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[john44]

John, I've seen those packs mentioned for the 1/12 scale boats, but the following line is in the description for the 1/16 Severn


Mark
I take it that's for a static model only though

Hi CF-FZG,
Yes you are right it is a breakdown of the sets for a Speedline Severn. they were the only instructions available
Adrian had not written one for the Trent at the time the Trent was purchased.
The idea was to try to explain what a semi-kit was, not a shopping list for a particular model.
I hope I havent given anyone the wrong idea as to what a semi-kit is.

john

[CJ1]

My understanding of a semi-kit (now that I've started a Speedline Tamar), is that it is a fairly comprehensive set of parts with some instructions, which with a little additional scratch building, and a necessary background of modelmaking skills, can produce a really accurate, detailed model. The Speedline parts are beautifully made and detailed, but with limited instructions you need to have an understanding of scratch building to use them successfully.
I made a Billings kit (Will Everard Thames Barge) a few years back. That was a proper "kit" and that had everything you needed bar glue and paint, and full instructions to make a nice model.....but nothing to compare with what the Speedline will look like!
Chris

[nhp651]

a semi kit doesn't even have to have intructions or plans , neither does it have to contain timber or plastics to be classed as a semi kit..just the raw materials of hull and fittings.

sirmar were one of the greatest exponents of the semi kit, although they did put in plans, but no instructions.

[Fifie]

Its writing the detail build instructions that take the time and therefore affect the cost
I think that if you purchase a Speedline kit you will probably be a serious modeller and have a better understanding of building models
I find the most enjoyable part of modelling is solving the difficult issues.
Fifie

[nhp651]

Its writing the detail build instructions that take the time and therefore affect the cost
Fifie

you are correct there fifie.....writing a set of instructions or drawing a good set of plans to match the instructions can take many many hours.

[flundle]

I think perhaps I should point out that there are some quite serious errors in some of the postings I have read in this topic which do need correcting simply because they are wrong and must have a negative impact on the sale of Speedline’s products.
The topic title is ‘Speedline or Model Slipway’ and since the topic is under ‘Lifeboats’ I presume we are talking lifeboats here.
In comparing the Speedline Trent to the Slipway Trent I would say this:
The Models Slipways 1/16th Trent is a complete kit that cost around £250 (if I remember correctly).
The Speedline 1/12th Trent is not a full kit in as much as there are no plans supplied (they have to be bought from the RNLI HQ in Poole) and there are a few small items that were not included in the kit but are very simple to make.
It was Speedline’s first product and was introduced ten years ago and it is fair to say that things have moved on a bit since then.  It’s certainly true that if Model Slipway are re-engineering their Trent then this is probably why.  It’s been around for a long time and they are perhaps taking the initiative to update the kit to suite today’s market place since it was always a great seller.
(Perhaps Speedline will do the same with their Trent for much the same reasons).
If considering the Speedline 1/16th Severn I would say this;
It is a full kit (and just a bit more than a moulding, a couple of etched brass sheets and some castings). It actually comprises of a GRP hull with a GRP deck already moulded on (a good quality item laid up for Speedline by Andy Griggs of Models by Design).
Eight sheets of 1.5mm Perspex carry the 203 laser cut components that make up into the wheelhouse.
Eight sheets of various thickness Perspex sheets carry hundreds of detailing items. These are produced by one of the country’s best architectural model makers.
Five (large) sheets of etched brass and nickel silver carry many more items and these are produced by perhaps the premier photo fabrication laboratory in the land (well, Scotland to be fair), PPD Ltd.
Brass props, stainless steel prop-shafts running in bronze bushes (in the shafts and the ‘A’ Frames) are supplied and couplings and a motor mount are also included.
The kit has all the hand railings cast in Pewter as are over a hundred other items.  All these are moulded by CMA Moldform (in Birmingham) who are the UK’s premier model casting company (see their website).
Decals for your chosen lifeboat are included in the price and are produced by David Leftley (of David Leftly Graphics). He is well known for his remarkable instrument dials for model aircraft and is one heck of a model engineer himself. See his website, he can produce any decals you like. Marvellous bloke.
The kit has full instructions with over 400 photos of the real thing and fully detailed and itemised plans showing plan, end elevations, port and starboard views and all were drawn by me, from scratch, from measurements taken from the Newhaven Lifeboat.
All this was done to bring the customer the best quality and best value for money I know how and by doing this I hope to earn a bit too. If this model was sold in retailers it would cost well over a £1000.  (My selling price is £650 so add 40% for the distributor plus another 40% for the retailer. That’s £1,245. Then theres 20% VAT!
Speedline sell direct to the customer.
You always get what you pay for.
The 1/12 Severn is a full kit. It has plans, instructions and lots of photos too supplied on a CD and is now supplied with printed full size plans too.
The 1/12th Tamar is also a full kit. It’s the latest Lifeboat kit from Speedline and it includes full size plans and hundreds of photos. There are very comprehensive drawings for all the detailed stages of build supplied on a CD and full size printed plans. 
The Severn and the Tamar are both museum quality models when put together and painted well.
There is nothing like them on the market but I should say that when comparing lifeboat kits, consider the lifeboat mouldings available from Models by Design and the very nice kits (of some very nice subjects) from Dave Metcalfe whose Ann Letitia Russel, a 41 foot Watson for example is lovely and it’s £350.
I think all represent good value for money (knowing how hard they are to produce).
Some people express opinions on things as if they were expert when they are not (we have some in our local). Investigate what you fancy for yourself, go and see the kits for yourself or seek advice from someone who has actually built one (or tried to).  Read reviews and try Google and the more subjective views on Model Boat Mayhem of course.   

