not a Hopefully if you have got it right, you will not see any further work such as lapping.
means of removing metal to a size, it is a process any leakages at the surface and the engine will run
of simply preparing a surface. If you try to reduce reliably and smoothly without any escaping steam
the dimensions of a part by lapping, you may well causing a mess inside your boat.
damage the surface to the point where it may
actually need re-machining, but then you will also
probably have lost the will to live before then! Final thoughts Diagram Two. Lapping should
remove the high spots left by the
Once you understand the process of what is going machining process, but leave
enough of the original machining
on with lapping it becomes easier to complete the low points to hold oil for
After lapping process effectively and efficiently. A common fault lubrication during the
Once both surfaces have been lapped they should is to get too enthusiastic and strive for a perfect bedding-in process.
then be flat and ready to finally bed-in together,
Photo 3. (overleaf) Use plenty of steam oil on

Photo 2. Once set up with a flat surface and your paper

firmly attached, a few spots of oil to lubricate the rubbing
should see you achieve a nice smooth even motion.
Circular or figure of eight movements are best, but keep
them light. If you need to remove more material use a
courser grade paper and not more pressure, then come Diagram 2
back to the finer grade to finish off.

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 51

 steam basics

Photo 3. As can be seen with the

refurbishment of this control valve,
the original markings visible on the 3
valve at the top have been removed
by lapping on the valve at the bottom.
With both faces lightly lapped, the
valve is ready to be reassembled and
put back into operation.

to re-machine and run the risk of spoiling the valve

fit, but also the decision was made not to lap the
surface back to a perfect face as this would have
required far too much material to be removed. I
was happy with the overall flat surface that could
bed-in properly with use and accepted the fact
mirror that there might be a very small percentage of
finish, but this leakage across the face during operation, but in
as explained fact when assembled, the engine runs perfectly.
previously will It is always worth lapping back to a flat surface
work against you. whenever components are changed, disturbed, or
You are aiming for for whatever reason you are putting two faces back
a nice fine grey even together that have not been previously bedded-in
surface using around together. A quick lapping should enable the faces
1000 grit paper which to bed in together again in their new positions and
will hold oil until the surfaces have mated help to ensure the best possible operating seal.
4 together perfectly. If you are using grinding
pastes, which I would avoid for the reasons stated
earlier and then using a metal polish, this is way
too fine and the surfaces will probably never bed
together properly.
Lapping should actually be a very quick process
and should not be thought of as a means for
Photo 4. The slide valve running
face on the cylinder of this old Stuart correcting a poorly finished machined surface. If
Turner engine was not in the best of the machined surface is good enough you may
condition, so the choices were to
re-machine, make a new part or simply
even decide not to bother with lapping and many
lap the surface. Not wanting to make of today’s CNC machined components have a
a whole new cylinder or disturb things superb surface finish that would have been
too much by re-machining, I decided
to simply lap the surface back to an unheard of a few years ago. Going back
acceptable standard. 40 years or so, new cars had ‘Running In’
stickers and you had to take it back the
garage at 1500 miles for an essential oil
change and check, but not now, such is the
pace of engineering accuracy.
If you are dealing with older parts and
particularly with a refurbishment project,
then lapping may be an acceptable means of
Photo 5. This may not look as pretty recovering a surface’s quality without having to
as a newly machined face, but any
losses that may be experienced in a remake the parts as can be seen with this Stuart
model engine will not be noticeable Turner slide valve running face on its cylinder. 5
and it runs perfectly well, even with the
original slide valve lapped to a similar Photo 4 being before lapping and Photo 5 of it
standard. after the process. Interestingly, it was decided not

52 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 mini gallery

L’Hermione’s Maiden Voyage

Anthony Addams updates us

I
n the Model Boats March 2014 issue, Lafayette Society, founded to celebrate that and then continue in service as a sail training
pages 48 to 50, I described visiting the part of the history of the French support for vessel. The project cost over four million
ship as construction was then in its final the American Revolution. General Lafayette Euros and has attracted a huge number of
year. This has been a magnificent project to persuaded the King of France to send 5000 tourists to Rochford, whilst enabling hundreds
build an 18th Century French frigate with soldiers to support George Washington drive of local people to work and participate in her
traditional materials, the warship now having out the British from America and he sailed to construction and in the future, provide exciting
been completed and the vessel has sailed America in the original L’Hermione in 1780. opportunities for a volunteer crew.
away Rochford (France) to Bordeaux, a voyage Here service period was relatively short, the (There is a kit for this ship by Artesania,
of about 200 nautical miles. vessel being wrecked in 1792. Product Code AL22517, available from
The project to build L’Hermione The accompanying pictures shows the MyHobbyStore , www.myhobbystore.com,
(pronounced L-her-meown) was conceived warship’s arrival in Bordeaux and later in priced at £169.99)
by the joint American and French Hermione 2015, she will cross the Atlantic to America

