Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: dougal99 on December 10, 2019, 10:17:00 pm

Title: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on December 10, 2019, 10:17:00 pm

I have been asked by another club member to post my build of the SLEC River Police Launch. This is not my forte so please bear with me. 


The kit come in a strong plastic bag with two instruction booklets. One contains pictures of the build sequence and the other written instructions related to each picture. There is also a half scale drawing of the model showing the placement of the fittings and a suggested wiring diagram for the electrics.


The kit itself consists of several sheets of plywood with the pieces routed out or laser cut. There is also a laser cut plastic sheet for the window glazing.

There is a fittings kit available to augment the model.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on December 10, 2019, 10:33:41 pm

I started the build a few days ago so I have no photos of the first stages.


The hull is built around a central box. The base and sides have routed tabs and matching indents which ensure correct placement. I found that the indents were marginally smaller than required, so the fit was not quite perfect. However, the sides and ends matched perfectly.


A two piece keel is fitted to the box bottom, leaving space for the prop tube. The tabs had to be fettled slightly to fit the corresponding slots. Strengthening pieces are fitted either side of the prop tube space.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Taranis on December 10, 2019, 10:39:57 pm
Watching with interest thank you  :-))
Out of interest what adhesive are you using? sorry if I missed it.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on December 10, 2019, 10:58:22 pm
I'm currently building one of these  for my youngest grandson. It's at the painting stage but with these temperatures it might be a while before it's done. All gone together very well so far, with no major niggles and only a few very minor ones.
DaveM
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on December 11, 2019, 08:57:32 am

Taranis, I'm using superglue as suggested in the instructions. It certainly speeds up construction as long as you don't glue yourself to the wood . {-)


Where the doubling up of pieces is required, such as the support around the prop tube, I played safe with thick glue and clamps.


Dave, yes the niggles are only minor but given the nature of the construction I did not expect to do so much fettling, However, I'm still enjoying the build.  :-))
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: number-1 on December 11, 2019, 07:15:35 pm
Just bought myself one of these for my xmas prezzie from SHMBO,  :-)) watching with great interest.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Taranis on December 11, 2019, 08:52:28 pm
I'm happy with superglue  :-))  just wondered.
My lobster boat was all slow set thick CA
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on December 11, 2019, 09:32:49 pm

The hull frame pieces fit around the box into pre-cut slots in the sides and bottom. I found I had to sand the tabs slightly to allow an easy fit into the slots. Fortunately, as I’m working in the house, the sanding didn’t generate too much dust. I took the precaution of numbering all the frame pieces before cutting them from the main sheet as they are all similarly shaped. The front and rear frame pieces have to be aligned with the ends of the box as the have no corresponding slots. Using super glue meant that once aligned there was no time for them to shift as the glue set.

The bow pieces were fitted next. The main frame slots on to the keel and is supported by a deck level piece slotted into the top and the front end of the box. The cut outs on the top piece did not match the distance between the front of the box and the main frame. I adjusted them as I thought was required but cut the wrong end; hence the filler piece between the top piece and the bow stem. Doh!  {:-{ <:( The curved pieces slot into the main frame and abut the keel.

Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: johnv on December 12, 2019, 06:24:32 pm
Hi Doug it's John V all looking very nice .And well done .cheers John
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on December 12, 2019, 08:01:28 pm
Here's mine, as of last week. Since then I've fitted the roof and windows, foredeck gunwales and rubbing strips. I've now started varnishing the wooden deck and cockpit floor.
DaveM
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: number-1 on December 12, 2019, 08:35:06 pm
Looks really good, mine was delivered today, just have to wait for xmas now :((
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on December 13, 2019, 08:19:03 pm
The stern plate is fixed to two cutouts for standard and mini servos, extensions to the box sides and keel doublers. I found it quite tricky to get everything aligned and had to fettle several pieces to fit. The next stage is to drill out the access for the prop tube and rudder.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on December 17, 2019, 05:15:42 pm

I found drilling out the access for the prop tube quite tricky. I don’t have long drill bits and getting the correct angle using a brace inside the hull box was difficult. I had to do quite a bit of filing with a round file to obtain the required clearance for the prop tube. If I was to do it again, I would mark the keel doublers and cut the required channel before fitting.

