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[Lochen]

Hello everybody.
I once built a Billings sailing ship of some sort.........a very long time ago and Ive had a passing interest probably most of my life. In reality though, Im a complete novice and know absolutely nothing about this fascinating hobby of yours.

Yesterday, I was given a 50" (1/50th scale?) RN Pinnace. like the one in the photo

Its about 20 years old and I know not much about it and wondered if I could prevail upon the knowledgeable folk here for a few answers.

Firstly Ill give a bit of a description. As stated its 50 inches long. The hull is planked and the keel looks like ply or laminated strips. It has a planked deck (which is parting from the hull).
The superstructure is made of thin sheet steel and fittings have been bolted to it. Hatches can be opened and all of it can be lifted from the deck to reveal the inside of the hull.

Inside there is 'General Electric' motor with the following information stamped on a plate.

24 volt
5.5 amp
Type R4
MO-14-D
Model number 58425837A

Questions then.

1. Does anyone know if this was originally sold as a kit for assembly or is it likely to be a scratch build?
2. It looks like the deck will have to be removed and replaced, do you all think its worth restoration or should I just bin it?

Any help or information would be hugely appreciated, as I type my plan is the restore the boat but modernise the propulsion and install a steering servo (the cable tubes and wheel thingies, rudder and tiller are all in place)

Many thanks in anticipation
Barry

[cadman17_36]

First off Welcome to the madness . Secondly From the picture you have posted I wound say restore it and update the electrics. As for it being a kit or not you will have to wait for one of the more knowledgeable members to answer.

Good luck and please post more pics. maybe something showing the deck separation and the inside workings you may only need to update the radio and motor.

Steve

[Lochen]

Thanks Steve.

Pictures of the actual one below. There is no radio (yet). I've started taking it apart. Im thinking more and more its a kit, all the parts would be impossible to source and on closer inspection they dont look 'hand made'.

Deck is parting around the starboard forend, appears to be only thin strip planking with nothing under it. Still think it might make a worthwhile restoration if I strip the hull. I can always sheath it and fair it then start again topsides.

Cheers
Barry

[malcolmfrary]

I think it may have been built from a magazine plan.  There might well have been a moulded hull offered, but there was likely the alternative of building plank on frame, which looks to be your case.  The plan might well still be listed.

[Roger in France]

Have a look at the current "Model Boats" magazine (mine arrived by post today). There is a picture which looks to me just like your boat, it is a pinnace from a larger vessel.

Roger in France

[dougal99]

This looks like it to me the Steam Pinnace

http://www.modelsbydesign.co.uk/model_boats.aspx

[Lochen]

Thats the one!!

Thanks for the help and information everyone. I started stripping the hull today as the finish was quite rough. So far the planking looks quite well executed (or what I can see of it through whats left of the sheathing) so restoration it will be.

Bare hull first though, then fill and re-sheath. The deck will have to come off and be renewed and Im considering what to do about the cabin tops, might start again with them

Now then..........................electric or steam......electric or steam.................

Thanks again for helping identify the model.

Barry

[Perkasaman2]

Hi Lochen I'm delighted and relieved that you are keeping the pinnace it would been a real shame to bin it. Well done. 

[DickyD]

This looks like it to me the Steam Pinnace

http://www.modelsbydesign.co.uk/model_boats.aspx

Its a steam pinnace but not by Models By Design, Andy's hulls and cabins are all GRP.

[Lochen]

Hi Lochen I'm delighted and relieved that you are keeping the pinnace it would been a real shame to bin it. Well done. 

Thankyou Perkasaman 

However, the problems are starting to show. I had to remove the transom today....................the exisitng one had been installed at an angle then the stern facing surface had been putty filled to level it to the rest of the ship. Having got that out in (more or less) one piece, I noticed that the rubbing strake is 1/4 inch longer at the stern on the starboard side than on port and overhangs the stem by thet amount. The last frame in the stern is installed at an angle and is 1/8th inch out on the starboard side.

The list goes on and I am starting to get the feeling that the more I go back to rectify, the more I will find (take a look at the picture of the rear quarter deck I took out.........putty everywhere underneath it)

Pics

[Lochen]

Here she is in all her naked glory.

I guess it all starts here. Who would continue? Who would bin?

[craftysod]

If that was my boat Barry,i would try to restore.
Someone has put the time and effort into building her,and for an old boat to take to water again,
is good news.
If funds allow,a steam system would look good in the old girl.
Keep us posted
Mark

[Perkasaman2]

Hi Lochen, I do agree with Crafty, but it's very important not to dampen enthusiasm and you sound like a 'pressed' man, rather than a keen 'volunteer'. Restoring this boat is a labour of love, BUT for the right person. Why don't you rehome it with an advert on the forum with a clear understanding that the new owner is expected to restore and hopefully send you/us  pics. You need to choose  a build that 'floats YOUR boat' and puts/keeps a big grin on your face - be selfish. What do you fancy building? 

[derekwarner]

Lochen ------- I suppose we modlers from around the world have differing expectations in a finished product coupled with differing construction skill levels.....so from these two represctives only you can balance your expectations

If you have the skill to "resheäth" the hull...?replank?....you most certainly would have the skill to produce a new 'plank on frame' hull

From the photographs we see matted strand glass fibre + resin in the bow....then heaped upon that loads of simple 'bog' securing two aluminium vertical tubes  ....this suggests that a number of previous owner builders have attempted some modification work

I had to remove the transom today....................the exisitng one had been installed at an angle
I noticed that the rubbing strake is 1/4 inch longer at the stern on the starboard side than on port and overhangs the stem by thet amount
The last frame in the stern is installed at an angle and is 1/8th inch out on the starboard side

Your comments above suggest to me that you have the skills not only to identify such faults  ....but to ensure they were not replicated in a new build .......Derek 

[Lochen]

Hey guys, I may have given the wrong impression 

This is a restoration! A slightly perchance one maybe, I mean how many times do you walk into a strangers house and ten minutes later walk out carrying one of these. By chance, it allows me to delve further into my, up 'til now, dormant, interest.

Yes I do have the skills, I have built plank on frame before (once only as maybe). I have a lot of catching up to do with tool aquisition though, but for now its gallons on Nitromors, a sharp blade and sandpaper. I will be calling on you all later though because I know absolutely nothing about steam or radio control 

Talking of previous owner modification, I make you correct on this point, the guy who gave it to me had attempted to raise the super structure by soldering an inch of tin, but had only done the starboard side. He wanted to do this to enable him to fit a car battery under it!

Anyhow, for now Ill leave you with a picture of the real thing in action, this is a 50' steam pinnace from 'Hood' mooring to one of Hoods booms and this is now confirmed as the one my model is of, thanks to you guys pointing me in the right direction.

Ill start a new thread when I have made some progress with the rebuild, over in the war ships section.


Cheers for now