These pictures are of three of the NEWCASTLE rtr tugs that we have in our club, they have all had minor modifications and a re paint but all have the original motors but run on 12 volts.
This little tug is a NEWCASTLE ready to run model that has been modified and repainted and is running on 12volts, if anybody has one they are a remarkable thing,almost unsinkable,in the pictures I was doing my best to see how stable she is, as you can see. The answer is very.
this is the Vanquisher, she was the first Diesel powered ship towing tug built for the thames in 1955.
the model is scratch built plank on frame, with 12volt motor, lights,and revolving radar.
HI Dave yes she is a rough representation of am old T2 type tanker. made of plywood in 7 sections each section is held to the next with two vertical pins through slots and brackets, she has her own power as well, she was made for towing around the lake we use at Bluewater shopping centre,I will put some pictures of her construction in the build blog pages for you, all the best george.
this is a small selection of tugs that I have built in the last few years, I have been building model tugs for about 45 years and have many pictures of them if anybody is interested the first is Ionia at 1/24th scale scratchbuilt,then 3 Sun tugs all at 1/24th scale
Nice selection of tugs. The detail looks very fine and are a credit to your modelling skills.
Perhaps you might consider a separate post for each model with four pictures in this section as there will be members who are contemplating or building similar models.
More pictures and brief details would certainly be most welcome. 😀
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.
This Is a scratch built paddle steamer named "Jeanie Deans "
This was scratch built apart from the fibre glass hull which I purchased.
Model is 65" long with a beam of 10". Power is by electric running via a gearbox at 300 rpm. Ihave taken almost 2years to complete the model working most days on it. Attention to detail was the order of the day.
I am using a Planet T5 Tx and Rx, 5 channels. I have a smoke generator pushing steam out of the twin funnels,synchronised to forward speed, faster the revs, faster the steam. Conventional rudder operation.
Have an operating Radar, ships horn, simulated steam noise varies as speed is altered, full navigation lights,all cabin lights can be switched on and to keep the 106 passengers happy I have a Banjo Band playing to complete the scene. Have sailed it recently at Peterborough and performs really really well. Have to say it tends to attract a lot of interest.
I am now constructing the Ayton Cross tug in 1:32 scale, with all the detail I want.Plan is to tow the Jeanie Deans around when completed as well assailing her
I hate leaving models as standard, the Southampton Tug a RTR model, needed to be more manoeuvrable, so removed original 27Mhz receiver and fitted Two Electronic speed controllers one for each motor, and a 2.4Ghz receiver. The model will now turn in its own length and has become very good for controlling in small spaces. Will change the standard motors next for something with a little more pulling and pushing power. it runs all morning on a 1 x 6 cell AA Nimh 2700Mah battery pack.
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.
This is my tug Alte Liebe. it is a Caldercraft kit and is almost 1 metre in length. I have installed an MFA 540 motor with a 2.5:1 reduction gear and operate her on 6 volt SLA's. With ballast she is fairly heavy coming in at about 15 kg.
I have just added a photo of my tug breaking the Ice on our lake a couple of weeks ago.(December 2012)