I glued and clamped the skin support rails with wood glue and let them set overnight.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on December 17, 2019, 07:18:13 pm
I agree with Dougal, save that I bought an 8mm dia tube and only afterwards realised that the model is designed for a 6mm one. Fortunately I have a very rough 8mm rat-tail file which helped do the job, although it was still a monumental PITA.

PPPPPP?

My model is now about 1/3 the way through painting. Zero degrees in the workshop doesn't help with this.

DaveM
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on December 20, 2019, 02:28:42 pm

I had to do a little bit of fettling to get the skin support rails to fit. There are different rails for top and bottom of the hull. The instructions mix these up between the written set and the  pictures. Fortunately they are of different lengths and dry fitting quickly identifies the correct orientation. I found I had to clamp them to the frames, where there was no corresponding slot, to make them lie correctly.


The top rail has to shaped to meet the stem piece. I found that left to lie naturally the rail was just above the top of the stem piece so it would have to be clamped in place. As this would mean that it would only be held glued edge on to the stem,  I added a piece of square timber to the side of the stem in order to increase the surface area to be glued.


The transom formers were then glued to the stern frame. The hull now needs to be sanded so all parts melded smoothly. This will have to be done in the workshop when the temperature rises, hopefully soon.

Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: kpnuts on December 20, 2019, 06:01:20 pm
Looks like a good kit, and you're off to a good start
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: johnv on December 22, 2019, 10:10:17 am
Hi Doug it's John v I can see you are doing a grand job .I think you are going to beat Mick .have a good Christmas and a happy new years cheers John
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on December 24, 2019, 03:24:20 pm

A couple of hours of sanding gave me nicely a melded hull. I found getting the skin supports between the frames to the correct angle and level with the frames the most time consuming aspect.


The bottom skin required a small amount of sanding at the keel side of the bow to sit snug against the keel. I decided to use weatherproof wood glue to attach the bottom skins as this allowed plenty of time to ensure an accurate fit before the glue went off. This required plenty of clamps. I glued the aft section first and, when set, I glued the skin at the bow. This was to ensure the skin didn’t flex away from the keel side skin suppoerts when the bow curve was introduced.


 As the glue required 24 hrs to fully cure I filled the time by building the motor cover and the stand.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on December 25, 2019, 11:41:36 am

The first two photos show the clamping around the bow. The skins were flexible enough to just clamp with no steaming required, However, as previously said, I glued the bow after the glue for the rear two thirds had fully cured.

The last photo is of the hull after the skins had been sanded back to the hull sides. The side skins are next but will have to wait until after the Christmas break.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on January 03, 2020, 02:04:02 pm

After the mince pie overload and announcement of another grandchild on the way, I’ve got back to work.


The side skins have been added. The bow was particularly problematic. I steamed the skins and left them overnight clamped, but not glued, to the hull. With hindsight it would probably have been best to glue them whilst still flexible from the steaming. However, I glued the skins from the stern two thirds of the way along. Left them to set really hard, then did each side of the bow separately. Not my favourite job. With a lot of clamps and some expletives I achieved the task.


Now to sand them back to the hull.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Martin (Admin) on January 03, 2020, 05:16:03 pm
After the mince pie overload and announcement of another grandchild on the way,


 Yaaay!    :-))
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: tica on January 03, 2020, 05:56:50 pm
After the mince pie overload and announcement of another grandchild on the way, I’ve got back to work.
Congrats to that  :-))
I'll newer have that experience  <:(
BTW great build and nice kit, unfortunately the shipping cost to DK is a bit over the moon.

