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This mo nth’sh ob by -related news ro un d- up
12 MS Mercantic
Nick Brow np rovide sa ha nd son bu il drev iewo fthi srecen tl y up da te d1:50sca le ca rg oves se l ki tfro mB illi ng Boat s
20 HMS Express
Phil Bu tton prov id es ag reat Exam pl eo fh ow imag inatio n+ ap plic atio n=total tran sforma tion
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Pe te rKoc h- Os bo rn eexp la in s how, draw in go nl es so ns learnt
du ri ng ap reviou sp roje ct,h efi na ll y ta ck le dthi slon go nthe ba ck bu rn er bu il d
36 DIYWater Cannon
Graham eCha mb er ss hows us how in je ct alit tl em orefun in ou rfi re boat mod el
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Dave Wool ey co nc lu de shis gu id e to mo de llin gthe Ka ra ku rt-E (E xp or t Va rian t) Mi ssil eCor ve tte
Ass um me rn ea rs it se nd in th eN or th er nh em is ph ere, I im ag in em os to fyou wi ll so on be sp en di ng al ot mo re ti me bu il di ng, re storin go rc onve rtin gtha nyou wi ll sa ili ng –s o, th eexc lu si ve prize draw we’rer un ni ng in co nj un ctio n wi th Hu mb ro lthi sm on th prob ab ly co ul dn’t be be tter ti me d. As yo uw il l se e, we’veg ot as up er bp ac ka ge of go odi es from th is mu ch -l oved bran du pfor grab s, wi th al lthe pa in t co lo ur sa nd we athe ri ng prod uc ts in cl ud ed ch os en sp ec ifi ca ll yw ith th ep ur po se of crea ti ng be au ti fu ll y fin is he dm od el bo at si nm in d.
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On th es ub je ct of co nten t, Im us t ap ol og is efor ju mp in gthe gu nal it tl e by an no un ci ng th e Do lly fe ature as ‘C om ing Next Mo nth’ in ou r Se ptem be ri ss ue. Meaculpa! I’ms ti ll in th ep ro ce ss of prep pi ng th is fo r layo ut bu th op etoh avei trea dy fo r pu bl ic atio ni nthe ve ry ne ar fu tu re. Wh at Ic an gu aran te e, howeve r, is th at th erew il lb eafre ep ul l- ou tp la n an da no th er exci ti ng an dexc lu si ve prized ra wi nthe Nove mb er is su e(on sa le from Frid ay,O ctob er 18), so do n’ tm is si t.
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If you have anews story for these pages,please contact the Editor,Lindsey Amrani, via e-mail ateditor@modelboats.co.uk
Coming soonfromBilling Boats… Co nfromBilli ats…
Billing Boats is currently updating and improving its 1:20 scale kit for the WSP 10 Polizei Patrol Boat,whichwill be marketed as astaticmodel but has been designed withconversion to radio-control operationinmind.
The model is based on avessel built at the Bodan ShipyardinKressborn, Germany,and delivered on June 30, 1989, to the Harbour Policein Bayern. This is now stationed at Passau on the Danube and patrols an area stretchingfromthe Austrian
ColinLaugharne remembered
We aresad to report that contributor Colin Laugharne (whose feature detailing the scratchbuild of his North Atlantic tug, the Roy Charles, appeared in last month’sissue) has passedaway.Colin proved ajoy to work with, and we would like to extend our sincerest condolences to hiswife, Shirley,and all those who wereclosest to him.
border and roughly 80 km upstream. Measuring 15m in length,with a 3.9m beam, it is powered by 300HP MANdiesel engines, whichgive an approximate speed of 40 kph. Usually manned by acrewoftwo, the boat is used not only for normal police duties, but also for tasks such as surveillance, especially in connection with environmentally concerning or dangerous cargoes. As such, it is fitted with equipmentsuch as radar,anecho sounder,automatic pilot, four radios and an explosion safeguard.
But there’smore… Ahead of release, the ever-generous crew at BillingBoats has offeredusapreproduction factory sample of this sehr cool kit to offer as aprizein next month’s draw,sodon’tmiss the Novemberissue!