Rolling Milliput? hints & tips

Ron Rees with a useful idea

I
discovered when trying to roll out Milliput
Epoxy Putty into thin pieces that it just sticks
to everything, something it is ultimately
meant to do, but you do need a non-stick surface.
Flat silicone baking sheets from the cooking
departments of shops, cut into squares have
in the past been handy for mixing epoxy glues,
which don’t seem to stick to silicone very well.
This resulted in the idea of using a bit of the
same silicone sheet for a base and trying to get
hold of, or making, a silicone roller. You can buy a
silicone roller, but they are meant for pastry, very
expensive and much bigger than needed, but in
the same kitchen store there was a 100mm long
piece of 30mm diameter silicone tube, serrated
at each end, this being meant for de-skinning
garlic. It was 99p (gives you a clue as to which
UK budget shopping chain outlet I was in) so it
was purchased, slid it over a solid core with the
help of a drop of washing up liquid and its ends
trimmed square.
Now, the Milliput Epoxy Putty only sticks a
little, if at all, and a drop of water or baby oil helps
Here is the red 30mm diameter silicone tube from the 99p shop and the piece of baking sheet. A drop
the non-stick process. of water or baby oil stops the Milliput sticking.
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 53

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 around the clubs

MYA News
Roger Stollery reports from the Eastern District
Marblehead ranking events at Chelmsford
sailing eight races, Brad was first with six points

H
eld at Chelmsford on the 11/12th April 2015, followed by Graham Bantock sailing his modified
there was lots of wind and on one of the QUARK tied with Peter Stollery with his brand-new
best radio racing lakes in the MYA’s Eastern UPROAR launched at the event for its first sail.
District, all made for superb high-speed racing over Both were on 14 points with Chris Harris sailing a
the two days. STARKERS on 17, Mark Dennis sailing a PRIME
Chelmsford Radio Yacht Club’s water at Wheelers NUMBER on 26 and Darin Ballington sailing a ROK
Hill is right at the top of a hill with no adjacent on 39.5 points.
obstructions, so prolonged gusts up to 25 mph Graham and Lorna Bantock hosted a party in the
had 24 Marbleheads absolutely flying off-wind with evening for all competitors and race team, which
clouds of spray everywhere. Modern r/c Marblehead was much appreciated.
yachts are light, narrow and very powerful with
deep keels and achieve spectacular speeds, which
every competitor of these F1 boats enjoyed, that is Sunday’s Ranking Event
assuming that they could keep them under control Even stronger winds developed during the day
without broaching or overpowering them to let their and required the smallest rigs to cope with the
rudders wave in the air. prolonged gust strikes. The pictures given an idea

“
of the spectacle created on the off wind legs.
Even stronger winds The wind was not in such a favourable direction,
Saturday’s Ranking Event blowing diagonally across the lake, requiring PRO
developed during the day
A simple windward leeward course with a spreader Graham Childs to set a zigzag course in order to
and required the smallest and leeward gate gave everyone a chance to achieve acceptable windward and leeward legs.
rigs to cope with the test their boats against the best in ideal sunny Brad was in his element again leading nearly
prolonged gust strikes. The conditions, starting in B rig and ending in C2, which every race, except where he had a battery problem
pictures given an idea of is one bigger than the smallest in the bag. in Race 3, which allowed Graham Bantock to win.
the spectacle created on the The racing soon showed the quality of the fleet with There were one or two hold-ups as a result of

”
off wind legs. last year’s leading design, Brad Gibson’s GRUNGE damage and subsequent repair and seven races
out in front in every race except Races 7 and 8, were sailed in the most spectacular conditions.
which were won by Graham Bantock. A few boats Once again Brad finished first with 6 points with
had technical problems, but all recovered to race Graham Bantock second with 13 points, Mark
again after repair. At the end of this event after Dennis third with 27, Tony Guerrier fourth with a
QUARK on 29, Darin Ballington fifth on 30 and Peter
Stollery sixth on 39 points.

Conclusion
At the prize-giving Brad thanked the Chelmsford
club and all of the race team for putting on a superb
weekend’s racing. Sadly, we have now heard from
the club that this was the last big event at this
water, which is to be drained and developed for
RIGHT: Radio controlled Marbleheads housing. Guildford MYC are holding the next ranking
are regarded as the Formula One of event at Abbey Meads, Chertsey, website:
the model yachting world.
www.guildfordmyc.co.uk

RIGHT: What it is all about! It is a

shame that the Chelmsford MYC will
be losing this lake as it becomes a
housing estate.

56 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 around the clubs

LEFT: An adjacent bar was used for

some for the models.

BELOW: Work in progress. A model of

a 1960’s Tiger Class helicopter cruiser
under construction. This is an RN
warship that is not often modelled,
its large hangar being a distinctive
feature.

BELOW: The SWA members don’t only build modern

warship models as the model of HMS Victory reveals.

A County Class destroyer, always

regarded as elegant vessels, in front
of the central backdrop.

