Model Boats August issue FREE 20 PAGE PREVIEW

EDITORIAL

Editor: LindseyAmrani

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10 Compass360 Aquickscanofthelatest hobby/industrynews

12 Exclusive PrizeDraw

Yourchancetoneta fantasticprizewithour ‘CatchoftheDay’: BillingBoats’delightful 1:60scaleeasy-buildkit forthe1960s’shrimp cutter Rainbow

14 Retriever Wanttoavoidgettinginto deepwatershouldthings gowrong?Well,helpisat handwithGlynnGuest’s niftyairboatrecovery vessel

©MortonsMediaGroup2022

AllrightsreservedISSN0140-2910

ThePublisher’swrittenconsentmustbeobtainedbeforeanypartof thispublicationmaybereproducedinanyformwhatsoever,including photocopiers,andinformationretrievalsystems.Allreasonablecareis takeninthepreparationofthemagazinecontents,butthepublishers cannotbeheldlegallyresponsibleforerrorsinthecontentsofthis magazineorforanylosshoweverarisingfromsucherrors,includingloss resultingfromnegligenceofourstaff.Relianceplaceduponthecontents ofthismagazineisatreader’sownrisk.

ModelBoats,ISSN0140-2910,ispublishedmonthlybyMortonsMedia Group,MediaCentre,MortonWay,Horncastle,LincsLN96JRUK. TheUSannualsubscriptionpriceis89USD.AirfreightandmailingintheUSA byagentnamedWNShippingUSA,156-15,146thAvenue,2ndFloor,Jamaica, NY11434,USA.PeriodicalspostagepaidatBrooklyn,NY11256.

USPostmaster:SendaddresschangestoModelBoats,WNShippingUSA, 156-15,146thAvenue,2ndFloor,Jamaica,NY11434,USA.Subscription recordsaremaintainedatDSB.netLtd,3Queensbridge,TheLakes, Northampton,NN45DT.AirBusinessLtdisactingasourmailingagent.

18 Withcourage…

NeverbuiltanR/Cmodelboatbefore?Fear not,ascompletenoviceTimLoganisabout torevealhowadoptingtheRNLI’s“…nothing isimpossible”approachinspiredhimtorise tothechallenge

30 Ty’nLyn

HaydnFoulkesfliestheflagforWales withhisfirsteverR/Cyacht,basedon GlynnGuest’splanandbuildguide for Goblin featuredintheApril2009 editionofModelBoats

38 Makebigsavings withasubscription! Checkoutthelatestprintanddigital deals

40 PS Bilsdale,Part1

ColinBishoptakesonapaddle steamerproject

50 Flotsam&Jetsam: Noteworthy Nautilus

JohnParkerdivesintothehistory ofthesubmarinethatchampioned nuclearpropulsionagainstallearly critics,andtheoptions,pastand present,availabletomodellers

54 ICPowerboatingbasics

DerekOwenstripsdowna2-stroke nitroengineinordertoprovidean‘in anutshell’explanationofjustwhat

you’relookingat,whyit’sthere,and howitworks

58 BoilerRoom

RichardSimpsonbenchtestsMiniature SteamModelsnewEntryLevelplant

64 YourModels

Moreofyourbrilliantbuilds showcased

68 YourLetters Queriesaired,infoshared,and successfulclubeventsreportedback on

74 NextMonth…

Justthreeofthereasonswhyyou won’twanttomisstheSeptember issue

Firstly,abigthankyoutothe amazinglygenerouscrewatBilling Boatsforonceagainproviding anotherfantastickitforthismonth’s prizedraw.IncludedinBillingBoats’ ‘Beginner’series,Rainbowisidealfor novicekitbuilders,butforthoseofyou lookingforamorechallengingproject itis,asdemonstratedinaYouTube video(search‘Diane-scalemodelRC fishingboat-VMK’)possibletomotorise thischarming1:60scale1960s’shrimp cutterandgetheroutonthewater.For someofyou,thiswouldbeabreeze,for othersaninterestingchallenge,butas demonstratedbybothTimLogan(see WithCourage…startingonpage18)and HaydnFoulkes(seeTyn’Lyn,startingon page30),wherethere’sawill,there’s alwaysaway!Neverforgetthateventhe mostexperiencedandinspirationalof modellers,suchColinBishop(seePart 1ofhispaddlesteamerprojectstarting onpage40)andAllanGrafton(seethe FlyingPhantomfeaturestartingonpage 24),werenewcomerstothehobby themselvesonceuponatime.

