Hi all...
A while back I was given two Atlantic "Tugs" (by separate people). One was in very good condition (but with the old FM radio) which I passed on to another member and the other is the subject for this post.
These Atlantic "tugs" [sic] have a very toy like design, especially the hull's gunwale (curve) when viewed from the side. That being said, I would like to restore it, probably to another type boat as I don't want to start cutting the gunwale. to flatten it some.
Now the condition of everything is fair and the hull is pretty solid. (The hole in the bow area is a chop job done by the previous owner to install a bow thruster.) Everything is dirty bun ca be cleaned up. It is missing the wheelhouse. I would like to re-use (modify?) the superstructure.
So, here's where all of you come in. Given the shape of the hull and structure, do any of you have any ideas what this could be made into based on a real boat's looks? (If there are any real tugs in the style/looks, could you pass that info on to me?)
Thanks,
Lew
[{"id":"167903153981","name":"167903153981","caption":"","url":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/167903153981\/l","thumbUrl":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/167903153981\/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"167903154818","name":"167903154818","caption":"","url":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/167903154818\/l","thumbUrl":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/167903154818\/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"167903159648","name":"167903159648","caption":"","url":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/167903159648\/l","thumbUrl":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/167903159648\/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"167903164264","name":"167903164264","caption":"","url":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/167903164264\/l","thumbUrl":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/167903164264\/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"}]
A while back I was given two Atlantic "Tugs" (by separate people). One was in very good condition (but with the old FM radio) which I passed on to another member and the other is the subject for this post.
These Atlantic "tugs" [sic] have a very toy like design, especially the hull's gunwale (curve) when viewed from the side. That being said, I would like to restore it, probably to another type boat as I don't want to start cutting the gunwale. to flatten it some.
Now the condition of everything is fair and the hull is pretty solid. (The hole in the bow area is a chop job done by the previous owner to install a bow thruster.) Everything is dirty bun ca be cleaned up. It is missing the wheelhouse. I would like to re-use (modify?) the superstructure.
So, here's where all of you come in. Given the shape of the hull and structure, do any of you have any ideas what this could be made into based on a real boat's looks? (If there are any real tugs in the style/looks, could you pass that info on to me?)
Hello Lew
I am not into tug boats (yet) but do like the lines of the model you have there. Other readers have given you some good ideas about possible builds. I cannot help you there, but good luck with it, and enjoy the build !😉
👍I think you should restore it as a tugboat again. The smuggler deserves it. Maybe also trim to old. I think when it's restored it will be a not-so-frequently-seen tug.
Roy, what a good call on the hull shape for the "Atlantic" tug restoration. Some the older European fishing trawler hull shape is quite similar to the Atlantic tug. Going one step further, I found the Kriegsfischkutter (KFK) a very interesting subject.
The KFK is about 24m (78.8 ft) in length and the Atlantic is 30.3 inches. That would be about a scale of 1/31.2 - close to 1/32 for figures. (Probably take 0.80 inch off the transom to flatten it.) Very interesting!
My problem is that I am in my RC armor mode (another Sherman arrived today) and was trying to get back to my RC boat mode with the major modification to my Dusseldorf FLB2 (fireboat). At 79 I have too much lined up. Decisions, decisions!!!
Lew
Also, check these out... The first one shows a modern day look (rusted, on land) and the second has a lot of detail info to use for a build:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/KFK_ex_20030417_001_whv.JPG
https://www.super-hobby.com/products/KFK-363-Kriegsfischkutter-KOMPLET-MODEL-I-LASERY.html#gallery_start
Roy, what a good call on the hull shape for the "Atlantic" tug restoration. Some the older European fishing trawler hull shape is quite similar to the Atlantic tug. Going one step further, I found the Kriegsfischkutter (KFK) a very interesting subject.
The KFK is about 24m (78.8 ft) in length and the Atlantic is 30.3 inches. That would be about a scale of 1/31.2 - close to 1/32 for figures. (Probably take 0.80 inch off the transom to flatten it.) Very interesting!
My problem is that I am in my RC armor mode (another Sherman arrived today) and was trying to get back to my RC boat mode with the major modification to my Dusseldorf FLB2 (fireboat). At 79 I have too much lined up. Decisions, decisions!!!