 
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on January 03, 2020, 06:59:50 pm
Having just spent a day in the company of Impossibell and Decibell - the Gruesome Twosome - I can tell you that grandchildren are vastly over-rated. I have seven, ranging in age from 31 down to 6 - and those two are half-brothers!
My Police Launch has been painted and I'm currently fitting the radio and motor. Pictures soon.
DaveM
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on January 03, 2020, 09:49:26 pm

Dave


been there done that got the t-shirt. There are 16 years between my eldest and youngest children. The new grandchild (number 6) will be 20 years younger than the oldest. Fortunately my son lives 2 hours away so we wont be constant baby sitters  :-))


Looking forward to your pictures. I might crib something.  ;D What colour scheme have you used?
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Taranis on January 03, 2020, 09:57:39 pm
Lovely build. I guess at almost 62 me and the wife are quite rare in having no grand kids. Our offspring are all professionals with no time for kids or the financial damages.


I too look forwards to m'duck's photos  O0
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on January 04, 2020, 08:56:17 am
What colour scheme have you used?
Nothing original - I just copied the one from the photo on the front of the instructions, using Halfords rattle-cans over epoxy and glass cloth. Looks OK.
Dave M
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on January 06, 2020, 03:29:22 pm
Another hour or so of sanding gave me a hull with smooth side skins trimmed to the bottom skins and the deck level. Next I added the transom and the bow block. Unfortunately, the provided block was a couple of millimetres too narrow for the hull, probably due to my (lack of) building skills. Fortunately, I had a suitable sized block that I had bought, with others, from a bargain bucket at Wings and Wheels a year or so ago. I knew they would be useful one day! Then another bout of sanding the transom and carving of the bow block gave me a basic boat hull.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: johnv on January 06, 2020, 07:51:45 pm
Hi. Doug it's John v keeping a eye on you. I can see you are doing a grand job cheers. John v
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on January 10, 2020, 04:18:03 pm

At this stage the instructions tell one to fit the deck. However, as this has the planking laser cut into it, I decided to leave this until later so as to avoid the risk of marking it. I added the keel doublers and sanded them to match the original keel piece. I also added the stem piece which was blended into the hull with a little filler. The hull is now ready for adding glassfibre tissue and resin. I’m hoping the weather will warm up soon for this job.

Whilst the filler hardened I started on the cabin structure. The photos show clearly some burn marks on the surface from the laser cutter. I think I should have sanded these away before assembly. Heh ho!
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on January 12, 2020, 03:48:14 pm
I just have to let the glue holding the front hatch and rails dry then I can fit the for'd cleats and it's finished. I'd like to add some windscreen wipers but I have no idea what sort were fitted to these launches. Were they the type which are pivoted at the top and swing in an arc, or those which traverse along an enclosed track along the top of the window and stay vertical as they move across the screen? Or they may even be 'Kent' rotating ones.....
Does anyone have any photos?
DaveM
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on January 12, 2020, 04:43:22 pm
Not good photos. One is of s model which shows the rotating type on the port windscreen. The other of a real boat which is a very similar design shows a vertical wiper on the port windscreen. So either my well be correct.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on January 12, 2020, 05:24:39 pm
Many thanks, Dougal. I've finished the model up as far as this but cramming the battery and ESC under the engine cover - neatly -  is going to be a bit of a head-scratcher. At the moment it reminds me of nothing else but wiring a double socket into a ring circuit and then trying to get the damn thing back into the wall box! Incidentally I fitted the CAP Maquette liferings because I didn't like the 3D-printed large one in the kit. Other than that it's a really nice little boat and an enjoyable build.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: number-1 on January 12, 2020, 05:48:51 pm
Really really nice looking boat, hope mine turns out o.k, P.S. where did you source the  POLICE lettering?
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on January 12, 2020, 06:10:49 pm
Really really nice looking boat, hope mine turns out o.k, P.S. where did you source the  POLICE lettering?
Somewhere on E-Bay. I could look up the link but there's dozens of sellers of the same stuff on there. The letters are 1" (25mm) high - O, and thanks for the kind remarks!
DaveM
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on January 13, 2020, 05:05:18 pm
Head duly scratched and the solution found.
It's still a tight squeeze but the ESC has been stuck down on its edge to the deck with a hot-glue gun and the battery pack mounted between two locating rails, using self-adhesive Velcro. I chopped the power leads from the ESC down before I soldered on the Deans connector so that I didn't have lots of thick-ish cable to pack away in there. The various cables are strapped to the 2S 2200maH LiPo battery pack with an old-fashioned rubber band. That's a Turnigy 28mm outrunner brushless motor with an SHG flexible coupling and the whole power train runs like a sewing machine. The new Planet TS2+2 is a very neat little radio and exceptional value with its extra 2 functions. The weather looks horrible for the next available sailing day on Wedneday but it might be OK at the weekend.

