Topic: The infamous Motorflote ( Motorflotte ) push tug... (Read 244505 times)

Ianlind · « **Reply #550 on:** August 24, 2015, 07:57:53 am »

G'day From downunder!

It's been a while since the last post here, but I only came across this log by accident, as it's not where I thought it would have been.

Anyway, I built one of these when it first came out in the magazine, and if my memory serves me correctly, it claimed you could knock one of these up in a weekend! The weekends we have here are only two days, and I couldn't build it that quickly! I guess if you are like Krishna you could do it in a few hours, but it took me a lot longer than two days, all in 1/16th ply.

Like many have mentioned, it waddles like a duck when going ahead, but it will pretty much turn in it's own length. I run a small 12v motor off an electric car aerial and it performs quite well.

I haven't wet mine for a long time, but after reading this log, I've pulled it out ( the model that is ) and dusted it off and will get a pair of batteries and give it a run on 2.4Gig.

I hadn't done any superdetailing like U-33 has, but after seeing what he has done with his, he has encouraged me to add a few details. I actually sat down yesterday and soldered up a parallel arm wiper for starters. As this thing is about 1:12 scale, off the shelf items are not that commonly available. Can't find a figure like George so far!

I've really enjoyed this build, so you can add me to the list of Motorflote owners/operators.
I'm just a little concerned that the vent on the rear of the engine casing could let in water if it was a true vent, as these things bury their bums from time to time, and if green water comes over the stern, she might get a little wet inside!

Regards to all,
Ian.

U-33 · « **Reply #551 on:** August 24, 2015, 01:42:03 pm »

Good man yourself...George was an eBay purchase, he's actually Doctor Who. If you need one similar, let me know and I'll have a hunt for you.

Most of other bits (including the seagulls) are either from Martin @ Mac's Mouldings, or scratch built from odds n' ends that were laying about.

(Oh, and don't forget some pics of your 'Flote)

Stavros · « **Reply #552 on:** August 24, 2015, 02:07:04 pm »

WE NEED TO SEE IT WET come on now now no excuses you had plenty of time to get it off the mantelpiece ha ha

Dave

U-33 · « **Reply #553 on:** August 24, 2015, 02:50:10 pm »

Sorry Dave and everyone else, haven't been out much recently...my ladyfriend has been very ill (various female things which I know nothing about) so I've spent a fair bit of time looking after her. She's getting better slowly now, so I'm hoping to get the 'Flote wet soon.

U-33 · « **Reply #554 on:** May 14, 2016, 05:55:00 pm »

Well, boys n' girls....the MotorFlote made her maiden voyage today. My local club attended a fun day at a local pub on behalf of the RNLI, we only had a small pool to play in, but it was ideal for the 'Flote.

Apart from a drop of water coming up the prop shaft and a seagull abandoning ship, the outing was successful. Typical MotorFlote behaviour though, it goes where it wants to go, but as long as you're quick on the sticks, it does go in a reasonably straight line.

Netleyned · « **Reply #555 on:** May 14, 2016, 06:09:37 pm »

Nice to see MF in action Rich.
Ref the leak, are you sure George
hadn't had a leak if he had been near those barrels
on the quayside

Hope Lori is in better health now.

Ned

Stavros · « **Reply #556 on:** May 14, 2016, 09:36:28 pm »

WEY HEY looking good there Richard

Dave

U-33 · « **Reply #557 on:** May 14, 2016, 09:44:11 pm »

Thanks guys...took a while to get wet, but it was worth it in the end. I've a pile of photos taken today, I'll post some more up in the morning.

U-33 · « **Reply #558 on:** May 15, 2016, 08:58:54 am »

Few more pics from yesterday...

U-33 · « **Reply #559 on:** May 15, 2016, 09:16:15 am »

Quote from: Netleyned on May 14, 2016, 06:09:37 pm

Nice to see MF in action Rich.
Ref the leak, are you sure George
hadn't had a leak if he had been near those barrels
on the quayside
Hope Lori is in better health now.

Ned

George did look a bit nervous, Ned...water was a bit rough for him.

Lori is a lot better now, thanks...after being cleared of anything related to the Big C, she's a lot happier. So am I...!

essex2visuvesi · « **Reply #560 on:** May 15, 2016, 12:37:47 pm »

Nice job there rich. I bet it got a lot of attention

U-33 · « **Reply #561 on:** May 15, 2016, 12:53:18 pm »

I did have a lot of people asking about it, what it was, etc. One chap insisted on telling me that it was an American logging tug...he wouldn't be told, he told me I was wrong a couple of times.

Oh well...his mother must have loved him.

warspite · « **Reply #562 on:** May 15, 2016, 02:03:52 pm »

I suppose you told him to 'log off'

or more aptly post off in no uncertain way

U-33 · « **Reply #563 on:** May 15, 2016, 02:32:13 pm »

I was very well behaved...(the club chairman was standing alongside me...

)

I just stared off into space and carried on with my pint...

ballastanksian · « **Reply #564 on:** May 15, 2016, 03:03:55 pm »

I salute your self discipline. It is satifying to know that there are others out there who know more than you do about the model you have spent hours building and researching

You have squoze lots of detail into a small area

U-33 · « **Reply #565 on:** May 15, 2016, 03:32:46 pm »

Well, thank you, kind sir...normally one would have either totally ignored the chap, or whispered a reference to sex and travel quietly in his ear, but when one's club chairman is well within earshot, one has to mind one's manners...

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #566 on:** May 15, 2016, 08:43:28 pm »

What's she like through a slalom?!

U-33 · « **Reply #567 on:** May 22, 2016, 05:21:55 am »

Quote from: Martin [Admin] on May 15, 2016, 08:43:28 pm

What's she like through a slalom?!

The way it turns, I would guess it would disappear up it's own nozzle....

ballastanksian · « **Reply #568 on:** May 22, 2016, 08:51:08 pm »

Like the Novgorod or a WW1 Monitor.

U-33 · « **Reply #569 on:** May 22, 2016, 08:57:18 pm »

Quote from: ballastanksian on May 22, 2016, 08:51:08 pm

Like the Novgorod or a WW1 Monitor.
[/quote

I'm seriously contemplating a Novgorod...

ballastanksian · « **Reply #570 on:** May 23, 2016, 09:55:06 pm »

I built one in 1:50th at colege twenty years ago and it was fun. If you have access to an industrial wood lathe then you can turn the hull out of laminated wood:O)

If you do, please do a log on the project:O)

U-33 · « **Reply #571 on:** May 23, 2016, 09:59:16 pm »

No fancy tools here, more's the pity...but, a plastic dustbin lid might make a good start for a hull.

Unsinkable 2 · « **Reply #572 on:** September 03, 2016, 07:27:15 am »

Wow i would say it looks like a real one but I've never seen a real one, in fact I never even knew they existed until I joined mayhem (knowledge increased) so thanks for that and well done. Short boat, long thread!

It does somewhat remind me of an American logging tug

....... U2 runs off laughing....... Fast and far.....

warspite · « **Reply #573 on:** September 03, 2016, 12:08:06 pm »

Watch it - his club chairmans not within earshot

steamboat66 · « **Reply #574 on:** September 03, 2016, 05:01:09 pm »

i must admit that in my eyes, a motorflote could only be loved by it's own mother. having said that, i haven't yet seen a pusher that looks good.

News:

Author Topic: The infamous Motorflote ( Motorflotte ) push tug... (Read 244505 times)

Stavros

Stavros