Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: awvs on December 12, 2011, 05:24:20 pm
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Hi,
at first I wanted to build the Yorkshireman by MS. After ordering the kit at Great Hobbies here in Canada I was informed that they couldn't get it anymore. <*< >>:-( To make a long story short, I decided to build the Billings Fairmount Alpine. Let me say that I was very surprised by the quality of the kit. :-) The laser cut wooden parts are top notch and everything fits perfect. All fittings are included and of good quality. The instruction manual shows detailed drawings but no additional write up. I will replace the wooden rudders and the plastic props with brass parts. O0 The tug will be fitted with 2 Graupner 720 BB motors with 2 ESC’s including a mixer and a bow thruster. In the planning are all the necessary lights, rotating radar and a sound module. I attached a few pictures of the current stage of the project.
Regards
Wilhelm
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That looks a precision kit. You've made a nice job of it. Look forward to seeing your progress. Keep us posted. :-))
ken
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Oh yes!!! I will follow this with great interest, looking forward to see your high standard on this build.
All the best.
Hama
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Thanks Ken & Hama for your encouraging comments.
Christmas is right at the door step and this means there are a lot of other things to do. As soon as I have done more on the Fairmount I will post some pictures.
:-))
Kind Regards
Wilhelm
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Hi Wilhelm
Was there any burnt material to remove on the cut edges? I have always wondered about that on laser cut stuff.
Dave
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Hi Dave,
the cut surfaces are somewhat darker (see pictures) but no burnt edges (the edges are sharp with 90 degrees angles and not rounded). The overall quality of the kit is excellent. I would have preferred a fiberglas hull, but with patients and some elbow grease it should work out fine.
Regards
Wilhelm
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Hi Wilhelm, it must be a Canadian thing, I too have purchased The Fairmount Alpine. I am installing Graupner 720BB motors too, all the electronics are ACTion, if you go to their web site you will find the Wiring Diagram Dave so kindly did for me, it may be a help to you. There is another build on a Dutch site & he has also fitted the rear bow thruster talk about a tight squeeze, I will too. I have got 55MM props from The Prop Shop & prop shafts from MMB. I will be using an F14 Futaba radio which I will convert to 2.4gh. I need it to run all the electrics I am fitting as you will see from the wiring diagram. There are some great photos on the net if you Google Fairmount Summit. If you can't find them let me know, they would be a great help to you I think, particularly the interior of the bridge & the winches. I am building the Smit Nederland at present so I have not started the Alpine yet. I agree it is a very well made kit with Quality components but the instructions are non existant. I think from what I have read on here that is a knock on Billings kits. I thought for the price they could have included proper props, the ones in the kit are at best for a toy boat & I mean toy. If you like we can stay in touch & compare notes along the way. I wish you luck with the build & I sure will be watching. Mick B. Calgary AB.
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Hi Mick,
thanks for your input. I am using M-troniks ESC's and a self made mixer. :-)) My radio is a 2.4Ghz Spektrum Dx7se which I am using for all my models (20 model memory). Funny, my research of the Fairmount came up with the same websites you mentioned. :} You are correct, the instructions are non existent but the drawings are very good and with a little imagination self explanatory. On the other hand, did you ever read instructions from Calder Craft?
Good luck with your Smit Nederland and a great start building your Fairmount. Staying in contact is a good idea (pm).
Kind Regards
Wilhelm
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Hi Wilhelm, I forgot to ask you in my PM if you had looked at Dave's wiring diagrams that he so kindly did for me ?. Mick B.
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Hey Guys, I'm in Toronto and I would like to know where you purchased your Billing Alpine kit? Not avaiulable here in Canada as far as I can see. Cheers.
Bill.
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Hi Bill,
you got a pm.
Regards
Wilhelm
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Hi dash8, I sent you a PM too. Mick b.
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Thanks for the replies guys! Looking forward to your building reports on this one. Enjoy the Holidays.
Bill. :-))
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Hi,
here are a few pictures on the progress of my Fairmount Alpine. :-) There is more filling and sanding to do on the outside of the hull and sealing the inside with epoxy. For the outside I decided against epoxy, instead I will use a sealer, two coats of primer, paint and than three coats of varnish (by minwax) which should be adequate. I can't do all the painting in the house so it has to wait until it gets warmer but the tug will keep me be busy with the superstructure and so on.
Kind Regards
Wilhelm
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Well Done so far! I too am in Canada and would like to know where you got this kit. I like the style very much.
Cheers
Tom
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Hi Tom,
you got a pm.
Regards
Wilhelm
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Thanks Wilhelm
Cheers,
Tom
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For the outside I decided against epoxy, instead I will use a sealer, two coats of primer, paint and than three coats of varnish (by minwax)
Hi Wilhelm
I just wondered if you had a specific reason for deciding against epoxy? I'm just curious and learning here, no other reason for asking.
