Topic: RAF Seaplane Tender or any Ideas? (Read 6366 times)

Daleb · « **on:** March 12, 2017, 01:41:37 am »

I picked this s/h boat up today from the lovely people at Fratton model shop in Portsmouth and need some help identifying it...
I think it's loosely based around a 200 type seaplane tender? She has a glass fibre hull approx 36" long by 9" beam she's a very well proportioned boat, the pics don't do her justice....Any ideas what it is guys?

Thanks Dale.

mudway · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2017, 03:20:23 am »

161 was a British Power Boats whaleback craft. A bad photo and decent drawing attached of it and a type 200 too.

Daleb · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2017, 06:54:03 pm »

Having done some more research today I'm pretty sure it's based on a 200 type Seaplane Tender but am intrigued to know where the hull came from or was it a scratch built model?? Would love to hear your views... She will need a refurb but think I'll leave that 'til next winter..I've ordered some 2.4 gear (was 27) and hopefully be on the pond next weekend

Nordlys · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2017, 09:12:56 pm »

Well its certainly a 200 Series Seaplane Tender with the addition of the sloping sides behind the cabin windows
To be honest I havent come across that number 162 as part of the series, they are all numbered 200 + I thought....

I haven't started my build of this model as yet - I have the set of plans ready.
Have been busy refurbishing another Range Safety Launch recently acquired.
N

Daleb · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2017, 09:33:15 pm »

Hi Nordlys, yes you're right about the number 162 and the sloping sides but I put these down to the original builders interpretation. When I get around to a refurb I will certainly go with a more definitive take on the 200 boats...maybe even try and replicate 206 as best I can.
I look forward to seeing your build log

Stavros · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2017, 10:21:10 pm »

Perosnally I would leave it as it is and sail it and enjoy.....why not start one afresh

Dave

Daleb · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2017, 10:30:34 pm »

Hi Dave,
Do you know I think you're bang on, I've been itching to have a go at scratch building and this could be an ideal entry level after a Springer I have in mind (for the Grandson of course)

mudway · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2017, 03:55:13 am »

I’m beginning to wonder if this was intended to be a Seaplane Tender but was not built on a Seaplane tender hull. The result is that instead of a high narrow superstructure which matched the hull, the superstructure has been widened to fit the hull and morphed into something looking more like a BPB high speed launch.
Have a look at the forum topic below which is about a build of a seaplane tender
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=33776.0
The links to plans for a seaplane tender are below.
http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/product/22884/magm2041-raf-seaplane-tender
http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/product/24119/walton-38ft-raf-seaplane-tender-mm1432-plan
http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/product/16736/40ft-raf-seaplane-mm1428
I’m not sure what the hull is but the stern looks wrong for a tender. I have found a reference for Model Boats Winter Special in 2009 which had plans and an article on it.

mudway · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2017, 03:57:06 am »

For some reason, all the photos aren't loading up.

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2017, 08:02:06 am »

Seen at the WWII Weekend at Action Stations, Portsmouth this weekend, for your consideration...

raflaunches · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2017, 08:30:11 am »

There were three types of tender: 37.5ft, 40ft, and 41.5ft.
All look very similar apart from length the mast changed in position and type too. Some were even converted to Fire Floats. If I was back in the UK I could look it up for you but unfortunately I'm stuck in Cyprus for a while.

Daleb · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2017, 08:38:22 am »

Thank you mudway for the links and photo's interesting read and given me all sorts of ideas for a future build

Thanks unbuiltnautilus that's a cracking looking vessel, i'm guessing it's the longer version with four windows

Thanks raflaunches for the info

mudway · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2017, 11:11:42 am »

Quote from: raflaunches on March 13, 2017, 08:30:11 am

There were three types of tender: 37.5ft, 40ft, and 41.5ft.
All look very similar apart from length the mast changed in position and type too. Some were even converted to Fire Floats. If I was back in the UK I could look it up for you but unfortunately I'm stuck in Cyprus for a while.

Now I know why the little beggar reminded me of a whaleback. It is another BPB vessel. Love that mast forward.

http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/product/16737/raf-sea-plane-tender-mm1391-plan

Daleb · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2017, 11:13:44 pm »

I'd like to say thank you for all the replies and to finish off this post by saying as Stavros suggested I'm leaving the boat more or less as is and hope to sail her at the weekend now she's converted to 2.4 and has had a test in the bath!! But... I have this evening ordered the plans of the 200 series as per the link from mudway...

http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/product/22884/magm2041-raf-seaplane-tender

I'll be looking at this for an autumn project, all scary stuff as my first scratch build but excited about it

Thanks Dale

Netleyned · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2017, 09:07:39 am »

Here's one in the flesh so to speak

Ned

Daleb · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2017, 09:18:02 am »

Thanks Netleyned she looks great

Jonty · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2017, 10:55:27 am »

Can anyone identify the boat behind the seaplane tenders in the harbour shot? Not what I take to be a steam pinnace, the motor boat.

What is the origin of this photo?

BFSMP · « **Reply #17 on:** March 15, 2017, 12:37:53 pm »

Quote from: Netleyned on March 15, 2017, 09:07:39 am

Here's one in the flesh so to speak
Ned

A lovely looking model Ned.

Did you build it,

Jim.

Netleyned · « **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2017, 04:10:40 pm »

Much too nice to be one of mine Jim
It was built by one of our club members

Ned

mudway · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2017, 12:54:56 am »

The other vessel they remind me of are the old Thames Police Launches.

canabus · « **Reply #20 on:** March 16, 2017, 06:57:50 am »

http://www.rafboats.co.uk/

I found this website will help you out with boat numbers and specs.
As I bought a Vosper Fire tender No. 93 (yes the 46" one) without running gear.

Canabus

Daleb · « **Reply #21 on:** March 16, 2017, 08:41:38 am »

Great pics mudway

Thanks for the link canabus some great pics on there and love this pathe film clip...

http://www.rafboats.co.uk/vst.html

Jonty · « **Reply #22 on:** March 16, 2017, 10:26:34 am »

Got it (I think):

http://www.rafboats.co.uk/gallery/1169/

Thanks for the link

Daleb · « **Reply #23 on:** March 21, 2017, 03:36:56 pm »

Well, today was the day for the maiden voyage of my recently acquired RAF Launch. Having fitted a new motor, ESC, 2.4 receiver and replaced the rudder servo in a new position, greased prop shaft etc. I was finally happy that all was functioning smoothly (in the bath at least) It was time for the real thing...

After a couple of short test runs I took her out of the water for a check over...all seemed well and nice and dry so back in she went...

Delighted to say she performed faultlessly and I'm over the moon with her...great morning, good weather and loads of fun

Netleyned · « **Reply #24 on:** March 21, 2017, 04:28:06 pm »

Doesn't it give you a lovely feeling
when everything goes well like that.
Your ideas and fixes on the running
gear come good.
That's the magic of modelling.
Going home from the lake with a big smile.

Ned

News:

Author Topic: RAF Seaplane Tender or any Ideas? (Read 6366 times)

Stavros