Ofcourse,nomatterhowmanyyears ofmodellingyouhaveunderyourbelt, consideringhowmuchtimeandeffort getsputintobuildingafabulousworking model,itmakessensetohaveabackup planinplacejustincasethingsshouldgo wrongduringasailingsession.Regardless ofindividualthematicpreferencesthen, perhapsarecoveryvesselshouldbeon everyworkingmodelboatbuilder’s’to do’list,andGlynnGuest’sniftyairboat designedforthisverypurpose(seethe Retrieverfeaturestartingonpage14)is certainlyworthconsidering.

Naturally,wehaven’tforgottenthat someofyouprefertofocusonfine scalestaticmodelling,andcompletely understandifyoufeelyourchosen disciplinehasbeenalittleneglected oflate(althoughyouwillfindsome magnificentnewkitsfromVanguard Modelsflaggedupinthismonth’s Compass360section–seepage10). Thethingis,beingaspecialisttitle, articlesneedtobewrittenbyenthusiasts (ratherthanfreelancejournalists)for enthusiasts,sowe’rehugelyrelianton thecommunityModelBoatsservesfor featuresubmissions.Theregenuinely isn'tanyeditorialbias.We'realwayskeen towelcomenewcontributorsaboard, especiallythosepassionateabout subjects/aspectsofthehobbycurrently underrepresentedinthemag,soplease eitherpitchyourpotentialfeatureideas orsimplyspreadtheword.

Enjoyyourread, Lindsey

24 The FlyingPhantom AllanGraftonsharessomeofthehighs andlowsofanepicbuild

Compass360

1:64SCALEKITS

NewtotheVanguardModelsrange

Two64scaleperiodshipshavebeenadded toVanguardModels’prestigiousrangeof highspeckits.

Thefirstofthesetwokits,resultingina modelof880mminoveralllength,577mm inoverallheightand312mminoverallwidth oncompletion,istheBaltimoreprivateer schooner Grecian (1812),pricedat£325(plus shipping).

Thiskitincludes:

LasercutandengravedpartsinMDFand pearwood.

Laseretchedandcutlimewooddeckwith treenaildetail

3sheetsofphotoetchedbrass

Highresolution3D-printedparts.

20ftcutterboatforthemodellertobuild upfrom3D-printandwoodenparts.

Alsonewtotherangein1:64 scaleisthecutterHMTrial,first commissionedin1790but modelledwiththeextra gunsknowntohave subsequentlybeen fittedin1793.

Doubleplankedhullinlimewoodforfirst plankingandpearwoodforsecondplanking. Walnutdowelformast,gaff,andboom. Multiplesizesofbothblackandnatural riggingthread,alongwithallnecessary blocksanddeadeyes

Acomprehensive,fullcolourinstruction manual,alongwithelevenplansheetswhich includeallmastingandriggingdrawings.

Eduard-printedcustomwaterslidedecal forGrecian’sstern,withoptionsforboth whiteandochre.

Thesecond,measuringinat570mmin overalllength,285mminoveralllengthand 312mminoverallwidthoncompletion, andpricedat£220(plusshipping),isHM Trial,acutterbuiltbyThomasDustervilleof PlymouthtothedesignsofCaptainJohn Schank.

Whenfirstcommissionedin1790, Trial’s mainarmamentwas8x3-Poundercarriage guns.In1793,4x12-Poundercarronades wereadded,andVanguards’kitismodelled withtheseextraguns,givingthemodel

12gunsintotal.Although Trial wasfitted withstocksforswivelgunsonthegunwale, researchsuggeststhatthesewereneveronce usedduringherlongcareer,sonoswivel gunshavebeenincluded.It’simportantto notethatoncecarronadeswereaddedtoa ship’sarmament,theneedforswivelguns wascompletelynegated,ascarronadesdid thesamejob,butmuchmoreeffectively. Thiskitincludes:

LasercutandengravedpartsinMDFand pearwood.

Laseretchedandcutlimewooddeckwith treenaildetail

2sheetsofphotoetchedbrass

Highresolution3D-printedparts. 3historicallyaccuratedropkeelsections, withwinches.

Doubleplankedhullinlimewoodforfirst plankingandpearwoodforsecondplanking.

Walnutdowelformasting.

Multiplesizesofbothblackandnatural riggingthread,alongwithallnecessary blocksanddeadeyes

Comprehensive,fullcolourinstruction manual,alongwithplansheetsthatinclude allmastingandriggingdrawings.

