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Author Topic: Thames Umpires Launch  (Read 4616 times)

Mach1

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Thames Umpires Launch
« on: February 09, 2019, 03:50:05 pm »

i am keen to build a model of a Thames river launch similar to the ones the umpires use following the Boat Race. Does any company produce a kit for such a model? I would like it to be about 36 - 40 inches long. If kits are not available there any plans available.
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tigertiger

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2019, 04:37:30 pm »

If you can find an image of the launch you want, it would help. I have just done an image search for Thames Umpires Launch, and there seems to be many of them, and all very different.
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Baldrick

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2019, 04:48:57 pm »

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Mach1

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2019, 07:58:51 pm »

Thank you for your help with my enquiry. I will have a look to see what type of launches are used in modern times. I am not looking for an old stream model as this would not be within my capability, but one that I could use with an electric motor.
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Mach1

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2019, 08:10:09 pm »

I have just located a very nice photo of the type of launch that I want to build, but will have to try and remember how to compress the photo file for attachment.
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tigertiger

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2019, 01:08:32 am »

You could make a model steam launch, and put an electric motor in it.
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Hotglove

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2019, 08:44:24 am »

If you email the photo to yourself it will automatically resize, then save it to a “Mayhem Pics” file you will end up with a library of pics that will load to the forum.
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tigertiger

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2019, 09:14:18 am »

A quick cheat, if you have windows, you can used the snipping tool.  Crop the area you want (maybe the whole photo) and then save as a JPEG. These will fit.
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Baldrick

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2019, 10:41:06 am »

TAMESIS TRUST. MUSEUM http://www.tamesis.org.uk/exhibits.htmlHistoric document collections.


Achive collections of historic books drawings, photos, catalogues and related material.The Heritage Steamboat Trust (part of the Steam Boat Association) have a very large collection of document archives which are currently held in store by four individuals on behalf of the Trust.The HST have agreed to relocate their extensive collection to the Museum. These archives have already been used for various publications by the SBA. The photos here show only a very small part of the SBA archive collection.The Goring and Streatley Historical Society wish to locate their extensive research work covering local River history about the S.E. Saunders boat building works at Streatley, Goring and the nearby old Springfield works (now a nature reserve).We know that several individuals and some local clubs would also like to contribute their own historic collections to the museum for future safe keeping

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Mach1

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2019, 03:07:06 pm »

Gosh thank you all for your help. I have resized the photo as you suggested.
What I am after building is a type of launch that they used today rather than a steam launch.
I would like to power it with an electric motor.
The varnish finish on the full size launch looks amazing and I imagine this might be difficult to achieve on a model.
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Hotglove

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2019, 04:32:51 pm »

Your photo looks like it might be a displacement hull rather than a planing type, if so perhaps check on the "Sales" page in the forum, there is a fibreglass hull, 40" for £30 posted by petesubman.
Varnish is all about patience and careful prep. Good luck with the project  :-))
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dougal99

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #11 on: February 10, 2019, 05:00:06 pm »


Take a look at https://www.sarikhobbies.com/product/choupette-2/


Although designed as a steam driven model, it could easily be adapted to electric drive. The overall shape is very similar to the boat in your picture and a  wood pack is available should you so desire.


Good luck with your project whatever you decide.  :-))
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Baldrick

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #12 on: February 10, 2019, 05:20:25 pm »

Gosh thank you all for your help. I have resized the photo as you suggested.
What I am after building is a type of launch that they used today rather than a steam launch.
I would like to power it with an electric motor.
The varnish finish on the full size launch looks amazing and I imagine this might be difficult to achieve on a model.


  In fact many of the launches which were originally built as steam were later converted to petrol engine power, some of which have now been converted back to steam by enthusiasts
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dougal99

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2019, 05:24:29 pm »


Just looked through my plans database.
You might also consider Elance and Tytsie both pland available form Sarik.


Cheers
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RST

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #14 on: February 10, 2019, 05:42:17 pm »

Interesting topic.


