Billings Kit - my 2nd boat build. This time I thought I'd challenge my skills and build a plank on frame boat rather than using an ABS hull. Fairmount Alpine is a 75M Ocean going tug used for heavy duty work. The model is 1:75 scale, so around 1metre long.
As I started this some time ago (before I joined this website) I'll put some regular posts up to catch up to where I am now... still not finished! Kit comes with all timber laser cut, brass fittings, instructions etc. Extra purchases of course are the motors / ESCs / and other electronics. This model is large enough to accommodate a few ancillaries such as lighting / bow thruster etc. Although laser cut, some of the joints needed trimming, and I had to use some of my bigger clamps!
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Billings Kit - my 2nd boat build. This time I thought I'd challenge my skills and build a plank on frame boat rather than using an ABS hull. Fairmount Alpine is a 75M Ocean going tug used for heavy duty work. The model is 1:75 scale, so around 1metre long.
As I started this some time ago (before I joined this website) I'll put some regular posts up to catch up to where I am now... still not finished! Kit comes with all timber laser cut, brass fittings, instructions etc. Extra purchases of course are the motors / ESCs / and other electronics. This model is large enough to accommodate a few ancillaries such as lighting / bow thruster etc. Although laser cut, some of the joints needed trimming, and I had to use some of my bigger clamps!
yes also building one A lot of work to complete yet. Fitted with 2x mfa 6/1 motors and bow thruster ,kort nozzle, becker rudders,all windows fitted with individual glazing a lot of time consuming, still a lot to do
The bottom of the hull comes mainly as 4 large pieces of ply - 2 which fit flat on to the frames, and the 2 rear pieces have a nice S curve to make things interesting. Relatively easy to glue with plenty of clamps. The bow structure all slotted together with a little added effort from some screw up large clamps!
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The bottom of the hull comes mainly as 4 large pieces of ply - 2 which fit flat on to the frames, and the 2 rear pieces have a nice S curve to make things interesting. Relatively easy to glue with plenty of clamps. The bow structure all slotted together with a little added effort from some screw up large clamps!
I have to admit I'm a bit of a novice and tend to work on my own a lot, although I have looked at build videos on YouTube. I often wonder about the best time to paint the various bits as it seems some will be difficult to do later. So I painted the guard rail uprights and glued them in... then clamped the painted guard rails (proper names?) then started adding the hull sides, glued, clamped, and pinned where necessary.
Size comparison picture with tug Annabelle (Billings Banckert) Fairmount is 1:75 scale, Banckert is 1:48
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I have to admit I'm a bit of a novice and tend to work on my own a lot, although I have looked at build videos on YouTube. I often wonder about the best time to paint the various bits as it seems some will be difficult to do later. So I painted the guard rail uprights and glued them in... then clamped the painted guard rails (proper names?) then started adding the hull sides, glued, clamped, and pinned where necessary.
Size comparison picture with tug Annabelle (Billings Banckert) Fairmount is 1:75 scale, Banckert is 1:48
thank Dave - there are HUGE access covers both at the front and rear of the tug, so not too worried about aligning motors & prop shaft. the only cramped space as you will eventually see is when fitting a bow thruster.... but more of that in due course ( the blog is catching up with th build!) Space inside the 1st tug was OK till the deck was sealed in place, then it was really tight!
So the rear deck seal isn’t that great and on choppy water it’s a problem coming over the sides and stern. All the electronics were located under the rear deck and in danger of getting wet! So I moved everything around and put the waterproof speaker at the back, and the receiver/ turnigy switches at the front, much higher up. Seems to work. Occasionally still get water in the hull but only the motors and (waterproof) ESC are there. 👍
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So the rear deck seal isn’t that great and on choppy water it’s a problem coming over the sides and stern. All the electronics were located under the rear deck and in danger of getting wet! So I moved everything around and put the waterproof speaker at the back, and the receiver/ turnigy switches at the front, much higher up. Seems to work. Occasionally still get water in the hull but only the motors and (waterproof) ESC are there. 👍
i am building one myself