Plus(featuredforthefirsttimeina Vanguardskit)therearelaser-engraved treenailsonbothinnerandouterbulwarks. Toorder,visit www.vanguardmodels.co.uk

Thankstothekindfolks atBillingBoatsand OspreyPublications,in theJune2023issueof ModelBoatswewere abletobringyoutwo excitingprizedrawsand arenowdelightedto announcethewinnersas:

AfinishedbuildresultingfromVanguardModelsnew1:64scale kitfortheBaltimoreprivateerschoonerGrecian(1812).

Chariotsof Steam

AnExhibitionof ModelShipsby LachieStewart

Ifyou’rewithinstrikingdistanceof DumbartoninScotland,don’tmiss yourlastchancetovisittheChariots ofSteamexhibitionrunninguntil September3,2023,attheScottish MaritimeMuseumDumbartonatthe DennyShipModelExperimentTank CastleStreet,DumbartonG821QS.

Theexhibition,openfrom10am to4pmMondaythroughtoSaturday, featurestheworkofLachieStewart, whobeganmodellingatjust16years oldandwhosespectacularcollection of75modelships,manyofwhichare heldinprivateandpubliccollections, rangefromelegantpaddlesteamers tothelifelineClydepuffers,andfrom simplehalf-hulldesignmodelsto magnificentdisplaymodels.

ModelsondisplayincludePS

Caledonia whichwasbuiltbyWilliam DennyandBrothersShipyardin Dumbartonin1934andNLV Pole Star and FlyingPhantom both ofwhichwerebuiltbyFerguson BrothersinPortGlasgow.Theother vesselsarePS MaidoftheLoch, Volcano,the KathleenMStewart and SealightGreenock

Entryto‘ChariotsofSteam:An ExhibitionofModelShipsbyLachie Stewart’isincludedinmuseum admissionprice,withuptothree childrenadmittedFREEofcharge witheachadult(£5)/concession(£4) ticket.

Forfurtherdetailsvisit https:// www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org/ exhibitions/chariots-of-steam-anexhibition-of-model-ships-by-lachiestewart/ orcall01389763444.

RawdonMBCAugustOpenDay

Followingonfromits incrediblysuccessfulevent inJune(seetheYourLetters sectionofthisissue),Rawdon MBCwillbehostingits secondOpenDayof2023 from10amto4pmonAugust 19.Theclubwouldliketo pointoutthateveryonewill bemostatthisfamily-friendly,

fundaysout,whereallvisitors (eventhelittleones)willbe ablehaveagoatsailinga modelboatoryachtonthe club’sbeautifulprivatelake atLarkfieldRoad,Rawdon, LS196EQ.Therewillalso bemodelboatsforsaleand on-sitefacilitieswillinclude refreshments,WCs,etc.

TheSouthern ModelShow

ScheduledforSeptember2/3,thisyear’s SouthernModelShowatHeadcorn Aerodrome(ShenleyRoad,Headcorn, Ashford,KentTN279HX)willonceagain seenumerousmodelboatsandwatercraft, includingeverythingfrombattleshipsfrom paddlesteamers,beingdemonstratingonthe water(intheshow’slargepurpose-builttank). Theshowencompassesnumerous spectaculardisplaysrelatingtoallofthemajor modellingpersuasions,plustherewillbetrade standstobrowseandplentyoffamily-friendly entertainment.Visitorscanchoosetopurchase eitheraone-dayticketoraweekendpass, andcamping,caravanandmotorhomesites areavailabletobookinadvance.Forfurther details,visit https://www.headcornevents. co.uk/Events/Southern%20Model%20Show/

Dartmouth treasure trove

TheSealightGreenock,justoneofpuffers modelledbyLachieStewartandfeaturedinthe ChariotsofSteamexhibitionattheScottish MaritimeMuseumDumbarton.Imagecourtesy oftheScottishMaritimeMuseum.

Ifyoulivein,oryour holidaysthisyear takeyouto,glorious Devon,andyouhave afascinationfor allthingsnautical, recommendedis avisittoBonds NauticalAntiquesat 2PotteryCottages, WarfleetCreek Road,Dartmouth, DevonTQ69GL. Establishedbyformer RoyalNavyclearance diverandnautical/ maritimeantique specialist,David Bond,thisisafamily runbusiness,with Davidnowassisted byhisdaughter,

Suze.Visitsareby priorappointment onlybutcaneasilybe arrangedbyemailing bondsnautical@gmail. comorbycalling either01803835007 or07778594856.If, however,thissounds adelightfulwayto spendanhourortwo buttheWestCountry issadlynotonthe cardsforyouthis summer,thenyoucan alwaysenjoyavirtual browsethroughthe company’sextensive onlinecatalogueat https://www.bondsnautical-antiques. co.uk

RawdonMBC’sbeautifullakeinthe quietofthemorning.

