Topic: Solent Spear - Has anyone built a model of one? (Read 10322 times)

Vintage · « **Reply #25 on:** November 30, 2020, 11:26:30 pm »

Quote from: mudway on November 30, 2020, 10:18:00 pm

Didn't MFA put out a kit of a Spear?

Yes, they did

Although, to be fair, it was a fairly crude adaptation of their popular Spearfish model...
Hope this helps.
Mark

madwelshman · « **Reply #26 on:** November 30, 2020, 11:43:12 pm »

Quote from: Vintage on November 30, 2020, 11:26:30 pm

Yes, they did
Although, to be fair, it was a fairly crude adaptation of their popular Spearfish model...
Hope this helps.
Mark

Apologies to Mudway then, my mistake. I thought it was just the Spearfish and Fantome that they did.

Will

canabus · « **Reply #27 on:** December 01, 2020, 08:05:57 am »

HI All

Well I checkout my Precedent Huntsman 31 and it's 33 and 7/8"(860mm) x 10and 5/8'(270mm).

Very Close to the Solent hull size.

Canabus

madwelshman · « **Reply #28 on:** December 01, 2020, 11:08:00 am »

Quote from: canabus on December 01, 2020, 08:05:57 am

HI All

Well I checkout my Precedent Huntsman 31 and it's 33 and 7/8"(860mm) x 10and 5/8'(270mm).

Very Close to the Solent hull size.

I reckon something could be done with a Huntsman 31 hull.
The question is, which would be easier to modify, a wooden hull, or a fibreglass hull?

Will

ChrisF · « **Reply #29 on:** December 01, 2020, 11:09:55 am »

Well done Mudway, I hadn't heard of one either. They will be as rare as the proverbial!

As said a crude model though and they haven't even bothered with the modified stern. Their models are only semi-scale though, only good part is the hull!

Pity I recently sold my as new Spearfish kit!

Chris

madwelshman · « **Reply #30 on:** December 01, 2020, 11:17:54 am »

Chris, I recognise the Spear model pictured, having seen them before, but not realised they were called a Spear.
As far as I'm aware, the MFA Spear, far pre dates the Solent Spear, so the model isn't based upon the full size version of the same name, I don't think.

Could look worse though, it could be an MFA Fantome!!

Will

ChrisF · « **Reply #31 on:** December 01, 2020, 11:24:11 am »

You're right Will, it's the Fairey Spear. Should have known really as I mentioned it in an earlier post! Designed for military and police use.

Yes, you have to wonder what they were doing with the Fantôme, Fairey that is!

Chris

madwelshman · « **Reply #32 on:** December 01, 2020, 11:31:38 am »

The Fantome in my opinion just looks a bulky and heavy boat.
The hull is fine, its just the superstructure which doesnt work for me.
I'm sure it's a great boat with plenty of accommodation too, I just can't warm to it's looks though.

Will

canabus · « **Reply #33 on:** December 01, 2020, 11:45:00 am »

Hi All
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac-tNP7nWGE

Found a video of the boat !!!

Canabus

zooma · « **Reply #34 on:** December 01, 2020, 12:01:28 pm »

Quote from: canabus on December 01, 2020, 08:05:57 am

HI All

Well I checkout my Precedent Huntsman 31 and it's 33 and 7/8"(860mm) x 10and 5/8'(270mm).

Very Close to the Solent hull size.

Canabus

My glass fibre Huntsman 31 measures 34' long and 11" wide - perfect as a "doner" hull to modify for use as a Spear - and I think I know where I can find a spare g/f hull!

madwelshman · « **Reply #35 on:** December 01, 2020, 12:17:05 pm »

Quote from: canabus on December 01, 2020, 11:45:00 am

Hi All
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac-tNP7nWGE

Found a video of the boat !!!

Canabus

I must admit, I think they look great on the water.
Certainly appear manuverable and to perform well.

