Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boating => Topic started by: triumphjon on January 18, 2013, 10:29:59 pm
-
YES FOLKS IM ORGANISING ANOTHER RUN ! the next event is being arranged for SUNDAY MARCH 31ST ( easter sunday ) meeting at the wharf basin in chichester ( west sussex ) at 1100 hrs with all models in the water and ready to depart by 1200 hrs , the models being in the canal while the operators follow on the towpath alongside their models . as with previous runs the event is open to all electric and sail powered models capable of maintaining a walking pace , above all the run is free to enter . however if possible i would like to collate a list of those interested in participating along with your intended radio frequency as this may aviod clashes on the day . jon
-
I shall be there. Rumours that SS Ohio will be there are probably just that, rumours ok2
-
it would be good to see the ohio , it would also be a good shakedown test for your newest vessel in your display team ? i shall be there with a proven boat this time , as im operating the orange coaster , it will be fitted with a third battery to ensure we can navigate the WHOLE CANAL !
-
Hoping to finally be there with Tito Neri :-)) Next week will start prepin it for the run, full drive strip down and service lol. To be fair got the kit when i was 16 and now 26 this year and it will be the first proper run shes really had other than a hand full of 30 min runs :embarrassed: Might even have ago at sortin out the radar for the run
Dan
-
to all those who have forgotten , this event is happening THIS SUNDAY 31/3/13 , we shall be departing the canal wharf basin at 12pm promt for our journey along the canal . hope to see you there ! jon
-
hopefully more photos to please :-))
-
yes we will have more photos , unbuiltnatulus is manning the rescue vessel this time so will hpefully get some nice water level shots for you all to enjoy !
-
so how did the day out go.
-
day went well , not much wind caused the only yacht to pull out , one of the landing craft decided it would rather be a submarine , the super glue which was holding the motor in place gave way , and it started to fill with water , of the twenty or so starters two failed to make it from the starting basin , another 1900s pre dreadnought rejoined part way along the first leg , and another four of us went past the previous turning point to complete the whole navigable section , which is a total of some seven miles , including the return trip , which i didnt consider as too bad for an electric powered scale model boat , the on site photographers will upload thier photos in due course ( i didnt take any this time , i was too busy watching where i was going ) maybe need a further twist to navigate the lower section as its very weedy , so maybe well need amphibious craft ? have been debating making it a relay event with modellers meeting on a road bridge ! jon
-
you would have to have been pretty happy with 20 boats turning out wouldnt you. especially not even being in to your summer yet. looking forward to the photo's. who knows. in a few years this might be the model boating event to be seen at. :-))
-
no photos then. darn
-
Compiling...compiling.......
-
We had a 24 hour weather window, the call went out, gentlemen, man your models, the Easter 2013 Chichester Canal Cruise was a go....
-
hi unbuilt will have to give you my pics to up load as i'm still having prob's down loading my pic's onto the forum
-
Preparations began at the jetty..
-
Spot the Mayhemmers...six in attendance to my knowledge.
-
The fleet sets off, including an over confident yacht skipper..
-
And then the call came through from Krafty, whose landing craft had stopped working. Ten minutes later that was patched together, so I set off to catch up with the fleet in my little blow up boat.
Going round the corner out of the jetty and into the canal I found the four funneled cruiser, two ducks, a barge and a fishing boat all bunged up in the weed. One had drifted into the weed, the others got caught up rescuing the first model. Once untangled, they retired from the run, or so I thought...
-
Entering the canal, the yacht had drifted into trees on the far bank and Kraftys LCM was stuck on the mud with its motor running but no prop turning. Both rescued and returned to the basin..
-
With a third of the fleet rescued and me twenty minutes behind the rest of the models, it was time to get paddling. Once under the A27 bridge I was confronted with a beautiful view and no models!
-
Found them, get paddling.
-
here's my pics of the day
-
well i'm trying to post pics but keeps saying the post is to big,and yes i have re sized pics but it keeps say to big
-
Try bringing your pictures down to 100K each.
Ken
-
Is there to be a "Summer Run"....this year?....If so I would like to add to my diary as a combined weekend break and a bit of fun sailing.
Regards
Alan
-
theres often a weed problem during the summer months , hence we try to leave it until september , its becomes very hard for the models to push through the weed , and gives the rescue boat lots to do ! i may well arrange another cruise for mid / late september , watch this space ! jon
-
lets see if this work
-
ok so far so good
-
Cheers BAT44,
I soon caught up with the stragglers, Adams pusher tug from the last challenge, and a well finished Calypso model. Unfortunately the operator of this model had to withdraw, having underestimated the distance involved, and he rather than his model, was struggling.
We also had to contend with the two canal boats running Easter trips up and down the canal. As long as we stayed out of their way all would be fine..
