This is a aero -naut toben tug it is kit built it has a aero-naut 6v geared motor it runs on a 6v 4amph sealed battery has a old type speed controller sliding arm type the battery last in excess of two hours its great with korts nossole steering the hull and cabin are abs and the most water proof boat I have ever sailed on Southport model boat club one of the fleet have changed the set up have a old mfa electro thottle esc in instead now yet to try the new setup

J. R. MORE - LAST OF THE LARGEST STEAM TUGS BUILT ON THE CLYDE. The best looking tugs ever built!

This model is scratch build at 1:48 scale of the SAR&H Durban tug J. R. More, which was the last large steam tug built on the Clyde in 1962.
It took over 2 years to complete this model, which was my first scratch build from the modified plans of a sister tug called the F.C Sturrock, which was also stationed at Durban as the shift tug for that harbour. Other tugs of the class were also stationed at Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

The J. R. More was the newer day tug in Durban, most often used to service the Union Castle ships and others in, out of Durban and remembered by so many visitors to South Africa of that time.

This model tug on the water has differential motor control, software linked with the rudder, can go about on the spot and a delight to sail as a model, capable of 6 or more hours on the water. Working Rotating Radar, lights and woop-woop sounder as per the original tug. I would also like to install the Telegraph bells, however these would drive fellow modellers to distraction, as they were a very distinctive sound and very regular, Implanted and well remembered by the crews and those in and around the harbour, even today. The engines on the other hand were almost quiet and by all accounts very reliable.

This model is ballasted mainly by two 7 Ah 12 Volt SLA Batteries for the main drive motors and a 2 Ah 12 Volt SLA (Aft ballast) for the Lights, Radar and Sound unit. All up weight is 14Kgs and capable of above scale speed from the two MFA 6:1 ratio Geared Motors driving two 4 bladed 70mm screws.

This model has onboard charge regulator circuit, built-in minature dual volt meter to allow quick on-board voltage inspection and single plug-in charge and regulator socket for charging all 3 Batteries together.

The actual full size J. R. More tug still survives and can be visited at the Durban Maritime Museum in Durban, South Africa. Local supporters are undergoing essential repairs, restoration and preservation with private and company financial support.

J R More is the only surviving large steam tug left of this class and as Important to the skills of the Scottish shipbuilders of the Clyde.

Well, it took 24 years of "on again-off again" building but now its finished. I started the model the day we put the CAMPBELL in commission(I'm a plankowner) in 1988.The model measures 6 feet in length and is scaled at 1:48. The entire model is scratchbuilt from wood (hull, superstructure, deck) and few commercial parts were used. it's powered by two Dumas 12 volt motors as a direct drive system. I had hopes of adding working features such as lights, rotating radar antennas, articulating gun, working anchor but I was just happy to get it finished! it will probably make at least one run at the lake come springtime but the models ultimate "homeport" will be a museum, at 6 feet in length(and 40 pounds of ballast) it's a bear to handle just to get it into the car for transport. Still, I'm happy with the results, it was a model of a lifetime(but I'd never build another one like it)! 😉

another photo of my asrl figures are modifyed american 1/32 multI pose airfix a 400 motor a 20amp esc and a 7.2 buggy pack it planes just great took it out today ran for over 3/4 of a hour and the motor never got hot it work a dream now to get my whaleback on the water same scale same firm but with mods on southport model boat lake today sunday

Some of our club members [including myself] giving our boats a run on the club pool just after dark.
Boats included are : Fishing boats, trawler, Tug, Lifeboat, sports cruiser and patrol boat.

Appologies for the background noise, but thats the traffic on the M6 toll.

Believed to be scratch built, evidence of old 1 gallon REDEX oil container forming main deck, bits of Mecano used as stiffening and support.
It has a Basset Lowke model 1461/u (motor, stern tube, prop shaft and prop) Set.This dates from the mid 1930's and would have cost 7/- Shillings for those old enough to remember, that would have been abut a day and a half's wages. The photo's show what the motor looked like as it came out and then after cleaning and testing, and yes it runs very smoothly in forward and reverse, from 3 volts up to 12 volts, seems to be quite good at 6, so will probably use when rebuild complete.
As you will see from photo's there is a lot of restoration to do before sailing again.
Now you've stopped laughing, can you identify the type of ship it's meant to be, I thought a Coaster.

Launch at last of Coromandel at Cleevedon last week with the help of a passing Portishead/Cleevedon club member who steered the ship, whilst I somewhat did my best with a video camera, I will have to get in a bit more practice.

With the noise from the meccano step down gears it gave a satisfying Impression. I do not expect that it will get sailed much, as it has ended up much more of a display model than something to expose to the sort of water we have around here.

Nasraf

Launch at last of Coromandel at Cleevedon last week with the help of a passing Portishead/Cleevedon club member who steered the ship, whilst I somewhat did my best with a video camera, I will have to get in a bit more practice.

With the noise from the meccano step down gears it gave a satisfying Impression. I do not expect that it will get sailed much, as it has ended up much more of a display model than something to expose to the sort of water we have around here.

Nasraf

here are few pictures of sea queen scratch built plank on frame using Ikea blind slats ,
first
runs OK but still to sought out motor esc and prop , runs of 5mins befor cut out kicks in . ....
so back in the dock for motor change , so when weather gets better will give it another go at Portishead where there is bit more space to get some on the water shooting-pictures 👍 .cheers Larry...

Photo taken at Portishead on 1st July by a friend in my club many thanks to Les Masterton for allowing me to add to my album. Model running on a Johnson 600 with 3:1 reduction gearbox 45mm 3 Blade brass prop and 11.1 Volt Lipo. Not bad for a model designed in 1952. 😊

Some photos of my Aerokits Sea Scout taken yesterday at Southport model boat lake. Fitted with an outrunner brushless motor.

HI shipmates, here,s a few shpts of the "Port ".
She,s a 1/80 scale scratch built cargo ship of the Port line company from around the 1950,
A ship this size requieres quite a bit of balast, I use water, it takes around 40 lds to get her sitting right, this is pumped in and out with a submersible caravan water pump.
Most of the fittings are resin castings.
there are a few more bits to finnish off but could not resist the chance to try her out on the Chasewater pool.