Dave
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Hi Dave,
this is my first big wooden hull and I am just scared to mess it up. {:-{ I don't have any experience handling the epoxy so I better stick to the stuff I know. As I said I will try it on the inside of the hull.
Regards
Wilhelm
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Hi,
I did epoxy the inside of the hull and it turned out pretty good. There is also some progress on the superstructure, the wheelhouse and the drivetrain. In the pictures you will noticed that I replaced a few wooden parts with styrene.
Regards
Wilhelm
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You are really moving along with your build Wilhelm. I am afraid I have not even opened the box since I checked contents of my Fairmount. I have all the electrics, props, radio, etc., but I think I would like to build a lifeboat first & am looking at the Tamer kit from Speedline. I am also mucking about with trying to design & build a proper C/V joint for drives on our propshafts, it has not been very successful up to now, but I am not giving up yet. I will be following your build all the way, it is very nice work that you have done just like your other models. Thank you for sharing. Mick B.
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Hi Mick
you are welcome. For now I have to slow down working on the hull and the superstructure because the next step is painting and it is still way to cold. So, I am concentrating on the small items like the cranes, ladders, winches, additional decals and so on. Of course this would be a lot easier without all the sticky glue on my fingers. I will also construct a couple of electronic switches and a mixer.
Good luck with your c/v joint and your build.
Kind Regards
Wilhelm
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Up to your usual high standard Wilhelm, the work to the bridge is exceptional.
Noticed you've been on Skype lately, will give you a call next time I see you on there. :-))
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Thanks Richard,
looking forward chating with you again.
Best
Wilhelm
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Another masterpiece I feel Wilhelm, very much looking forward to more.
Regards, Tony.
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Thanks Tony,
I will give it a try.
Best
Wilhelm
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Hi Wilhelm
Yes it is lovely, and I too like the bridge. Can I ask you something -
in the picture of the motors, they are mounted against a perspex
wall. The four openings on the front of both motors are against that
wall - so will that not prevent an air flow?
A kind gent made me a custom mount for an IC conversion and in
the process of making the mount he cut slots into it that align with
the motors ventilation. Anyway - I just thought I'd mention it - what
do you think?
Dave
(http://s9.postimage.org/vcdxhu1wr/IMG_4020a.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/vcdxhu1wr/)
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Hi Dave,
you are absolutely correct and thanks for the reminder. O0 I will turn some spacers and put them between the Plexiglas and the motors. Usually I put computer cooling fans into the hull to cool the ESC's, this time I position them to force also some air through the motors.
Great point Dave and thanks again for paying attention to the detail :-)) :-))
Kind Regards
Wilhelm
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Well as newbies like me watch builds like yours we pick up a few things,
so eventually we get a bit of confidence - but it still isn't easy to pipe up
in front of the experienced guys. :embarrassed: I could chatter on for an
Olympic medal but that isn't the same thing at all.
I hear there was a house fire on Cody Estey Road :o hope thats not by you.
I googled Mount Forest just to see where it was and that snippet appeared.
The world is shrinking to the size of a small screen.
Dave
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Hi Dave,
you are a pretty experienced for a newby.
No fire here. The Cody Estey Road is in Mt. Forest, Michigan, USA; I live in Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada.
Thanks for your concern.
Best
Wilhelm
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Here is another update.
I did more work on the superstructure, added the motor for the radar, various lights and started painting. What a difference a little paint makes. :-) :-) The hull got also the first coat of primer and I finished the schematics for the electric. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Kind Regards
Wilhelm
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Hi
The build and paint job look very good . I decided to put in a stern thruster, a bit of a tight fit, but it throws up a slight problem,the angle of the planking alters to the keel so I had to rethinck that bit !!!
I still have not worked out how to post pictures or get them to the size required
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Hi Wilhelm
I'm back after the crash. I'm very impressed with the kit you have, and you are doing such a great job with it too.
Super Superstructure - really nice paint job :-))
Dave
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Hi Dave and david48,
thanks for the positive comments.
@Dave
Good to hear from you again. I did add many extra small items like the mast ladder, tiny fiberoptic lights a s o.
@david48
adding the stern thruster must have been quite a challenge.
Regards
Wilhelm
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I am very impressed with your progress Wilhelm & of course perfection as usual. I have not done much to mine except work out how to fit a bow thruster @ the rear, in the end it was not too difficult. I have got my lifeboat kit & have made a good start on it, I settled for the Model Slipway kit & it is very good.I may also get the Speedline Tamer, I think I have a thing about lifeboats, LOL. If you could show a few closeups of the mast ladder that would be nice. I think you have a good idea doing that. I see you also put the piping around the bridge above the windows, do you know what it is for?, I thought it might be for fire reasons. Your detail work is first class as always. Have you made the radars turn & if so how, I am still trying to figure out how I can do it, any help would be welcome. Thanks again for posting your thread, as you can see I am watching with much interest, Mick B.
