Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: portside II on January 21, 2009, 10:59:51 pm

Title: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on January 21, 2009, 10:59:51 pm
Doing a little shopping in Hull today and called it one of the model shops for some bit's as you do and came out with the Lobmaster R.T.R  :}.
This did not go down well with swimbo  >>:-(, but she soon mellowed when i offered to take her for dinner sunday  :-)) .
So into the shed when we arived home (with permission) and to work .
The boat comes in a colourfull box ,and on opening another box , plane but still a box and a set of instructions . These were put to one side for later and the inner box opened ,to find a boat which looked better than the picture on the box .
Out with this and the styrene packageing and another long box which contained the masts, the stand is included and the boat was laid to rest upon this .
Then all the other components were removed from various other boxes ,this is when i noticed that there is a 2ch 40mhz radio ,now thats an up grade from the usual 27mhz stuff. The rest of the stuff included ,6v 4ah battery,charger,reciever inc crystals,tape,pennant and the remainder of the servo kit screws,arms etc .
The boat is of high quaity (briliant compaired to my own eforts) and on unscrewing the two sampson posts either side the deck can be lifted off to reveal a fitted motor (540 style)shaft and prop ,speed controler and wiring ready for the rx and battery.
The masts went on easy once i had untangled them ,but they may want some elastic putting in line with the rigging as i can see the eyes on the bulwarks coming off.
Now me being me and seeing that this boat has potentioal for iluminations started looking at what i could do  :} .
Oh if your looking for photos then you will have to wait as the camera battery went flat during the conversion and i managed to get the last few before it shut it's self down ,so its on charge until morning .
 So the lights ,the ones on the boat are realy LED's but with no power and their legs cut off so i removed the numerus screws under the deck and the wheelhouse fell off , so it was off with the stern light and the two side lights which were replaced by 12v GOW bulbs and then the wheelhouse roof was removed as access from the underside to this area is none, and the navigation lights removed and replaced by small LED's bent forwards . I aldo replaced the two spot lights on the wheelhouse roof and hid the wiring the best i could by using white wire to blend in to the background , after gluing the roof back on i realised i could have fitted a light inside the wheelhouse itself ,maybe later.
I also fitted a GOW in the deck lamp forward of the wheelhouse but it looks like i have fitted a 6v one and its a bit bright , i am sure Dave can help me dim it , a switch on the folkstall hatch and she looks good (for me ).
Pictures like i said to follow ,all been well she will get a sail this weekend and some more photos .
The price £119. yes i could have bought it for less on the net but add the postage (this is a big box) and it may work out more , and i have it now .
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: tigertiger on January 22, 2009, 01:21:39 am
I look forward to seeing it. 8)
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on January 22, 2009, 08:52:09 am
Ok here we go .
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010261.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010263.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010264.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010265.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010266.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010267.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010268.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010269.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010270.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010271.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010273.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010274.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010275.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010273.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010276.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010277.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010278.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010279.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010280.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010281.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010282.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010283.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010284.jpg)
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: tony52 on January 22, 2009, 08:55:21 am
When I see good quality, RTR boats such as these Thunder Tiger and Hobby Engine 'Southampton' I start to question myself as to why I spend time in a freezing shed and in the back kitchen, upsetting swmbo with smelly substances and trying to source model parts from shops that are now beginning to disappear.
The other thought on these good RTR is you can be on the water straight away, joining in the fun at the club, whilst building progresses with some other long term project.

Well Done.
Tony.

Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: chingdevil on January 22, 2009, 09:11:48 am
Thats a nice looking boat, nice to hear the r/c might be getting better in them. Are you able to change crystals in the r/c or is it still set at some channel on the frequency?

Brian
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on January 22, 2009, 09:17:53 am
The radio is the propper stuff Brian ,changable xtals and the lot , the only thing is the radio takes 8 batterys loose and not a pack, also the revesing for ch 1 is hiden in the radio some where , not found it yet .
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: tigertiger on January 22, 2009, 09:38:22 am
... the revesing for ch 1 is hiden in the radio some where , not found it yet .


Have you tried inside the battery box cover?