As an ex-rower (used to be captain of my university club) I've raced "tideway" a few times which is the same course as Oxford-Cambridge but opposite directions -and about 780 other crews at the same time!  More than once, it was more like the sea than a river.


Just to contribute nothing but say thank you for alerting / sharing me to these boats.  As I said -doing "tideway" course, abut a week or two before the boat race it was usually more RIB's and safety boats.

...One time we borrowed an eight from Oxford Uni.  My friends brother was in the movie "True Blue".  We spent a cpl of hrs that night in the simulated "raceway" where you sit in a concrete boat, there are two water channels either side with your oars dipped into, then finally took their spare boat down the river (no lights we should have) before we landed somewhere and climbed out for loading onto the trailer.


Really interested in the subject -I checked all the links, what great little launches, also read about the one deemed "no good" because of the wash LoL.  No surprise existing ones have been converted / coped etc.  What a fascninating read I never thought before, thanks.

Rich
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Mach1

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #15 on: February 10, 2019, 07:06:16 pm »

Thank you for the link to the Choupette model.
I have had a look and it sounds perfect for me. Although I know nothing about steam installation I do think this model would look better with it. I might pick up the courage and give it a try. Is it difficult to control the engine speed with radio control. A steam installation will cost me a four figure sum, hope it works.
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dougal99

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #16 on: February 10, 2019, 07:49:09 pm »


Steam is a closed book to me and I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner unless you know a good mentor. You could build the boat for electric drive and then, if you felt the need, modify it for steam. (Once you re-mortgaged your house  {-) ).


Best of luck
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Baldrick

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #17 on: February 10, 2019, 09:16:36 pm »




  The problem with steam would be weight . The umpires launch is a very fine lined craft built to a shallow draught , relatively narrow and lightweight to achieve high speed with minimal wash . The steam plant was also designed with a view to keeping weight down but this you cannot replicate in a plant to model scale . I know this from my Topaz, the hull and superstructure was quite light , about 1.5 kg but with the engine boiler and contents. condenser and  fuel tank installed ,weight came up to over 5kg  without electrics and batteries . This made freeboard an issue and meant choppy water was a no no .  In a shell like an umpires launch the weight would sink it.
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Mach1

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #18 on: February 11, 2019, 07:52:57 am »

Thank you for your very valuable help. I hadn’t thought about the weight issue. It would have been a disaster if I had installed a steam plant and the model sank straight to the bottom of the pond.
I will install an electric motor. I am looking forward to this project.
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chas

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #19 on: February 11, 2019, 03:15:06 pm »

If this is to be your first build, you might consider getting some practice with a simple kit that's relevant to your interest. The Deans marine slipper launch is inexpensive and a good starting point.
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Mach1

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #20 on: February 11, 2019, 03:24:01 pm »

It looks an interesting model. I will have a closer look at it.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #21 on: February 11, 2019, 03:57:49 pm »

The Dean's Lady Beale launch was reviewed in the May 2011 issue of Model Boats magazine. The review is online and can be seen here:

https://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article/lady-beale/8026

Certainly worth a look.

Colin
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Mach1

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #22 on: February 11, 2019, 04:20:39 pm »

Thanks for the info,. I will look at it this evening.
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Mach1

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #23 on: February 12, 2019, 04:35:56 pm »

I decided to purchase the 40inch hull that was for sale. It may not be a perfect scale for a Thames Umpires boat, but I am not looking for a totally accurate model just something that will give me pleasure to build and have fun with. I have been looking at lots of photos on the internet of full size umpire boats to give me an idea of how to arrange the inside. I will have many practise goes at planking the deck and trying to achieve the highly polished finish before I attempt it on the model. My previous deck planking experience has been on The Lady Wooes tug and The Boston Typhoon which didn’t need such a glossy finish.
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aeronut

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Re: Thames Umpires Launch
« Reply #24 on: February 13, 2019, 05:16:56 pm »

Choupette is well suited to steam.  :-))   Link
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