June issue of Model Boats Magazine - 20 PAGE PREVIEW

WIN

Billing Boats’ easy-build Kadet kit, designed with R/C operation in mind

WIN HONOURING ENA

WALTER U-BOATS

The prospects offered by these revolutionary designs & their derivations

Capturing the world’s finest surviving Edwardian steam yacht in 1:28 scale

SEA SHADOW

Scratch building this once ‘Top Secret’ stealth vessel

Model Boats

EDITORIAL

Editor: Lindsey Amrani

Senior designer: Michael Baumber

Illustrator: Grahame Chambers

Publisher: Steve O’Hara

By post: Model Boats, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 529529 Fax: 01507 371066 Email: editor@modelboats.co.uk

CUSTOMER SERVICES

General Queries & Back Issues

01507 529529 – Monday-Friday: 8.30am-5pm Answerphone 24hr help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk

Archive enquiries: Jane Skayman 01507 529423 jskayman@mortons.co.uk

ADVERTISING

Advertising Sales Executive: Angela Price aprice@mortons.co.uk Tel: 01507 529411

By post: Model Boats Advertising, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR

PUBLISHING

Sales and Distribution Manager: Carl Smith

Marketing Manager: Charlotte Park

Commercial Director: Nigel Hole

Publishing Director: Dan Savage

Published by: Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tel: 01507 529529 – Mon-Fri: 8.30am-5pm

Enquiries: subscriptions@mortons.co.uk

PRINT AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Printed by: William Gibbons & Son, Wolverhampton

Distribution by: Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT.

© Mortons Media Group 2022

All rights reserved ISSN 0140-2910

The Publisher’s written consent must be obtained before any part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, including photocopiers, and information retrieval systems. All reasonable care is taken in the preparation of the magazine contents, but the publishers cannot be held legally responsible for errors in the contents of this magazine or for any loss however arising from such errors, including loss resulting from negligence of our staff. Reliance placed upon the contents of this magazine is at reader’s own risk.

Model Boats, ISSN 0140 - 2910, is published monthly by Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR UK. The US annual subscription price is 89USD. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named WN Shipping USA, 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY 11256.

US Postmaster: Send address changes to

30 Sea Shadow

Lionel Broadbent discloses how he managed to model this once ‘Top Secret’ stealth vessel from scratch

34 The KISS principle

Feeling all at sea? Warminster Model Boat Club member Mike Payne comes to the rescue

38 Save money with a subscription!

Check out the latest hard copy and digital deals to discover how you can get your favourite magazine for less

40 Flotsam & Jetsam: Walter U-Boats

John Parker delves into why these historic German designs and their derivations provide some fascinating prospects for modellers

46 Pacific Orca

Geoff Fairfax tells the tale of this friendship-inspired tugboat transformation

50 I.C. powerboating basics

Derek Owen continues his beginner’s guide

54 Boiler Room

Richard Simpson drills us on getting the best possible results out of a simple task that is way too often bodged

60 Memory Lane: FLC sets

Tune in to Dave Wiggins take on these hand-built British radios from the 1970s

62 Liquid Gravity

John Bristow draws our attention to a pocket-sized ballasting solution

64 Your Models

More of your brilliant builds showcased

68 Your Letters

Views aired, info shared, and appeals launched

74 Next month

Just three of the reasons you won’t want to miss the July issue of MB

The eclectic mix of content in this month’s mag features everything from period ships to I.C. powerboats, steam yachts to stealth vessels, and tugboats through to lifeboats and U-boats. There are kit builds, scratch builds and even a complete restoration/ transformation, with some of these projects being relatively straightforward and quick to complete and others way more complex. Plus, of course, there’s plenty of best practice advice, tips, tricks and simple solutions. We’re also running two great prize draws (see pages 12 and 14), with Billing Boats’ superb, easy to build but specifically designed with R/C installation in mind, Kadet motorboat kit and, courtesy of Osprey Publications, not just one but three copies of the latest (2023) edition of the celebrated Warship annual up for grabs. Added to all that, there’s a very lively Your Models/Your Letters section; on the subject of which, I just want to reiterate how much your input is appreciated and to profusely thank all those of you who’ve kindly responded to recent appeals from fellow modellers. Keeping the variety coming, lined up for the July issue (on sale from June 16) is a free World War II Russian destroyer pull-out plan accompanied by a supporting build guide, articles covering a hugely diverse selection of thematic modelling subjects – ranging from Jacques Cousteau’s Calypso to Dr Who’s TARDIS, and a whole lot more besides.

