For a company as small as Speedline Models, choosing to bring out a Major kit is a big decision.
We asked ourselves 'Is it going to be worth it in this ever changing world where ready- to-run models are gaining in popularity and the skills to build complex kits are become more scarce by the day?
[/size]If we thought the answer was no, you would not be reading this so obviously we think the answer is yes so long as :
[/size]· 1. The kit is outstanding and offers some really innovative features.
[/size]· 2.The kit suits the markets needs in terms of size.
[/size]· 3.The kit offers great value for money.
[/size]· The kit is buildable by people who have never built such a kit before and perhaps don’t believe they can successfully tackle such a project.
[/size]So let us offer you the new Shannon Class lifeboat kits.
[/size]'Kits' because it's available in 1/16th and 1/12th scales.
[/size]Speedline lifeboat kits are well known for their amazing details and quality where laser-cut components and etched metal sheet is combined to make parts with outstanding detail.
The Shannon kit has none of this technique at all and instead makes extensive use of cast resin components. Not just for detail (though that as well of course) but for major components such as the bridge, the mast and the interior.
[/size]Etched brass is used for some items where functionality or strength demands it.
Items such as the trim tabs which don’t just work but are automatically controlled in response to the pitch of the boat, keeping the intakes for the jet drives in the water.
[/size]The wheelhouse is moulded onto the deck, a radical solution to the problem of how to disguise the joint between the deck and the wheelhouse when on the real thing of course there isn't one.
It brings enormous advantages in other areas too.
[/size]The hull moulding has a 25mm wide flange around the lip of the inside edge to ensure the deck sits at precisely the correct position and is located perfectly (in the manner of a chocolate box lid).
[/size]Included are the interior bulkheads between each room below deck, providing not just additional strength but they have the access hatchways cut in them too so should you want to, you can build a complete, below the deck interior which can easily be shown simply by lifting the deck off. (We may at some future date make the parts available).
[/size]The deck and wheelhouse carry the appropriate non-slip areas, and the locations for all the components that fit onto or into them are moulded too.
[/size]The window locations are very accurately moulded to allow the direct glazed windows to fit precisely. Special graphics on the inside and outside of each window give perfect results.
[/size]All previous RNLI lifeboats have extruded section rubber fendering glued the outside edges of the hull.
The Shannon however is very different. It has moulded sections of rubber fendering glued in place on both deck and hull sides giving that very distinctive appearance.
[/size]The fendering is narrower at the bow then it is at the stern and has a distinctly tapered section at the point where the deck begins to rise towards the bow and ending at a point approximately level with the front of the wheelhouse.
We have moulded the fendering in two sections so that it just drops into place and is glued to the deck providing a nice waterproof seal and an invisible joint line.
Apart from this changing section, the fendering also has a distinct light mottled texture and this is very effectively moulded in too.
[/size]All the fittings including windscreen wipers , winch, bollards, fairleads, working lights, radar, sirens, loudspeaker and sea catch are made from finecast resin and simply require painting and fitting.
[/size]The mast assembly is fully detailed and has been made in such a way as to enable it to be removed in one piece for transportation. Electrical connections are built in so no need to worry about the electrical wiring.
[/size]A huge feature of the Shannon is of course the jet drives.
The real things are made by Hamilton in New Zealand and are very distinctive.
Because no commercial drives are available which either fit properly or look right, we have designed our own.
They have a very scale like appearance, have operating reversing buckets and steering which works in the same manner as the full size, no push me pull me rods or wires are used thereby keeping the scale like appearance at the transom.
A pair, with matched brushless out-runner motors are provided in each kit.
[/size]Decals are included for 13-06. Decals for all other Shannon Class boats are available by special order.
[/size]The kits will be sold complete and no parts of the kit will be available individually except of course as replacement parts.
[/size]Each kit is numbered and carries an engraved plaque in the hull.
[/size]Kits will be available in the late summer (July is target date) and cost £795 for the 1/16th version and £895 for the 1/12 version.
[/size]Orders will be dealt in strict rotation (many are already 'booked' by potential customers on model Boat Mayhem and they will be supplied with first).
[/size]To everyone on Model Boat Mayhem who previously said they would like one will be given a 10% discount off the price if they order and pay 50% for one between now and the end of March. By way of a thank you for your support.
[/size]Anyone ordering one on the same basis during the two days of the Ellesmere show will be given the same 10% discount.
[/size]As a special surprise for Model Boat Mayhem members I would like to offer a complete kit to Martin for him to build on line. Warts n' all of course Martin. What do you say?[/size]
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Topic: New Shannon class lifeboat from Speedline Models (Read 14223 times)