Hello everybody.
This looks like a great site already, believe it or not I could never find one in the past!
So my modelling history? I've been making models of all sorts since I was about 8 years old and my dad helped me make the classic Dambuster Airfix kit. I have made lots of airfix models since, and my granddad helped with my first boat when I was about 10. It was a simple balsawood frame with a cardboard skin (not the best, even after painted) and a simple propshaft and motor. Point it where you wanted, and off it went.
I then went on to build a destroyer, with a very similiar construction. Very basic, but with balsa sides and remote control. At the age of 12 I was quite pleased!
Several airfix models later, and after a rather dodgy looking swamp boat type thing made from 2 halves of a washing up bottle, a wind up aeroplane blade and a rc car motor, I was onto another project. Having spent most of my school lunchtimes in the tech lab I was after something a little bigger, and I came across a plan for the Riva Aquarama in one of the model magazines. This was a plywood constructed frame, and I covered it with 2 layers of balsa, being paranoid that it was going to sink. It was twin shafted, and I was very proud of it at the time (at the age of 16). It went ok, but could've done with some much more powerful motors. But that said, I was pleased with it. Much older now, and as a hydraulic engineer, I wanted to rebuild it better.
That leads us onto the latest project. Its another Riva Aquarama, although this one is going to me much better. Its a far more detiled plan, which I tracked down from a chap on a french modelling forum after seeing the videos of his boat on youtube. I will find the details so I can give full credit (I got the plans about 2 years ago now...). Again it is twin shafted, and will be powered by 2 direct drive brushless motors. I've scaled the plans to tie in (more or less) with the Amati model kit, which means the mahogany planking will be ok and I can perhaps use some of the fittings.
That's all for now, I'll try and do a progress post feed thing on the project, might not get updat too regularly though!
Thanks,
Jason