SWA News
T
he Spring 2015 issue of Quarter Deck ideal as they could be
Ramblings (QDR), the newsletter of the made approximately one
Surface Warship Association, arrived recently foot higher on telescopic
in the Editorial Office, courtesy of Peter Revill. This legs and we were able to
association is a national organisation, its members display the models at the
all having an interest in warships and as a group rear of the display to better effect. We were still ABOVE: An overview of the main part
of the SWA display room area.
they support many model boating and general struggling for space, so we were also able to use
interest events in the UK and Europe. One such an unused bar counter area to the side of the main
event where they were promoting the hobby, was display. After it was all set up I must say it looked
at the Fleet Air Arm Museum’s February 2015 very impressive and it was a little disappointing that
event, and the following is from a short article by we didn’t get more visitors because of poor signage
Steve Bullock, first printed in the QDR newsletter. by the museum, something we will try to sort out
for 2016.
I would like to thank Dave & Andrea Reith, Roy
FAA Museum - February 2015 Skeates, Colin Watson, Chris Hooper, Dave &
Once again we were displaying in the Swordfish Ann Garnet, Ken Winter, Charles Davis and David
Centre with two tables provided by the museum McNair Taylor for all their help in manning the stand
and an extra six hired from them. We had over 30 and taking the time to bring along and display their
models to display, so we also made use of another models.
six tables provided by Charles Davis which were Steve Bullock - April 2015 QDR Newsletter
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 57

 readers’ models

Vigia bow, port side forward,

Trinity House Vessel

Graham Buckton describes his model to gather more dust, but eventually I did make a
start and repaired the damage to the stern, fitted

S
ome years ago, whilst at the CADMA Show a propshaft, skeg and rudder. It was then again
in Doncaster, I was offered a drifter hull and consigned to the ‘to do list’.
plan. I was not in the market for a fishing A couple of years later, whilst trawling through
boat, but having inspected the hull I paid the £20 back issues of ‘Model Boats’, I came across an
asking price. Although quite old, it was a well-made article concerning the Trinity House Vessel Vigia in
of fibreglass with above average wall thicknesses, the January 1977 copy. She had entered service at
but with some surface damage to the stern. The Harwich in 1937 as a tender with the Trinity House
label was still inside, showing it was made in Pilotage Service. After Ministry of War Transport
Aberdeen. service she returned to her original owners and
Whilst at another show I asked Scoonie Models in 1946 was licensed as Pilot Vessel No. 7 and
if they knew of the hull and whether they made continued in this role until sold out of service in 1962.
fittings for it. They did have suitable fittings, but She was constructed on a drifter hull, which
they were not purchased, as I still had no desire Fellows & Co of Yarmouth, built ‘on spec’ in the
to build a fishing boat. This is not, I must confess, early 1930’s. Interestingly she had a diesel/electric
a good attitude for someone who lives close to power plant, so an electric motor in the model
what used to be the two largest fishing ports in the would not be out of place. So, here was a drifter
ABOVE: Stern markings. world, i.e. Hull and Grimsby! hull, but more importantly, not a fishing boat and
therefore perfect for what I had in mind.

A slow start
The hull sat in my workshop [aka the spare bedroom] Plans?
BELOW: Stern deck area.
for a couple of years gathering dust, but occasionally Although published nearly forty years ago, the
BELOW RIGHT: Vigia starboard bridge I would put it on the bench and contemplate what plan MM1228 @ £12.50 is still available from
wing. to do with it. Each time it went back on the floor MyHobbyStore, tel: 0844 848 8822 (UK) or +44 133

58 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 readers’ models

Vigia bows close-up.

water-level. So the model received doors with a

central hinge and mounting brackets, but they do

Vigia
not swing open as that would have been just too
much of a challenge.
The foredeck of Vigia is a little sparse with just a
few fittings, so I decided that with so much deck on
ABOVE: Foredeck detail - note the
view, the planking had to be correctly laid. Again a superb deck planking and neatly
search of the web brought up articles and drawings joggling around the edges.
291 2894 (International), a phone call and cheque of correct practice, which I followed, even down
rapidly securing a copy. The printed article contained to joggling the joints between the planks and the
two photographs of Vigia which were small and not margin board. It took a long time, but I was pleased
much help with detailing. ‘No problem’ thought I, with the result.
as there were bound to be hundreds of images on
the world wide web, but how wrong can you be, as
the only ones were the two in the article. However, Fittings
being on the Internet they could be enlarged, which The original Vigia was covered with numerous
did help a bit. Strangely, the web contained no more brass ports and these and many other superb, and
information than the Model Boats article and I was reasonably priced, fittings were ordered from Keith
beginning to think that Vigia was a figment of the Jewel at Modelling Timbers. He had literally just
imagination of the author, L. W. Hawkins. Even so, moved from three miles up the road from me to the
it was decided that the plan and the two pictures Isle of Man, but an email and online payment saw
did provide sufficient information to get started. the fittings arrive within a couple of days.
Another issue to be settled was how the two
boats were stored onboard, as one of the small ABOVE: Boat detail.
The hull photos suggested they did not sit on the deck, but
An early challenge was creating the freeing ports were level with the top of the bulwarks. Living near
in the bulwarks. The article described them as Hull I was aware of the preserved lightship in the
‘balanced door’, which meant absolutely nothing marina. Although this was built for the Humber
to me. After many hours trawling the web, I finally Conservancy Board I assumed the arrangement
found a report concerning the sinking of a ship, the would be similar. Having been able to get up close BELOW: General bow-on view.
cause of which was attributed to the malfunction of to the full-size boats, I was happy that the storage
the balanced door freeing ports. More importantly, was practically the same, with the davits being
there was a poor quality photo of the offending made from parallel steel tubes, just like Vigia.
door. They turned out to be hinged horizontally in Heat bent brass tube, with more brass rigging
the centre and swung open with the rolling of the blocks from Modelling Timbers ensured the boats
vessel, thereby freeing water from the deck on looked right. When it came to painting I followed
the downward roll but closing when they reached the details in the article, so although additional
information was at a premium, she should be in the
BELOW: Starboard side.
correct Trinity House corporate scheme.

