Mrs Froggyt996's Solent Class Lifeboat which is running on 2 x MFA 800 motors. it has 4 x 12v 7amp gel batteries and a P92 combined mixer and speedcontrollers from Action.
I've been tidying this beauty up for a while now, no major work because it's almost all original. I've repaired her bottom and replaced the old bobs boards with modern RC gear from Action Electronics. She looked scruffy at first but much of the problem was smoke discolouration, after careful use of T cut it still seems to have a slightly aged look (like me) which I'm OK with.
Hoping to trial in the next couple of weeks if I can lift it once the lead ballast is in. I'd like to get her to the Funday in September - fingers crossed.
This is the model seen in the video of Dunlin but now electric powered. Gave her a repaint which involved stripping right back to bare wood as the original finish was crazed due to a reaction. Finall got fed up with it and bit the bullet.
Original Aerokits patrol torpedo boat,first time out after referb.This was found in a semi-uncomplete nature but did have the box and plans with it.Power by 600 motor and 7.2 nicad very surpisingly fast,very tight handling around the bouys.Finishing details will be added as I go but for now very pleased with results.
Patrol boat in action latest picture taken on a very grey day at Gang Werily Hants.
Changed battery for a 4200 nicad much better run times now entering 15 mins plus,usually at full pelt.
HI harleydreaml, still looking at your Aerokits Torpedo boat and it is a very nice model from a colonials perspective. if I live long enough I may be lucky to obtain a set of copies of the hull formers and keel for a build . I have the Hebert Adams book of his model boats which he later led to his model boat kit company 'Adamcraft' and he did a set of drawings of a/the Elco type Torpedo Boat in his book. I always wondered whether the Aerokits EVER BORROWED the drawings to make the commercial model? Whatever happened, it is nice to see such a stunner model which was not too populace as the Crash Boat/Sea Queen sales etc. A now passed away mate had one 20 /30 years ago with a I/c 25/30? and it planed and turned flat and nicely. in OZ we still CAN operate I/c easy and do not need to trail out an electric cable for power to get more than 5 minutes on the pond? Keep building good craft. See ya Lyle.
HI Harley
I recently acquired a model that looks very similar to your model.
Its all wood hulled about 3ft by 7ins. I was on the point of dispatching to the tip as it is so heavy I didn't think I could ever make it go on the plane.
However having seen your Aerokits box and model its possible this may be an original or copy. Construction is very similar to the Fire Tender inside.
Any chance that you could post a picture of your model with the lid off?
Model looks the business in action.
The black & white shot was to try and pretend it was an original shot! and the running shots show how low the stern is when turning, dont see that when its running, great shots taken by HS93, many thanks!
The boat is a scratch built and started life in the shed. it is a semiscale model at aprox 36inch, built with balsa wood.It is full remote control and fitted with two Mtroniks Vision 600 motors one 12volt 7ah battery,one seasprint esc.
It was built as a fun boat so I could sail with my friend Peter thomas with his variuos boats.
Several things have now been added since this boat was first built, IE smoking stacks, fireing torpedoes and magnetic pickups for colecting them. Also has working radar/moving gun + a home built bec.
Flag poles and flags/compas has been added on the superstructure.
Each motor draws 6amps at full power, I have measured the speed from one point to another at a spacing of 60mtrs, and timed at 15 seconds, but this is a bit fast for this boat as she starts to plane out of the water.
We sail her at New Brighton lake on the wirral most wednesdays. As the weather is now a bit cool I have just purchased a simular model to this at 1:48 scale 110ft island class USCG Patrol boat so I can look at them both in action when the weather picks up. Anyone wanting info can contact me via this website.
More of the Crash boat at our sea water creek and of Peter Dimberline taking a rest after an exhausting day at the radio sticks steering the model. After all, I only did the car loading, driving to the site, carrying fueling and starting, entry to the water and launching and taking the model out of the pond , cleaning and refueling etc to go again. You can see Peter is getting his stamina back. I only ever used 3;1 fuel and in later years 4;1 fuel, just how fast do you want to go? and I have defeated that(annoying) high whine of model engines with my muffler system. Needle valve is left alone and two or three clicks turn out/in in Summer or Winter is of no consequence, maybe too many fiddlers with model engines breaks down reliability? I usually wind the plug out 1 to 2 turns and start her dry and with one or two turns (electric starter belt now) of the flywheel and a fraction choke she STARTS at a bit above idle setting on carby , then throttle to idle disconnect plug lead and then screw in glo plug and lift model casually to pond and slowly place in water at IDLE. Just a bit of a mild throttle check / rudder function check, water outlet check, LOOK AHEAD and if safe clear release and gently open up.
Model Aerokits Fire Tender built up over the last few years. (You may have seen the "Find Bob" competition on this site and incase your wondering, Bob is the character operating the water monitor!
For more useless information you may be interested to know how he got his name? To get straight to the point his head is spring loaded!
This is one of the old aerokits models, it was only partly built when I had it at first (the hull only) but four years on and it works great. The added features are a water pump, which, yes is most definitely more fun! Also a horn from action kit, some say they are not as good as jjc-electronics, but in my experience it is great, I have also added L.E.D. lights shown here and the latest addition is the voice box (as I call it), great fun.
46 Inch Aerokits Crash Tender Restored By Paul Devlin
This was originally built circa 1960 by my Uncle, with no radio control, you set the rudder, and let it go! it was then powered by an IC engine. All the fittings, engine and electrics where removed in 1965(ish) for conversion to electric, but the project was scrapped and everything was lost.
After a number of years carrying Action-Man around the living room, it was condemned to 30 years in the loft. Restoration started 3 years ago, completed after 1 year and given back to my Father as a Xmas present.
Sadly, he never got to use it much and it's now back in my possession. After 6 months or so (see posts!) sorting a better motor/esc/battery combo, it's ready for another restoration to bring it back to former glory.
Look closely on the 3rd picture, in the background you can see Fort Perch Rock Lighthouse, a listed building which stands at the entrance to the Mersey, and the famous Liverpool Waterfront further down river. New Brighton lake is in a fabulous setting for boat enthusiasts.
