Fighting Cock was one of the fleet of North West Tugs (Liverpool Screw Towing and Lighterage Company) steam tugs, built by Cammell Laird in 1953. The model is built on a Kingston Mouldings Sun tug hull, the superstructure is scratchbuilt from styrene, with many fittings from Mobile Marine Models. The motor was 'rescued' from a mainframe computer data drive, and is direct drive to the propeller. Power is from 12V gell cell batteries with a speed control by EA Electronics. Both hull and motor were given to my father many many years ago, and the model was completed approx 7 years ago.
Greetings from Hollywood, California. 😎 Many thanks to David Metcalf at Metcalf Moldings for his advice and for so graciously replacing parts I messed up. This craft has been swimming pool tested (after all we're in Hollywood) and it ran beautifully. Next stop is the local pond. I chose brass counter-rotating props. Those are lithium batteries tucked under the sides. I chose to recut the decks out of wood. Brits rave about plastic but I found it difficult to cut and forget about sanding down the edges. (I guess if you cut it properly you don't need to sand the edge.) Major mistake: watching a You Tube video that told me I should make brass joints using a Propane torch. it will make a good joint but it MELTS ALL THE OTHERS. There was a lot of learning here for me and thanks to David's fine kit I think I'm somewhat of a better model builder.
Nice model, very neat electrics, well done.
How come an American builds and English lifeboat?
By the way its contra- rotating props, but if you have a swimming pool as a test tank you must take some criticism, its OK I am only jealous.
My first attempt at a model boat was a scratch built Rother
at one inch and a quarter to the foot, a big buggar and heavy it had a car battery for power and ballast.
Cheers
Max 4clubs
here are my three boats, oakgarth 42" twin screw 4 blade props with kort nozzles she also has a working bow thruster.She running two speed controllers off a 12volt sla battery and has full working lights I would love to say I built her but I never, all I have done is added lights and give her a full makeover. Next is Doug the26" pusher tug twin screw 3 blade props full working lights and water jet single speed controller futaba radio set up I have just changed the crane on this again I have only done cosmetics to this tug and my last boat is a 20" seaport tug this is what my grandchildren sail and for 60 quid its great thay love it .the paddling pool was 15 quid for argos and perfect for testing well better than filling the bath .
BRAVO ZULU! I also love the test tank, I'm investing in a 12 x 6'er next spring. My latest builds are getting too big for the tub!
It's great that you get your kids involved; I feel that RC is by far the best
entertainment: Helos, planes, trains, autos & especially BOATS!
Heck with the video games I say!
My gr'daughter loves learning to fly the helo or me chasing her around with it. My goal is to get good enough to land on the tiny flight deck of my 1:48
USCG 210' Cutter while underway, without getting wet, of course.
HAVE A SAFE RC BOATING DAY!
Different from my usual models this is a static model in a glass case but a model boat never the less. it was made to commemorate the centenary of the foundering of the isle of Man Steam Packet vessel Ellan Vannin in the Queens Channel on the River Mersey Liverpool UK on 3rd December
1909 with the loss of all lives. The model is constructed almost entirely from scrap cardboard. She is presently on display in the Crosby Coastguard station but this is closing soon so the models fate is in the balance.
She was made to be displayed at the commemoration ceremony on board a Mersey Ferry in December 2009.
I have bought it from Robbe in Germany. it is 7 years old and it is working very well. There are two brushed motor and navy ESC from Robbe. I use it to drive some lake and pool in my city.
This model of the tourist attraction in Liverpool a few years ago.Sadly after a couple of mishaps all four have been withdrawn from service. The model however survives. it was scratch built from photos and site visits by myself (Max Ferrie).There were no plans available. it is about 28inches long and roughly 1/12 scale.It was built almost entirely from plywood. As you will see from video it operates on land and water. it is six wheel drive using differentials on all wheels. When in water it is prop drive. it has two small electric motors for power, the wheel drive being very low gearing (too low really it goes very slow on ground). it was completed in 2010, and is filmed sailing at the portable pond at Toys For Boys in Waterloo in 2010. it has sailed at Hoylake MBC also.
It is powered by two 6volt 4AH batteries in series to give 12volts.
Built for the MMI Solar Boat Challenge a number of years ago and includes the winner (Amber Sol-air !) that had to complete as many circuits as possible of a canal system constructed out of household guttering in a fixed time. (the gutter naturally limited the size - loa, beam and draft). All built out of depron from my own head - with enough left over to build several more ?!
There are a number of ideas for propulsion - all powered by solar panels, no batteries. The pool is 12 feet diameter and great for boats of this size.
MMI ran the event in three different forms over two seasons (arond 2007/8) - a circular gutter track with as many circuits as possible and also 3 circuits in shortest time, then drag racing - straight track knock ot competition.
As far as I know they have no plans to do more. They were great fun and pulled a lo of interest, incuding from youngsters because they were simple and cheap - but actually delivered!
I have a number of build shots the Clyde Puffer build that I'll post.
My little Hungry Sailor aboard AMELIE ROSE OF POOLE,
Scale model of a Scilly isle pilot cutter from the ITV series
THE HUNGRY SAILORS. She is scratch built 3/4 to 1 ft. The hull is fibre glass on balsa plank with OpepI Oak deck, shes powered by a 700 auxiliary motor and Lipo battery, can be seen at Boundery Water Park.
Mantua models 'Amalfi' Scale 1:35 Length 400mm. Fishing boat converted to 2 CH RC. Sails well, freeboard a little low but ok. Nets detactable for heavier weather sailing!
Photos show her on home 12' dia. pool but she sails well on boating pond. Runs for 20mins. on 4xAA batteries all in.
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.
HI there thanks for your kind comments, I bought this camera from Hobby King for about £20.00 last xmas, it works really good in aircraft as well. On Sunday I thought I had it switched on, and then sailed through the fleet for about 45 minutes, but no I had press the button twice, hence switched it off. The batteries were getting low when this was filmed thats why the shortness of the film, I was just concerned to get the boat back before I ran out of electricty. For a bit of cheap fun I would recommend one because you can see your lake from a different angle, if any of you fly that is really good fun.Thanks Brian