DaveM
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on January 15, 2020, 11:47:09 am
I've just got back from Papplewick after trying the model out for the first time. With the motor/battery pack set-up described and a S35 2-blade prop it runs beautifully. The speed is very scale-like i.e. just quick enough on full-throttle to look purposeful but not planing. The turns are equal in each direction; the "sit" in the water is just right and it tracks dead straight. I did find a little water in the rear compartment which can only have come in either throught the hatch or the rudder tube - not a difficult thing to fix.
All in all a very nice little model from an excellent kit. Young James should be well pleased with his prezzie!
DaveM
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: redpmg on January 15, 2020, 03:11:37 pm
Hi Dave - do you know if the model is based on the Veron kit - construction looks familiar.   
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on January 15, 2020, 03:17:20 pm
Hi Dave - do you know if the model is based on the Veron kit - construction looks familiar.   
I've found an image of Phil Smith's original plans whch also show the construction, and it looks pretty near identical. https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ACYBGNSF-DeoB6WGuHzSne7TsgoX7BOvtw:1579101201041&q=veron+police+launch+plans&tbm=isch&source=univ&client=firefox-b-d&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjB6Zux8oXnAhWDY8AKHbSxDBkQsAR6BAgKEAE&biw=1536&bih=711#imgdii=fbtZhwfpOBsazM:&imgrc=ZsK6DJ9mwLeCHM: (https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ACYBGNSF-DeoB6WGuHzSne7TsgoX7BOvtw:1579101201041&q=veron+police+launch+plans&tbm=isch&source=univ&client=firefox-b-d&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjB6Zux8oXnAhWDY8AKHbSxDBkQsAR6BAgKEAE&biw=1536&bih=711#imgdii=fbtZhwfpOBsazM:&imgrc=ZsK6DJ9mwLeCHM:)
DaveM
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: redpmg on January 15, 2020, 05:47:03 pm
Thanks Dave - that more or less confirms it . Phil Smith used the same method of construction on his RTTL version .  Was lucky enough to meet him when living in UK - not far from where we lived in Southbourne. Still spry and active at 93 then - one of the worlds gentlemen - sadly passed away not long after I left UK. Was able to pass on his Fishing Boat part plan (Solid Balsa hull like the Titan Tug) as he had lost his copy - and purchased quite a few Veron plans in turn.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on January 15, 2020, 07:21:21 pm
I met Phil while he was still with Model Aircraft (Bournemouth) Ltd aka Veron. That would be around 1973/4. He'd asked True-Line to quote for making foam wings for his Super Robot kit, so Alf Baldwin and I went down there with some samples. His own office was truly TINY and had a huge drawing board which occupied most of the space in it. As you say, a real gentleman and a one-off when it came to designing and documenting model kits. Perhaps only Vic Smeed came close. How many modellers get an obit in a national newspaper? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/7804209/Phil-Smith.html (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/7804209/Phil-Smith.html)

Dave M
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: redpmg on January 15, 2020, 07:29:47 pm
Meant to say nice build Dave - one very lucky grandson . Doug yours is coming along nicely - sure it will look good too. One of the pleasures of building is taking your time about things - there should never be any rush to finish . Bit like the launching of a full size seen somewhere on you tube - in such a hurry to launch no one checked everything was shut or closed - instant submarine.......... and a lot of red faces.
Not all of us are fast builders - one model took nearly 3 years..........