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Hi Mick
and thanks for your kind words. The kits from model slipway are all excellent and I wish you good luck with your lifeboat model. Please find attached a few pictures of the mast, close ups of the inside and outside of the radar with a miniature gear motor and two pictures of the current stage of the lighting with LED's and fiber optics. By the way, just the lower radar is working the top one is not. For now it is back to the paint job.
Regards
Wilhelm
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Excellent job as usual Wilhelm, makes me wonder why I bother. (http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Smileys/thinking1.gif)
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Your work is really stunning Wilhelm & thank you so much for the pictures, hope you don't mind my trying to do it just like you have done I really thank you for sharing & hope to meet you some day. If you are ever out Calgary way lunch is on me & I mean that. Mick B.
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Hi Wilhelm Thing are looking very good , I am still on the hull ply work . I have had a week off my build , been down to Southampton to help a mate on the yearly haul out of his yacht a Nauticat 331 . Do you know how many hours so far into your build . Will get back to it tomorrow . I still am haveing set backs in trying to get pictuers the right size and then trying to post them.
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Hi guys,
@ Richard, thanks I learned a lot from you.
@ Mick, thanks for the luncheon invitation and I am convinced your "Alpine" will look fantastic. I was never a big fan of Billing Boats but this tug changed my mind (despite the wooden hull).
@ David48, thanks to you too. Good luck with your ply work on the hull. I don't keep track of the hours but my wild guess is about 250h.
Kind Regards
Wilhelm
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Don't know what to say Wilhelm, ........... "just b----y gorgeous" and obviously 'with flowers' O0 {-)
Regards, Tony. :-))
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Thanks Tony for comment very much appreciated. :-) :-)
@Mick. You are correct, the piping around the bridge is a springler system. :-))
Best
Wilhelm
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Hi Wilhelm,
I'd be interested to know what Primer and Finish paints you used on your Alpine. Looks great! Cheers.
Bill.
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Hi Bill,
I used BeautyTone primer from Home Hardware and Testor Paints from a Hobby Shop. In order to finish the paint job, I am applying two layers of satin clear varnish by MinWax.
Regards
Wilhelm
(all spray cans)
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:-)Hi Wilhelm,
Have just started to build this tug and so far I have almost assembled all bulkheads. My query at this point of the build relates to the Bow Thruster aperture in the false keel. It would seem that having cut out the two half circle pieces you are left with a vertical span in the aperture.
My only experiences is with a Robbie Bow thruster where the motor sits between the two tubes in which case the vertical span needs to be removed.
I await your comments with interest.
Regards
Bernard.(Ceres)
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Hi Bernhard,
have a look at the third picture at the start of this posting, you will see that you have to remove the vertical span. Depending on the size of your thruster you might also have to increase the size of the whole. After inserting the thruster tube I glued two extra pieces of plywood to the left and right direct on the false keel. The bow gets a lot stronger as soon as you add the bottom panels. By the way, I used a bow thruster from Raboesch. Align everything as exact as possible otherwise you run into problems with the outside panels.
If you have any further questions please let me know.
Regards
Wilhelm
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Hi Ceres I am also into the build of Fairmount Alpine and are at the hull plying stage . I have fitted a Raboesch bow thruster it is a bit scary cutting out the hole for it it leves very little wood. I have not worked out how to get my pictuers on Mayhem yet .If it is any help I can Email them to you,I would require an email address. Wilhelm's build is very good the bar is high I am trying my best.
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I did like this
(http://s12.postimage.org/ub5xawkmx/IMG_2457_1.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ub5xawkmx/)
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:-))Many thanks to Wilhelm and David 48 for their advice on the use of the Roboesch Bow thruster.
Whilst have have done final assembly on the keel and also fitted the rest of the Bulk heads, I do not see a problem in removing the vertical piece within the aperture.
Thanks again.Bernard (ceres)
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Hello,
she is almost finished. I am waiting on some missing stanchions (not enough in the box) and finish a few more little items and it is off to the maiden voyage. Here are a few more piuctures.
Regards
Wilhelm
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Stunning, absolutely stunning! Nice one Wilhelm.
Regards, Tony. :-))
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Hi Tony,
again thank you for your kind words. :-) :-) I am looking forward to the maiden voyage and a few more pictures.
Best
Wilhelm
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Gorgeous Wilhelm! :-))
Looking forward to seeing it on the water.
Umi
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Thank you very much Umi, especially coming from such an accomplished model builder like yourself.
