Whilst waiting for several coats of paint to harden (Micks Severn) and Mersey hull planks to wet shape, dry and then glue in place (Rhyl Lifeboat) I was asked to sort out one of the small 1/35th ish RNLI Severn Class lifeboats. This was not in the best of condition and the radio as fitted was one of the old 27 Mhz systems so it had to go. The pods were to be removed and proper running gear fitted.
Whilst taking the boat apart I wondered it it was posssible to make it into an Arun. With the permission of the client it was decided to produce a model of 54-03 Edward Bridges which was stationed in his home area of Torbay and is now in the National collection at Chatham. The Edward was the last of the three early Aruns to have a wooden hull and the first with the upper steering position at the front of the upper deck.
First job was a total strip down and removal of all the gear and mouldings from the inside of the hull except for the deck mounting posts.
The holes left by removal of the motor pods were filled in and sanded to shape. (At this stage I forgot to remove the bilge keels and did it later in the build
).
The deck was also stripped back and all the holes filled in. The lower sides for the new wheelhouse were cut to size from styrene and glued in place.
The vertical moulded fenders at the stern were removed to give the hull the more rounded form of an Arun and half round strip added across the stern to produce the fender here. The exhausts were also removed and moved out and down to a more Arun like position.
The short spray rail of the Severn was lengthened with styrene strip blended in to give the full length rail of the Arun.
New 2mm prop shafts were then added and blended in place. (Still forgot to remove the keels!!)
The basic box for the superstructure was made from 1mm styrene and the distinctive rounded front produced.
More simple shapes were added, the upper steering position made and glued in place then with coat of primer we have the new basic superstrucutre.
The Edward Bridges did not have the later style of tower mast but the arched version so it was made from styrene rod as a sub assembly for fitting after painting the upper deck.
Take the moulding for the Y boat from the Severn...........
..... after sanding and painting, in the early colour scheme, you have an acceptable boat for the Arun plus the launch rails used on the early boats were made for it to sit on.
View of both sub units temporarily in position.
The windows, vents etc were made and glued in place.
After everything was given its correct coats of paint it was all glued together and more details added.
The deck had the kicking boards bonded in place and the stanchions and rails added.
At the stern the rails have the drop down gate added. This was lowered to allow the launch rails for the Y boat to pass over the stern. The towing post was refitted and the rope reel made from a sewing machine bobbin plus bits glued onto the deck.
At the bow the pulpit was made and fitted, the mooring post refitted and the winch made and added along with the large vent.
The hull has been painted and finished in the early corporate red lining style. Rudders have also been made and fitted.
The station name has also been added to the stern.
The r/c system can now be finished and the deck screwed back down.
Views of the boat with just a few more details to add and paint jobs to finish. The sea trials will take palce in a few days time and video will be posted soon.
As you can see Severn into Arun WILL GO !!