So take your time and enjoy it..........
Agree with you Dave re Phil, thanks for the obituary directions - never got to read it before. Wonder how he and Vic got on - they must have known each other....
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on January 18, 2020, 10:18:36 pm

The hull was covered with glass fibre tissue and given 2 coats of resin, rubbing down after each coat with 800 grit wet silicon paper. When complete the deck was added.


This is supplied in 4 pieces. The bow piece is fitted first then the side pieces and finally the stern. The lasered planking lines are lined up to ensure the pieces are fitted symmetrically. Unfortunately, I appear to have somehow added length to he hull as the stern deck was a smidgen too short leaving the corners uncovered. I added scrap pieces which will be sanded back along with the rest of the deck to match the hull curves. The side and bow pieces have quite generous overlaps which need to be sanded back. The stern curve seems to have been cut quite a bit tighter leaving little room for error.

On a more positive note lightly sanding the superstructure removed the burn marks.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Martin (Admin) on January 19, 2020, 05:25:12 am
 
         :-))
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on January 19, 2020, 05:18:38 pm
That glass 'tissue' looks suspiciously like it has a weave, Dougal.
Anyway, grandson James was 7 today and took delivery of his very own SLEC Police Launch. 'Gobsmacked' might just about be enought to describe his reaction. I'm still old, big, loud and scary but I think I've just earned my first brownie points from him!
DaveM
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on January 19, 2020, 05:40:32 pm

Dave,
If you are referring to the first picture, that was taken before any resin had been applied. Also the picture is probably suffering from the moire effect.


The spell checker didn't like that!


Glad your grandson liked his prezzie. Mine, now 16, was all for boats until he was given a phone. C'est la modern vie. (apologies to linguists)
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Martin (Admin) on January 19, 2020, 06:38:16 pm

 That's a Turnigy 28mm outrunner brushless motor with an SHG flexible coupling and the whole power train runs like a sewing machine.

DaveM

Which motor Dave? 


 
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Taranis on January 19, 2020, 06:57:34 pm
Which motor Dave? 


On behalf of Dave  :-))
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/d2830-11-1000kv-brushless-motor.html (https://hobbyking.com/en_us/d2830-11-1000kv-brushless-motor.html)
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Taranis on January 19, 2020, 07:08:33 pm
I use a slightly larger but slower version in my Lobster boat with NiMh 7.2 volt sticks . Great motors.
Also notice superb SLEC deck skin  8)  thanks to Dave  :-))
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Midwest-Booth-Bay-Lobster-boat/i-vqRmr7C/0/c8220f9f/X5/6B9C5B3C-BD36-4871-86AD-97B12AE14400-X5.jpg)
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on January 25, 2020, 09:27:17 am

The overlap was sanded back all round leaving a nicely planked deck. Then the rear hatch was assembled and sanded to fit.


Next the cabin locking rails were fitted. These have a pre-cut hole and the instructions require you to drill through this to the underlying hull box side with a 5mm bit to take a locking pin. I found this quite a faff (technical term) as there wasn’t enough clearance to get a 5mm bit into the pilot hole at right angles to the surface. I had to drill a pilot hole with a pin drill and expand it to size with a round file. Pieces of 5mm dowel were fitted in the holes to act as locking pins.

The cabin frame was assembled and the locking plates glued to the bottom rail. The cabin was fitted to the hull and the front windows added.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on January 27, 2020, 10:15:06 pm

The cabin roof was then fitted and the overlap sanded back. Next I installed the motor cover.


This is held in place by two pieces of dowel which lock into two holes provided in the rear of the hull box. The dowel is supposed to be glued into two holes provided in the rear face of the motor cover. Unfortunately, the provided holes are about 8mm but the dowel is 5mm as are the holes in the rear of the hull box. I fitted the cover without the dowel pegs and used a piece spare of dowel with the end covered in graphite pushed through from the rear of the box end to mark the rear face of the cover. This gave me the position of the dowel pegs in the larger holes. I was then able to fit the dowel pegs by packing the larger hole with a sliver of wood.