-
Reaching the almost half way point from last year ( the start of the windy bit!), Richard from the Chichester club had to turn back. His first battery was on its last legs, so I transferred his spare from the canoe over to him so he could head back. Not a bad effort for a model with a pair of Torpedo 850s on 12volts. Graham giving him a hand while BAT44 pushes his HMS Howe about with his little pusher thing....my new recovery strops in use for the first time, expertly designed by a member of Portsmouth and District and shamelessly copied by me...cheers Dennis.
-
The first operator returns from the turn point at Hunston Bridge and heads back to the basin.
-
As I approached the bridge, I could see a group of members on the other side, standing on the jetty. The stragglers were making their way to the turn point..
-
Two of the Chichester guys headed back as I paddled under the bridge, a very nice Sydney Star and a Model Slipway 4 Hatch Coaster, both I believe belonging to Mike Turner..
-
As the gallant band of operators started stuffing their faces, the bigger of the two canal boats could be seen in the distance..
-
The big canal boat proceeded to perform a 180 degree turn right there. The models made their way as near as possible to the edge of the canal, while some pillock in a canoe kept getting in the way.
Following this little bit of excitement, the operators then informed me they would be proceeding to the end of the navigable part of the canal, the best part of a mile west from our current position, my aching arms silently protested while I put on a brave face and followed the models down the canal...
-
Somebody cheated...the Royal Navy Cruiser, which retired just outside the basin was back. They had jumped in the car and driven up to hunston bridge! Cheating is however, accepted :-))
-
Following a snack break, the fleet continued.
LCM3 loaded with trucks and Jeep, belonging to Rob, The Orange Coaster being run by Jon, Short focsle Corvette, mid rebuild, being run by Jack, Mark with his Pusher Tug and Barge and Graham with HMS Howe.
-
The easterly wind was behind us and the previous sunny scene was getting a little more 'Bank Holiday Weather' like. Still, can't complain :}
-
Somebody thought there was a prize for First Place. Approaching us from the end of the canal was the vintage ( cheating!) RN Cruiser, still going strong...
-
Finally we reached the turn point, this is as far as the canal currently reaches without crossing the road with the models.
-
Somebody wouldn't stop going on about having a go in the canoe ( Krafty..), so reaching the end of the downwind leg, I graciously stepped out of the canoe and let him paddle it back INTO the easterly wind, I'm all heart :-)
-
Jacks Planet Transmitter was bleeping anxiously at him, needing a battery change. Quickly accomplished, he proceeded to catch up with the fleet.
Approaching us was the smaller of the tour boats, able to turn in a smaller space, it could follow us to the end of the canal.
-
Now free of the canoe, I could concentrate on 'posey' photos of the models passing. The only problem being, once they had passed, I had to run to get in front again, out of the canoe and into running shoes. I shall bring a model next time O0
-
As we approached Hunston Bridge from the other direction, the towpath crosses via the bridge, from one side of the canal to the other. Providing the ideal opportunity for the classic Cathedral and Powerlines shot, among others....
-
This shot, worth the wait :-))
1.38 miles to go..........
-
Thanks for posting the pics. I promise to try and get to the autumn run this year!
What's the total distance to sail? I need to find out if my tug can make the distance.
-
Its about two and three quarter miles to the bridge and back, or just shy of five miles all the way to the end and back.
Update on the Sydney Star, it belongs to Andy Balchin and not Mike Turner as mentioned previously.
Ben was called in to de-gunk Jacks corvette, once de-gunked it was back on course. The corvette was using a 12v 12amp gel battery in combination with a Graupner Speed 720 motor, giving it very long legs....
-
The back of Marks head, this was a bit of a problem when it came to taking pictures ( not the back of Marks head....) people were always walking, either towards the camera or away from the camera, still its his best side :}
And a bit of rust and muck reference, courtesy of a barge moored on the far bank. Dont know how it got there, or how long it has been in residence.
-
Back in the trees, the group split into two, but were still going strong. No need for tow cables so far!
-
Beware angry ducks, we were escorted, most effectively, through the territory of one of our feathered friends.
-
Once in the trees, the photos become more tranquil, the operators take a bit more transforming to make them look good :-))
-
Approaching the A27 bridge, it was decided to close up the fleet and attempt to sail into the basin together. I foulnd the perfect vantage point amongst run off from the A27, brambles and probably rats...the ideal holiday destination in fact.
-
On the final run into the basin we first had to contend with the approach of the big brother of the canal boats...
-
A quick series of shots of the models..
-
Approaching and passing through the swing bridge..
-
And into the basin, as a group, well done, good job, and much fun was had by all :-))
-
The journey may have been over, but the work of the Royal Navy is never done, HMS Howe proceeding back out of the basin ( Probably to deal with that duck <*< ).