CATCHOF T ATCHOFT WIN!

Thismonth,courtesyofthe generouscrewatBilling Boats,we’reabletooffer youthechancetowinthiseasy build1:60scalekit(Ref.BB201) forthe Rainbow Cutter.On completion,themodelrepresents atypicalcutterusedforcatching shrimpofftheGerman,Dutchand Danishcoastsduringthe1960s, andthekitincludesalltheonboard equipmentthatwouldhave beencarried,suchastheshrimp sievesandcookersforimmediate preparationofthecatch.

BillingBoats’extensiverange hassomethingforeveryone,with kitsdividedintofourdifferent skilllevelcategories,aimedat the‘Beginner’,the‘Advanced Beginner’,the‘Experienced’and the‘Expert’.The Rainbow Cutter isincludedinthe‘Beginner’ series,sowouldmakeanideal firstprojectforanynewcomer tothehobby.However,eventhe mostexperiencedamongstyou willbecharmedbythebeautifully detailedmodelthatresultsfrom thisbuild!

THEDAY

HOWTOENTER

Tobeincludedinthedraw,allyouneedtodoiscompletetheentry formincludedonthispage,cutitout(photocopiesoftheformwillbe acceptableforthoseofyouwhodonotwishtodefaceyourmagazine) andmailitbacktousat:

BBRAINBOWCUTTERPRIZEDRAWPrizeDraw ModelBoats, MortonsMediaGroup, MediaCentre, MortonWay, Horncastle, LincsLN96JR

Pleasenote,theclosing dateforentrysubmissionswillbeAugust25,2023.

Goodluck,everyone!

TERMS&CONDITIONS

CompetitionclosesAugust25,2023.Therearenocashalternatives available.Termsandconditionsapply.Toviewtheprivacypolicyof MMGLtd(publisherofModelBoats)pleasevisit www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

RETRIEVER

Wanttoavoidgettingintodeepwatershouldthingsgowrong?

GlynnGuest sharesdetailsofhowtobuildaniftyairboatrecoveryvessel

Therecanbefewreaderswhohaven’t witnessedorevenexperienceda modelunexpectedlystoppingduring asailingsession.Iflucky,themodelwill driftbacktosafety;ifnot,itwilldriftintoan inaccessibleplace.Atthispointanynearby modellerswillusuallyleapintotheSamaritan role,requestedornot,andattempttouse theirmodelstopushtheerrantoneback tothelake/pondside.Whatfollowscanbe highlyentertaining–well,toanyspectators, butprobablynottotheownerofstricken vessel.

Thetacticmostsalvorsappeartoemploy istoaimtherescuevesselatthelargest target,whichmeanstryingtopushthe modelsideways.However,sincemost modelshaveroundedifnotpointedbows, thiscausesproblems.Unlesstherecovery modelmanagestoplaceitsbowsonexactly therightplace,itwillimmediatelycausethe strandedmodeltorotate(see Fig1).The Samaritanthenstartstopushtherudderand throttlesticksaboutonthetransmitterin anattempttoreturntothedesiredcourse. Thisoftenresultsintherescuemodel scrapingdownthesideofthestrickenmodel, somethingthatcanupsetitsownerforsome reason.This‘gooddeed’mayevengenerate afewexpletivesifaccompaniedbythesound ofbreakingandsnapping.

Thesalvormay,ofcourse,recognisethis problemanddecidetobackoffandtake

anotherrunatthemodel.However,one modelbackingoffforarenewedattemptcan betakenasaninvitationforothermodels totrytheirhandsatthisrecoverygame. Theresultcaneasilybecomechaotic,and youcouldbeforgivenforthinkingthatthe objectiveisnottosaveamodelbutram itintosubmission.This,too,mayfurther upsetthestrandedmodel’sowner,who’ll understandablybedistressedbythesound andsightoftheseimpacts.

