Ever felt sorry for those Philipino static models you see all over the place? Well I did and bought this launch from a charity shop in Didcot for a fiver. I reckoned that the fittings were worth that even if the change to working model failed. Fortunately, the model floated about right as it was and I managed to save a lot of weight to allow for the added weight of motor/batteries/ rc gear etc.

The project has not been without its problems but it should be finished and ready to maiden within a couple of weeks. Not sure that I would do this again but it has been interesting......... I intend to mount it on a boat trailer rather than a stand. Report more when she is launched.

After going over everything to make sure nothing had come adrift after being upside down after painting, thought I'd give it a quick dry run (no water ) . Did the vid and found that YT had put the vid/sound way out of sync. Tried to sort it but gave it up as a bad joke. You will see the smoke start, and then a while later you will hear the engine start (they actually start together,- the smoke being on a 5 sec timer to allow the element to heat up before the air turns on, giving it a puff on start-up. )

You'll have to pretend you are seeing them together, (very annoying). Apologise for the 'music' as I had to create it myself using a free beat app to get round the YT copyright rubbish. It's only there as a demo, showing using the remote to change the volume.

Another " Montage of Memories " of RC Sailing at the Pavilion Gardens Buxton with members of the Buxton Model Boat Club - August / September 2021.

Still working on a bit more keel weight and trying other rudder profile surface areas to improve turning ! - I think the last two videos may illustrate the need for further improvement in these areas.

Ex Display Model - Gaff Rigged Bristol Pilot Cutter :-
After sorting out initial problems of a "leaky" hull with extra sealing inside and out. Attention was then drawn to adding an extended keel by subsequently casting a lead weight for the base of the keel fin, then checking required depth for balance and trim .

Here we have a " Montage of Memories " of RC Sailing with the Buxton Model Boat Club though the month of July 2021.

Scratch built motor gun boat from Bangladesh.
Tried my best to upgrade it into a brushless one. First attempt was brushed and it was kind of a pain in the ass.
It runs far better now.

Club had a swap meet a few days ago & I picked up a sound & light simulator I programmed it to sound like a diesel I think it's close especially the idle not sure what it will sound like in the water so I'll head to Spencer's pool for a run today

The Loganville is out of the water for its annual inspection and scrapping before being repainted.
Here is my model of it.

My Gaff Rigged Bristol Pilot Cutter started life as a static display model which I recently adapted for " Radio Control " . With extra sealing inside and out, she is seen here on her inaugural trial sailing - checking balance / trim /steering and simple sail control.

Certainly no claims here on scale or workmanship ! - just a " fun and functional " model which more than satisfies my initial challenge ! . ⛵

Today another fine morning to test out the North Rock a replica of a tug own by Alexander Towing Co. Ltd. haven't run in a while & I'd taken some parts out took a while to get it running on a even keel with some lead I had in my kit . The original tug was built in 1956 engine was 56 nominal horse power ( 1000 indicated horse power )

After I built the model of the Cotter fireboat I took it to the real Fireboat to show it off to the crew maybe 5 years ago at canal days in Port Colburn haven't had Canal days for 2 years because of the pandemic