OUTAND ABOUT
Ymer winner
In the August 2024 issue of Models Boats we were, courtesy of the kind folks at Billing Boats, able to offer you the chance to win apre-production sample of the newly updated 1:60 scale kit for the tugboat Ymer.Weare now delighted to announce the lucky entrant drawn as: Gary Drain of Wallasey,Merseyside. Congratulations, Gary!
TheMidlands Model EngineeringExhibition
The2024 Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition,scheduled for Thursday,October 17 through to Sunday,October20, will once again be hostedbythe Warwickshire Exhibition, nearLeamington Spa. Doors will open from 10amto4.30pm on Thursday-Saturday,and from 10am to 4pm on theSunday,with tickets (valid for any one day only) priced at £13 for adults, £12 for Senior Citizens and £5 for children (aged 5-14). These can be booked in advance onlineat www.meridienneengineering.co.uk.
Over 30 clubs and societies, displaying hundreds of exhibits covering awide range of modelling skills, and nearly 40 of the leading model engineeringspecialist trade suppliers, have confirmed their attendance. The Society of Model and Experimental Engineering will also be present, showcasinga range of its famous models and providing practical workshops and demonstrations, while,onceagain, our sister title Model Engineers -
Workshop magazine will be hosting The Model Engineers’ Workshop LectureProgramme
Therewill be 16 different free to enter display andcompetition classes, open to those of all ages and skill levels, and entry forms can be downloaded from the website at www.midlandsmodelengineering. co.uk. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rdinthe competition classes will be awarded by the judging panel on Thursday, October 17, with an awards ceremony taking place on Sunday,October 20. Those entering amodel into the competition or for display will also be given free admission to the exhibition itself on these two days.
The magnificent Roy Charles, as built by the late Colin Laugharne.
eNorth
TheNorth West Ship Show
From 11am to 4pm on Sunday, September 21, Old Christ Church in Waterloo Road, Liverpool L22 1RE, will play host to the North West Ship Show, sponsored by the Merseyside branch of the World Ship Society. Therewill be a wide array of maritimerelated models, collectables, books, photos, etc, to browse and buy.Entrance will be charged at £3 for adults, with accompanied children under the age of 12 admitted free of charge For further details, call Dave Crolley on 01942 211147 or email him at davec.ships@gmail.com
Museumof PowerModel Show
From 10am to3pn on Sunday,October 6, the Museum of Power in Hatfield Road, Langford, Maldon CM96QA will be hosting amodelshow,with model boats, model railway layouts and awhole host of othertransport in miniaturemodels exhibited. Visitors will also be able to take rides on the Langfordand Beeleigh Miniature Railway (£2 for adults, £1 for children), wander around the Astaria Model Village and along the riverbank in the lovely grounds, and take refreshments in the Steam PumpTea Room. Admission will be charged at £9 for adults (with concessions). For further details, visit www.museumofpower.org.uk
2024 BlackpoolModel Boat Show 24 ackpoolMod at
This year’sBlackpool Model Boat Show,scheduled for October 19-20, will once again be held at the NorbreckCastle Hotel, Queen’sPromenade, Blackpool, LancashireFY2 9AA. Doors will open from 10am to 4pm on theSaturday (Oct19) and10amto 3pm on the Sunday (Oct20).
On the dooradmission will be charged at £9 per dayor£14 for aweekend pass.Savings can,however, be made whenbooking ticketsinadvance*online, wherethose wishingtomake aweekend ofitwill also finddetails of special hotel and show package deals. The hotel boastsover 800parking spacesand easy wheelchair access to theground floor over which theshow will be laid out. Although always very popular with, and well supportedby, clubs, individual exhibitorsand those in thetrade,tables are, currently, still available and canbereservedby completing an *online booking form.
Midway:The Pacifc War’s :The Pa Wa s Most Famous Battle Fa le
Inthis new book, author and naval historian Mark E. Stille sets about dispelling the myths that surround the Battle of Midway.The traditional view,popularised in the immediate aftermath of what is now regarded as one of the most significant naval battles in the Pacific during World WarII, has long been one of aheavily outnumbered American force miraculously snatching victory in the face of overwhelming odds. By re-examining theplans, personalities, doctrines, ships and weapons (on both sides), however,Stille makesacompellingcase for a Japanese defeat having been the morelikely outcome.