Betterideas

It’snothardtocomeupwithbetterideas fortherescueofamodelboat.Oneisto attachalinetotherecoverymodelwitha suitablefloatontheotherend(acorkfrom awinebottleworkswell);theideabeingto sailaroundthestrandedmodelandwrapthe lineroundit(see Fig2).Withluck,theline willsnagthemodel,possiblyonruddersand/ orpropellers,andallowittobetowedback tosafety.Careisneededtoavoidgetting thelineentangledwithrecoverymodels propellerthough–thiswouldleaveyouwith twomodelstorecover,whichremindsmeof thefairytaleaboutsomeonewhoswallowed afly…

Asomewhatsafermethod,whichhasbeen describedbefore,istomakeaframethat canbetemporarilyattachedtotherecovery model.Thiscanscoopupthestranded one,holditsafelyandallowacontrollable

recoverytobemade(see Fig3).Theonly problemcouldbethesizeoftheframe,as onethatcouldcopewithamodestcabin cruisermodelmightbeoverwhelmedbya largermodel.

Flotsamfrustration?

Theideaofusingothermodelsforrecovery hasonepotentialdrawback:it’snotunknown foroursailingwaterstocontainwaterplants orevenplasticbagsandthesecanbecome wrappedaroundamodelboat’spropellers andrudder.Ifthisisthecauseofamodel becomingstranded,thensendingother modelsintopossibledangerseemsunwise.

Ihaveheardofpeopleputtingaprotective screenaroundthepropellerandrudder ofamodeltoavoidthisproblem.But,as I’veseenhowdeterminedsomethings aretogetthroughscreens,I’mnot100% confidentinthismethod,andevenputting thepropellerinsideatunnel,water-jetstyle, wouldstillneedascreentokeepthings out.If,therefore,thepropellerandrudder underneatharescuemodel’shullcould beatrisk,it’sdoesn’ttakeagreatleapof imaginationtocomeupwiththeideaof liftingthemoutofthewater–thatis,touse anairboattorecoverstrandedmodels.

But,havingbuiltandrunafewairboat modelsmyself,Irealisedthisideacouldbe problematic.Fullsizeairboatsareusually builttoskimoverthewateratspeedand

modelstendtodothesame.Thismeansthat theyhavealightweightconstructionalong withgenerouspower;notexactlyidealfor gentlyapproachingastrandedmodeltogive itrestrainedpush.

Airboatsolution

Havinggiventhethoughtofusinganairboat torecoverastrandedmodelsomemore though,theideastillappealedtome.Ahull withasmoothundersideoughttoenableit toslidesafelyoverthemostweedordebris filledwaters.Inaddition,airboatsusually haveawideandbluntbow,sopushingthe strandedmodelanywhereapproximately amidshipsoughttoavoidanyunwanted rotations.Theonlychallengemightbethe makingthesailingcharacteristicsgentle andreliableenoughtopushmodelswith nodamage.Theanswer,Idecided,wasto designsomethingheftywithmodestpower andhopethatanair-rudderwouldprove effective.

Economicalbuild

Afewpencilsketchesandcalculations suggestedthatsomethingusinga6-volt lead-acidbatteryandastandard550brushed motorlookedpromising.Amodelabout20 inches(50cm)longwithabeamof11inches (28cm)couldbemadefromitemsalready inmylumberstock.Thefinalweightwould beashadeover7pounds(3kg),which

oughttoproduceasedateairboatrather thantheusualhigh-speedcraft.Thedesign Ieventuallycameupwithissosimple(the proverbialengineer’s‘backoftheenvelope’ type)thattheaccompanyingconstruction photographsareallthat’sneededifyouplan tobuildsomethingsimilar.

Thedeckwasmadefrom ¼-inch(6mm) plywood,withanaccess-openingcutinthe centre.Drillingholesatthecornersandthen runningajigsawbetweenthemcreatedthe opening(see Photos1and2).Somewood

stripswerecuttomatchthedeck(see Photo 3).Thesidepieceswereshapedsothatthe hullbottomwouldriseupwardandbeclear ofthewateratthebows;thiswastoavoid thebowspushingamoundofwateraheadof themodel–somethingwhichmightprovea nuisancewhenapproachingastrandedvessel.

Aslotwascutintothedeckforthemotor pylonbeforethehullstructurewasgluedto theundersideofthedeck(see Photos4and 5).Some1/8-inch(3mm)plywoodcovered thehullbottom.Thesamewoodstripasused forthehullstructuremadeupthemotor pylon.Itsheightallowedthepropellerto clearthedeck.Iusedan8-x4-inchpropeller frommyboxofaeromodellingkitspares. Ithoughtthatwiththismotorandbattery combinationitwouldprovideanadequate butnotexcessivedraft.

