Here is my 1/7 Riva scratch built from plans downloaded from net. A complete stranger ask permission to photo the boat and said he would send on said photo. He is doing a photo diary for a year and this is todays photo! I think it is a excellent shot of the Riva. Brian
HI John, thanks for your interest and comments, I'm sure yours is good and you will get a lot of envious remarks about it, they are just that sort of boat! People love them!!
My boat is 1/7 scale.The fittings came from Vietnam. The sites to go to are: www.gianhien.net or www.qualityboats.com. They make desk models of a great varitey of boats The Riva is done in 1/5, 1/7 and 1/10 scale. I paid about £124.00 delivered, they took about 20 days to deliver, if you look on the build blog there are some photos of what comes in the fittings kit. The quality is good, not excellent but good. The value for money is excellent, you'll never get them in this country for that price.Send us a photo or put it on this site there is a lot of interest in these boats, thanks again Brian
HI Brian not Sharpy then thanks for the info think I have to make a better boat before I spend that sort of cash on it,
But I will try again, number one I think I need better plans the ones I have are very basic ,will put some pics on soon as I can work out how to
all the best John
Although not strictly speaking a boat it is a yacht and fun when you can't get to the pond but fancy a sail!
Built from magazine free plans mainly of balsa, carbon mast and drafting film it is just as challenging as normal RC sailing.
Operated on a 2CH Rc is has front wheel steering. The wheels are model aircraft wheels. The rear outrigger wheels and mast can easily be dsmantled for transportation. The outrigger is also ballasted to Improve handling.
You don't see too many of these around but there are a number of plans available. in all the time I've had this I've not yet had a race with another! (You tend not to see yachts sailing in car parks...) Still, fun to sail - and a different technique to control, so needs practice. As with the full size land yachts the best is sailing on two wheels.
The big difference is that you keep your feet dry to recover a capsized yacht! 😊
This Model of the J. R. More tug which was one of the very last large Steam Tugs built on the Clyde in 1961.
Scratchbuilt from the 1:48 scale plans of a sistership the F.C. Sturrock with various modifications for J. R. More. Powered by twin 12v geared motors.
The J. R. More Tug is a large tug and still exists as a Museum exhibit at the Durban Maritime Museum and well worth a visit in South Africa.
My thanks to Keith Marks who was a Master of J. R. More and the F. C. Sturrock among others for his photographs, help and interest during the construction of this model and is now a good friend.
This video was taken at the Sumner Ponds which is used on alternate Thursday by the Southwater Dabblers MBC.
Video is not very good quality but will remake with a better video.
This model was scratch built from US Coast Guard plans. The boat is constructed of balsa wood and the hull coated with fiberglass resin. All the deck gear is scratchbuilt from brass, the propellers, led's and figures are the only commercial parts. Scaled at 3/4=1 foot the model measures 42 inches in length.
It's powered by a Pittman 12 volt motor and controlled by a 4 channel radio. Working features are running and spot light, siren with flashing blue light, sweeping radar antenna and deck lights. Built in 1985 the model the lifeboat is accurate in appearence for that time period.(The prototype has been modified since).
The actual lifeboat is attached the the Coast Guard's Motor Lifeboat School at Cape Disappointment and is one of four boats of this class.
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.
This is my 1/24th scale S80 Schnellboot,it has a Metcalfe GRP hull,the superstructure is a mix of 3mm/4mm ply and 2mm plasticard,it has 3 x Graupner 600FG motors that have a 3.1 ratio gearboxes fitted,the props are 55mm witches hat type,and it has 3 x Electronize 30amp speed cont,it has a really good scale speed running on 2 motors but nearly jumps out of the water when all 3 are engaged,It was scratch built from plans,but not by me,I got it in plain grey,I did the paint job and added the crew,I sail her on a pond near to my home in Edzell,
this is my boat built from the aerokits plans. she is the 46 inch version, power is from a brushless motor and lipo set up. sailing trials over easter hols weather permitting!
Stunning model! What more can I say,superb.No doubt I will be pestering you with more ifs,what's and why's if that's o.k.
I am a member of Derby model boat club,we have a membership of around 45,but like most clubs it;s the same 10-15 of us who sail each weekend.We do all get together for socials and regatta days and venetian night in September.
Do you get to many of the shows? Three of us from Derby usually go to Ellesmere,Doncaster,Warwick and a weekend at Blackpool show.Not been to Haydock yet but hope to make it this year.
Regards Andy
Thanks Andy for your comments. I will put some better pictures up soon. Still some detail work left to complete. I do get to some shows when I can. Last one was Ellesmere port. Any questions you have please ask. I will be taking her to the fire boat day later this year. Regards Alan
Built from scratch from plans supplied by my hobby store. has a fully remote controlled operating "elevating wheelhouse" with scissor type lifting legs. operating nav lights, fog horn and twin radar units. Also has remote operated forward winches for attaching pusher barges to the bow pusher posts. fitted with twin kort nozzles, handles a treat, steers well and could certanly push more than 3 barges!
