Tyne is based on the old Whitby Lifeboat R.N.L.B. City of Sheffield, now
based at Hartlepool. She was built to the old faithful of Dave Metcalf
plans and hull, with extra pictures from the R.N.L.B. magazines and a
collection of personal photos from when she was refitted in my home town a
number of years ago.
The deck is marine ply,
with a plastic card superstructure and assorted brass and plastic
fittings. Stanchions were drilled copper tubing, with thin plastic wire
for the handrails. I mainly used Halfords acrylic spray paints for the
bulk of it, with fine details picked put by hand with Humbrol paints.
Power is by 2 Mabuchi
RS 380 S motors, using a 6v battery and Electronize speed controller. She
gives an accurate turn of speed, and has exceptional sea keeping
qualities. The only alteration I have made is by slightly extending the
rudders, to give better steering, as the long keels act as fixed rudders.
It's scaled at 1-20.
Although not perfect or
exact scale, she does look nice both on and off the water - I built her
when I was around 14, and now I'm a bit (lot!) older I'm having a go at
scratch building a Mersey. Wish me luck!'
Ashley Allan
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