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1. Madwelshman🇬🇧

   Lieutenant Commander·6 years ago

   Brianupyonder, if you are on Facebook, there is a model boat plans group and I'm sure the plans for Bobby are on there for free download. If not message me with an email address and I can get the file to you.
   
   Will

   Liked by Martin555
2. brianupyonder🇬🇧

   Warrant Officer·6 years ago

   they compliment each other very well,
   brian
   ps
   where is the best place to obtain plans from
3. Juan27🇬🇧

   Able Seaman·6 years ago

   Here's my collection. 100% from the RBC kit, 75% and 50% from resized plans.

   Liked by Madwelshman and Martin555 See all
4. Juan27🇬🇧

   Able Seaman·6 years ago

   I built the 14" one as a fire boat with working monitor, and now have a half size (10") hull complete. I don't think the radio would have fitted in that in 1977. Plans for it include a tiny brushless motor and lipo battery. I reckon a 33% might be possible with something like an N20 motor and small lipo, not sure if it would plane though. Maybe I need to get out more.

   Liked by Martin555
5. ianed57🇬🇧

   Sub-Lieutenant·6 years ago

   I don't think you can even think about a scale with a boat like this, it's a bit of fun. The figures in mine are about 1:24 but yes, that makes it a pretty large launch!
   Your little one sounds interesting.

   Liked by Martin555
6. Juan27🇬🇧

   Able Seaman·6 years ago

   What "scale" do we think the original size Bobby represents? If the front cabin door is even supposed to represent 5 feet then its a big old launch for the Thames.....I guess in reality Bobby is more of a cut off MTB or RAF rescue maybe?
   
   My latest attempt is now complete, but I have started a 14" from reduced plan version. It is tiny now I have the deck and chine cut from 3/16"!

   Liked by Martin555
7. ianed57🇬🇧

   Sub-Lieutenant·6 years ago

   You are right, the 600 would be a very tight fit. I ordered a 385 and rubber coupling yesterday to give that a go - although goodness knows when!

   Liked by Martin555
8. Juan27🇬🇧

   Able Seaman·6 years ago

   The one I built around the turn of the century had a Speed 400 I think and 6v power. It planed really nicely with that. 2020 version has a 540 and 7.2v, but I have a 380 size motor in reserve in case its too much. I can't see how a 600 motor can fit without chopping the first bulkhead unless there's a much shorter coupling available.

   Liked by Martin555
9. ianed57🇬🇧

   Sub-Lieutenant·6 years ago

   Hi roycv,
   My first Bobby had a 540 and six cells, went very well and was stable. RCB recommend a 600 which might be a bit much. This one has a 500 of some description but I haven't got it going well yet- and won't for a while now. I have to revert to direct drive after failing with a belt drive so I might go for a 380 as space is a bit tight.
   Ian

   Liked by Martin555
10. ianed57🇬🇧

    Sub-Lieutenant·6 years ago

    Hi Juan27
    My third Bobby, this one, is built from the RBC kit. It went together nicely as has yours by the look of it. I do have the article somewhere. I know I've got the magazine as that's a picture of it. I'll look it out and let you know. I expect I could copy the pages and let you have them.
    Ian

    Liked by Juan27 and Martin555 See all
11. roycv🇬🇧Bronze

    Fleet Admiral·6 years ago

    Hi I have made 2 Bobby's in the past. They run very well on an MFA 380 on 6 cells. I did try extra power as an experiment and she tries to turn over and is out of control. I currently have a brushless motor in one of them and she planes nicely. I think about 20 watts is about right for power.
    Telectra is a wee bit longer, and I think Twinkler was also a free plan in RCM & E.
    regards
    Roy
12. Juan27🇬🇧

    Able Seaman·6 years ago

    I remember this free plan from the magazine back in the day. When I was a young lad I lent it to a good friend and only got it back 20+ years later. To show there was no hard feelings I built him one for his 40th birthday. Now nearly another 20 years have passed and I'm building one from the RBC kit. I do have the original article somewhere, but I can't lay my hands on it. Plan is easily available, but does anyone have the article?

    Liked by Martin555
13. ianed57🇬🇧

    Sub-Lieutenant·6 years ago

    Absolutely!

    Liked by Martin555 and Ianh See all
14. Ianh🇿🇦

    Commander·6 years ago

    This was when Magazines from MAP were top class.

    Liked by Martin555 and ianed57 See all
15. ianed57🇬🇧

    Sub-Lieutenant·6 years ago

    Right, did a quick check and it's me being a banana! I think Bobby was based on Vic Smeed's Twinkler design. So well spotted and sorry for the confusion. As I said, a bit of a senior moment.
    Regards,
    Ian
    
    PS our messages crossed.

    Liked by Martin555
16. redpmg🇿🇦

    Commodore·6 years ago

    Think it does say based on Sparkler - but they look so different. searched all my ML's, Pilot Boats , Customs Launches, Patrol boats etc - Telectra was the only one that came near......

    Liked by Martin555
17. ianed57🇬🇧

    Sub-Lieutenant·6 years ago

    I see what you mean. I'll try and dig out my 1977 copy of MB but I'm sure it was stated that Bobby was based on Sparkler- but I agree it is quite different. I may be mis-remembering- it happens! Telectra is an attractive boat and Muddy on here has one in his collection. Quite a bit larger than Bobby I think, at 30ish inches. I will put a photo of my (mostly) finished Bobby on here tomorrow when I have taken one. Thanks for the comparison and interest.
    Best wishes,
    Ian

    Liked by Martin555 and redpmg See all
18. redpmg🇿🇦

    Commodore·6 years ago

    Here is comparison with Sparkler - seems to be more like the Telectra - around the same vintage and shades of the Veron Police Boat . Possibly designer meant the build method - cant find anything else in a fairly extensive collection. Anyone else got any ideas?
    Be good to see the finished boat.

    Liked by Commodore-H and Ronald and 1 other
19. ianed57🇬🇧

    Sub-Lieutenant·6 years ago

    Hi,
    I have actually finished the build but realised I haven't got any up to date photos. I will rectify that tomorrow. I wish I had photos of my old ones- the first one went like a train- just lucky with the motor I think. A friend had one with exactly the same set-up which wasn't as good. Happy days!
    PS- not sure what you mean by the comparison but I await with interest.

    Liked by Madwelshman and Martin555 See all
20. redpmg🇿🇦

    Commodore·6 years ago

    Great to see all the old models resurface - that's a good looking build too - looking forward to the finished article. Have both plans so will do a little comparison for you.

    Liked by Madwelshman and Newby7 and 3 others