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Commander lighting etc.
In the aft cabin the table is removed, ( legs plug into floor) this allows
for the two side seats to be lifted out, under the starboard seat is the
radio receiver and 4,8 battery, under the port seat is the main power
supply battery.
In the cockpit the interior of this is constructed in two parts and the
control panel is a side down fit onto a securing lug, lights for this are
plugged in before fitting. The cockpit sections lift out, port side first
to reveal the drive motor, speed controller and the battery pack for the
lighting system.
The lights in the roofs on the cabins are connected via a small plug and
socket secreted in the over hang of the roofs in the cockpit, lighting is
6volt which allows for about 20 minutes on. Lighting wiring is secreted in
the cabin walls in a grove under the panelling, this allows for the bulbs
to be changed.
The canopy folds down as per the real boat and is made detachable to allow
for the cabin roofs to be removed, the windscreen also folds down and
across as per the real boat and the main mast automatically fold back
should the captain forget to lower this when going under a bridge.
Recent improvements include the fitting of a lot more furnishings, a mop
and bucket plus broom in the cockpit, a large pie and dinner set with wine
in the salon, vegetables in the kitchen with the usual pots and pans etc,
writing implements in the main cabin and 'The Beetles' posters in the
forward bedroom with record albums.
Took a long time to build this model, mainly because I tend to see
something else that I like and go off on a tandem, however now that it is
finished Stephanie is very happy with it, she will not let me sell it
though, pity it would I think fetch a good price.
My sincere thanks to
RON WEM, he inspired me to build this model and is a
real GENT.
Regard,
John Picton |
I had to retire from work some 3 years
ago do to ill health, having been very active all my life and into all
sorts off physical hobbies, gardening, DIY and model aeroplanes, it came
as quite a shock when I was not longer able to do these things, with the
exception of flying me models but this became difficult and so a friend
Tim Morgan who writes a lot of articles for Marine Model International
Magazine challenged me to build a model boat.
Now being a complete Pratt I took up the challenge and rather stupidly
decided to build a scale model of a Fairmile MTB. It took me about a
year to build, as I am one of these twits who insist that it must be
exactly right, however Tim was so impressed with it that he published it
in Marine modeller in August 2001. Since then I have become quite
enthralled with this hobby, one can be much more heavy handed as it were
when building boats compared with aeroplanes, there is not as much need
to worry about weight etc. My condition does limit my time building
quite a bit, and now due to health reasons I can no longer enjoy a
nice pint now and again, that really has given me the hump! However I'm
still here and bobbing along.
My latest project is a Ton Class Minesweeper HMS PICTON, my name sake in
1/32nd scale. I am also building a Brooms River cruiser Commander 2 for
my Daughter ( 15 and a right pain in the a****) this is in 1/12th scale
and will have a completely furnished interior and working lights
etc. Have just finished a model Duck for her in doors, she has called it
Wellard the Mallard! it is radio controlled an its head turn with the
rudder. I also intend in the future to built a model of a
sailing ship The PICTON CASTLE this will take some time as there are no
known plans of her and I have to draw these up first.
. Regards,
John Picton
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