This is a 40" long model of a gas powered Berkley Company kit of a US Air Force crash boat from 1955. The plank on frame kit was in production for about 10 years and was meant to be powered by a model airplane gas motor with a single shaft. it depicts an experimental 50 knot rescue boat (painted in a peace time color scheme) during service with the USAF. if successfull it would have been put into production designed to be a replacement rescue craft for all Air Force 65' crash boats. Unfortunately for the crash boat program the Air Force lost interest as helicopters were become a reliable way of rescueing downed pilots along the coast. The prototype and a sister boat were scrapped, as was the entire program.
The model was given to me to be restored(top picture) for the son of a retired USAF veteran that was a crash boat crewman. The model was built in 1957 and had been run a few times on a tether line, R/C was pretty expensive back in the day. I stripped the hull, filled in all the cracks and rebuilt the mast. I added a small boat, davit, liferaft, coxswain station, spray shield and deck hardware among other things. Actually all the owner wanted was a paint job, he was very happy with it's new appearencep! Although I fiberglassed the wooden hull and made it watertight, the owner doesn't plan to run it, just a memorial to his dad's service. I really enjoyed working on this "rare bird".

Not Strictly Aerokits!!! Bought this and a Sea Breeze at the Warwick Show. Sea Breeze is in the cupboard for Xmas. Sea Nymph is Ivory and Brunswick Green. it has a JP 400 motor with an Mtroniks 15 amp esc powered by a 7.2v nicad. Currently it has a 35mm S prop. Haven't had a chance to try it out on the water yet. Maybe this weekend. its the first wooden boat I've ever built so am quite pleased with the outcome. Looking forward to the Sea Breeze as that's going to be my first brushless model.

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.

Based on the US Coast Guard 36' motor lifeboat, the Canadian Coast Guard operated a number of these boats modified for cold weather operation. The model is a fiberglass hull, the reat is scratchbuilt using baltic birch wood, brass, and plastic. The model measures 28" based on the scale 3/4 inch equals a foot. it's powered by a 6 volt Dumas motor and operated with a 2 channel radio. A fun build!

built sometime in the sixties originally powered by 3.5 cc diesel, then glow motor as in pics OS 20 Max. now converting to Electric. Speed 600BB, Mtroniks Viper 10 ESP, 7.2V 3300ma NIMH. as yet only tank tested seems to have enough power, hope it gets up on the plane.

it was an abs hull and top from sarik mouldings the rest was scratch built from photos

Hi,
A photo of my Whaleback hull from Model Booat Shack remainder will be scratch built.

Scratch built plank on frame.Built from plan by Jim Pottinger.

Plank on frame built many years ago. Not of a specific vessel but a representative of the classic Scottish boat of the 70's. based on a stretched "Launch Out" plan.

Brian Clewes has now taken his new scratch built boat on its maiden voyage. The day was fine, if cold, but the wind was just right for the event. The auxiliary motor was used to keep the vessel moving when the wind dropped but she did sail with the little wind present and responded well to the helm. This is Brian's third large scratch built yacht, he is really becoming quite an expert. Also makes his own sails and fittings.

Scratch built, modelled on real vessel,plank on frame construction, a few years old now.

1965 U.S. Lindberg Plastic Special Edition John F Kennedy P T 109 Boat. The P T 109 boat was mainly employed around the islands surrounding the Philippines, hence the reason why the boat was painted to match the background colours of these islands. Bought in a part built state and took me, with help and advice from other model boat guys, about 12 months to get it up and running. Powered by twin motors, shafts & props, with a single 8 cell 9.6 volt battery.