HI DAve. I found a cute little geared motor with a nice set of swappable gears in Maplins, made by MFA. it has a 3v motor but if you set the main driveshaft up centrally, it then allows you to have 2 identical "winch drums". to operate the motor "in/out" I used a couple of micro switches set up on top of a servo, so I then use the side/side on my left joystick for example, afterall, you only really need to operate it when setting up to the barge once in the water and again when removing the barge before lifting out again, but ciould work for almost any "winch" operation.
I am unable to post pics to this message/reply, but will post detail in the electrical section, make it easier.
That is avery nice pusher, sir. I have built one VAC-U-BOAT 22" HiPS kit and a 35" Dumas American Beauty. Both were given my boat shop's paint scheme (ILLINIWEK MARINE). I am multitasking on a couple boats, and one is another US Western river towboat, scratchbuilt up from a salvaged Dumas
Am. Beauty hull. (That hull was temp scrapped when my xacto knife got away from me trimming the deck knuckle.) My plan is to fit a telescoping
pilothouse which is common to upper Mississippi, Illinois, Ohio rivers.
My dilemma is the method of operating the pilothouse lift; can you advise with any info please? I thought of a linear servo w/worm gear maybe.
HAVE A SAFE RC BOATING DAY
this is my new build of a 60inch fire tender,bought plans from a ebay member in canada who resized them to 60 inch very large boat,don't know what size motor or prop to install so if anyone can help please advise me. would a 60 to 70mm propellor be okay on a boat this size? I will post more pics as I progress with the build. this boat is now in the build blog section with more pics of build
Yours will be a jolly nice craft when completed, its large however, and with the proper turn of speed it will use up a lot of water space very quickly. My fireboat is a mere 46" propelled by two Johnson 980's on 12v but it fair gobbles up water space and my local pond at Sheringham is completely useless.
Keep up the good work.mdlbt.com/sys_files/graphics/smileys/027.png
I agree, that's why my 46inch is kept in Tynemouth where ther is a large lake compared to my local club in Warwickshire. Still it gives me the excuse to have multiple models of different sizes and my Derek old mum loves the idea she keeps my boats for me in the NE. Too muh information ????
Ahoy
Here is my RC powered 1/96 scale U.S.S. ARIZONA made from Original copys of the builder plans. I modled her in the measure of 5d. She is powered by 1 dumas 12 volt super panther electric motor driveing 4 screws, Boats
first time on the water for my latest build, 23" model of british power boat co. 68ft type 3 hants and dorset raf high speed launch,
power is speed 400 driving 35mm three bladed prop, 7.2volt 3300mha nimh planet 2.4 ghz radio,
scratch built, I used scaled down drawings from my aerokits plans then gave the frames more shape to replicate the curves of this boat, the forward section where diaganally planked.
then sides and bottm as normal with sheet ply, deck is teak planks.
I sail on the rotary pool at penzance.
No probs. Not sure when my dad was on the Nigeria and Bermuda, I know he joined in 46 at aged 16, first commission was on HMS Vanguard ('46-'48), I think then it was as follows Nigeria ('48-'50), Battleaxe ('50-'52), Bermuda ('52-'54), Opossum ('54-'56) then finally finishing where he started on the Vanguard ('56- late '57). I think that the reason why Gambia beat Bermuda was because they had to paint the side of the Bermuda during a passage through the Suez for an inspection by the King of Egypt (who at the time would only see one side, so thats the side they painted!)......I believe that the crew of Gambia had more time to paint the both sides and probably more paint!!.......hence Bermuda was clean one side and sea beaten the other, I think leave was cancelled when they arrived at Valetta until the other side had been painted!....my Dad is full of stories of his time with the mob, I'm seeing him again in July, will get more details from him then and update if necessary.
All the best and happy sailing, Dave
I would be very interested to hear from you and your Dad with more infomation and stories with regards to the ships. I have also put pictures of my Dad on the HMS Gambia association website, it might be worth a look.
My boat is 1/7 scale.The fittings came from Vietnam. The sites to go to are: www.gianhien.net or www.qualityboats.com. They make desk models of a great varitey of boats The Riva is done in 1/5, 1/7 and 1/10 scale. I paid about £124.00 delivered, they took about 20 days to deliver, if you look on the build blog there are some photos of what comes in the fittings kit. The quality is good, not excellent but good. The value for money is excellent, you'll never get them in this country for that price.Send us a photo or put it on this site there is a lot of interest in these boats, thanks again Brian
But I will try again, number one I think I need better plans the ones I have are very basic ,will put some pics on soon as I can work out how to
all the best John