Working on this idea for a bit more refinement on the exhaust smoke idea. Graham mentioned these timers were worth a look, so I purchased a few from Ali Express for about 90c each. They work well for an off/on set-up but not quite as well for an on/off set-up. They are variable from 0-12 secs and have a lot of possible uses. I was trying for a puff of smoke at start-up (which in my application works in conjunction with the twin sound units (HSL and ST) and this initial test seems to work ok (bit of refinement with timing and air pump speed required yet). Already have the smoke going well but there's always a little morsel to add (ref Mr Creosote)

I'll be using the small 5A voltage regulating bucks in the models (the ones shown are just for testing) with one 2s LiPo running 2 regs,- one for pump, and one through the timer for the smoke pen. You can see the timer working with no input from the TX in the vid, When fitted, both will be switched on/off simultaneously with the solenoid 'latching' power on/off, circuit (thanks to Graham for the layout) using the left stick.
JB

The Police Launch is a Krick kit which I am currently building. it is a really nice project but, as usual, I just have to add things.
The project is to make the blue light flash. The video shows the three stages of prototyping. The first is the circuit built on a Breadboard. The second part is the actual circuit reduced in size ready to hide inside the boat. The third part is the LED fitted in the incorrect position to show how effective it will be.
I have added a trimmer pot to the circuit so that I can select a suitable frequency that looks right at a later date.
Thanks to Doug for his help to get started and give me some hints about how the circuit works.🤓😊

Trawler enlarged to 1/48 from a free plan called Constant Star in a July 1966 Model boats

385 motor, 35mm 4 bladed brass prop, 6v battery, featuring sound unit and working lights on 3 circuits,

Built from Scrap, about the Same Size as a billings Nordkap, but a lot Cheaper😊

Pathfinder Scratchbuilt from Vic smeed Plans, working lights , on 2 circuits, engine sound units, radars,

This one here sits very low in the water but is a very good model a very detailed model.All the lights work of a ldr circuit but also you can turn off each light if you only want some on.

HI fellow model leers.this is my latest model.Built in 1926' for the Ffyfe(bananas) family. Originally it was run on steam,but in 1939 converted to diesel,this was kept until 1957 when all the staterooms were replaced by cargo holds . She was then made into a feeder bringing eleven thousand boxes from Rotterdam to Southampton. She was scrapped in the seventies.my model of her was from 1926 the scale is approx 1/30th her length is 48 inches including bowsprit, and has a beam of 10 inch amidships. She is totally scratch built, plank on frame, all the decks are individually planked with black card in between , wheel house and all other parts are mahogany. She runs on a decaperm geared motor @ 6 volts, and the lighting system consists of 10 accommodation lights, port and starboard , wheelhouse, and both mast headlights,the large saloon skylight is also lit up with a set of disco lights on a separate circuit. The funnel houses a heavy duty smoke unit switched on by switching unit.

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.

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.

HI Fellow Enthusiasts
These pictures show my scratch built RAF Air Sea Rescue launch 2507. it was built using my own scaled up planes over the period July 2006 to August 2008. its approx. 4 feet long by 11 inch wide and stands 24 inch high.
The boat has twin Johnson brushed electric drives via 2.5/1 reduction gearboxes with three bladed 40 mm brass props. The speed controllers being 15 amp Electronize supplied from 4.5 amp D cells made into a 12 volt battery pack.
The boat sound system consists of a Diesel sound generator and machine guns being fired by an electronic ring counter circuit that allows the guns to fire individually or together depending on their selection via a diode network. The unit is switched on and off via a Electonize switch unit that also switches the boats lighting system on and off.
All the special fixtures required for this model being self made this includes the figures found on and in the boat. The basic figures are usually obtained from car boot sales or the local ÂA£ shop for next to nothing and then modified to the model boats requirements.
Launch 2507 was commanded by F/O W. Garret who reputedly made the most northerly pick up on the 26th June 1944 for the crew of a downed Catalina, for this action he was awarded a M.B.E. The Catalina pilot F/Lt. Horner R.C.A.F. died of exposure and was awarded a posthumous V.C.
I hope you enjoyed the pics and information.
Regards
GreyWolf