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![](images/Gallery.gif)
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Me -
"But what do I know!"
|
"I haven’t been building boats for decades like
some modellers seem to have been, I can only claim a few years modelling,
therefore I’m aiming this series of articles towards new
comers and younger modellers. Over a series of web pages, I
will review lots of boat kits, how they went together, how
they ran, what modifications are possible & / or necessary and
most importantly how to make them go faster without breaking the bank.!
|
"My
name is Guy Bagley and I am a Modelholic! "
|
![](Modellers/Guy/images/seafish%201%20sml.JPG)
"I am a boat modeller of 15 yrs and now
have some 8 models in my collection, tugs to trawlers, subs to sailboats,
all scales all shapes and sizes. here are some of my models..."
|
Alan C -
"She who must be obeyed" is not happy!
|
![](Modellers/Alan%20C/images/S2300018_small.JPG)
As you can see by the photo's the
bedroom is also my workshop.... which is OK for now and then, well, I'm
not sure!! - "she who must be obeyed" is not happy! |
Andy
- "I
also build model lifeboats to commission"
|
![](images/Andy%20Lifeboat.jpg)
A rightly proud
Andy Iannetta with
his
Trent class
lifeboat |
Andy McGarrity
- Worlds biggest model sail boat? |
![](Modellers/andy_mcgarrity/images/Andrew%20boat%20024%20copy_small.JPG)
I checked the website and
found that I am not alone, there are a lot of other nutters out there!
|
Andrew wright
- "very
pleased with the moulding"
|
![](images/MVC-002S_small.jpg)
I got the hull from Kingston mouldings on Monday, have
only marked out the drain ports up to now, hope to get the beam shelf
fitted for the deck to sit on, in the next few days, am very pleased with
the moulding, very good quality and accurately trimmed |
Arthur
Reynolds
- "I do not build from kits!"
|
![](Modellers/Arthur_Reynolds/image/Midlands087_small.JPG)
Last year when the ship was on
exhibition a representative of Stolt Line came from London to photograph
the model and apart from the actual builders this was the only other known
model in existence. |
Ashley Needham - "48 spiffing
imperial inches" |
![](images/titanic1_small.JPG)
....what I like to
refer to as "The Glyn
Guest style" after the chap who writes for model boats making stand-off
scale boats with flat bottoms and square sides. |
Ben -
"...much to the wife's dismay!!" |
![](Modellers/Ben_Francis-Booking/image/bow%20port%20mid%20%20a_small.JPG)
A nice looking boat which has
provided enjoyment and headaches, and might just be the start of my
"scale" path in the hobby- much to the wife's dismay!!
|
Bob
-
Miniature Scale Scratch Building
|
![](images/DREADNOUGHT.jpg)
"When I began model shipbuilding many years
ago, it was to the commonly used scale of eight feet to one inch. I
considered that smaller scales would result in inferior and
less-detailed models... but I proved myself wrong!" |
Brainman - "Steam powered tug / submarine" |
![](Modellers/Brainman/images/steam%204_small1.jpg)
I started this project several years ago and until I
acquired the engine (in kit form) it just sat on a shelf collecting dust.
|
Brian -
“We hang oot in Geordie Land......
Ye nar in
Nuwcasule on Tyne"
|
![](Modellers/Brian/images/P9290721%20B.jpg)
!
am now into month 19 building from scratch a 1840 12 gun man of war
Brig....in 24th scale - my first Boat / Ship.
|
Brian Philips - My wife carol says their is no hope
for me!"
|
![](images/DCP_0989_small.JPG)
A few new pics for you to see of Eldergarth now
she's finished. |
Colin East
- A 2nd & a 6th! |
![](images/DSC03545_small.JPG)
The first picture is my Loyal Class Tender from Model Slipway that I built
an have entered several competitions, the last word Champs in August this
year were I came 6th. |
Dave Milburn-
‘cos there wasn’t such a thing!
|
Coastal Puffer in tiny scale A puffer seemed an
obvious choice because of its relatively large displacement c/w overall
size, and also because I could add various scale-ish bits and pieces
without reference to a definitive “type”. |
Dick
Hopper - Pics show her
in my test-tank (family allowed to swim when not testing) |
![](images/Copy%20(2)%20of%20PC+NS%209_small.JPG)
I'm nearing completion of Pretoria
Castle at 1/96 scale, I guess some 2 months left to paint and admit 100
odd 1960's era passengers, derricks, and then sea trials. Northern Star
berthed nearby at model of captain Cook wharf, Auckland, though of course
Castle liners didnt call here, save in wartime for troop embarkations. |
David Webb
-
"....WELL I AM
RETIRED."