[DickyD]

Not really a balanced review of the kits available is it.

More of an ad for Speedline.

[typhoon]

agreed with one thing mr flundle the ann letitia russell is a cracking model and to build.  all for the price of 325. a great display model as well , worthy in any home or museum.

[CF-FZG]

Not really a balanced review of the kits available is it.

More of an ad for Speedline.

I don't think it was supposed to be a balanced review, more a correction of certain erroneous statements that all Speedline kits are only 'part kits', and tbh, I wouldn't expect any different from a manufacturer of one of the models.

A balanced review of the 2 boats asked about can only really be given by someone who has built both of them.  As the Model Slipway kits appears to be 'easier' to build, and the Speedline boats are towards the 'more experienced' builder, having two different people give their opinions has to have their experience and abilities taken into account.

Myself, I'm almost certain I'll go for the 1/16th Severn and then maybe a 1/16th Tamar later, (unless the 1/16th Trent is back in production by then, but that's for the future).


Mark

[flundle]

Thanks for that. It did read much like an add I admit but the intention was to show just how far out some commentators can be.

[ACTion]

Thanks for that. It did read much like an add I admit but the intention was to show just how far out some commentators can be.

Too right, Adrian. I had a customer who rang on Thursday and wanted to know if it was true that our 'Noisy Thing' runs OK on the bench but not when you transfer it to a model................... Apparently someone in his local club had told him this.
One has to allow for what I call 'User/Hardware Interface Conflict'.
Dave M

[horatio123]

Just to put a comment re the Action " P100 Noisy Thing" , I have one installed in my Trent and the sounds are very good and realistic,  I have changed some of the secondary sounds with no problem using the   Action software , I did have a slight problem with the inital unit but Dave was very helpful in sorting out the problem and iit was replaced by return . The service from Action is excellent  pity some other suppliers are not so good , have you tried to contact "Graupner with a problem !!!!   

[john44]

Yes I have tried to sort a problem out on a Ultra 1300-9m motor with Graupner but obviously they were not at fault so I ended up with a expensive piece of rubbish which I binned. As for Action, the products,advice, help I have received personally from Dave is a credit to
him as a fellow modeler and supplier.

john

[Number 6]

Can't really fault Action stuff, my mates got 'noisy thing' in 2 of his boats and it sounds great, I'll be putting one in my Severn when it's done. Also when sailing on Loch Ness last weekend 'gribeauval's' esc's, motors etc in his Clyde Class Lifeboat were submerged for a while in water and STILL working. Can't really say much more, Dave.  

[6705russell]

Must just point out there Dave that the speed controllers werent Action but the 50a waterproof ones... But the other kit was under water for a while....just in case someone buys some and thinks they are waterproof???

[justboatonic]

To be fair to Adrian of Speedline, I've seen or rather read some pretty opinionated stuff about his kits so I dont have a problem with him correcting people even if some think it was an advert.

