My Dad built this Fireboat 40 years ago, following the Practical Electronics magazine article. I watched as he built the plywood boat then built the discrete electronics; it was full of batteries but was great fun. I later fitted the 2-channel radio and then dad repainted it blue? its now time to give it some TLC and get it back as it should be.

Kit Yamato which is motorised by Tamiya and is about 2 years old.

It took six months to build and convert to R.C. power for NiCad batteries.

Z15 "Erich Steinbrink"

A german WW2 Destroyer was a Ted Radestock Semi-Kit.

She took just over 2 yrs to build in total, but did include a house move in between!!

She is built as per the kit with the exception of James Lane guardrails and modified Deans funnels as the original resin funnels were very heavy.

She is powered by 2 Deans motors, 35mm props and the batteries are 2 x 7.2 volt 2 Ah NiCad packs.

This model is a British "Hunt" Class destroyer.

It is a Sirmar limited edition (100) semI kit at 1/48 scale and some 6 feet in length. When he bought the model it was already constructed, but as a static model. So out came the jigsaw, Manual NOT powered.

The deck around the aft gun turret was cut to allow a good inspection of the inside of the hull. He tried to remove the bridge superstructure but this would have meant destroying it to remove. Out came the jigsaw again and cut an access hatch in the main deck.

The steering servo was fitted and attached ( by keyhole surgery ) and 2 x MFA 800 motors were fitted. Scale Prop Shop Props were fitted and the radio gear just jury rigged for her first trial. She was roughly ballasted with 2 x 12volt 7Ah batteries and she was ready for her first trials.

She sailed well with no water ingress to the hull, so the radio gear was installed properly with individual speed controllers to each motor. The results are as seen here.