On the water
With a not particularly powerful motor and a large
propeller, she sails at a realistic scale speed and is
very stable, so much so that recently she was hit
broadside by a model yacht running before a good
wind and barely shuddered.
I now have a model that is somewhat different to
the other Trinity House models seen at shows and I
can honestly say I have not seen another version of
Vigia on my travels. I hope the pictures convey the
main features of the model and as I wrote earlier, it
all came from that fibreglass hull bought for just £20.

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 59

 scale musings

Mooring
Post

Auto Docking?
W
hen I started out in this hobby, it was ought to be a result of my skill on the transmitter
enough of a challenge to have reliable controls rather than the ownership of a model boat
control of both the steering and speed that does all the difficult things for you.
of your radio controlled model boat. To be fair, Please do not let my personal feelings stop you
some people still find this a challenge judging by from trying such an idea. It could be a rewarding
the antics at some pond sides, but many have also challenge to produce such a system and who
succumbed to the urge to add the latest pieces knows, you might also create something that
of electric/electronic ‘must have’ items. It is not automatically stops model boats colliding with each
difficult nowadays to find a model boat whose
insides rival that of a supercomputer to say nothing
other, thus earning the gratitude of all the model
boaters in the World!
Gl
Glynn G
Guestt with
ith
of the complex programmable transmitter needed advice and tips for
to make all this work.
Being a pragmatic engineer I’ve always operated
modellers
on the basis of ‘what you don’t put into a model
cannot fail, doesn’t weigh anything and costs
nothing’, and have usually used the simplest
approach to getting the job done. This has, I’ll
willingly admit, not always produced the best
results, but at least they have been genuine learning
experiences.
It is important to keep your eyes open (and brain
engaged!) to see if an idea in a different area can
have potential uses in our hobby. This was the
case when watching some students attempting to
build an autonomous vehicle that would follow a
path marked out on the laboratory floor. This was
achieved with optical sensors and some ingenious
programming to return the vehicle to the desired
path should it wander off course. This part of the
task did not have any obvious application to a model
boat, well unless you can figure out how to paint a
line on the surface of the water, but the next part
did.
The students had to arrange for the vehicle
to stop at the end of the track, turn around and
return along the track. This was achieved with an
ultrasonic sensor fitted to the front of the vehicle.
Whilst watching the amusing antics in which you
could begin to believe that these vehicles had
perverse minds of their own, an idea for potential
modelling use sprang to mind.
Many modellers, myself included, can have
difficulty in the docking manoeuvres featured in
scale steering events. The thought was that such
sensors could be used in conjunction with a
bow-thruster to keep a model central between the
two dock walls. Probably the best way being to
have two pairs of sensors at the bows and stern,
along with bow and stern thrusters, please see the
diagram.
There are other possible ideas, such as using
just the sensors on one side of the hull to keep it
parallel to the dockside, but it is something I’m not
going to try, partly because I lack the expertise to
build such a system and also because I’m not totally
comfortable with this idea.
It seems like it would be another step along
the route to ‘de-skilling’ life. I’m not sufficient of a
Luddite to want to go back in time, no matter how
good some people claim the old days were, but if
I were to sail a clear round on a steering course it
▲

Model Boats August2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 61

 crows nest

Test Bench
Attention - Manufacturers &
● These pages are open to you - your shop window to bring to the attention of
our thousands of readers, new products - kits, books, videos, engines, R/C gear,
motors, anything that could be of interest to model boat builders. Send your
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Dunkirk Little Ships retreated to Dunkirk. ‘Operation which had taken part in the
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Tel: 01453 847800, website: the Admiralty managed to round coincide with this year’s, 75th
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Available direct from the small craft, from private cabin writer and photographer, Nigel
publisher or through the usual cruisers and yachts to commercial Sharp tells the story of the Dunkirk
retail outlets. fishing boats, pleasure steamers, Little Ships. With photographs
In May 1940, following the tugs and ferries which, along with from past and current owners
rapid advance of German troops 200 military vessels, were able and the ADLS archives, taken on this book would make interesting
through Holland, Belgium and to rescue an astonishing 338226 various commemorative crossings reading for both ship modellers
France, the British Expeditionary troops over nine days. and the Queens Diamond Jubilee and maritime historians alike.
Force and the French army In 1965, forty-three vessels Pageant, on the Thames in 2012, Book Review by John Deamer