Will

madwelshman · « **Reply #36 on:** December 01, 2020, 12:30:18 pm »

Only '3' Solent Spear were made apparently, so no surprise that info on them isn't easy to find.

https://youtu.be/P3elHzMg1UU

Will

zooma · « **Reply #37 on:** December 01, 2020, 04:53:52 pm »

Quote from: canabus on December 01, 2020, 11:45:00 am

Hi All
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac-tNP7nWGE

Found a video of the boat !!!

Canabus

Good helpful video Harry - it gives a nice 360 degree view of the boat to start with and the action shots show that it can pick is feet up too!

Thanks for sharing it with us!

Bob.

zooma · « **Reply #38 on:** December 01, 2020, 04:59:00 pm »

Quote from: madwelshman on December 01, 2020, 12:30:18 pm

Only '3' Solent Spear were made apparently, so no surprise that info on them isn't easy to find.

https://youtu.be/P3elHzMg1UU

Will

Hi Will.

Another nice video link showing a "rare" Solent Spear (one of only three ever made).

I also found the Supermarine Swordfish 36 and the 1977 Triana Tantarella 35 interesting too!

Thanks for sharing it with us!

Bob.

zooma · « **Reply #39 on:** December 01, 2020, 09:32:08 pm »

We have pictures and video of "ORA" and "BARCHI" who both appear to be enjoying life in the sun in Australia - but does anyone know the name and location of the third (and last) member of the class?

madwelshman · « **Reply #40 on:** December 01, 2020, 09:46:29 pm »

Quote from: zooma on December 01, 2020, 09:32:08 pm

We have pictures and video of "ORA" and "BARCHI" who both appear to be enjoying life in the sun in Australia - but does anyone know the name and location of the third (and last) member of the class?

The only one I knew of was Barchi.
ORA, is a new one on me.

Well done guys, good hunting, interesting too.

Will

ChrisF · « **Reply #41 on:** December 01, 2020, 11:22:07 pm »

Here's the open cockpit version (pity it has a cover on) and is probably the only one of this type. Guess what it's called!

Chris

zooma · « **Reply #42 on:** December 01, 2020, 11:27:54 pm »

Thats original!

madwelshman · « **Reply #43 on:** December 01, 2020, 11:29:53 pm »

Bet the owner took ages debating what to call it

ChrisF · « **Reply #44 on:** December 02, 2020, 12:02:23 am »

In all seriousness I think it's just the manufacturers name in the same way that Huntsman is shown on some boats. Reason I say that is because I read a 2005 boat test including a hard-topped version and that had Solent Spear on the transom in the same size and style lettering. May well have been named since then and the open cockpit one?

The other two boats have obviously had it replaced by the name. Anyway, that's three!

Chris

RST · « **Reply #45 on:** December 02, 2020, 12:24:48 am »

I actually quite prefer that open cockpit version -if you take the hood down the lines look better to me and then it reveals its size also. I quite like fairey boats modified with cabins but on this it looks a bit too much like a "cuddy" out the box to me. Interested to see if there are any more pics with the hood down.

ChrisF · « **Reply #46 on:** December 02, 2020, 12:39:50 am »

Yes, that's my view also and if I was building one would be the version I'd build. having said that it does look a bit like a big speed boat due to the low height of the cabin above the deck!

Chris

RST · « **Reply #47 on:** December 02, 2020, 01:24:26 am »

Yes I agree to me it looks more like a speedboat pedigree and less like a day fishing boat. Much sleeker lines. Maybe why they never sold many?

canabus · « **Reply #48 on:** December 02, 2020, 04:16:47 am »

Hi All

On checking the video, the Barchi is registered at the Royal Marine Yacht Club in New South Wales Australia.

It maybe at Broken Bay or Newport ???

I sent of an email to the club to see if I get an answer.

Canabus

zooma · « **Reply #49 on:** December 30, 2020, 12:34:09 pm »

Do we have any collectors of the manufacturers sales brochures who may have copy of the Solent Spear info by any chance?

Fairey brochures usually give the waterline length and this would help to determine the amount of adjustment that will be needed to a 34" MFA Huntsman 31 hull to get the correct length.

The side profile drawing would be handy too!

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Author Topic: Solent Spear - Has anyone built a model of one? (Read 10322 times)

RST

RST