Kind Regards
Wilhelm
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Excellent model as usual Wilhelm, should look great on the water. :-))
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Hi Richard,
thanks for your comment. Billing Boats created a pretty nice kit, I wish they would have added a fiberglass hull. Nevertheless she should look good on the water.
Best
Wilhelm
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You have created a beautiful model & I cant believe how fast you did it. I have mine on hold while I build my Tamar lifeboat. I will be looking forward to your sailing pictures,a perfect model as always Wilhelm. Mick B.
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Wow thats a masterpiece! Makes me want one, even though I said to myself not to build another wooden model for a while. I think Billing boats sales figures will go up after showing your super model, thanks for sharing!
Hama
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Hi Mick and Hama,
thanks for your comments, they are very much appreciated. I was not sure about the flashy colour scheme of the original "Fairmount Alpine" but it turned out to suit the model too.
Kind Regards
Wilhelm
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Hello Wilhelm,
the finish of your model building of FAIRMOUNT ALPINE is absolutely superb.
One can hardly believe that this has been built from a wooden kit.
The only drawback as it seem is that the kit doesn't come in the scale 1:50.
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Hi deadwood,
and thanks for the commentary. You are right about the scale, some of the detail work was pretty challenging but I still might add a few more in the future.
Regards
Wilhelm
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Hi Wilhelm , I am on with the strip work on the bottom of the hull and fitting the bow thruster tubes what method of sealing/glueing the tubes to the woodwork did you use .Your build looks stunning , Ihave a lot to do to get mine to look like that ,Who's paint did you use .
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Hi David48,
before applying a heavy layer of epoxy I used a thin layer and heated it up with a hair dryer to make it somewhat more liquid. The primer is from Home Hardware and Testor paint from a Hobby Shop. In order to finish the paint job, Iused two layers of satin clear varnish by MinWax.
Good luck with your strip work.
Wilhelm
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the detail work was pretty challenging but I still might add a few more in the future.
I hope you remember to post the additions Wilhelm - lovely job so far - can it get better?
Dave
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I got the missing stanchions and finished the railings. I also added the split ladders for the crane mounds and the crane hooks. The two main switches for the electronics are still somewhere in the mail so the maiden voyage has to wait a little longer. Any suggestions what kind of lines to put on the three big drums?
Kind Regards
Wilhelm
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Hi Dave (norseman),
thanks, if I come up with a significant add-on it will be posted. :-)) :}
Kind Regards
Wilhelm
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Hi All,
today was the big day.......maiden voyage. Everything works fine and I am very happy with the performance. I did encounter a problem with the props occasionally cavitating, so I have to increase the ballast to bring the boat down by approximately 8 to 10mm.
Kind Regards
Wilhelm
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Superb Wilhelm. :-))
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Damm good model well done Wilhelm
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Seeing her afloat is even more impressive.
Some nice shots from the right perspective.
The wave pattern on the one shot from fore is awesome.
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Hi
and thanks guys for all the nice comments, very much appreciated.
Best
Wilhelm
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Well done Wilhelm, if I did not know it was a model I would think it was the real thing. Excellent photos too I might add. My Fairmount is in dry dock while I build my MS Tamar. Mick B.
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lush model :-))
"" you sell me buy "" lol
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So impressed just ordered one great build A1 model learned a lot from the build thank you tassie48
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Thanks to all for the very nice comments.
Best
Wilhelm
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8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
What have you got in mind for your next build Wilhelm?
Dave
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Hi Dave,
I still have to finish the daughter boat of the SAR-boat "Adolph Bermpohl" O0 ............and then I don't know. My wife is asking the question where to put all the models and I think she is right. Anyway, I like the big tugs and the "Yorkshireman" is still on the list.
Have a great day and a better one tomorrow.
Wilhelm
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My wife is asking the question where to put all the models
I run a rescue centre for boats - I could adopt them and send you a little letter every month O0 {-)
...... and whenever I start agreeing with my wife I question my sanity .... that's ever since we both said 'I Do'
Dave
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Hi Dave,
when my wife and I got married we made an agreement, she does all the minor decisions and I all the major ones. So far we haven't major ones. :} <*< (45 years and counting)
Best
Wilhelm
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Hi,
I did epoxy the inside of the hull and it turned out pretty good. There is also some progress on the superstructure, the wheelhouse and the drivetrain. In the pictures you will noticed that I replaced a few wooden parts with styrene.
Regards
Wilhelm
Hi Wilhelm. I've just found this thread and must say it is a stunner, if it were mine I think I'd just sit staring at it with satisfaction for days on end at a time :-))
Question
I could not help notice that you pictured your twin props installed for inboard rotation.
Was this just a random trial fit or intentional?
Regards Andy