London’s Pleasure of people. The tradition went and the passengers using them. operating on the Thames and
Steamers back to the 1820’s when the first The steamers went from London their three motor vessels Royal
commercial paddle steamers to resorts on the Kent and Sovereign, Queen of the Channel
Written by Andrew Gladwell. entered service and the later Essex coasts, from Gravesend and Royal Daffodil, being too large
Softback, 96 pages, 235 x advent of paid holidays for the to Southend, from Clacton to for the dwindling trade, were sold
166mm, over 180 photographs masses saw a huge rise in the Ramsgate and Margate. Both off.
and illustrations in both black & numbers of pleasure steamers piers and steamers evolved into However, in the late 1970’s the
white and colour. ISBN: 978-1- glorious reflections of the Victorian paddle steamer Waverley visited
4456-41584-0. Price (RRP) £14.99. age, but in the twentieth century London for the first time and
Published by Amberley Publishing things changed again as there was instantly revived the tradition of
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or through the usual retail outlets. such as Belle Steamers and New In this new illustrated book,
For generations of Londoners, Palace Steamers try and grasp Andrew Gladwell, archivist of
a trip to the seaside aboard a some of the lucrative passenger the Paddle Steamer Preservation
pleasure steamer such as the trade. A brief boom came in the Society, takes us on a fascinating
Royal Eagle, Golden Eagle or years following the Second World photographic journey through
Royal Daffodil was the highlight War, but in the in the mid-1960’s, time on London’s pleasure
of the year and these ‘Poor Man’s London’s pleasure steamer steamers and this is a book that is
Liners’ were part of childhood heritage ground to a halt when thoroughly recommended!
and family life for huge numbers General Steam Navigation ceased Book Review by John Deamer

62 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 crows nest

The Battleship USS weapon platforms providing fire from the Second World War.
North Carolina support for ground troops. Having With outstanding 3D imagery,
Written by Stefan Dramiski. earned no fewer than 15 Battle every aspect of the ship is
Softback, 82 pages, 297 Stars during her wartime service, visible. There are various close-
x 210mm, over 140 super USS North Carolina was the most up views of her superstructure,
3D colour images. ISBN: highly decorated US battleship of armament, radar, searchlights,
9788364596360. Published by World War Two. Decommissioned deck layouts, lifeboats, and the
Kagero and sold in the UK via in June 1947, she was stricken OS2U Kingfisher floatplanes, all
Casemate UK Ltd. 10 Hythe from the Naval Vessel Register based on actual scale drawings
Bridge Street, Oxford, OX1 in June 1960 and in 1961, sold and photographs.
2EW, website: to the State of North Carolina for Information on design,
www.casematepublishing.co.uk, $330000 raised by the efforts of development and combat history
tel: +44(0865) 241249. Price North Carolina school children of each vessel is also included
(RRP) £18.99. Printed in English, who collected the money for the together with a separate double
this book is available direct from ‘Save Our Ship’ campaign. In 1962 sided sheet of 1:350 scale
Casemate UK Ltd. or through she was towed to Wilmington, drawings, all of which makes
the usual retail outlets. North Carolina where she’s this book an excellent reference
The USS North Carolina was newly built fast battleships to preserved as a museum ship and source for ship model makers.
laid down in October 1937 at have taken part in the war in the a memorial to all the citizens of For more information please
the New York Naval Shipyard, Pacific, which she entered in June the state who died in World War go to: www.shop.kagero.pl/
launched in June 1940 and 1942. During her active combat Two. lang/en, where you can see the
commissioned in April 1941, the career she demonstrated that This book, by Stefan Drami ski, full range of these books which
first American battleship to be battleships could perform very is one of the ‘Super Drawings includes British, US, Japanese
built in two decades. She was well in their new role as escorts in 3D’ series that focus on the and German warships.
also the first of the US Navy’s for fleet aircraft carriers and construction of famous warships Book Review by John Deamer

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 propwash

AA11: Andy Rennie’s Bad Wolf head to head with Robin Butler’s Sea Spirit.

