Hello everyone,
I'm new here, and still poking around looking at previous posts.
I'm 42, from Belfast, and am coming back to model boats after an absence of a few years due to work commitments. (I'm still very busy, thankfully, and need to do something other than work all the time). I haven't been to the local pond for about four years or so. As well as boats, I like to fiddle with On30 & Gn15 railways. I'm also about to convert a Bakelite GEC radio (not working) into a media centre PC, because I can (a recurring theme).
I've built & part built a few boats, the first was the Yellow Peril, which is a toy boat I played with in the bath as a kid, fitted with a 2 channel radio, Meccano running gear and a reverser made out of relays. No pretence at any kind of a model, but it worked well, cost almost nothing (another recurring theme!) and sailed really well.
I converted a Maplins (can't remember the name) speedboat with a bigger motor, propeller and a fairly brutal on / off "speed" control The motor is water cooled using a scoop made from the cooling pipe off a dead fridge. It runs at ludicrous speed for about 4 minutes, and has a big Wiley Coyote head fitted to the drivers body with a woodscrew. This one is known as the Acme Powerboat.
I've also an HMS Sheffield & an American harbour tug built from Model Boats plans. The tug has sound and lights, and needs a coat of pain and generally finished off. the cruiser hull is painted, and I've sailed it, but the decks and superstructure need finished off. There's a dynamic diving submarine too, bought from a fellow sailer, but I haven't touched it as yet.
That's me, such as it is. I never have enough time, and still work a lot, so please forgive me in advance if I'm late in posting or replying.
All the best for now.
Les