Scratch built from plans .model Aircraft from Japan . Smokes from the 4 exhaust ports. at the moment she sits too low in the water ( rather top heavy ). will need a bit more thinking about

Although not strictly speaking a boat it is a yacht and fun when you can't get to the pond but fancy a sail!

Built from magazine free plans mainly of balsa, carbon mast and drafting film it is just as challenging as normal RC sailing.

Operated on a 2CH Rc is has front wheel steering. The wheels are model aircraft wheels. The rear outrigger wheels and mast can easily be dsmantled for transportation. The outrigger is also ballasted to Improve handling.

Owing it's origin to the RNLI lifeboats of the 19th century, the US Coast Guard 36'MLB saw service from 1900 to 1987. The USCG built over 300 boats of this class in various "mods" spanning it's life history. Constructed of wood and fitted with a bronze keel it was powered by a 4 cylinder engine later modified with a diesel motor. Early powered 36' boats carried oars and sails as auxillary power. My 36500 model was based on the famous Chatham Lifeboat Station in Massachusetts, USA. On Febuary 18, 1952 the CG 36500 rescued the 32 survivors of the tanker PENDLETON during a night time nor'easter storm. Without radio or radar the Coast Guardsmen found the stricken T-2 tanker in the blizzard, taking the crew off one at a time. With each pass of the lifeboat a tanker crewman climbed down a rope ladder and "fell" into the lifeboat. With all on board, the 36500 found it's way back to Chatham harbor much to the delight of the towns people and the Coast Guard! The most amazing fact regarding this rescue was that the 36 footers were only designed to carry 19 people, including the 3 man CG crew, without capsizing.
The model was scratchbuilt of balsa strips and aircraft plywood, using official USCG blueprints. Powered by a 6 volt motor and a 2 channel radio, the Chatham lifeboat is pleasure to run in my local pond.

This is the first radio controlled model I have attempted.
It was purchased weekly (80 weeks) when I was living in Spain. Only problem was that all the text and instructions were in spanish and my understanding of spanish was severely limited!!!!!!!.
But with a translation program on my PC I was able to complete the model.
As I said this is my first excursion into wooden modelling, although I am proficient in plastic modelling, especially aircraft.
As a first model I am somewhat proud of the completed model, although it is yet to be christened on the water.
Since completing this I have built a Royal Navy Frigate circa 1799, sadly I was unable to transport it back to the UK. it is awaiting my return to Spain.