Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Tugs and Towing => Topic started by: Nordsee on August 12, 2011, 08:45:20 pm

Title: Compact model tug kit
Post by: Nordsee on August 12, 2011, 08:45:20 pm
Our friends son, aged 13, is a mad keen model 'plane and Helicopter flyer. ( And very good, too) He saw a few photos of my Ketch and expressed interest in boats, he has had a high speed, quick destruct model boat and was soon discouraged. As he has a swimming pool in his garden ( hardly used for swimming this year!!) he wants a small, about 50 to 60 cm, model tug boat. He wants a kit to assemble and install RC etc, also maybe painting said boat. Anyone have any sugestions about a kit?  In a price range under 75 pounds? It doesn't need to be an exact scale model, just a good look-a-like!!
Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: Capt Podge on August 12, 2011, 08:54:15 pm
Graupner do a 1 / 100 scale model tug named "POLLUX" - good starting point for a young modeller - I've built this one recently and found it quite enjoyable. I'll try and get some photographs of mine on Sunday and post them on here.

Check Graupner website for details. When I bought mine it was £25 (inc Graupner motor/gearbox) which is not a bad deal  :-))

Regards,

Ray.
Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: slug on August 14, 2011, 07:32:04 pm
s.h.g model supplies do a tug king midas in vac plastic priced in 2011 catalogue length 470mm x135 £29.95 pp£5.50 www.shdmodels.com     slug

http://www.shgmodels.com/acatalog/ (http://www.shgmodels.com/acatalog/)
Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: Dekan on August 17, 2011, 08:21:16 pm
Graupner do a 1 / 100 scale model tug named "POLLUX" - good starting point for a young modeller - I've built this one recently and found it quite enjoyable. I'll try and get some photographs of mine on Sunday and post them on here.

Check Graupner website for details. When I bought mine it was £25 (inc Graupner motor/gearbox) which is not a bad deal  :-))

Regards,

Ray.

I think you will find that Graupner have discontinued this kit. Amodelworld have bought the rights to manufacture it... I asked them to emaill when it was available but as yet I have had no word from them...
Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: J.beazley on August 20, 2011, 01:11:30 pm
Certainly a Pollux is a great little tug to play with, had mine for a few years now and its one of the few boats that i actually sail whenever i get to a bit of water as its small enough to sit in the footwell of the car.

Jay
Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: baloo on August 20, 2011, 02:57:38 pm
Look at "howes models" oxford,lovely little tug boat,with working lights and water hydrant,imagine saying,have a look(mum/dad) then squirt them with water great fun for about £45
Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: Netleyned on August 20, 2011, 03:08:18 pm
The Dickie tug/workboat will be a disappointment
'Look Mum/Dad its stopped 8 feet away from the lakeside'.
Ive got two for the grandlads but they are well modified

£ 40 ish to get the tug running as it should

Ned
Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: Martin (Admin) on August 20, 2011, 06:55:53 pm
Yes the Dickie tug/workboat is crap but look what many models have done with them on here!

  http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=125.0 (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=125.0)
Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: Martin (Admin) on October 23, 2011, 05:00:58 pm

Would this make a good alternative to the Graupner Pollux?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180742990968&ssPageName=ADME:B:ONA:GB:1120
Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: Netleyned on October 23, 2011, 05:10:27 pm
I think around 600mm 2Ft in old money is as small as you want to go
On 350mm not much room or freeboard when a battery,motor,esc,rudder servo and rx
is thrown in.
Windy, choppy lakes may be a problem and kids (and ancient modellers) do not wish to
witness sinkings  >>:-(

Ned
Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: Martin (Admin) on October 23, 2011, 08:16:08 pm

They are more robust than you think! ... well the Graupner ones are!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEWUW0Cqypo&feature=mfu_channel&list=UL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEWUW0Cqypo&feature=mfu_channel&list=UL)
Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: The long Build on October 23, 2011, 08:32:03 pm
As Martin says the Graupner Pollux's  are tough little guys..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjkmCSojzh0


Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: Dreadstar on November 01, 2011, 05:24:27 pm
I've just ordered up one of the SHG King Midas tugs,as my next build. :-))  This will be my first Vac formed model,but at under 40.00 including the fittings kit and full running gear,it seems not a bad deal. Has anyone here ever built one of these models by any chance?
Title: Re: Compact model tug kit
Post by: Martin (Admin) on November 01, 2011, 11:46:14 pm
Here's the best SHG King Midas tugs I've seen.... at Wicksteed this year.