Published in hardback format under ISBN 9781472862068, and carrying an RRP (Recommended Retail Price) of £25, orders for this title can be placed with your local bookstore. A10% discount,however,iscurrently being offered on both hard copiesand eBook downloads when purchasing online at www.ospreypublishing.com
TheSilentSer vice’s FirstHero
Penned by Ryan C. Walker, who himself served as a submariner in the United States Navy from 20142019, this newly launched title delves deeply into the life and service of Henry Breault, who, in 1924, became the first, and only, enlisted submariner to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.Working from official military documents and various other sources of historical information, the author marriesfact with analytical observation to provide afascinatingand thought-provoking explorationofthe life, both onboardand ashore, of submariners from the 1920s through to 1941.
Published in hardback format, the book carries an RRP of £25 and can be ordered through all good bookstores when quoting ISBN 97810 3610 0414. Agenerous 20% discount, however, is currently being offered online at www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
MS Mercantic
Nick Brown provides ahands-on build review of this recently updated 1:50 scale cargovessel kit from Billing Boats
Billing Boats always has an interesting selectionofkitsin its catalogue and over the years I’vebuilt severalofthe models in its range. So, having been first alerted to thefact the Mercantic (Ref.BB424) was being retooled by anews story featured in Model Boatsbackat the tail end of last year,I was, when offered the chance by our editor to review this latest version, foaming at the mouth to get started. Why?Well, because vessels like thisinstantly trigger awave of nostalgia for me. I should, therefore, perhaps begin with abit of background…
Apottedhistory
For those not knowing muchaboutthis vessel, MS Mercantic was built in 1964 by H.C. Christensens Staalskibsværftin Denmark. OrderedbyPer Henriksen,
she became the Mercandia Shipping Lines’ first ship. Atraditional freighter of her era(1960 to 1990s), Mercantic was 48.01m in overall length, with a beam of 9.10m, andpowered by a B&W/Alpha 405-24VO dieselengine propelling her to 10 knots. Shewas a very successful vessel, beingsold and renamed several times; however, in 2004 she was sold to theWade Group based in the Dominican Republic, who operated her underthe name of Love Divine.Sadly,she ranaground on August 22, 2012, in the West Indies and was declared atotal constructive loss.
Kitinspection
The BillingBoats’ kit, which comes presented in alarge,beautiful, glossy box, is scaledto1:50, making the resulting modeladecentsized
representation of the Mercantic: 96cm long, 18cm at her beam and 36cm tall (or in other words, she will comfortably fit on the backseat of an average car).
Of plank-on-frame construction, this kit features alaser-cut plywood keel and frame components, with a wooden superstructureand decks. Deck fittings come in wood, brass and plastic, and rigging cordin various sizes, apropshaft, rudder and abrass propellerare all supplied. I’ve always beenparticularly impressed by the high-quality fittings packs Billing Boats’ kit come with, especially theturned brass items, whichIuse onmany of my scratchbuilt models when made available to purchase separately
The box also contains abooklet recounting the history of the
Mercantic,a full-size plan sheet and an instruction manual (inEnglish). That said, some previous experience with model boat construction is likelyto be required, as the instructions take a certain level of know-how as agiven.
“Tis ‘static’kit has been designed with the capacity forradiocontrol, facilitated byfeatures such as removeable hatches and a removeable an ‘engine fat’ upon whichtosit amotor,ESC, radio equipment and batter y”
Likewise, while this ‘static’ kit has been designed with the capacity for radio-control, facilitatedbyfeatures such as removeable hatches and a removeable an ‘engineflat’ upon which to sit amotor,ESC, radio equipment and battery,the manual offers no advice on how to fit these items.
The goodies within the box, including the gift of the woolly hat that comes with the first 100 kits.
The fittings pack, containing all the brass turned items. The box size is deceiving, as it is crammed full!
Atypical double page spread from the full-colour pictorial instruction manual.
The parts identifier in the manual will direct you to the relevant laser-cut plywood sheet. Nick then uses apencil to mark each of the individual pieces on these sheets with their respective numbers.