Firstly, though, June awaits...

Enjoy your read!

Lindsey

Model Boats

Compass 360

OUT AND ABOUT

Flotilla: 100 Years of Getting Our Ships Together

This newly opened temporary exhibition at the Lancaster Maritime Museum, Custom House, St George’s Quay, Lancaster, LA1 1RB will run until July 9, 2023.

Open from April 1 through to September 30 each year, the Museum occupies two historic buildings on St. George’s Quay, the city’s main 18th-century harbour –once a bustling place of import and trade from all over the world. Its exhibitions and displays are aimed at stories of Lancaster and Morecambe’s relationship with the ocean, the challenging lives of those living and working in the places between land and sea, how the area’s inland waterways have shaped the lives, work, and leisure of the local population and the dark legacy of the Transatlantic slave trade. The buildings are wheelchair friendly and there is also a gift shop and refreshments on offer in the

The Crick Boat Show

Britain’s biggest inland waterways festival is this year scheduled for the late Bank Holiday weekend and will run from Saturday, 27 to Monday, 29 May 2023 at the Crick Waterside & Marina, West Haddon Rd, Crick, Northants, NN6 7SQ.

From 10am to 6pm on the Saturday and Sunday, and 10am to 5pm on the Monday, visitors will not only be able to view all the canal boats on display but also to enjoy free boat trips. There will also be seminars and masterclasses, various trade stands to browse, a real ale bar and live music.

Get ready for a bit of Mayhem!

Saturday/Sunday, June 27-28 will see Model Boat Mayhem return to Wicksteed Park (NN15 6NJ). As always, numerous events are being organised for this big weekend of model boating fun, including the Club 500 challenge and various displays of I/C powerboats and hovercraft, to name just a few. Entrance to the Model Boat Mayhem event itself will be free of charge, although you will need to pay to park your vehicle –charged at a maximum fee of £6 per day). If you’re planning to make a weekend of it, bookings can also be made for Wicksteed

Quayside Tea Rooms.

Admission, from 10am to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm), costs £3 for adults and £2 for senior citizens/students with concessions (although local residents – i.e., those residing in postcodes LA1-LA6 will be admitted free of charge when taking along proof of address). Accompanied under 16s will also be admitted free of charge. wheelchair friendly and houses both a gift shop and the Quayside Tea Rooms.

For more info, visit https://visitlancaster. org.uk/museums/maritime-museum/, email lancastermaritimemuseum@lancaster.gov.uk or telephone: 01524 382264,

MWBC Model Boat Open Day

Manvers Waterfront Boat Club (www. mwbc.org.uk) will be holding a model boat open day on Sunday, June 11 from 9am to 4pm at the Manvers Waterfront Boat Club, The Boathouse, Station Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S63 7DG.

This free sailing event will be open to all types of scale boats, even deep keel yachts – although, please note, no fast electrics, petrol or I.C. powered models can be accommodated. Facilities include toilets and a cafe serving hot and cold food and drinks. Free parking will be available to all model exhibitors at the lakeside, but please note spectators must park in the ‘Pay and Display’ car park.

Further info can be found at www. mwbc.org.uk/events. Alternatively, you can email stephen.perkins@mwbc.org.uk or call the Club House on 01709 878984.

At the gate, adult admission will be charged at £18 per day or £40 for the weekend (accompanied under 16s will be admitted free of charge), but there are substantial discounts to be made by ordering tickets in advance online at https://www.crickboatshow.com/ tickets/2023/, where you will also find camping and caravan pitch booking details. Bring & Buy Sale, Heywood

Park’s camping and onsite facilities at https://wicksteedpark. org/the-park/campingat-wicksteed-park/ Clubs and traders wishing to display and sail at Wicksteed Park should contact Nick Brown at raflaunches@outlook.com or alternatively visit www.modelboatmayhem. co.uk, where by clicking onto the forum or checking out the Facebook group ‘Model Boat Mayhem’ will provide you with access to further information.