Analuminiumstrapandacoupleofbolts securedthemotortothepylon(see Photo 6).Myplanwastohingetheruddertothe rearofthemotorpylon,sosimplestwayto installtherudderservowasintoacut-out throughthedeck.Tokeepwateratbay,a coamingwasaddedaroundtheedgesofthe deckaccessopeningandasimplelidbuiltto fitoverit.

Afterpainting,themotorwasrefitted,and theruddersecuredtothepylonwithabrass hinge.Thishingewasintendedforfitting onapieceoffurniture,butitwashandy,did thejobanditsweightreallydidn’tmatterin thismodel.Theservorudderlinkageneeded carefulfittingtoavoidfoulingthepropeller (see Photo7).Atthisstage,Irealisedthata propellerguardwasneeded.Somemodellers seemquitehappytooperateunshielded airscrewsontheirairboats;Icanonlyhope theyhaveadequateinsurancecoverforthis riskypractice!I,however,justmadeasimple coverfromasheetofwiremeshcheaply boughtatalocalDIYstore.

Theinternalitemswerefittedandheldin placewithsomeblocksoffoamplastic(see Photo8).Theboatsfinalreadytorunweight cameoutalittleheavierthanexpected(8 pounds/3.6kg)andatrialfloatonthegarden pondshowedittohaveadraughtofabout

1-inch(25mm).Anexperimentaltwiddleon thetransmitterstickscouldn’tberesisted andmyairboatwasfoundtobequiteeasyto controlinsuchaconfinedspace.Evenbetter wasthediscoverythat,witharudderthrowof some45degreeseitherway,itwaspossible tomaketheboatrotatewithlittleforward motion.

Alast-minuteadditionwasabowbumper. Ifeltthatsomethingwasneededonthebows toavoiddamageand,ifpossible,createa firmergripduringtherecoveryoperation. Amongsttheitemslitteringmyworkspace weresomelengthsoffoamplastictubes intendedtoinsulatedomesticwaterpipes. Onepiecewasslitandthengluedtoan aluminiumstripthatwasscrewedtothebows. Twolargerdiameterpiecesoffoamtubing wereaddedtotheendsofthistube.The hopewasthiswouldbemoresecurewhen pushingagainstthecurvedsideofamodel.

Propertrials

Thewindwasmodestbutvariableinstrength anddirectiononthedayoftherecovery trials.Ialmost,therefore,hadsecond thoughtsasIhadbroughtmynewwarship modeltoactasthestrickenvessel,but fortuneissupposedtofavourthebrave!I justhopedthatI’dbeabletooperatethe transmitterwithcrossedfingers…

Thefirstthingnoticedwasthat Retriever, mynameforthisairboat,couldmoveata respectablepace–nothurtlingacrossthe waterlikemyotherairboatmodelsbut certainlyfastenoughtopleasetheownerof anyvesselthatneededrecovery.Mysecond observationwasthat,despitethewind,it ranareasonablystraightcourse,needing onlymodestruddercorrections.Last,but notleast,therudderresponseproved immediate.

Thewarshipmodelwasapproachedwith

caution,allowingittodriftintocontact beforetheairboatgentlystartedtopushit sideways.Afterafewexperiments,Ifound thatthecombinationcouldbesteered aroundwithtotalconfidence,morethan enoughprecisionandwiththeabsenceof anyscrapingnoises.

Sailwithconfidence

Inowhaveagoodwaytorecoverstranded modelssafely. Retriever evenhasthe potentialtoslideoveranydreadedpatches ofweedsthatarejustwaitingtosnare passingmodels.It’snohassletoslipintothe carwheneverItakeanothermodelortwo outforasailingsession.Fortunately,since building Retriever I’veneverhadtouseitin earnestbut,thewayIlookatitis,thetime andeffortputintosuchaprojectreallyisa verysmallpricetopayforsomepeaceof mind. ●

“ etimeandeffortputintosucha projectreallyisaverysmallpricetopay forsomepeaceofmind”

“With courage...”

NeverbuiltanR/Cmodelboatbefore?