Pushingthe boat out
Most of thehull structure, including the keel and frames, is constructed from laser-cut plywood. Forgive me if I’m preachingtothe converted, but Imust issue awordofwarning here: never be tempted to simply push wooden laser-cut parts out from the supporting frame surrounding them. This not only risks the parts being damaged but will also incur unnecessary clean up.Instead, use a sharp hobby knife on each knub and then gently push out.
One little thing Idid notice with one of the plywood sheets in my Mercantic kit was that it appeared the laser used to cut it was perhaps operating at too high atemperature, as some of the material was blackened morethan usual and the glue had de-bonded slightly.
It’simportant to note that Billing Boats has included asheet of corrections relating to the parts that need to be used during the build process with this updated version of the kit. This gives an indication of which parts should be discarded due to experiences learnt during the redevelopment phase. The replacement laser-cutparts are supplied in aseparate bag inside the box and aresimple one-for-one swaps.
“It’simportant to note that Billing Boats has includedasheet of corrections relating to the parts that needtobeusedduring build process with thisupdated version of the kit”
Personally,over theyears I’ve got into the habit of first labelling all wooden parts using the instruction manual parts identifier.Thisreduces the amount of time spent searching for each of the individual parts required for whatever section of the kit you happen to be working on, thereby allowingyou to simply concentrate on the build. Ialso recommend trial fitting everything beforecommittingtoglue
Thehull
The Mercantic’s keelsections and frames arethe first parts that need to be removed andassembled. Imust admit Ifound theassembly of the keel section (which is built up from four layers of plywood) and stern frames (which incorporate the rudder post and prop shaft) abit of anerve wracking, as Iwas concerned Imight
It’simportant to note that you’ll finda correction sheet in the box. This explains which of the original (but still included) parts should be discarded and which of the replacement parts provided should be used instead.
The completed skeleton of the model ready for the next phase (hull plating and planking), with the big, sturdy box for the kit seen to the fore.
those
some prior buildingexperience, but he reassures, some filingaction to create atapered edge is all that’sneeded to ease plate fitment.
end
however,serves as a
snap something while tryingtoslot the keel section into the upright frames. Fortunately,however,this achieved without any damage done.
All the rest of the laser-cutparts follow alogical order of construction and lock positively into each other, creating arigid structuretolay the plating and planks onto.
The two sets of steps that lead to the foredeckare built up from individual steps. Ihad thoughtthese would be very difficult to assemble but Iwas pleasantly surprised by the
speed at which theycouldbemade.
The only modification after my trial fit was the filing down of the upper rail on the stepsides to fit beneath the deck area; theirinclusion and how they fit into the hull structureis amake or break in my opinion, but BillingBoats has created awinner in design for this feature.
“Billing Boats has created a winner in design for this feature”
The keel and frames are laser-cut items, which effortlessly slide and lock beautifully into eachother
Assembly of the stern section requires alittle more patience and care to be taken; the
result,
good, strong support structure for the hull plates.
Nick feels this kit is best suited to
with
The forward hull plating requires virtually no modification to fit and incorporates the scuppers and anchor holes.
Planking is completed using the Obechi wood strip supplied. If you start belowthe plywood bulwark plates andcontinue towards thekeel, you should have no problems, Nick points out.
Assembling the situated forward ship’sstairs may initially look daunting but they are, in fact, surprisingly simple to put together and represent those on the original vessel extremely well.
The decks neatly slide over the bulwark supports; Isuggest using clamps to hold them down and keep the camber curve that is designed into the kit. Alittle bit of wood filler is required to blend the deckaround each of the bulwark supports.
The instructions statethat the deck and frames should be painted at this stage, but Idecided topostpone doing so; first IwantedtoensureIhad agood sealed up hull as if Idid decide to install R/C Icould then be surethe model was watertight.
As previously mentioned, the instructions do not suggest any model making tips or notes on construction methods, so it’sup to the builder to draw on previous experience when it comes to tapering the hull frames so that the hull plywood sheets fit moreeasily These sheets, however,don’trequire much trimming to fit onto the frames, and the bulwark scuppersare precut. Istarted at the bowand worked myway towards the stern using
Success! Nick’ssecond application of ‘Mediterranean blue’, courtesy of aHalford’srattle can. Unfortunately,his first ‘finish’ proved unexpectedly disastrousdue to anasty reaction between his original choice of paint and primer
be
funnel
superglue-type cyanoacrylate to attach each plate in turn.