BMPRS News
Website: www.bmprs.co.uk
E
vent Number Two took us to Stevenage on powered rescue boat. Ian Searle kindly took on
the 3rd May, which can sometimes see a the role of OOD (Officer of the Day), managing
smaller turnout, perhaps partly due to the the running of the event and he did a great job.
travelling distance involved for those that live in It was cold and wet in the morning and although
the more northerly regions. However it was great conditions improved around lunchtime, halfway into
to see a decent turnout on the day with 31 boats the afternoon heats, a violent thunderstorm arrived
entered, nine more than in 2014. This venue has with Ian wisely halting the proceedings during
superb facilities with a nice café, toilets, parking the big catamaran class race as lightning was also
and a secluded race boat preparation area, but all appearing in the distance, never a good thing when
being close to the lake side. The rectangular racing clutching a transmitter with an aerial. However, this
course on the lake itself is known to be one of the early finish did not spoil what was a great day, but
Craig more challenging, because the longer sections of it
(unlike at other venues) run away from the pit area,
it did mean that the B, C and D classes only ran the
morning heat and their positions were decided on
Dicksonreports from so Buoys 2 and 3 are a good distance away. With those alone.
Stevenage a solid water fountain between them, but some
distance away and off the racing line, if you go
Anyway, after the driver’s briefing at 1015hrs,
racing was immediately underway. How did it go?
too wide you do risk coming into contact with the The smaller AA and A class mono hulls featured the
fountain, but more on that later. most entries so I will focus on those races.
The Stevenage MBC members once again were
brilliant in making us feel welcome, providing
BELOW: Drivers’ meeting called - a bit wet
and miserable on the day. various vital facilities including the all-important AA class
With seven boats entered and this class featuring
the smallest engined mono hulls, we saw some
exceptionally good and close racing. With 60 laps in
total, Mark Wild’s CMB 21 powered Lizard gained
first place. Mark’s second heat proved tricky though
because he hit Buoy 3 head-on stopping the boat,
which upon recovery had suffered damage to its
propeller and the impact had adjusted the fuel
needle settings. Although this incident cost Mark
a number of laps in the second heat, his faultless
performance earlier carried him through for the well
deserved win.
Andy Rennie’s superbly presented Challenger 43,
also CMB 21 powered, achieved a total of 52 laps
for second place, but a stoppage and restart cost
him quite a lot of laps early in the racing.
Sha Simon’s MDS 28 powered Cavalier achieved
a well deserved third place with 45 laps in total. Her

66 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 propwash

ABOVE: B11: Andy Rennie’s holed Warhawk

A86: Bernard’s A class Crusader with Kurt’s Cougar close behind at Buoy 4. patched up with Duct Tape.

total score was let down somewhat from the first take third place, also nominally on 68 laps . Kurt’s
heat with only six laps scored and this was because boats are always impressively fast, but sometimes
the engine did not want to start and only after you expect the unexpected from Kurt - more on this
several minutes was it realised that the terminals of later. Sally Butler’s SC 40 powered Cavalier was
the starter motor were connected the wrong way only two laps behind the top three, scoring 66 laps
round, thus spinning the engine backwards. Then for fourth place.
once going well, the propshaft coupling started Kian Searle’s Crusader 3 gained a very
slipping on the driveshaft needing the boat to be respectable 62 laps for fifth place. Kian, as in his AA
brought in for a tightening-up of the connection. class race, encountered some mechanical issues
However, Sha didn’t give up and proved that even if including the driveline flexi-shaft binding too much
you get a few initial problems you can make it up to against its housing tube. However, his driving skills
still be in the top three. are superb bearing in mind that he is still classed as BELOW: The rescue boat crew doing a
splendid job. An essential task at any
Why did Bernard Holder do so well in the first a junior member and this has been well-noted by race meeting.
heat (please see results table) and end up retiring at his more senior colleagues, so well done Kian.
the very start of Heat 2 for an overall fourth place? What about those in the bottom three A class
Well, the MDS 21 engine once started and the boat places who did not do so well? Junior member
was launched, went ‘bang’ with a complete seizure. Amelia Cheshire got off to a good start, but hit Buoy
This particular engine though has served him well in 1 very hard, ripping off the hatch of her Crusader 3
countless previous successful races. in the process and ending up with just 14 laps for
Junior member Kian Searle’s Challenger 43 sixth place.
achieved 41 laps in total for fifth place. Kian faced Junior member Luke Bramwell’s Sea Spirit
several challenging problems, including initially a suffered a seized throttle barrel and by the time it
seemingly ‘dead’ radio control, fixed after resetting had been freed, the engine’s fuel needle settings
the system. Then after going really well, the boat had been so disturbed that he had to settle for
stopped abruptly with driveline mechanical issues, seventh place, but at least with eight laps scored it
but Kian and pit man Malcolm Pratt soon got it back was better than nothing.
on the water. Robin Butler’s Hyper 21 powered My wife Sally Dickson, with me pitting for
Sea Spirit achieved a fraction of a lap less than her, told me on the starting blocks, ‘I am feeling
Kian’s boat, also with 41 laps in total for sixth place. nervous about this’. Unfortunately this being Sally’s BELOW: A86: Bernard Holder quick off the
Notably, the throttle arm on Robin’s engine came second race (remember from the MB June issue blocks with his winning Crusader.
loose in Heat 1 and he had to beach the boat whilst
it was running flat out, to stop it safely.

A class
With eight entries in this mono hull class, again it
led to some fantastically close racing and good lap
scores were achieved in the top five places. The
powerful CMB 45 powered Crusader 2 delivered
Bernard Holder a commanding win with 94 laps for
first place, an impressive performance in spite of
some minor radio interference for a few minutes.
The ASP powered Crusader 3 of Robin Butler
achieved 68 laps for second place. He also suffered
some radio interference issues for no obvious
reason, but consistency proved the key for the
second place by keeping out of trouble and clocking
up the laps.
Kurt Cave’s TT 46 powered Cougar ended up a
fraction of a lap less than that scored by Robin to
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 67

 propwash

that she had won at that meeting), nerves quickly

got the better of her during the first lap, when
whilst negotiating the difficult Buoy 3 she faced a
number of boats and ended up over-correcting and
running into the bank. That was ‘race over’, with a
bent rudder, bent propshaft, broken propeller and
Sally conceding; ‘I think I need a bit more driving
practice’, but thankfully she always sees the funny
side of things.