|
The siren is rated at
110 decibels, Turbine sound
at about 90 decibels and the Guns at about 50 decibels !!! |
Dick Hopper -
Greetings from the South
Pacific.......... |
![](images/PC9-05a_small.jpg)
A progress pic. on the Pretoria Castle, at 1/96 scale, some 7ft
long requiring 30kg of ballast. Started Jan.05, likely finish end
05. Drilling 300 portholes was so exciting....... |
Eddie Mathews
-
".EXPLOSIVE
combination! "
|
I've been looking for a sailing boat for some time, but never really
fancied a normal yacht, they just aren't my thing! :-) After searching the
web I eventually found a boat that I liked, a Bristol channel pilot
cutter. |
Eric McNaught -
This was built literally on
the kitchen table! |
![](images/Banckert-17.jpg)
The kit is very good, comes with full fittings kit, and ABS two piece
hull, which although feels a little fragile to touch, is tough enough. The
wood parts are superb, and this was a big bonus to me, as I do not have
the benefit of a fully fitted workshop. All plywood is precisely laser
cut, and popped out of the sheeting with the minimum of fuss and
finishing. |
Feancis
Fearn - Tugboat skipper wanna-be!
|
![](images/LMES%20%20%20013_small.JPG)
6 Channels and 3 video cameras. |
Geoff -
"I have just a
Penchant
for steam!"
|
![](Modellers/Geoff/images/Naval%20Launch%20Plant.jpg)
"She looks good both on, & off the water with a good standard of detail" |
George Harmon -
Dickie Tug Conversion |
"I guess I could have bought an Atlantic Tug for $250.00 but where
is the fun in that?" |
George Mc Aulay's
- Imara
|
![Imara-01.jpg Imara-01.jpg](images/Imara-00.jpg)
Imara
|
Graham Voss -
"No
problem!! Barbie to the rescue!"
|
![](images/Barbie%20Boat%20Mk1_small.jpg)
"
I told them then that an aircraft never dies and would live on one day
in another form. All over the kitchen table went the bits and
the Barbie boat. Within 2 evenings Radio controlled Barbie Mk1 was built.
"
|
Grahame -
"Had to buy a all a
dealers stock.....3000 of them!!"
|
![](images/Oakgarth%20sml.jpg)
I was attracted to this tug as a model subject as the full size one had
been fitted with a bow thruster, and I wished to try my hand at building a
model thruster.
|
Graham Walker -
"yet
another modelholic"
|
![](links/Links_images/gry1_small.jpg)
My name is Graham Walker, yet another modelholic, this time hailing from
Manchester.
I have just completed the Gry Maritha, the Scilly Isles supply ferry from
the excellent Model Slipway range - PHOTOS ATTACHED.
|
Harold Sailsbury
-
The Charles W Morgan
|
![](images/Sailbury1_small.jpg)
Over the last fifteen years or so I have constructed several scaled (1:50)
model tall ships among them being The Charles W Morgan, The Great Harry,
Thermopylae and The Pandora. They were all built from kits purchased from
model shops and they were for display purposes only. None of them were
built to sail. As this is the last time I shall ever build another model
tall ship I have decided to make The Charles W Morgan again but
with a significant difference.
|
Jan
-
"How long does it take tio build one Puffer kit!?!".
|
![](Modellers/Jan/images/Wyeforce5_small.jpg)
Graupner Southampton / Weyforce and other boats |
Jan Arild Aarseth
-
Sending over some photos of my
model boat.... |
![](images/bilde3_small.jpg)
Powered with el-motor with reduction
gear. 7,2 Volt |
James -
Took to the pond for initial sail and dropped it? one bent shaft, #@$%£ ! |
![](links/Links_images/IM000570_small.jpg)
Finally completed my Vosper sidewall
hovercraft in Dutch Fire and Rescue version. Made from photos and
publicity leaflets and some imagination. |
Jason -
It went OK, but the trouble was, he didn’t want to sail it, so it’s for
sale. |
![](Modellers/Jason_pilgrim/Images/Lugger5_small.jpg)
Model boat building
has become my main hobby and I get a lot out of it. It only started about
a year ago..... |
Jim Cowels -
I've not had a day out of
the pub because of it!
|
![](Modellers/Jim_Cowles/image/War2003_096_small.JPG)
...