Once both sides arecomplete,the nextphase is to plank thesections not sheeted in by plywood. Planking is provided as obechi strip, and there aremorethan enough extra pieces included to ensure you’re notleft with any gaps, but this is another task that requires some prior experience. Istarted at thewaterlineand planked towards the keel on each side. You’ll
notice that the obechi is thicker than the plywood plating, but actually this is agood thing, as the planks do requiresanding down to blend them into the hull.
The stern is made up from amassive block of balsa which,again, requires sanding to shape in order to achieve its rounded rear profile.
My suggestions for the next stage depend on whether youintend to create astatic model or afunctioning on the water hull. For the former,you can
The bridge section is an all-plywood affair,but Nick admits he found it astruggle to make the front plate conform to the curvature.
The
comes supplied as abalsa block that needs to
carved and filed to shape. There is atemplate in the manual to refer to, but Nick highly recommends using the plans as additional guidance.
The basic structure of the bridge and funnel complete. Handrails are started to be fitted around the bridge wings and these add another layer of finesse.
just apply filler and sand beforepainting your hull. I, however,decided toapply a layer of fibreglass clothto seal mine –a necessity should Ilater opt to go down the radio-control route.
The bulwark capping Iapplied using thethin plywood pre-cut sheet, and my hull was then ready for paint –or was it? This is whereIcometomyfirst criticism,orperhaps caveat:inthe photos illustratingthe instructions the rubbing strips and bilge keel strips aren’teasy to see, and Ialmost missed them –I’d already givenmyhull a
coat of grey primerbefore realising I hadn’tfitted these
“Regular
readers willbeaware that thisreview had been fagged upfor an earlier issue, and we nowcome to thereason for thedelay…”
Asurprisingset-back
Regular readers will be awarethat this review had been flagged up for inclusion in an earlier issue,and we now come to thereason for the delay… Planning well ahead, I’d already bought some Mediterranean Blue spray paint in keeping with the Mercanida Shipping fleet’siconic schemetouse as themain colour for my hull. Unfortunately,however, despite applying this to atest piece first, after spraying thehull and leaving it out to dry Ireturned to find therehad beena nastyreaction between the paintand theprimer What’smore, sandingthe blistered paint back provedsurprisingly
difficult; so much so that Ieventually resorted to goingout and buying an orbital sander to mechanically remove it! Following this, Imanaged to find the correct shade of replacement blue required in Halford’srattlecan range (intended for cars but just as suitable for modelling projects) along with suitably matchedcolours for the other areas, and used the brand’sprimers (in red, white and grey) and lacquer varnish, too.
Thesuperstructure
With the hull complete, work can begin on the superstructureand deck hatches. These areall laser-cut parts, most of which fit and slot beautifully together,creating agood solid structure. Inow,however,come to my second criticism… Iwould have preferred thinner pieces of plywood for the bridge fronts. These should form curved sectionsonthe model, but as the pieces provided areofthe same thickness as the superstructure’s other parts Istruggled to get them to conform, hence my version doesn’t quite capturethe correct shape in
The cargo hatches, akey feature of this coaster freighter’sdesign, are imaginatively created using laser-cut plywood to build up fantastically convincing replicas.
The comprehensive diagram in the manual illustrates how the masts and derricks are made up of interlocking brass tubes, thereby creating strong and rigid lengths.
The rudder is asimple but effectiveaffair.The propeller supplied is brass with an M4 thread that will fit most standard prop shafts.
this area. There’ssupposedtobe one continuouscurve on both sheets that make up the front bridge plate and not the distinct step evident on mine. Fortunately,this doesn’tlook outof place,it’sjustnot as perthe kit intends.
At this stage alayer of ‘finishing resin’ can be applied; this seals the wood grain and reduces the amount of paint that needs to be applied.
The deck hatches areconstructed rather ingeniously from different thicknesses of plywoodsheet,and I found these apleasuretobuild. The only nit-pickingobservation I’ll make is that the individual cover planks for the hatches areshown facing in different directions when looking at the kit instructions, plans or box
artwork; so, while nota major issue, you’ll have to decide for yourself which way to go here.