B class
With four boats, this larger engine nitro (glow)
fuelled mono hull race class proved to be incredibly
close for the top two places. All four boats were
impressively fast, but two ended up well ahead.
Bernard Holder’s CMB 67 powered Magnum gained both competitors actually ran faultless races with no
58 laps in total for first place, an impressive lap total stopping and some very exciting overtaking. As you
bearing in mind that only one heat was run because can see from the Results Table, the individual lap
of the afternoon’s thunderstorm. Malcolm Pratt’s totals scored by these two boats were not bettered
superbly presented Apache (also CMB 67 powered) in any other class as Ian Searle’s CMB 90 (15cc)
delivered an equally good performance, but with 57 powered Makara gained 69 laps for first place. He
laps scored, he had to settle for second place and had a slight speed advantage over Bernard Holder’s
the other two boats? Magnum, but Ian had to put his driving skills to the
Andy Rennie’s CMB 67 powered Warhawk had test to overtake Bernard who drives a very tight
speed to match the best and was going really well course, a benefit of his having many years of racing
until about halfway through the heat when Garry experience. He scored 65 laps, having to settle for
Dickson’s Challenger accidentally collided with it. second place on this occasion.
Although Garry’s boat kept going, Andy’s Warhawk
stopped and ended up with a gaping hole in the
port side. This was extremely unfortunate as he D class
had to settle for 30 laps and third place. Garry’s With only one heat run in this mono class of the
TOP: Luke Bramwell’s nicely presented
Sea Spirit. Challenger 48, despite being powered by the largest S.I. (Spark Ignition) petrol engines, the
smaller capacity West 52 engine, 8.5cc capacity individual lap scores were low compared to the
ABOVE: D9: Malcolm Pratt preparing
his petrol engined Patriot. versus approximately 11cc capacity of the CMB 67 similarly quick boats of the C class. But with five big
engines, his boat appeared to be just as quick as boats entered and racing on this true drivers’ course
the others. However throttling issues in the mid at Stevenage, the challenge was to keep these big
and low end speed range led to the boat stopping boats going and out of trouble.
several times, resulting in just 27 laps and fourth Garry Dickson’s Saturn delivered a faultless
place. performance with him utilising its speed on the
straights and throttling back in the turns to go the
full distance gaining 55 laps for a commanding first
C class place and Mike Durant’s Gizmo powered Phantom
BELOW: The B class boat (B44) of This mono hulled class for the largest nitro-fuelled clocked up 38 laps for a well deserved second
Garry Dickson holding the racing line
with the yellow Apache of Malcolm engines featured only two competitors, but with the place. Malcolm Pratt’s Patriot was only two laps
chasing him. result decided on just the single completed heat, behind, taking third place with 36 laps. At one point,
Malcolm was chasing Garry’s Saturn around Buoy
4 and spun-out, narrowly avoiding a collision, but
causing the Patriot boat to stall and so needing a
restart.
The TK 27 powered Sigma of Kurt Cave, didn’t
really seem to get running very well at all and he
ended up with just 30 laps and fourth place. For
Mike Barnes, who in previous seasons has been
the class champion, this proved to be a bad day
for him. On starting the Zenoah engine, the front
bearing seals blew out, thus forcing him to retire it
for a big fat zero lap score and all very disappointing
for Mike, but I am sure he will be back to normal for
the next event.

Catamaran T1 class
Only two boats were entered in this nitro fuel
engine powered catamaran class which was a
little disappointing. The K&B 67 outboard powered
Predator of Kurt Cave had the potential to go
like a bat out of hell as theoretically the hull was

68 www.modelboats.co.uk Model Boats August 2015

 propwash

Awesome action in the D class,

with Malcolm Pratt taking
collision avoiding action.

massively overpowered, and Luke Bramwell’s SC

46 powered X-Cat also had the capability to really
run well. However, both boats just kept stopping,
so we never got to see their full potential. Kurt
achieving just two laps and Luke with just one lap.

