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.

I built this one about 3 years ago she is built at 1/24th scale 50"long and is a plank on frame hull , scratch built using lime wood planking and 9mm ply for the frames and keel, the rest is birch ply of various thicknesses.
she has a 12volt cooling fan motor driving a 4" prop,and has a 12volt 48amp hour battery ,plus some lead for ballast,with working lights and revolving radar scanner

another 3 pictures of my tugs for you to look at Assiduous at 1/32nd scale scratch built, Vanquisher also1/32nd scale. Sun XVII towing

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

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)! 😉

In 1963/64 my father built a 34" Fireboat for me. Being only about 12 the job was a little above my knowledge or expertise. Another chap in my class at school had the same boat but rigged as a Fireboat. So I wanted something different.My boat was painted Red.White and Black. When I migrated to Australia I sold the boat about 1970.Earlier this year I had an article published in a Melbourne newspaper saying I was looking to repurchase the boat I had sold 40 years ago. Although I was unable to get my boat, someone had a fireboat that had been sitting around for years.After purchasing the boat, I restored it to the same colours etc that I had had 40 years ago. Thereby naming it Phoenix.

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

Finally finished the project. This boat was built from scratch. I took pictures and measurements from a real fireboat that I operate. I built it on a 1/12 scale using wood that I had left over from scrap. This was my first project boat. I was able to get a lot of technical information from this forum. So thanks guys. I have really fallen in love with boat model building. I have wired the boat and am waiting on two model electric outboards to mount on the transom. it took almost 6 months to complete. 🕊

Finally finished the project. This boat was built from scratch. I took pictures and measurements from a real fireboat that I operate. I built it on a 1/12 scale using wood that I had left over from scrap. This was my first project boat. I was able to get a lot of technical information from this forum. So thanks guys. I have really fallen in love with boat model building. I have wired the boat and am waiting on two model electric outboards to mount on the transom. it took almost 6 months to complete.

This boat was built from scratch. I took pictures and measurements from a real fireboat that I operate. I built it on a 1/12 scale using wood that I had left over from scrap. This was my first project boat. I was able to get a lot of technical information from this forum. So thanks guys. I have really fallen in love with boat model building. I have wired the boat and am waiting on two model electric outboards to mount on the transom.

Two Wavemasters, both refurbished ebay rescues, sailing at Crealy, near Exeter (one of the last times as the club can no longer use the water).
The first, rebuilt by Kalamunda, is brushless with NiMh cells and the second, having it's first sail since being rebuilt by Ian Gardner, has a Graupner 700 with 3s Lipo's (in parallel) on a 37.5mm X type prop- Electronize 30amp esc.
I think these are lovely looking old boats designed by Les Rowell of Aerokits fame, and obviously based on traditional cruisers from the Norfolk Broads- see Martham Boats, where you can still hire a wooden craft like these, although you'd definitely have the river inspector after you if you sailed up the Thurne at these speeds!