I did manage to complete it by doing
all the rigging with a broken shoulder (now that's dedication) - but only
due to all the special medicine I was able to get down - luckily my
drinking arm was undamaged! |
Jan Spoelstra -
Big and Powerful! |
![](Modellers/Jan_Spoelstra/image/Screwdriver01_small.jpg)
It's an 10% enlarged Screwdriver,
designed by P. Simmons.
The plan has been drawn after the GRF original, so there 's room for
interpretation. |
John
Picton -
A Fairmile, a Ton , a bit of
Rubber & a Duck!
|
![](images/Wellard_small.jpg)
Now being a complete Pratt I took up the challenge and rather stupidly
decided to build a scale model of a Fairmile MTB. It took me about a
year to build, as I am one of these twits who insist that it must be
exactly right.
|
John Richardson
-
"I
have been enjoying model boats for 60+ years .." |
![](Modellers/John_Richardson/image/Front%20page_small.jpg)
Around
the Christmas holiday I felt like a break from the demanding work in steel and alloys and
thoughts returned to the ' Egrete ' a Rhine pusher, which I believe is one
of two pursuing it's trade today. |
Joseph Propati - HMS Victory. "The hull
alone is about 70" long." |
![](images/IMG_0133_small.JPG)
I am building a large scale version of the HMS Victory. The hull alone is
about 70" long.
I am going to make it Radio controlled and have some framing pictures so
far. |
Julian Machin
-
Steam Launch Victoria
|
![](images/DSCI0001_small.JPG)
Built in 1912 by Messers Simson Strickland & Co. the Victoria epitomises
the era of steam at the beginning of the 20th Century with the enclosed
cockpit and open deck to show the steam plant in all its glory. |
Julio Valenzuela
-
Windsor,
Ontario, Canada
|
![](Modellers/Julio/image/DSC00216_small.JPG)
This is the
first time I build a model made of wood, it is allot of work, but I
enjoyed a lot, it is not finish I'm still working on the final details. |
Ken -
"G'day 'cobbers!'" |
![](Modellers/Ken/images/Dsc00152_small.jpg)
"The Voith system affords a degree of control
superior to most others, but in terms of propeller efficiency the cyclical
unit does not compare favourably with those based on the screw propeller."
|
Kevin Mortimer -
'Altogether a very good kit, highly manoeuvrable'.
|
![P9190159.JPG P9190159.JPG](Modellers/Kevin_Mortimer/image/thumbnails/tnP9190159.JPG)
There are 13
working lights wired using dolls house wire very fine and ideal for
feeding through narrow tubing .the top radar dome was borrowed from an
old PBR.
|
Laurent
-
"The hull has been built upside
down..."
|
![](Modellers/Laurent/image/DSCF0265_small.JPG)
I had a hull , being 32
centimetres length, 9 centimetres beam with a designed draft of 4
centimetres in the middle of the hull. As I'm a kind of a scrooge , there
was no place for "High-tech" mini electronic stuff , I wanted to use
regular servo's , receiver , speed controller and engine.
|
Larry Bulduc
and Jocelyn Taylor
- Be gentle...our first tug. :-) |
![](images/Resize%20of%20DSC01159-1_small.JPG)
We built this tug at our
kitchen table. It was the first kit we've done like this. We've done other
boats in the past such as fast offshore electrics, nitro boats and 2
stroke gas boats but never a build like this. |
Luke - "Only one company
decided I wasn't a terrorist!" |
![](images/comcolour2_small.JPG)
Within the space of 3 seconds, half the contents of the
bath had exploded out all over the idiot standing at the back holding the
radio! |
Lynn -"Keep the windy side up and
the wet side down," |
![](Modellers/Lynn_Leaich/image/Mvc-002s_small.jpg)
This is the latest of the lighthouse
build pics and of course, Cullen checking it out...When did he get the
ATV? I'm gonna have to check my pocket change to see if he's been
pilfering it when I'm asleep. |
Malcolm -
"Gytha is a short, tubby, cheerful,
capable witch. "
|
![](Modellers/Malcolm/images/gythaI%20sml.jpg)
All of 13" long, she is fitted with 2
channel radio control using standard size parts. As someone once said -
"It's a bit snug in there".
