Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Tugs and Towing => Topic started by: Geoff C on October 22, 2014, 08:25:21 pm

Title: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 22, 2014, 08:25:21 pm
I finally got round to building the Empire Raymond from the Cervia plans.        I was inspired by the build of the Empire Wold.     There wasn't much info to hand for Raymond so I used a bit of builders license.    So here goes, most of it will be in pictures.        I used these pics for research and some details.        I,m grateful to the model maker who built the Felix.      More pictures to come when I,ve reduced them in size.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 22, 2014, 09:39:03 pm
Some pics of the build.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Capt Podge on October 22, 2014, 09:43:40 pm
Some interesting building techniques being used here Geoff O0
 
Looking and learning - keep 'em coming.
 
Regards,
 
Ray.
 
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 23, 2014, 10:50:57 am
Thanks Captain P,      The LOA is 36in.  the bulkheads are 4mm ply planked over with 6mm x 2mm pine.     The Bow and Stern are built up with offcuts and filed to shape.    After filling all gaps with car body filler and sanded smooth the hull was given two coats of grp resin, don't waste your brushes, just pour resin along the keel outside and smooth it all over the hull using rubber or plastic gloves.   The inside was coated using a stiff brush from Always Hobbies, Norfolk, who also stock GRP resin in two sizes.        Stermat also stock tins of resin and hardener.     I had a 4x2 sheet of 3mm ply from Stermat so used it to build the superstructure ( see pics ).     The funnel was made by rolling many sheets of A4 printing paper round a suitable former  ( Salt container ) of the right diameter, gluing between all the sheets as you roll them up,  remember to cut the sheets to the height of the funnel before starting to roll them.      I cut a disc of ply to fit inside the funnel base for gluing down.      The model is not ready for launching yet so I'll post some pics as I go.    Here's a few more pics,  Regards.



   




















t
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 23, 2014, 10:58:34 am
My apologies, the pics aren't in the right order.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 24, 2014, 09:51:52 am
I forgot to put in the Empire Ace pic.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 25, 2014, 09:51:36 am
A few more pics as I progress.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 25, 2014, 08:32:34 pm
More pics.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Capt Podge on October 25, 2014, 09:48:16 pm
She's looking good so far Geoff. A sturdy and busy looking vessel O0
 
Regards,
 
Ray.
 
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 27, 2014, 09:55:45 am
A Few more pics for today.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: derekwarner on October 27, 2014, 11:12:45 am
All looking good GC........  :-))

Just re-check the diameter of the hawser cable rope in the image 9280024.jpg........ :o & also 230046.jpg

Derek
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Martin (Admin) on October 27, 2014, 01:38:52 pm
 
How did you persuade Kellogs Corn Flakes to sponsor your Build?!   :o
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 27, 2014, 04:22:46 pm
As you know, during the War everything was made out of Cornflakes packets,  yes even Tug boats.    Good old days some say.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 27, 2014, 04:56:03 pm
Derek,    I read somewhere on this site that the towing spring was a large soft multiplait rope just long enough to reach over the stern rail which would stretch when weight was put on by the towing wire to prevent snatching on long tows.  Best regards.  Geoff.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 28, 2014, 04:17:37 pm
This is the motor I fitted in the tug,  an Mtroniks M500 from Model Boat Bits, £6.50.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Netleyned on October 28, 2014, 04:36:24 pm
What Voltage battery and prop size are you using Geoff?

Ned
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 28, 2014, 04:45:21 pm
Hi Ned,    I've got a 6volt 4amp SLA battery and a 60mm 3 blade plastic prop. on a 4mm shaft.    Regards Geoff.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 28, 2014, 05:58:44 pm
60mm R/H prop M4, 32mm pitch from Cornwall Models. £4.27.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 28, 2014, 07:38:12 pm
The R/C switch is in the port coal bunker.   I got that idea from the Empire Wold build, I hope you don't mind.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on October 28, 2014, 07:46:38 pm
the towing spring.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on November 03, 2014, 03:52:06 pm
I finally finished the lifeboats and fixed them on.     Plenty more bits to do yet.    Here's a couple more pics to date.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on December 22, 2014, 10:15:05 pm
A few more pics up to date.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on January 31, 2015, 02:21:27 pm
Hi Guys,      I,ve rewound the motor with 80 turns of 30swg varnished wire from Maplins, it was too fast before, now it has less revs and more guts. I also put another 6v 4.5amp SLA battery in to make 6v 9amps for extra duration.       In the test tank (bath) it took 9lbs of lead weights including 2x 6v 4.5amp batteries to get down to its LWL.        It still needs a few pieces fitting to finish it off but at least its sailable now, so the next decent day, we're off to the pond.           Here's the last pics at home, I'll take some on the water.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: tugmad on January 31, 2015, 07:24:06 pm
Hello Geoff c.   Thought you may like a couple of pictures of my Sun XVII,  Ex Empire Margaret sister boat to the Raymond / Cervia  she is plank on frame also.   George B
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on January 31, 2015, 08:54:27 pm
Hi Tugmad,     That's a terrific model you've made there and I love the pic. of her on the water.     Thanks for showing.      Geoff C.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on February 03, 2015, 01:44:17 pm
Here's E.Raymond having a tank test, plenty of guts now.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: dodes on February 06, 2015, 05:02:00 pm
I remember seeing the Sun V11, lovely well kept tug as would be expected by the old Sun tug firm, my father who ended up as a chief engineer in that firm fondly said she could always pull her weight. Nice model, empire Raymond looks nice too.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: dodes on February 06, 2015, 05:03:10 pm
Meant SUN XV11, sorry all.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Sandy on February 08, 2015, 06:43:20 am
Nice build, well documented and a good read.

 :-))
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: dodes on February 14, 2015, 09:42:32 pm
Hi Geoff, just lifted this pic off another site, thought it may interest you. It shows a typical tow setup by all Admiralty tugs with towing hooks until towing winches with dedicated towing systems arrived in modern times. You can see the average length of the towing spring and the dog wire is rig too.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: derekwarner on February 14, 2015, 09:54:00 pm
An interesting point here is what was being towed?.....from the angle of the wire....the height of the tow could not have been much higher that the tug itself......Derek
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Netleyned on February 15, 2015, 08:19:10 am
Looks about right for a Corvette/Frigate/Destroyer of that period Derek'


Ned
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: Geoff C on March 22, 2015, 02:35:32 pm
As promised, here she/he is getting her bottom wet at Holyhead Breakwater Park this morning, and the breeze was freezing but she worked ok on the first sail.   regards, G.C.                PS.    You can see the water colour is the same as the deck paint.   And yes it is a colour picture.
Title: Re: HMT Empire Raymond build.
Post by: dodes on March 22, 2015, 08:21:16 pm
Looks good, sits in the water like the originals, just need the apple ring fenders to finish her of.