Nice set up for an RTR. I hope you have lots of fun with it.
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on January 22, 2009, 04:19:58 pm
Thanks Tigertiger, i have just about done so far and fitted a on/off switch under one of the hatches so i dont have to undo all the riging to remove the deck to switch on at the pond side , and it would take me longer to do than say .
just waiting for the weekend to sail her .
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010294.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010285.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010287.jpg)
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on January 24, 2009, 10:48:56 pm
Right today was spot on for a little sail on the pond , so this aft before the rest of the members arived i put her into the water for the first time .
She sits true and level , underway she behaves well with good rudder responce and turn of speed , a gem to sail .
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010312a.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010313a.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/Lobmaster/P1010314a.jpg)
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: tigertiger on January 25, 2009, 12:49:55 am
looks good.
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: Martin (Admin) on January 25, 2009, 10:57:34 am
Excellent review.  :-))
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: swordfish fairey on January 27, 2009, 02:47:14 pm
Hi portside II, thanks for the great revue of this boat. I have been passing my local shop in Yeovil for weeks and looking at one of these,trying to decide whether to get one and you have made my mind up and I've bought it. I want to do it like a Greek fishing boat I saw in Corfu last May, it is very similar in shape and even the colour is close. I am very pleased with it, it is far better than you might expect for the money.......cheers...........mate........ :-))...... :-))....... :-)).......Smudge




Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: bigH on January 27, 2009, 04:45:33 pm
 :-))  I bought the same boat at the Warwick show from Howe's, members might like to know that they were reduced from £199 to £99
       A REAL bargain, I have done the same and in addition to the alterations re electrics I also removed the deck furniture and made
       openings under them so I could, if necessary, get under the deck without having to remove it for battery change etc;.
       I placed a thicker piece of ply, under the deck as it felt a little flimsyand placed two m4 brass washers over the screw posts
      that hold the deck down so as to stop the locking caps from going through the deck if overtightened.   I also placed a strip of
      Neoprene along the underneath of the edge of the deck just to ensure that if water got over the deck it wouldn't get into the hull,
      just one last thing, there are a lot of METAL screws holding down the deck furniture, replace them with brass or stainless.
      The boat is a little beauty and answers to the wheel like a dream, it is a pretty thing and attracts a lot of attention when she's on
      the water.     bigH   
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: Stavros on January 27, 2009, 06:03:20 pm
Word of warning dont sail this craft in rough weather,seen 2 of these nearly go down into the depths of LLanberis lake due to water geting into the hull via the deck as there is no real seal between deck and hull,just a word to the wise   ok2



Stav
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on January 28, 2009, 12:19:43 am
Wise words big h and stavros will head them well , i did look at the screws and a coat of varnish will sort them out , i am thinking about a charging socket on the deck as well maybe under the stern box or a flush mounted jack type with a cover to the rear of the wheelhouse .
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: Edward Pinniger on January 28, 2009, 04:08:27 pm
This is certainly a very nice scale model, and seems to run well too!  I may end up buying one myself now that Howes are selling them half price. I'll repaint and weather mine, but it certainly doesn't need much else adding.
It's a great shame there aren't more RTR boats with proper radio and decent scale detail like this!
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: Globs on January 31, 2009, 02:42:40 pm
Word of warning dont sail this craft in rough weather,seen 2 of these nearly go down into the depths of LLanberis lake due to water geting into the hull via the deck as there is no real seal between deck and hull,just a word to the wise   ok2



Stav

Looks a really nice model - quite tempting if I wasn't so surrounded by boats to finish :)
However it has no scuppers - so even if you do seal the deck joint there is nowhere for the water to run.
I expect the full size boat it was based upon (if there was one) has either a) Sunk and b) Scuppers.

Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: offshore1987 on February 02, 2009, 08:06:21 pm
They are very good boats them and for £100 they are a real good buy  :-)) I got mine years back when i paid £180 i think ( have the majestic )

Nice write up  :-))
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on February 02, 2009, 11:23:07 pm
Thankyou , since i bought mine and sailed it on the pond another member has bought one , not the same model but the one with the stern gear
 i think its also the majestic .
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: ralphhager on February 06, 2009, 01:03:52 am
portside II:
You made up my to buy one, excellent review. :-))  But I bought one of her sister boats called the Catherine Ready to Run Fishing Boat; Length 600 mm ( 23.6 inches) Beam 220mm ( 8.7 inches).  I bought mine from harbormodels.com in the USA for $279.00.  I will give it to my grandson for his birthday this March. :-)
ralph1937

Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: swordfish fairey on February 06, 2009, 09:43:29 pm
Great plan Ralph, I have had to beat my eldest grandson away with a wet Model Boats mag, he can't wait to get his sticky little mitts on it. the Catherine is a very nice model, there was one at a local show I went to last year and I could not believe it was RTR. The owner had weathered it and added lots of bits n bobs it really looked the part. Have fun with it..... ;)........Smudge
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on February 06, 2009, 11:17:02 pm
To be honest i cant realy fault them all , i have replaced the railings on the stern of mine with wire mesh ones as they are plastic and i broke one.
I wonder if the demand for them will encourage TT to make some more ? .
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: swordfish fairey on February 23, 2009, 06:57:28 pm
Had my T.T. lobmaster out on the water yesterday and she looked great. I have weathered her a bit and changed the rigging for elastic, she also has her eyes on for sailing the Greek Islands....... :D.....Smudge
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on February 23, 2009, 10:42:53 pm
Now that looks good , i like the idea of changing the rigging for elastic ,i am always worried when hooking mine on incase something breaks
she looks well on the water just as if she was sailing out of a Greek port with the harbour wall.
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: swordfish fairey on February 24, 2009, 09:50:43 am
Thanks Daz, I used Gold-Zack elastic sewing thread, it cost £1.80 for a 20m reel from a craft shop. It does tend to unravel when cut, but I draw it through some super glue first, that  also makes it easier to thread through blocks etc..... O0....Smudge
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: tolnedra on February 24, 2009, 06:08:04 pm
Now come along Smudge, leaving harbour at that speed, you'll have the Harbourmaster after you for sure! >>:-( All very well for you fine-weather types, where were you in the morning, when it was cold!!!? Oops. sorry, forgot you were FAA! {-)

Danny
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: swordfish fairey on February 26, 2009, 11:11:39 am
Please, no wafu V fishead rivalry on this site Danny, you should know the score. Poor wafu's up on the flight deck in ALL weathers, fisheads all battened down in their sacks, and don't mention Sunday routine. ;D...........ROMFT. ;D..........Smudge. :-))
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: ixion on February 28, 2009, 05:33:42 pm
Great review which made me go out and buy one of these boats from my local model shop for £110. This is my first dabble with boats and I am really pleased with what you get for the money.

The mod you mention below (the switch) seems very sensible, can you elaborate on how you did it for a thicko like me please?

fitted a on/off switch under one of the hatches so i dont have to undo all the riging to remove the deck to switch on at the pond side
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on February 28, 2009, 09:54:45 pm
no probs ,
basicly remove the on/off switch from the inside and then very gently ease the hatch cover off the deck , it should part quite easly .
Then unscrew the bit of wood that is left ,dont throw it away, now measure the switch base and cut the deck only enough to fit the wiring through .
Then trim and sand the bit of wood you took off the deck so that the hatch cover fits snugly , you now have to line up the piece of wood with the hole in the deck ,mark it from the inside and than cut just enough away so that the switch will slide , and then fit it all down sandwiching the switch between the deck and the bit of wood .
Now if your swich is like mine you will have to get the dremill out and trim the switch down a couple of mill and cut a couple of grooves back in , otherwise the hatch cover will rock on the switch ,you can do this before fitting it all together.
any probs .
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: ixion on February 28, 2009, 10:14:48 pm
Thanks for the reply.
So you use the original switch, does the wiring needs to be extended or is it simply a case of re-locating the original switch without adding anything?
Thanks.



basicly remove the on/off switch from the inside and then very gently ease the hatch cover off the deck , it should part quite easly .
Then unscrew the bit of wood that is left ,dont throw it away, now measure the switch base and cut the deck only enough to fit the wiring through .
Then trim and sand the bit of wood you took off the deck so that the hatch cover fits snugly , you now have to line up the piece of wood with the hole in the deck ,mark it from the inside and than cut just enough away so that the switch will slide , and then fit it all down sandwiching the switch between the deck and the bit of wood .
Now if your swich is like mine you will have to get the dremill out and trim the switch down a couple of mill and cut a couple of grooves back in , otherwise the hatch cover will rock on the switch ,you can do this before fitting it all together.
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on February 28, 2009, 10:37:29 pm
you will have to extend the wires a bit , but just enough to allow you access for charging . Thats my next job  to fit a charging socket .
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: ixion on February 28, 2009, 10:41:10 pm
Thats my next job  to fit a charging socket .