Fearnot,asabsolutebeginner TimLogan isabouttodemonstratetheRNLI’s“...

nothingisimpossible”approach

Golly,wheredoIbegin?Howisit thatafellowlivinginatinyhilltown inWesternMassachusetts,USA, cametobuildhisfirstscaleR/Cboat–let aloneamodelofaRNLIlifeboat?It’shard tobelieveI’mactuallysittinghere,sipping mycoffee,fendingmySiamesekittyGracie offthekeyboard,ponderinganarticle aboutit!WhatdoIwanttoaccomplish here?Afterall,theideaofwritinganarticle foraninternationalmodelboatmagazine whosepagesarefullofexquisiteexamples fromveteranmodelbuildersis,tosaythe least,justabitdaunting!Well,Iguessthat’s thepoint–everyjourneystartsbytaking thatfirststep,sotheaimofthisarticleisto encourageothersnewtotheR/Csideofthe hobbytodojustthat.Inparticular,Iwantto

emphasisepointswhichIbelievewillhelp firsttimemodellersandmakeforarewarding experience.Themessage,inanutshell,is: “Youcandoit!”.

MyrecentlycompletedWaveney44-014 St.Patrick wasmyveryfirstR/Cmodelboat build.Ihadabsolutelynopreviousscale boatbuildinghistory.Almosteverystepof theprojectrepresentedanewexperience/ challenge.‘Buildlogs’forvariouskitor scratch-builtmodelsareabundantinModel Boatsmagazineandonforumsandother socialmediaR/Cgroups.Manybuildlogs aresharedtoreflectthemuseum-level quality,ingenuityandcreativityofremarkably skilledmodellers.Iaminaweofsuchfolks.I, however,amabeginner.Thisismybeginner’s story.

“Manybuildlogsaresharedtoreflectthemuseum-levelquality, ingenuityandcreativityofremarkablyskilledmodellers.Iaminaweof suchfolks.I,however,amabeginner. isismybeginner’sstory…”

Learningaboutsuperheroes overacupoftea

OnaratherstormydayontheWestCoast ofIreland,someyearsago,mywifeNancy andIwalkedalongtheshoreandspotted someindividualsscramblingaroundarather formidablelookingorangeandblueboat.It appearedtobearescueboat.Iremember lookingatthechoppyforebodingwater underthedarkcloudsandshiveringabit inthecold.Whatkindofsuperheroes,I wondered,wouldhavethephenomenal couragetorisktheirlivesinasearescue?I wassoontofindout.

Afewminuteslaterwearrivedatanearby friend’shometohavetea.Imentioned theorangeandblueboat.Shetoldusthe boatwasalifeboatinservicefortheRoyal NationalLifeboatInstitute(RNLI).Asitturned out,ourfriend,whosefamilymemberswere fishermen,hadbeenavolunteerwiththe RNLIforsome50years.Withgreatpride shebeganpointingoutthemanyarticles andawardsadorningherwallsandshelves concerningthelocalfishingindustryandthe RNLI.SheexplainedthattheRNLIboatsand stationsarecrewedbyeverydaymenand womenfromallwalksoflifewhoareoncall 24/7.Allareunpaidvolunteers.

TheSt.Patrick.Imagecourtesyof JoeMcCabe

The1:12scaleWaveneyclasslifeboatkitfortheScout(#44-018),whichTimorderedfromDaveMetcalfofMetcalfMouldingsintheUK.

Betheyclerks,bankers,construction workers,accountants,bakers,allRNLI volunteersareofonemindwhenacallout occurs–tosavelivesatsea.Whentheir pagerssoundforacallout,theycrewthe lifeboatandlaunchwithinminutes.Constant trainingandmaintenanceofthelifeboat,the equipment,andthestationisallpartofthe volunteer’scommitment.

Iwasincredulous.Thesewereindeed superheroes.Thusbeganmyfascinationand admirationforallthingsRNLIandtheseeds weresownformyfirstR/Cscaleboat.Being anavid‘stickandtissue’aircraftmodellerin myyoungerdays,butneverhavingbuilta scaleR/Cboat,Idecidedthatoneday,when Iretired,Iwouldbuildworkingmodelsof RNLIlifeboatsstationedinIreland.Iwould beginwiththe St.Patrick,Waveneyclass#44014–stationedinDunmoreEast,Ireland

Doingtheresearch

Thefirststepinbuildingascalemodelboatis decidingwhich‘realboat’mostinterestsyou anddoingtheresearchtolearnaboutthe constructionandoperationalhistoryofthe vessel.Thisenjoyable,educationaladventure costsnothing-–unlessyoubecomeaddicted andstartbuyingreferenceandhistorybooks likeIdid!Duringtheresearch,amyriadof questionswillnodoubtarise.DoIwant tobea‘rivetcounter’or‘stand-offscale’ modeller?Howbigshouldthemodelbeto reflectareasonableamountofdetail?DoI wanttomodelaspecificboatorageneric ‘typeofboat’?Whatscalearesimilarboats usuallymodelledto?Howeasyisthatscale totransport?Ifounditwashelpfultostart jottingdownquestions.