|
Malcolm -
Modelling upside down!
|
![](Modellers/Malcolm%20Cowie/image/Engine%20room_small.jpg)
Details to follow |
Mark Wilkes -
Well done Graupner!
|
![](Modellers/Mark_Wilkes/Images/DCP_0016_small.JPG)
In all, I am impressed by
the quality of the build, a Very good model, but could do better,
|
Matt -
"71 inches and very powerful."
|
![](images/boats%20003_small.jpg)
This
Model has taken the best part of two years to complete, between studying
at Nottingham Trent University. |
Matthew Scrutton -
"I was told it was made in
Scotland"
|
![](images/P2180032_small.JPG)
"Willit" is a diesel tug built from what looks to me like a vac-formed kit
with a scratch-built superstructure, does anyone know
which kit, and does anyone have pictures of another one? |
Mike Pendlebury
- (true Lifeboat nutter) !!
|
![](Modellers/Mike_Pendlebury/Images/Image5_small.jpg)
My wife thinks that I have finally lost
my marbles as after 30 years of marriage this will be the largest model I
have built |
Nigel
C. - Carlston -
The kids and myself
|
![](Modellers/Nigel_C/images/carlson3_small.jpg)
At work a few of my colleagues have got radio controlled boats, as I
already have a radio controlled 4 Wheel Drive Buggy I decide to get a
Carlson Tug. |
Paul
Cook -
"
still sails at many shows to this day,"
|
Failsafe on main ballast system, with high intensity strobe in case of
sinking to locate boat.
Power is supplied by 2 x 7.2 volt 2000 mAH nicads for main drive, 1 x 6
volt 2000 mAH NiCad to run compressor, 1 x 4.8 volt 2000 NiCad to run RX
navigation lights & strobe. |
Paul
Holman -
"I hope to put a
Wasp on the flight deck....!"
|
I have based her layout & paint job, to depict her as she was during my
time aboard. The exclusion of Pennant numbers is intentional, we painted
them out before leaving for the Falklands in 1984. |
Paul
Lali - "At my age, spelling and grammar is
optional....!"
|
It is made by "Vac-U-Boat" as a
simple kit for beginning modellers. It's a sort of generic, semi-scale
model of a harbour tug, very simple and easy to build. If you can get your
shoes on the right feet at least half the time, you can build this boat
with no problems at all. |
Pete - "How hard can it be?!" |
![](Modellers/Pete/thumbnails/tnPete02.JPG)
Pete builds a Dean's Marine Kompact Puffer. |
Phil
-
"Manoeuvrability is excellent at
all speeds."
|
![](Modellers/Phil/images/kartal%20model%201sml.JPG)
My model is based on the old Graupner kit of the German fast patrol boat
Wiesel modified to be the Turkish version Kartal |
Raymond Gawthorne -
It sure was nice to see my
Fathers eye's light up |
![](Modellers/Raymond_Gawthorne/images/rc%20boats%20(76)_small.jpg)
This is a Canadian Flower
Class Corvette, the HMCS Chicoutimi K156. This is a replica of the
ship my Father was on in WWII. My Father is still alive today and is 81
years old. It sure was nice to see my Fathers eye's light up the further
and further that I got done on the ship. |
Richard ( aka Bunkerbarge)
-
"Another Revell Type VII"
|
Well I fancied a bit of a break from gluing bits of wood together on the
bridge of the Ben Ain so I went out and got myself a kit that I have
fancied ever since it came out and that is the Revel 1/72nd U-Boat. I also
fancied a bit of plastic modelling, which I have not done now for a long
time. |
Richard Harris -
Here's a bit about me and my
hovercraft.
|
![](Modellers/Richard_Harris/image/hovercraft_small.jpg)
The project took about
6 months to complete and was finished around May/June, just in time to
show it off at the local pond. |
Roger - my first
attempt at model boat building. |
![](images/P4170818.JPG)
This is my first attempt at model boat
building. I decided to purchase a cheap static plastic kit and experiment
with R/C fittings. I found that I had made a difficult job for myself as
the model is only 69cm long and everything had to be micro size.
|
Ron Hill - A Rubber Duck
and a Bloopie!