And that was going to be my next question...... Thanks for all your help so far.

Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: ixion on March 02, 2009, 09:54:32 am
I have done the modification now and the switch is under the hatch. Just one last question, the antenna wire, what is best to do with it, leave it under the deck or disguise it somewhere above deck?
Cheers.
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on March 02, 2009, 11:27:46 pm
i brought mine out through a hole i drilled at the rear of the wheel house locker and then fed it around the wheel house it self , but i did find some range issues and have tried it up the rear mast which eliminated the problem for me abu stood out like a sore thumb (white wire on grey) so i plan to either paint the wire grey so it blends in or what might work is to locate all the wire below decks and thread a copper wire connected to the end up the mast which would blend in better.
There are plenty of places to disguise the wire on the boat either on or below decks or as stays for the mast's , the choice is yours .
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: ixion on March 23, 2009, 01:20:10 pm
Hi,

I also replaced the two spot lights on the wheelhouse roof

Can you tell me who's, what size and where from for the replacement searchlights you have used please. I have damaged one on mine so want to replace them.
Cheers.
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on March 24, 2009, 06:30:55 pm
ooh err yes , i bought them from the model show at blackpool last year i think from Reade plastics .
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: craftysod on March 24, 2009, 08:35:26 pm
Ixion
This might help
http://www.modellingtimbers.co.uk/4604/73572.html
Mark
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: mike31 on April 15, 2009, 03:44:06 pm
I have just purchased the Lobmaster from Sussex Models, and very pleased with the value for money.
The switch is attached to the ESC , presumably it must be removed if it is to be extended into one of the deck fittings for easy access,.
I wold like to know how remote charging has been achieved as removing the deck with all the rigging lines seems fiderly. Do you leave the battery connected to the ESC when not in use?, as this seems dangerous, and must leave the ESC live all the time.
Thanks for any help.
mike
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: portside II on April 15, 2009, 10:41:23 pm
Now that's a thought , i have not looked into that side of the electrics regarding the esc being connected all the time as once the power is cut to the reciever then the esc is dormant , but as you say still live , willhave to take the deck off and investigate  :-)) .
As for charging the battery , this boat is so light on consumption that if it was a car the economy would be well over 100mpg , i have run mine for over three hours on two sessions and dont expect to have a chargeing session for another couple of hours , and thats with the lights on .
But all that been said a charging socket would not go a miss and this would be a solution to the earlier question as a three connection socket would disconnect the power to the esc when you plug in the charger this would also remove the need for a power on/off switch as a blank plug could be used to break the power when not in use .
Aint it funny how the brain works once stimulated  :o .
daz
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: nathanbint on May 19, 2009, 09:09:14 pm
hi i ahve just bought the thunder tiger majestic ideal beginer boat like me lol u don't have to mess about with all the sails and that it isn't very fast but to be honest you don't buy a boat to go fast if u want a boat to go fast then buy a speed boat but taht my choice
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: herrmill on May 20, 2009, 03:50:14 am
These boats have a double hull which pretty much makes them unsinkable & are from same source who produces for Graupner, MHD, TT, etc.. 

I bought Catherine for the local resort where we sail & was pleased at how well she runs.  They produce some very nice traditional motor sailors as well as you can see below.
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: dash8man on September 10, 2009, 06:21:04 pm
Anyone have any idea what scale these Thunder Tiger boats are close to? ie. 1:30 or 1:40. Cheers.

Bill.
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: DickyD on September 10, 2009, 07:48:44 pm
I believe they are 1:18 or 1:20.

You can work it out by the height of the door on the wheel house.  :-))
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: ixion on September 10, 2009, 07:54:40 pm
I think the figures I have on mine are 1:24 which look about right.

Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: DickyD on September 10, 2009, 07:58:14 pm
They look alright are they George Turners ?
Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: ixion on September 10, 2009, 07:59:07 pm
They look alright are they George Turners ?

Yes they are.

Title: Re: THUNDER TIGER LOBMASTER RTR
Post by: GrafVonJon on September 07, 2010, 06:45:58 pm
Ixion,

Where did you get the little lobster pots from? Your boat looks lovely. Amazing what a few tweaks can do.
Love the tires over the side too.

GVJ