Lew
Also, check these out... The first one shows a modern day look (rusted, on land) and the second has a lot of detail info to use for a build:
I still have this thought about converting the ugly Aquacraft "Atlantic" tug to something more real-ish looking. Running with the idea of a fishing vessel, I came across a Kriegsfischkutter (KFK for short), a WWII German patrol craft.
Attached is a drawing comparing both of the hulls. Not too bad! But is it worth the trouble? I would like to hear other opinions on this especially if you would do this if given a hull to work with. Looks like the scale would be close to 1/32, so figures and perhaps other items (guns?) should be available.
Keep in mind that in this example there is some difference in the hull shape. However, note that these boats were built in many countries and different shipyards. Looking at photos there seem to be noticeable differences.
What Would You Do?
Lew
Florida, USA
You can also search Kriegsfischkutter see photos, drawings, videos, etc.
[{"id":"168222519769","name":"168222519769","caption":"","url":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/168222519769\/l","thumbUrl":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/168222519769\/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"}]
I still have this thought about converting the ugly Aquacraft "Atlantic" tug to something more real-ish looking. Running with the idea of a fishing vessel, I came across a Kriegsfischkutter (KFK for short), a WWII German patrol craft.
Attached is a drawing comparing both of the hulls. Not too bad! But is it worth the trouble? I would like to hear other opinions on this especially if you would do this if given a hull to work with. Looks like the scale would be close to 1/32, so figures and perhaps other items (guns?) should be available.
Keep in mind that in this example there is some difference in the hull shape. However, note that these boats were built in many countries and different shipyards. Looking at photos there seem to be noticeable differences.
What Would You Do?
Lew
Florida, USA
You can also search Kriegsfischkutter see photos, drawings, videos, etc.
'What would I do?'
GO FOR IT LEW👍 Hull looks a pretty good match to me.
Bear in mind that various fishing vessels were converted to harbour defence craft, and the armament and fittings varied considerably, depending on what was readily available.
I would also contact Ed (Figtree), or was it Cash?, he recently did a superb conversion of a Fish Cutter kit to a KFK.
Good luck🤞 and happy building whatever you decide to do with it.
Cheers, Doug 😎
I think the hardest thing woul be to flatten the stern of the Atlantic to get the “cruiser stern” vs a rounded stern. I wanted to build one of these boats, and was about to sacrifice a Graupner Krabbe Ton when I found an old Graupner Elke…the Elke was originally a fishing boat, then a KFK, and after the war she was converted back. There were other boats used as KFKs, but from what I’ve researched the Elke style hull was the mos prominent. I enjoyed the build, ran her a few times then a buddy came over with an Italeri PT109 kit and caught me in a weak moment….
I’d go for it. You’ll have to do some fabrication, but it would be a fun build, and a unique project.
Here’s a pic of what used to be my boat.
Cash
Cash...
Thanks for the comments and photos. Despite the ugly design (at least for a tug), the Aquacraft fiberglass hull appears to be quite strong and a good base for a KFK.
It looks like the underside of the hull near the propeller is quite different and could be a problem, but it would not be that noticeable as the fantastic look of the boat above the waterline will distract from that.
Lew
Florida, USA 🇺🇸
Thanks for the comments and photos. Despite the ugly design (at least for a tug), the Aquacraft fiberglass hull appears to be quite strong and a good base for a KFK.
It looks like the underside of the hull near the propeller is quite different and could be a problem, but it would not be that noticeable as the fantastic look of the boat above the waterline will distract from that.
Could go along the lines of "Proceed" here with the extremely weathered old tug loo. Failing that keep it sweet and simple as a newcomers "try sailing" boat. Kit her with a 280 brushed and standard 3 blade fine pitch prop (Radiolink) with a rubber bumper and ask bystanders if they'd like a shot. Has so much potential though. I love transforming unloved boats back to working vessels again
I think you should restore it as a tugboat again. The smuggler deserves it. Maybe also trim to old. I think when it's restored it will be a not-so-frequently-seen tug.👍
I am not into tug boats (yet) but do like the lines of the model you have there. Other readers have given you some good ideas about possible builds. I cannot help you there, but good luck with it, and enjoy the build !😉
👍I think you should restore it as a tugboat again. The smuggler deserves it. Maybe also trim to old. I think when it's restored it will be a not-so-frequently-seen tug.