Catamaran T2 class ABOVE: Kurt with umbrella recovering his Conquest catamaran from where it had
impaled itself on the fountain.
Three boats were entered in this class for the big
Cat’s, their having either nitro (glow) engines or
petrol fuelled S.I. motors, and despite the electrical
storm that cut short Heat 2, some spectacular Stevenage Results - 3rd May 2015
racing was witnessed. The CMB 91 (nitro fuel)
Name Number Hull Engine Heat 1 Heat 2 Total
powered Aeromarine of Malcolm Pratt achieved 94
AA class
laps in total for first place. He used his driving skills
1 Mark Wild 5 Lizard CMB 21 47 13 60
to the full, keeping out of trouble and using the full
2 Andy Rennie 11 Challenger 43 CMB 21 18 34 52
speed of the catamaran for maximum acceleration
3 Sha Simon 60 Cavalier MDS 28 6 39 45
on the straights and Garry Dickson’s Mercury
4 Bernard Holder 86 Crusader 1 MDS 21 44 0 44
achieved 85 laps for second place. He hit a buoy,
5 Kian Searle 128 Challenger 43 Picco 21 29 12 41
causing it to stop and upon re-launch the engine
6 Robin Butler 10 Sea Spirit Hyper 21 15 26 41
was running too lean causing it to stop again, but
7 Bob Cheshire 16 Challenger 43 Nova 21 0 0 0
overall this was a good result in the circumstances.
A class
1 Bernard Holder 86 Crusader 2 CMB 45 52 42 94
The most spectacular collision 2 Robin Butler 10 Crusader 3 ASP 46 38 30 68
of the day? 3 Kurt Cave 7 Cougar TT 46 33 35 68
4 Sally Butler 12 Cavalier SC 40 25 41 66
Kurt Cave’s KRC powered Conquest catamaran
5 Kian Searle 128 Crusader 3 ASP 46 29 33 62
was running wickedly fast in its first heat, but
6 Amelia Cheshire 98 Crusader 3 ASP 46 7 7 14
it went wide on Buoy 2 accelerating hard in an
7 Luke Bramwell 6 Sea Spirit SC 40 8 0 8
attempt to pass Garry’s Mercury. It actually went a
8 Sally Dickson 77 Crusader 3 SC 46 0 0 0
little too wide and hit the rock solid water feature
B class (Morning heat only as afternoon heat not run due to electrical storm)
bringing it to an almighty halt and if you visit the
1 Bernard Holder 86 Magnum CMB 67 58 0 58
BMPRS website you can see it all captured on
2 Malcolm Pratt 9 Apache CMB 67 57 0 57
video. It then took repeated attempts for the boat
3 Andy Rennie 11 Warhawk CMB 67 30 0 30
to be recovered, thankfully with no damage to the
4 Garry Dickson 44 Challenger 48 West 52 27 0 27
fountain, but with the rescue boat crew thoroughly
C class (Morning heat only as afternoon heat not run due to electrical storm)
soaked from the fountain. Kurt did manage to patch
1 Ian Searle 127 Makara CMB 90 69 0 69
up the Conquest catamaran with plenty of Gaffer
2 Bernard Holder 86 Magnum CMB 90 65 0 65
tape for a run in the second heat and he still ended
D class (Morning heat only as afternoon heat not run due to electrical storm)
with third place.
1 Garry Dickson 44 Saturn MPM 31 55 0 55
2 Mike Durant 8 Phantom Gizmo G31 38 0 38
Conclusion 3 Malcolm Pratt 9 Patriot TK/DM 27 36 0 36
4 Kurt Cave 7 Sigma TK27 30 0 30
Despite the unexpected afternoon’s torrential
5 Mike Barnes 4 Patriot Zen 28.5 0 0 0
thunderstorm that prevented all the race heats from
Catamaran T1 class
being run, Stevenage proved to be another fantastic
1 Kurt Cave 7 Predator KB 67 o/b 2 0 2
meeting. Although we all went home pretty much
2 Luke Bramwell 6 X Cat SC 46 1 0 1
soaked following the storm, some good fun and
Catamaran T2 class (Afternoon heat approx. only 10 minutes due to electrical storm)
great racing was enjoyed by all on the day, and
1 Malcolm Pratt 9 Aeromarine CMB 91 55 39 94
that’s what counts.
2 Garry Dickson 44 Mercury Mercury 40 45 85
Cheers for now - Craig
3 Kurt Cave 7 Conquest KRC 31 17 19 36
▲

Model Boats August 2015 www.modelboats.co.uk 69

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 Warship Pictorial 41.
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Realistic engine sound brushless motors.
Brushless speed controller
1st, 100% waterproof,
system
£59.99 active, marine model Easy to set up and
use. Small size and
FROM £45.99
sound system. It can be
installed in minutes, giving weight. Ultra fine 15A, 30A or 50A
you ultra realistic engine motor control with
and horn sounds straight built in receiver
away. Everything is power. Suitable for
included in the system, use with any battery
wires, module and type. Available in
speaker! These systems 15A, 30A and 50A.
come with adjustable Also available as a
Forwards
--SOUNDS– volume and realistic complete system with
&
Small Diesel Tug engine speed change as motor included. See Reverse
standard. See website or website or contact
Large Multi Cylinder, Air Start your local dealer for
contact your local dealer
Napier Delta Diesel for more information. more information.
24 Month Warranty on all
Diesel Canal Boat Mtroniks electronic products

Mtroniks marine products are available from all good model shops, we are always available for advice direct

High quality speed controls designed and manufactured since 1987 in the UK www.mtroniks.net
[email protected]
41A Ilkley Road, Otley, LS21 3LP, UK www.facebook.com/MtroniksLtd
electronics innovation Tel: +44(0)1943 461482 Fax: +44(0)1943 468335 Twitter : @mtroniksteam