|
![](images/turn_small.jpg)
...while playing a children’s sing along C/D, for my 20 month old
Grandson, the Rubber Ducky song came on and so did a light bulb over my
head. I had
to have an RC rubber Ducky! Not just another Rubber Ducky but one with a
sound system in it. |
Ron
Wem -
He'll will be thrilled to bits!
|
![](Modellers/Ron_Wem/image/3%20Boats_small.jpg)
All models 1/12th scale
scratch built from my photos and plans loaned by the builders. These are
just some of my 23 models taking up space at home and Bletchley Park. |
Scott Rutland -
Orca ( The boat
in the 'Jaws' film )
|
![](images/jaws%20boat_small.jpg)
I have built a pulsing smoke generator with a miniature air generator To
give me the smoke effect I needed via the exhaust pipe. Being my first
real model boat project I haven't done bad at all. |
Shane
-
"I
couldn't believe how realistic she really looked".
|
I
bought the boat from my friend for £20.00. I've always wanted to make a
war ship but most of the war ships in kit form are so expensive. She is
fitted with a 540 motor and just the 2 channel R/C in it. If money had
allowed, I would have loved to have fitted other remote things in
snowberry. |
Spike -
" I think I am nearing being buried
under the patio. "
|
![](images/Final07sml.jpg)
On this occasion, despite the sub-title
of this article, the boat was not procured for her looks but as the build progressed, her comely
appearance grew on me even if they failed to charm the wife. |
Stan
Reffin - "not
built from any kit" |
![](Modellers/Stan_Reffin/image/DSCF0004_small.jpg)
Hull construction from 1/8 1/16 ply/
1/4 sheet balsa and plastic card. Power supplied from 2 6 volt 1.8 amp hr
nicads. |
Steve Buchanan - "
Fastest
thing I've ever built. "
|
![](Modellers/Steve%20Buchanan/images/New%20photos%20DER%20387b_small.jpg)
A 1/48
scale destroyer that served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. |
Steve O - "I am a addicted power
boat nut and proud of it!"
|
![](images/RCREDBOATRIGHT_small.jpg)
My old
pickle-fork fork hydro 7.5cc k&b powered. |
Steve Beasley -
"She looks real
menacing to any drug smuggler."
|
![](Modellers/Steve%20Beasley/images/Sentinel%20sml1.jpg)
That said, she gives a spectacular bow
wave, and a great turn of speed, however, I feel Not a boat for
sailing on windy days! She has a high sided superstructure and essentially
sails ala warship style |
Steve Middlebrook -
"G'day Mayhem"
|
Finally after a 10 week wait it here. The kit has arrived. So I guess its
time to get head down arse up and get he thing Built, I’ve been looking
forward to this day for a while now. I feel like a Kid in a toy shop at
Xmas time (so excited that I think I made a mess in the front of my pants)
(well not that excited but bloody happy). |
Terry -
"Model boat in an unusual
situation."
|
![](Modellers/Terry/images/jollyspain2%20sml.jpg)
Photos taken of my model
dingy sailing on swimming pool in Spain, in the mountains of the Costa
Blanca. Took it with me in suitcase, it's only about 12 inches long! |
Tom Caroll "Teeth
are from my pet piranha. They were a perfect size for this project.!!!
|
![](Modellers/Tom%20Carroll/images/Pic00008_small.jpg)
My model Orca is 36"x10" and except for the
hull, is entirely built from scratch. The hull was constructed from bits
and pieces from a Midwest Boothbay Lobster boat kit. |
Tony King
- "I scaled it up from a little book called the "lore of sail " ".
|
![](images/Tony%20King%202_small.jpg)
Its recently had almost a complete rebuild due to it being stored in a
lockup that unknown to me had a leak in the roof, and guess what was
directly underneath, (you guessed it.) |
D Thompson - A class U boat
|
![](images/Dsc00107_small.jpg)
It is an Engel U-177 BUT changed to
U-852 painted in unusual colours. |
Peter Uney -
British U Class sub
|
![](Modellers/Peter_Uney/image/upholder_small.jpg)
The hull is an old Darnell
moulding .... The ballast system is a scratch built set-up based around a
compressor system with a central ballast tank. |
Wes
Whitlinger -
"my brothers 44 foot Defever"
|
![](Modellers/Wes/Images/DCP_0030_small.JPG)
I have been making models for over
40 years now , but this is my first scratch built of this size, It was
totally scratch built, and is modelled after my brothers 44 foot Defever.
|
Plenty more room on the server for your model boats and projects...! |
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