“Besuretorefer to the supplied plans to achievethe correct profle here”
The final part to be made for the superstructureisthe funnel. This needs to be carved from abalsa block using the template inside the kit instructions. Be suretorefertothe supplied plans to achieve the correct profile here, as thefunnel is taperedin all directions. (Personally,Iwould have preferred avacform plastic item, but it’snot adeal breaker.) Once sanded
smooth, thefunnel can be given a layer of finishing resin, then painted and attached.
Fittings andmasts
The fittings and masts arethe highlight of this kit. Forexample, all thewinches aremade from brass and just look fantastic onthe model. Thehave abeautiful sharpness about them and requirenotidying up prior to construction
However,w en ow come to my third, an dfi nal, critici sm –w hi ch, again ,relat es to th ek it instructi ons. Th ep hotos sh ow al lt he parts in place bu tt he parts iden ti fie ri nt he in stru ction ph ase is in compl ete. I belie ve that olde rk its se parated
Some of the many turned brass fittings and items with which to detail the model. The winchesare particularly well rendered.
The updated and improved ship’sboat included in this new version of the kit; it has to be said its injection moulded hull anddeck are much easier to assemble and paint than the balsa wood original.
the parts re quired for each fitting into individually numb ered trays. These trays, however,a re no lo nge r i nc lu de d. In st ea d, all th efi tti ng s’ pac ks come supplied in one bag/ plastic box, even thoug ht he new instruct ions still re fer to the o riginal tray numbers, meaning identifi catio n is nowheren ear as easy as it w ould previously have been. Again, not am assive deal breake r, bu tt he additional sorting now re qu ired does make thing sc on si d e rabl ym ore t im e- co ns um in g.
The masts and derricks are constructed from interlocking brass tubes that slide into eachotherto create the taper.Isimply followed
the diagram in the instructions to construct these and glued them together,but they could, of course, be soldered if preferred. Allrigging material is supplied as cord, in two different diameters, and attachedvia turned brass turnbucklesand eyelets. Remain in gfi ttings inclu de ap la stic lif eboat, brass ro dl ifeboat dav its and plastic ladde rs. Adding an oth er l evel o ffi nesse to the model aret he hand sta nchio ns, wh ich aret ur ned brass two ball ite ms, with brass ro d to crea te the rails. Also provided is aD an ish flag (cotton), al on gw ith so me Mercan dia Lin ew ate rslide decals fo rt he hul ld ecora tion an d ship’sn am e.
Final thoughts
This kit isn’tfor thebeginner,but it does build into aproper looking freighter from the 1950s for those with some experience of plank-onframe construction.
In the future Iintend to modify my Mercantic into afully operational radio-control model, as Ican already envisage just howstunning she will look on my local lake when sailed with other vessels of asimilar era.
So, thanks Jens of Billing Boats for the review sample, and for the very welcome (winteriscoming!) woolly hat received as an added bonus. I shall wear it with pride! ●
Nick’scompleted build of Mercantic.
HMS Express
Phil Button provides agreat Example of how imagination +application =total transformation
While clearing out the cellar of my daughter’s ‘old’ house aheadofamove, Icame across themortal remains of what had obviously once been an IC-engined race boat. This belonged to one of my grandsons and he was more than happy for me to take it offhis hands. Photo 1 shows the glass fibre hull (measuring 975 mm long, witha 275mm beam) and (detached) deckin ‘as found’ condition.
The question was, what todowith it? The hull shape had obviously been designed for some sortofoffshore powerboat,but Ididn’treally want to build one of those, so Ineeded to find something witha similar shape that I could use this hull for.
After abit of ‘surfing’ on the Internet, Ichanced upon the Royal Navy P2000 ‘Archer’ class of patrol boats, which serve as the University
Photo2 shows the member of the 1 2
Royal Navy Units (URNU) as training vessels. The hull lines of these craft looked to me enough like an offshore power boat to work. Measuring 20.8 metres in overall length, with abeam of 5.8 metres and adisplacement of 54 tonnes, this would give ascaleof roughly 1:20 using my newlyacquired hull and would result in amodel displacement of around 6.75kg.