On Sunday, June 4, 2023, the Mutual Model Boat Building Society Heywood will be holding a Bring & Buy sale at the Crimble Croft Community Centre, Aspinal Street, Heywood, Manchester OL10 4HL. Door will open from 9.30am to 1pm and admission will be charged at £1.50. The whole venue is well-chair friendly and, as well as the bargains to be browsed, sensibly priced snacks and drinks will be available to purchase.

Traders, or simply those with good to sell, who are interested in reserving table/s (£10 per 6x2 – set up access from 8.30am) should contact Kevan Winward (Tel. 07803 975089) or Colin Travis (Tel. 07905 028298).

you have a news story for these pages, please contact the Editor, Lindsey Amrani, via e-mail at

OUT AND ABOUT

Model boat building family workshop

From 10am to 1pm on Saturday, June 3, the Churches Conservation Trust will be teaming up with Sunderland Marine Heritage to host a Creating Model Boats family workshop at Seventeen Nineteen, Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, East Sunderland SR1 2BB. Suitable for everyone from age 6-yearsold upwards, the workshop will focus on how to use traditional tools to create a very basic model boat that actually floats. Students will then have the option

to leave their boats on display at Holy Trinity or take them away to enjoy sailing. Tickets can be booked at https://www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/creating-model-boatstickets-577615412247 with a suggested donation of £5 per person.

Huckleberry fun

Currently being offered for sale via the RNLI’s online shop at https://shop.rnli.org for £10 (plus p&p) is this novel Make Your Own Motorboat device from Huckleberry (Product Code RS2333808). Aimed at introducing children to the fun of our hobby, the kit provides a tiny waterproof motor (AA battery included) with a two-bladed propellor that can be attached to a small plank of wood or makeshift model boat ‘built’ from thick paper. Once the ‘boat’ is placed in the water and the button on the top of the motor is pressed, off it will sail – just remember to tie a string to it for ‘no tears’ easy retrieval!

Leyte Gulf – A New History of the World’s Largest Sea Battle

Naval historian Mark E. Stille’s new book challenges the many myths and misconceptions that surround this, the largest and most decisive, battle in the Pacific during World War II. Re-examined, analysed and re-appraised in detail are the actions taken by both navies involved (the US Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy) and, in particular, the decisions made

by the two most important commanders – Halsey and Kurita, respectively – and the reasons behind them.

Published in hardback format and carrying an RRP of £25, this book can be purchased directly from the publisher’s website at www. ospreypublishing.com or ordered from your local bookstore by quoting ISBN 97814 7285 1758.

BUY THE BOOK REVIEWCOPY

The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club – Naval Aviation in the Vietnam War

Former US Navy serviceman Thomas McKelvey Cleaver’s new book takes its title from the tongue-in-cheek nickname given to the US Seventh Fleet while it was stationed off the coast of Vietnam. Packed with candid first-hand recollections from those involved, it details all of the naval air operations from August 2, 1964, when the USS Maddox became embroiled in the infamous Gulf of

Tonkin incident (leading to America becoming more directly engaged in the conflict) right through to the fall of Saigon in 1975 and the unification of Vietnam under Communist rule the following year.

Priced at £15.99, the book can be purchased directly from the publisher’s website at www. ospreypublishing.com or ordered from your local bookstore by quoting ISBN 97814 7284 5948.

Exclusive Prize Draw WIN ONE OF THREE COPIES OF WARSHIP

Courtesy of the kind folk at Osprey Publishing, this month we have three copies of Warship 2023 (ISBN 97814 72857 132) up for grabs!

For over 45 years, Warship has been the leading annual resource on the design, development, and deployment of the world’s combat ships, featuring a broad range of articles from a select panel of distinguished international contributors. This latest volume combines original research, new book reviews, warship notes, an image gallery, and much more, maintaining the impressive standards of scholarship and research with which Warship has become synonymous. Detailed and accurate information is the keynote of all the articles, which are fully supported by plans, data tables, and stunning photographs. Interesting topics of note in this edition include the secret battleship design that Mussolini’s Fascist Italy sold to Stalin’s USSR, the little-known German flak ships of World War II, the French aircraft carriers Clemenceau and Foch, and

the development of electronic warfare in the Royal Navy.

