Well in a few hours the maiden voyage will commence! Sadly the local pond is being dredged so the harbour at high tide will have to do. Will upload onboard footage and some photos later 🛥️🤞

The Neptune pops up on eBay from time to time, usually decently priced….

Hi Ron & Roy and thanks for the kind words. She is a lovely boat however as was designed to be static many parts are quite brittle so it's paramount to install RC gear before the upper deck and fittings. Initially I used two working but used motors and to my heartache one failed after I had finished some fittings which made for a painful open surgery getting the motor back out. She was originally meant to have 3 props though space is limited and I was wanting to use what I have sitting around rather than buying additional components. The Sanwa standard Servo is out a large scale RC Piper Cub and the two motors originally from a Graupner tug. I've ordered two brass props as the ones installed are from an Aeronaut kit I've still to build and flimsy. Two brass rudders from Cornwallmodelboats. No 2.4ghz here either. 27mhz along with a 20 year old brushed esc running both motors. Amp pull at full throttle 14amps though even at minimal throttle she wants to really move.

If I could change anything from original build I'd change motors to 2 x 180 and the prop shafts to M4 as the M2 shafts are fragile. After a few coats of Polyurethane varnish the deck fittings have more flexibility too which is far better than the cough and something will break original way.

Lighting is a beanie hat led light linked to a micro switch. The rear hatch to motors (both new MFA385 now) is sealed and watertight now and contains a 6v water pump also that I will switch on occasionally in the event she takes on any water. Semi permanent nicd fitted between the motors acts as the perfect ballast with extension to charger when needed.

Next will be working radar and the RC helicopter has been ordered. Have went for the XK models brushless Ec145 however as it's slightly to big I've ordered a smaller scale fuselage of a Hughes MD500 that I'll use the heli mechanics in. I'll be able to take off though doubt unless flat calm a landing will be possible.


Overall I'm happy with how she's turned out. Finishing touches once she's been at the pond and harbour then I'm looking for the next project

Ps next project I haven't managed to find for years. Looking for the Graupner Neptune container ship if anyone has one needing a new home 🙂

Hi there is one at £116 but if you see cheaper check the scale as there is also one at 1 : 200 scale.
Roy

I built a model of HMS Snowberry and converted that to RC back in the late 90s, she sailed very well I believe the kit is still available. Seeing your conversion has made me think about doing one again.

Hi Ron she comes out as a model at 25 inches (63cms).
Roy

DOOOH , Sorry senior moment😉!!!

Hi Ron what scale do you think it might be?😊😊.
There is a clue in the subject heading.
Roy

She looks fantastic, what scale is that?

Hi I have been using 2 pence pieces as ballast for ages now. They are mainly steel and I tape them into rolls of required length.
Always regreted not buying this kit as it is a good size and nicely detailled. We had a talk at a club evening by David Abbot who reviewed the kit for Model Boats magazine and I was much taken by it.
Nice to see others doing the 'Plastic Magic' on her.
Roy

Nice,nice,nice,nice!!! I really like your conversion. I came very close to purchasing a kit to covert to RC, wish I had now. You really did a good job on her. Friend of mine has a very large tug, it uses a biggish 12v battery and carries a large load of pennys for ballast. He remarked that using the Pennie’s was cheaper than buying ballast😀. Your lighting looks good too, as does your paint. Can’t wait too see the maiden!!
Cash

Yes the secret ballast piggy bank 😅. Couldn't find my lead shot so opted to increase the value of her by 26p

Hi HH,
Nice looking conversion.
Well done.
Looking at photo 4 it looks like you are using this boat as a secret Piggy Bank LOL!!

Martin.

I did think about sticking to the original SAR though decided on a research theme. I'm looking at some of the smaller Blade helis at the moment though have a list of a few that I can get mini scale fuselages for. I will post up a few more photos of her inners. I've went with two MFA 385 motors, standard Sanwa servo and a 7.2v 2400 nicd. Has ample power and with the twin rudders manoeuvring won't be an issue. Hoping for long scale like run times and some night sailing too

Interesting conversion and 'repurposing' Happy!
Hermann Marwede is a 46m SAR cruiser based at the island of Helgoland in the North Sea.
Herr Marwede was once a partner in the Becks brewery company and his descendents helped to finance the ship.
Would much like to see the internals of your conversion as I have her smaller sister ARKONA in my stash also on my Plastic Magic conversion list😉
Good luck with the chopper. One of the mini dual rotor versions perhaps?
Cheers, Doug 😎