FrommyresearchIlearnedthatRNLI lifeboatshavedevelopedfromtheoar-

poweredcraftofthe1800stomodernstateof-the-artall-weathercraft.Eachsuccessive classhasimprovedspeed,range,utility, andsafety.TheWaveneyclassboatswere producedfrom1964to1982.

The St.Patrick wasbuiltin1974byGraves &GuttridgeLtd,Cowes,England.InMarch

Tim’sstandpreparedandsupportingthefibreglasshull suppliedinthekitreadyforthebuildahead.

Right:Thehullwith decksinstalled.

Dual4Ohmspeakerswiredinseriesona6Slipo.

DualrudderservosandESCs.

Thewelldeckwithadditionalfittings.

1974,theSt.PatricksailedfromCornwall toDunmoreEastwithStephenWhittle,a DunmoreEastcoxswainsince1959,atthe helm.Twoweekslatershetookoverasthe DunmoreEaststationlifeboat.Hereshe servedwithgreatmeritformorethan20 yearsuntilsoldoutofserviceinMay1999 totheRoyalVolunteerCoastalPatrolin Australia.

Anexcellentsourceofinformationonthe WaveneyclasslifeboatsisNicholasLeach’s TheWaveneyLifeboats,BernardMcCall, 2001,whileaveryfinereferenceonallRNLI lifeboatsisNicholasLeach’s Poweringtothe Rescue-ahistoryofRNLIsteamandmotor lifeboats,LilyPublications,2019.

Joiningaclub

Ifirmlybelievethesinglemostadvantageous thingafirst-timemodellercandoistojoin aclub.Icannotemphasisethisenough.The expertiseandsenseofcommunitywillbe motivatingandsupportive.Myexperienceis thatscaleboaterslovetohelp.

SinceIknewIwouldbenefitfromthe adviceofexperiencedscaleboatmodellers, Imadethe90-minutedrivetoLake Massapoagontheoppositesideofthestate inSharon,Massachusetts.ThereIreceived averywarmwelcomefromthe Marine ModellersClubofNewEngland (MMCNE) andjoineduprightaway.MMCNEhasbeen inexistencesince1990.Theclubhassomeof

themosthighlyskilledmodellersIhaveever met.Somemembershavehadfascinating seafaringcareers,whetheritbeintheNavy, CoastGuard,orcommercialvessels.Their real-lifenauticalknowledgehasbecome invaluabletoalandlubberlikeme!

Icannotsayenoughgoodthingsaboutmy newfoundfellowclubmembers.Overthelast twoyearsmembershavepatientlyhelped withbuildingquestions,equipmentselection, makingmachinedparts,andcustom artwork.EventOfficerFrankCookrecently inspiredmetovolunteerasPublicityOfficer! DiscoveringMMCNEturnedouttobemy singlebestdecisioninthewholebuilding process! IfyouareintheNewEngland area,Irecommendyoucheckusoutatwww. marinemodelers.org.

Locatingakit/scratchbuildingmaterials

Afteryou’vefinishedyourresearchand receivedadvicefromexperiencedclub members,you’llbereadytopurchaseakitor locateplansandscratch-buildingmaterials. Hereiswhereyourresearchandclub membershipwillreaprewards.Youwillalso, ofcourse,findtheinternetindispensable. Scalemodelboatersare,inthegrand schemeofthings,arelativelysmallsegment ofthehobbyworld.Manufacturersand supplierswhosupportthehobbyareoften small,specialisedbusinesseswhich,initially, maybedifficulttolocate.Manyofthe suppliersmaybeindifferentcountries.Inmy case,themajorityofbitsandpiecescame fromtheUK.Ihavefoundthatthesesmall suppliersallhavesuperbcustomerserviceand agenuinewillingnesstohelp.Yourfellowclub memberscanprovideyouwiththenamesof manyofthesesuppliers.Asyouproceedyou willnodoubtstarttomakealistoffavourite

Workbeginsonthedeck railingsandfittings. Theaftcabinconstructedand,subsequently,painted.

Above:Theforecabininteriorhatch.

Right:Theforecabinwithworkonthesidewallsand windowsinprocess.

“Ifirmlybelievethesinglemostadvantageousthinga first-timemodellercandoistojoinaclub”