Each of the three lucky entrants drawn will receive a copy of the title as released in its hardback format under ISBN 97814 72857 132, which carrys an RRP (Recommended Retail Price) of £45. We should, however, point out that the book is also available to order as a digital download for £40.50 – and there is currently a 10% discount being offered on both the hard copy and digital download versions of this this title when ordering directly from the publisher’s website at www. ospreypublishing.com).

Warship 2023 Prize Draw

Name:

Address:

Postcode: Tel No: Email:

HOW TO ENTER

To be included in the draw, all you need to do is complete the entry form included on this page, cut it out (photocopies of the form will be acceptable for those of you who do not wish to deface your magazine) and mail it back to us at:

Warship 2023 Prize Draw, Model Boats, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR

Please note, the closing date for entry submissions will be Friday, June 23, 2023. Good luck, everyone!

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Competition closes Friday, June, 23 2023. There are no cash alternatives available. Terms and conditions apply. To view the privacy policy of MMG Ltd (publisher of Model Boats) please visit www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

BILLING BOATS’ 1:30 SCALE KADET WIN!

This month we’re able to offer you the chance to win Billing Boats’ 1:30 scale kit for the Kadet

As well as an ABS hull, this kit will provide you with the wooden superstructure, hull and deck fittings in wood, brass and/or plastic, rigging cord, a propshaft, rudder and propellor, along with full size plan sheets and a simple-to-follow instruction manual.

The beauty of the Kadet is that it’s been designed specifically with remote control operation in mind. The inclusion of a vacuum formed hull means the kit can be very quickly and easily constructed, thereby allowing you more time to concentrate on the installation of the mechanical and electronic parts.

Despite being especially recommended for absolute beginners, even the more experienced model kit builders amongst you will find the resulting motorboat model sturdy, well balanced and authentic looking enough to feel well and truly proud of pondside!

So, whether you’re looking for a first project, something you can work on with your child/grancdchild, or simply a build you can get rapidly R/C ready and out on the water to have some fun with this summer, don’t miss your chance to snap up this fabulous prize.

KADET KIT

HOW TO ENTER

To be included in the draw, all you need to do is complete the entry form included on this page, cut it out (photocopies of the form will be acceptable for those of you who do not wish to deface your magazine) and mail it back to us at:

BB’s Kadet Kit Prize Draw Model Boats, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR

Please note, the closing date for entry submissions will be June 23, 2023.

Good luck, everyone!

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Competition closes Friday, June 23, 2023. There are no cash alter- natives available. Terms and conditions apply. To view the privacy policy of MMG Ltd (publisher of Model Boats) please visit www. mortons. co.uk/privacy

BB Kadet Kit Prize Draw

Name:

Address:

Part two

HMS Indefatigable

Prototype test builder James Hatch completes (well, almost) Vanguard Models’ magnificent new 1:64 scale kit

Following on from last month, the remaining work on the main structures (from the internal bulwark walls with their staggered port openings to ensure they could be levelled out evenly and horizontally to the installation of the engraved decks) I found to be very straightforward.

Before adding those exciting touches to the decks, though, a series of strips and composite strips need to be attached to the external hull to create the various rails. For this job, I tend to use Gorilla Glue CA gel, as this product allows a few seconds to realign things if they appear to be wrong. At this stage, the pre-cut gunwales, which require no adjustment in shape or curve, are installed too. Even though this kit is classed as ‘Master’ in Vanguard Models’ newly deployed skill level table, with ‘Master’ being the top of the food chain, there are still many parts that come pre-cut.

To copper Indy, two 50m rolls of 6mm copper tape are supplied. This is first cut into around 2,400 plates and then peeled and stuck to the hull.

Once the coppering is complete, the waterline is added, and the excess copper peeled away from above it.

This means you don’t have to start taking strips and bending them into shape for such things as gunwales, which really takes the slog out of things.

Coppering and painting

This is certainly the biggest hull I’ve ever painted, and one where on completion there’s no trace of the building material colour left on show. I opted to paint the whole hull down to below the waterline in yellow ochre paint so that any flaws I may have previously missed, despite numerous checks, would be immediately visible –and, inevitably, there were still elements of sanding and repainting to be done. I also masked out the vulnerable areas and the deck areas so that my airbrush didn’t catch them. Eventually, I attained a nice even coat onto which I could then mask off a band of ochre, which, I must confess, was a little fiddly, as it didn’t fall in line with the ports and rails as it headed towards the stern. This done, the remainder of the hull was airbrushed in black. After peeling off my masking tape, just a few areas needed touching up. The ugly area of the hull’s underside remained, but the copper would take care of that.

