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[sunnybob]

I'm still trying to research my cabin cruiser, and have found a couple of names (those in the title bar) that appear to be linked to it.

Does anyone know or have links to the aerokits plans?or a list of what Les Rowell drew?

I've seen a sea queen, which has very strong similarities with mine, but is not the same boat.

Mine is 39 inches long, and about a foot across, built in the very late 50's or very early 60's.
thanks very much
 

[alan colson]

Is it possibly the Sea Commander, this I believe was the next size down in the range made by Aerokits.
Alan

[sunnybob]

No, I've seen pics of a sea commander, its a military type boat.

Mine is most definitely a cabin cruiser, slightly larger and more stately than the sea queen.

The only thing I have to go on is that the original design had the name "gwen eagle", but that returns nothing in any search engine.

Oh well, the search continues....

[BobF]

Hi sunnybob,

The Sea Queen approx four feet and the Sea Commander three feet are both cabin cruisers.

If you could post a picture some one will probably recognise it.
If you look on ebay item no. 110240764533 this is a Sea Commander

Regards Bob

[The long Build]

This any use..

[Colin Bishop]

The Aerokits Sea Commander was was a cabin cruiser as Alan says. They also did a Crash Tender which was about three feet long.

Gwen Eagle was a Shipwright plan published around 1949 and featured in the the book Scale Model Ships by Reeve and Thomas. It was 40 inches long. I don't think it was ever offered as a kit. Illustrations below.

Colin

[sunnybob]

Colin!!! My hero!!!
Youve found it. I've been searching everywhere, (but obviously not "everywhere" that you did)

Do you have any more info????

Bob

[supersonic]

Hi Sunnybob,Have you tried RCGROUPS.COM seems to be plenty of info on the site

Dave

[sunnybob]

Heres how mine looks so far, still some painting to finish it, then deck fittings.

I dont know why the hatch has been moved from the rear top deck on the original to the front deck on mine, maybe it was to allow access to the R/C gear that never actually got fitted.

[Colin Bishop]

Sunnybob,

Not much more information in the book except some details of the original which was one of the "Eagle" class built by William Osborne of Littlehampton. Dimensions were: Length 40ft; Beam 11 feet 3 inches and Draught 3 feet 5 inches. Powerplant was  2 Morris Mark II Commodore engines driving twin screws for a speed of 11 knots. Fitted with twin rudders.

I'm sure I have seen another reference to the boat somewhere but can't remember where.

I found this link which shows what was probably another of the class. You will need to scroll down the page to see it as it's about the 20th boat down: http://www.classicsales.co.uk/boats.htm

And another one here, lots of superb pictures which should give you all the info you need: http://www.fairleadmarine.co.uk/spec6149.htm

Colin

[sunnybob]

Colin, that is so fantastic. My dad built this boat over 40 years ago, and this is the very first information we have ever found.

Could you let me know the publishing details of that reeves book please? i might be able to find a copy of it somewhere.

I'm really grateful.

[Colin Bishop]

Sunnybob,

Glad to be of help.

In fact there is very little information in the book other than what I have posted but the details are:

Scale Model Ships - their engines and construction by Bernard Reeve and P.W Thomas.

Published by Sidgwick and Jackson Ltd, London. First published 1951, reprinted 1959.

I'm afraid I can't part with my copy as it was a school class prize in 1962/1963!

As far as the Shipwright plans are concerned, these consisted of two sheets, General Arrangement and Deck Plan Ref: MC 23/1 and Hull Lines Ref: MC 23/2. The plans were at one time ( in 1985) available as part of the Harold Underhill collection but they are not mentioned in the current listing from Brown, Son & Ferguson who currently market them: http://www.skipper.co.uk/catsmp.htm It might be worth making enquiries of BSF as they may know what's happened to them and can put you in touch. It's rare that model plans go missing entirely but it can be hard to track them down.

I think that just about exhausts my knowledge but I'm pleased it's filled a gap in your family history - these things are important.

I found the pictures by Googling "Osborne Littlehampton". It's possible you might be able to get more information by contacting the people advertising the full size vessels for sale. They were obviously quite famous in their day and there may well be more documentation available from enthusiastic owners. If you do get any more info give us an update on here. It's a lovely looking "little ship" and makes an impressive model.

Cheers,

Colin

p.s. I've changed the title of the first post to Gwen Eagle which will alter the topic title.

[sunnybob]

Thanks again Colin, but now I'm going square eyed after 6 hours of web surfing .

I've turned up several of them, one selling for over £50,000, which shows how well made they were. But no news anywhere of any other model, so i think mine is truly "one of a kind". I'm surprised how old they are, I truly thought it was a 60's design. I had to smile when I saw them described as "A Gentlemans Yacht"

I'll surf around the old bookshops for a copy when my eyes recover (lol).

Its helped me make decisions about the kind of fittings to buy, although its no longer a "true scale" model.

I'm planning a family picnic and launch when its finished, and my 88 year old mum will be interested (I hope) in all the extra background I now have.

As an aside, I saw Full Leather Jacket today, at the ACTion stand at the Bath and West model show. tried twice to speak to him, but he was too busy selling 

Bob

[sunnybob]

Colin, I've traced four copies of the book, one of them in ARGENTINA, and they want £40!!!!!!

Theres one in england though, in average condition, so I'm negotiating for it.

[DickyD]

Sunnybob dont know if this is any help.

SCALE MODEL SHIPS
REEVE & THOMAS, B & P W.

http://www.teepublishing.co.uk/rare_books_display.php?id=0000000061&cat=Model%20Boats

[Colin Bishop]

I'd jump at the one Dicky's found unless you can get a better price.

Colin

[sunnybob]

Thnks Dicky, I've emailed them re condition and completeness. Thats the same price as the other one I found, but they dont give any note on condition.

The one I found has full notes, but comes from a bookshop with a less than perfect rating. They are both too far away for me to drive there, so I'll see what develops from the responses I get.

Ok, next question, (should it be a new topic?) What would be the best way to get a name stencilled on the bows and stern?

I want the stern to be in an arc across the whole width.

grateful as ever,
Bob

[Colin Bishop]

Sunnybob,

I think many people, including me, would recommend BECC stick on vinyl lettering available from most modelling outlets including Westbourne Models here: http://www.westbourne-models.com/erol.html#523X0

To get an arc on the stern you could make a curved paper template to give you a baseline and tape it on temporarily. The letters will then butt up against that.

The other issue is getting the letters the correct distance apart to look right. One tip is to select a similar font (typeface) on your computer, print out the name to the same size you will be using and then use this as a guide to get the separation of the individual letters right.

BECC lettering is waterproof but many people apply it before putting on a final coat of varnish on the hull, gloss, satin or matt as appropriate to the vessel for a bit of extra protection.

Hope this helps

Colin

[DickyD]

Sunnybob I have just done lettering on my tug and I got the vinyl letters from Barry’s Model Lettering.

http://www.modellettering.com/

He does standard or custom lettering and the service is excellent. I ordered standard lettering one day and it was delivered the next.

[sunnybob]

Decisions, decisions. Thanks guys, I'll start to shop around.

Bob

[sunnybob]

well.... I shopped around quite a bit for that book, and heres the weird thing, i found the book at one shop for £18 plus postage.
I then went to amazon books, and found the same book at £12 including postage!

But, its the same book from the same shop!!!

Why would a bookseller use amazon, if the price halves?????????

Either way, if it arrives and is complete, I shall be happy
Bob