I'd like to share another little project from my workbench: a Grand Banks Dory, built from the vintage Laughing Whale kit #102B, Scale 1:12 which I managed to find on eBay.
The Laughing Whale was a small model boat manufacturer based in Wiscasset, Maine, known for its quality wooden kits and attention to detail.
The Grand Banks Dory represents the traditional fishing boats used by fishermen working the rich but challenging fishing grounds off Newfoundland and the Grand Banks during the 19th century.
While building this model, I also used a historical reference from the Mariners' Museum collection to help guide some of the details and give the finished boat a little more authenticity.
It's a small model, but it certainly has a big story behind it!
Verlinden 1/35 Scale "Biber" German WWII Mini Submarine
The Biber – A World War II Miniature Diorama
The German *Biber* was a one-man midget submarine developed in 1944 for attacks against Allied shipping.
Armed with two externally mounted torpedoes, this tiny vessel represented Germany’s desperate attempt to counter Allied naval superiority during the final years of World War II.
This 1:35-scale Verlinden Productions model was commissioned by a gentleman fascinated by German submarines.
My goal was to go beyond building the submarine itself and create a complete, convincing scene around it.
The diorama brings the setting to life through carefully crafted cobblestone paving, weathered stone dock walls, rust-stained fittings, aged wooden details, and realistically textured harbor water.
The addition of German personnel studying their maps, stacked supply crates, dockside equipment, and a period-style streetlamp gives the scene depth and a sense of activity.
The wooden display base and clear protective cover complete the presentation.
For me, the real challenge was transforming a scale model into a miniature historical setting, where the textures, weathering, accessories, and composition work together to tell a story.
Every detail contributes to the atmosphere, making the Biber more than a submarine model—it becomes a small scene from a turbulent chapter of naval history.
Two years ago, while participating in one of our clubs events, A club member, and a friend, had gifted me a classic DUMAS Chris Craft Cobra. It was a welcome gift. Yet plagued with problems , right after another. It was basically broken out of the box, and marginally not safe to drive. IT plowed water, rode low, and was a death trap, when going into reverse. It would and flood, eventually sank. And almost two years later it was fished out by another club member, and took three weeks to restore. It became my daily driver 6 months ago, and is officially one of my best running boats. It become known as the "Phoenix," because it basically came back from the dead, and was returned as a much better boat. It's got some kiddy' up, and is 4S ready. ON 3 S. I'm skirting 30 MPH, from a 2000 KV. motor.
The build history is unknown. We don't know who the original builder was. Only that it changed owners at least 4 times. ME being 3 and 4. It was basically , the boat came back to me , after I was the one who lost in the first place . NOW, it's resting on my table, fully restored. THE photos , were of the restore process, and the first day back in the water.
I was there the day it visited Davy Jones Locker!
Super glad you got it back, and with the help of a talented fellow club member it was made sea worthy again!
Dave B
PS I heard Tim K in the background in the video 😀
Second Build - another 1/72nd Corvette - K19 HMS Campanula
Well, after the lovely reception of my HMCS Snowberry - which has been in the wars after a collision, now repaired and upgraded - now with a smoker and lighting - I chanced upon another 1/72 Revell Corvette, so taking everything I had learned in making Snowberry, I thought I would apply myself and see what I could do for a sister ship - the part-built kit - an eBay find - came with a few options for the decals, one of which was HMS Campanula, so the task was set!
Campanula has some differences to Snowberry, a diferent radar tower, different bridge supports - 2 x beams instead of 3 - different layout to the carley floats, an extra flagstaff on the funnel and a diferent bandstand edging for the rear pompom, so some scratchbuilding to fashion the diferences, as well as replacing a few missing parts.
The pics show it as it arrived, then the scratchbuilt carley float supports, the whaleboat runout on the davits, the bandstand alteration, the upgraded front gun, flota nets, navi and interior lights and an overview of the progress...
I am hoping to have her finished this week, and the crew painted and affixed, ready for her maiden voyage at Bury Lido next Sunday, fingers crossed!
IMAI CHEBEC (Xebec) – 1/80 Scale Plastic Sailing Ship Model
IMAI CHEBEC (Xebec) – 1/80 Scale Plastic Sailing Ship Model
Rare Vintage Japanese Kit – Long Out of Production
This model was built from the highly regarded IMAI No. B-296 CHEBEC kit in 1/80 scale. Produced in Japan many years ago and now long out of production, this kit is considered one of IMAI's finest offerings and has become a rare collector's item.
IMAI was famous for the exceptional quality of its molds and engineering. Although this is a plastic kit, the parts were molded with such precision and detail that they convincingly reproduce the appearance of a finely crafted wooden ship model.
The Chebec (or Xebec) was a fast and elegant Mediterranean vessel used extensively by Barbary corsairs during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its sleek hull, pronounced overhangs, and distinctive lateen rig make it one of the most beautiful and exotic sailing ships ever designed.
This model is fully rigged and armed with:
• 20 deck-mounted cannons
• 20 swivel guns
• Detailed anchors, yards, spars, and standing and running rigging
One of the most striking features of the kit is the elaborate decorative carving along the port and starboard bulwarks and across the stern. To highlight these intricate ornaments, I carefully hand-painted every detail using my finest brushes.
The flags were custom made from the lead foil wrappers found around wine bottle corks. After flattening the material, I hand-painted the Algerian corsair designs and shaped them to appear as if they were fluttering in the wind, adding a dramatic and highly realistic touch to the finished model.
Additional features include:
• Ship's boat mounted amidships
• Ornamental stern gallery with gilded relief work
• Open deck grating and finely detailed deck furniture
• Hand-painted decorative motifs throughout
Even after many years, this remains one of my favorite builds. The combination of IMAI's superb engineering and the unique character of the historic Chebec resulted in a model that captures the grace, power, and mystery of the legendary Mediterranean corsair vessels.
It is taking a lot of work (like building another medium size detailed RC scale model boat), but I am getting the new site running. It is not complete but the basics are in place.
The opening video is also on YouTube with the link below. Short and to the point, it has model boat videos in it if you are interested.
Hi all built this robbe le courage a few years back and wanted to share a few pix...recently refitted👍 sails lovely and the trawl net and otter boards are a nice extra!
Am building an experimental airboat that will ideally be steered by differential thrust. Ignore the seat, we won't be sitting there any time soon 😐 but whenever it gets on water I'll post video at www.teledrone.com