Below: Next bow details, including the grates, etc, are fitted.

Details such as the catheads and timberheads to the forecastle can now be added.

It had been many years since I’d tackled a coppered hull, and here 6mm wide selfadhesive copper tape would be used. A few bench sessions later and I had around 2,400 tiles to apply! Fortunately, I found this gentle repetition to be quite therapeutic. I initially added a silver waterline to the hull just below the actual level and then proceeded to copper to about 5mm above it, before adding the correct waterline in light pencil. A sharp knife was then run along the waterline and the excess copper above was peeled away. Et voila! The same process was employed for the rudder.

After fitting out the hull timberheads and grate, the not yet permanently fitted figurehead was painted up ready for the final stages.

Galleries, stern and channels

Focal points of many period ships are the quarter galleries and the stern. Indefatigable didn’t have the same elaborate carvings of the ships from a generation before; in this respect she was very much like HMS Victory

The gallery roof areas of the model are fitted with laser-cut card shingles, overlaid against each other, and I have to say the ochre rails I ran along these and around the stern area look very striking against the black. I added ochre columns between all the windows too, while the lower gallery areas were fitted with 3D-printed parts and painted to suit.

Left and below: A 3D-printed figurehead is included with the kit. James’ example has been superbly painted by his friend Mark, who also painted the cabin furniture (shown in Part 1).

Exterior detailing can now begin, such as painting the stern/quarter rails and fitting the gallery shingles and windowpanes/frames.

“ is is probably my favourite part of a build”

Indy’s stern area can be fitted out with the series of finely engraved PolyBak décor parts that come with the kit, and, naturally, I painted mine in ochre. Also added was the custom-made Eduard ‘INDEFATIGABLE’ decal that comes with each kit.

Acetate windowpanes are supplied for the stern and gallery openings, as are the photoetch window frames that overlay them; an option here is to pose your stern windows

either open or closed. I opted to portray a couple of them open, just so the cabin interior and all its furniture can be viewed and enjoyed. The 3D-printed lanterns I fitted to the stern with PE and shaped brass rod. Fitting the channels is very easy. These are

The last external hull parts to be fitted are the channels with their deadeyes, strops, and chainplates. That metalwork is supplied as individual parts and is easy to fit.

Left: The main deck fitting out heavily underway; note the steps, wheel, guns, etc, as well as barricade rails.

A very busy forecastle! You can see the stove flue here, and the belfry in place.

shaped to the correct profile and then pinned to the hull (via points I’d already marked during construction). Knees can also be fitted after being correctly profiled to the hull, and then the deadeyes fitted into photo-etch strops – these in turn are connected down to the hull via individual photo-etch chainplates. For a ship this size, this process doesn’t actually take that long.

Fitting out

This is probably my favourite part of a build. I find populating a previously empty deck very rewarding. It gives everything a true sense of scale and proportion.

Indefatigable’s decks are first fitted out with a series of coamings and gratings (all left in natural wood for the upper decks). Various bits can then be added, including the bulwark cleats and racks for both belaying pins and cannon/carronade shot. It really doesn’t take much work before things start looking busy! I’d suggest starting from the poop deck and working your way towards the forecastle and the two flag lockers at the stern. Constructing all the individual assemblies, such as the carronades, second capstan, binnacle, deck barricades, skylight, binnacle, ship’s wheel and various ladders that connect the decks, involves quite a lot of work. Although, to be honest, I’m not sure if I should call it work, as in my opinion, as fitting your parts as they are assembled, starting with the ladders, to the model is so much fun.

Inde was fitted with five ship’s boats, two

The poop is fitted out with skylight and flag lockers. PE stanchions now adorn the gunwales and are rigged out with black rope.

The completed quarterdeck and the opened hatchway to the lower main gun deck.

All of the ship’s boats are made in a traditional way over a set of frames, which are then discarded before the hull is fitted out with ribs, etc. The ones James has built are now temporarily sat in their cradles for this photo opportunity. Very little of the main gun deck can now be seen.

“It’s fair to say that each little ship’s boat is a project in its own right!”