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[U-33]

Right, you lucky lads...here's a question for you.


Many moons ago I remember seeing a picture of a small dingy type boat which had been 'borrowed' by the military for patrolling small rivers, etc. It was (I think) a wooden hull, and had a large machine gun mounted on a swivelling bracket right in the bows. It had two crew...one manning the machine gun and the other in charge of the motor/rudder, he also carried a vicious looking machine gun ready for action.
I believe it was an inboard motor, I vaguely recall seeing a sort of engine cover in the centre of the boat with various bits and pieces of 'stuff'  laid on the top.


Anybody know what sort of boat I'm on about? We're talking WW2 era here, and I'm guessing somewhere in Asia, although I'm not really 100% sure.


I have a Models By Design River Queen hull, I have a 550 motor, batteries and radio gear, two tough looking Action Men in what looks to be combat uniform (one with a machine gun) and I have a 1/4 scale WW1 Spandeau machine gun.
After the struggle I had with the long tail boat(now completed)I fancy having a go at something like the craft I described above...something which will be different, and be useable in normal lake conditions. The long tail needs complete calm conditions and mirror like water.


Any ideas, guys?

Rich

[Jonty]

One of the Chindwin gunboats - Pamela and Una?

[U-33]

Good try...


Rich

[hollowhornbear]

Patrol Boat Light?

[hollowhornbear]

this

[U-33]

Very similar Kev...very close. I'm dammed if I can find the picture again, but that's very close to it.


Thanks mate...appreciate that.


Rich

[rob]

Try adding 'soviet' or 'russian' to your google search parameters, the Russians had quite a few different types during WW2 as I've discovered during my searches for Bronekater pictures.

[Jonty]

  How about this?

[U-33]

That's very close to being the same boat as I saw all those moons ago...well done, Mr Jonty sir! Award yourself a fresh cup of tea..


Rich

[U-33]

I guess that a lot of small craft were purloined by the military for various uses during the war years, so I reckon that gives me a fairly free hand in building this. I'm hoping that Debbs and Andy have fed the delivery carrier pigeon on a high fibre diet and the hull arrives here soon...I'm looking forward to building this, and after what I've learned with the long tail boat, I've a few ideas as to hiding all the radio and electronics away.


Thanks for your help, guys...as usual, it's very much appreciated.


Rich

[Jonty]

  Pleased to be of service. I, too, had dim memories of having seen this before. "Home Guard" was the key.

  Incidentally, I've found a couple of pictures of colourful long-tail boats I took years ago in Thailand. Let me know if you are still interested and I'll post them.

[U-33]

Aah...Home Guard. That's interesting, that could be where I'd seen that picture. My late Father was something high up in the HG, time to get the old family photo albums out, methinks.


And yes please to the long tail photos, rumour has it there's another one coming along courtesy of my old mate Andy...36" x 8", and all wood built this time. Much more room to play with, and much better in the looks department too.


Rich