The model now looks like this.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: number-1 on January 28, 2020, 11:42:41 am
Excellent work dougal99, a few things to lookout for when I start mine. :-))
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Artistmike on February 27, 2020, 09:51:01 am
After a few health problems I'm back working on my Police Launch again. As you can see I've been making a few alterations to the kit, planking the decks in mahogany and using mahogany veneers in the insides and cabin sides, just to give the boat a bit more of a realistic look in terms of colour. All a bit of a fiddle but by the time it's finished and varnished it should look quite nice, .... I hope !  :D
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49590763653_d8d4258242_o.jpg)
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on February 27, 2020, 04:31:36 pm

Finally managed to finish the cabin stain and paint finish. Weather been too cold. Hull still in paint shop.


Tip on fitting the glazing: check the fit before removing the protective film!



Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Big Ada on February 27, 2020, 05:36:33 pm
Nice Build.

Len.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on February 29, 2020, 05:17:01 pm
Hull finally out of paint shop. Just a few details to add and fit the motor etc.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: coch y bonddu on February 29, 2020, 05:47:50 pm
Looking rather darned good there nearly ready for sea trials




Dave
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Colin Bishop on February 29, 2020, 06:26:40 pm
You may find this image of interest. A model of Police Boat No 1 in the Thames River Police Museum at Wapping which I saw back in 2011.

Colin
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Artistmike on March 03, 2020, 09:41:17 am
That's a great photo and very helpful Colin..  :-))
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on March 18, 2020, 08:30:52 pm
Hre's my "Thank you for my Police Launch, Grandad" from a very grateful young man. It's not that often I get a personalised Toblerone.
DM

Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Taranis on March 18, 2020, 08:38:38 pm
Love it  O0  Looking good Dave  :-))
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: derekwarner on March 18, 2020, 09:14:17 pm
Very good Grandad.......I hope that pint of beer is yours & not James  {-)  ....... Derek
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: DaveM on March 19, 2020, 12:13:53 am
No - it was James'. I only drink Campari and Soda these days... ( ;D ).
DM
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: BeeJay UK on June 14, 2020, 07:52:23 am
I just have to let the glue holding the front hatch and rails dry then I can fit the for'd cleats and it's finished. I'd like to add some windscreen wipers but I have no idea what sort were fitted to these launches. Were they the type which are pivoted at the top and swing in an arc, or those which traverse along an enclosed track along the top of the window and stay vertical as they move across the screen? Or they may even be 'Kent' rotating ones.....
Does anyone have any photos?
DaveM


They had twin wipers of the double arm type which made the blades move horizontally rather than in an arc. Pic attached.
I used a set of wipers designed for a scale model truck. The arms were the right length but I had to trim a couple of mm off the ends of the blades.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: BeeJay UK on June 14, 2020, 08:14:12 am
My SLEC police launch is nearing completion. However, I have modified the kit to make it look more like the 1979-2002 version of the real thing.
The main mods are to the cabin top & the bow. I have also fixed the deck on upside down as I didn't want a planked deck as the original didn't have that. I found a few photos of the real thing which were really helpful with the mods and I decided to go with the late 80's livery.


Just the rubber bumper all round, non-slip deck finish, front hatch, POLICE stickers and the white waterline stripe to add and we're done. SLEC pilot boat kit waiting to go once this is finished.

Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on August 24, 2020, 05:06:26 pm
Test
(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/03/26/boat_0240-2017_10_01-19_40_51-UTC.md.jpg) (https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/Zuiqo)
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Martin (Admin) on August 24, 2020, 06:11:32 pm

Test looks good prof.
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: dougal99 on August 24, 2020, 08:58:01 pm
Just reminding myself on the method of using the image server.  :-))   memory not  too good at my age  <:(
Title: Re: SLEC police Boat Build
Post by: Martin (Admin) on August 24, 2020, 10:37:50 pm
 
Nor mine  Julie.