To me we are talking chalk and cheese here. Slipway do excellent kits, I have a Drumbeat of Devon and am putting the finishing touches to an Envoy civvie tug. The instructions for Drumbeat were very good. The instructions for the Envoy less so but, Slipway indicate the Envoy is for more experienced builders. I had a couple of minor issues with the build of both but, I would recommend Slipway to anyone. Just buy the build from their range that's within your competencies.

I've also studied Speedlines site and their lifeboat kits. I think Adrian makes it clear none of these are for a complete novice. But, as with any build, if you are careful and take your time, even a novice can turn out a great build.

As regards price, well some people shop in aldi and some in waitrose. Yer pays yer money and all that. The speedline Tamar is 50% bigger (if my maths is right  ) than the Slipway version. But the Speedline version also comes with actual stanchions and other bits and pieces ready made rather than white metal or pieces you have to make yourself. All these things add up.

I'd love a Speedline Tamar and Im certainmost of its within my build capabilities. Personally I'd pay the premium for the speedline not because the slipway version is in any way a lesser kit, it's not. But the speedline is bigger and I like big scale models!

So, what it comes down to is

Can you justify spending the money on the preferred kit
Are your build skills sufficient to justify a big kit (where mistakes are harder to cover up)
Can you physically handle a bigger kit
Scale boats look better at larger scales so is scale appearance of the boat and on the water important.

IMVHO, only the purchaser or in this case the OP really answer the question of which manufacturer to go with.

[CF-FZG]

As the Model Slipway kits appears to be 'easier' to build, and the Speedline boats are towards the 'more experienced' builder, having two different people give their opinions has to have their experience and abilities taken into account.

Myself, I'm almost certain I'll go for the 1/16th Severn and then maybe a 1/16th Tamar later, (unless the 1/16th Trent is back in production by then, but that's for the future).

Hmm, a little change of the two highlighted statements I made a while back.

Firstly, (due to financial constraints), I went with a Model Slipway Tamar as my first lifeboat and not the Speedline Severn I'd have preferred, but the £275 difference will cover the additional electrics I'll need .

Secondly, the Tamar is not a beginners kit - far from it, (although to be fair to Model Slipway, Lawrie does mention this in the instructions), so will be a slightly longer build than I was expecting.


Mark

[baloo]

First of all i`m no experience modeller,but i can read instructions and can read drawings,i like a challenge,and do not care what people think of the outcome of my boats.We all had to start somewhere.I brought a speedline 1/16 severn(cheap)complete but no destructions,but Tubby(barry)kindly sent me a disc with everything you need, inc 1/16 plans. But the cost without the photos (750 of them) was £25.Now all you asked was "speedline or slipway".As stated before it`s up to you and what you can afford,i myself love lifeboats and if i can build them so can you.As long as your happy with your outcome of the finish model then you choose.If you choose the speedline severn post some picture`s on here and see what comment`s arise:baloo

[Number 6]

I've  got a load of photos of holyheads Severn if they are of any use to you? Drop me a message if you want any. Dave.

[justboatonic]

Neil,

When you say 'semi-kit', what do you mean??  I thought they were complete.

Like returnee, they are the two kits I'm looking at, (I'd prefer the Trent to the Tamar but it's listed as out of production)


Mark

A semi kit is one where many items for the build can be bought as separate items of component bags. They normally consist of hull, plan, running gear and bags of components. You dont normally get plasticard or other material to build decks and superstructure. However, both Fleetscale and Speedline supply decks and superstructure parts for some or all of their kits now.

You either buy the whole lot in one go or buy the relevant components or component bags as and when you want. With a kit you buy the whole lot at once and generally dont have the ability to buy parts in component bags.

The lines between semi kits and kits is therefore getting blurred a little since Fleetscale and Speedline offer some or all of their kits in semi kit form where you can buy all the build items at once. So, the semi kit can be offered as a 'complete kit'!

[6705russell]

I've  got a load of photos of holyheads Severn if they are of any use to you? Drop me a message if you want any. Dave.

Yes please!   

[Number 6]

Yes please!   

What's it worth? Bacon buttie? 

[6705russell]

Oh go on then......

[Number 6]

Woo Hoo!

[john44]

What Russ forgot to mention Dave is that you are buying.

PS I got the Trawler cat from MBD

john