|
| |
|
David writes: |
I enjoy building and sailing radio controlled model
boats. My first was a 1:36 model of "Elke", a German fishing vessel,
purchased half-built from a friend. The original vessel is based at
Finkenwerder, a small fishing town on the edge of Hamburg. This was quite a
coincidence as we have friends called Friedhelm and Elke who live on the outskirts
of Hamburg. The model itself was the original Graupner model designed to
accommodate the installation of Variophon/Varioton R/C equipment. |
|
While I was completing the model of "Elke",
I purchased
a finished 1:24
model of "Peggy", another fishing boat , to enable
me to begin sailing.
"Peggy" has since been refurbished with a brass rudder as the white
metal one was showing signs of fatigue in the post. At 1m 22cm long (4ft for
those not yet metricated) a good rudder is essential to maintain control.
I have made other minor changes and finally renamed her "Lottie", after a
very special aunt whose legacy assisted with the purchase of the model.
|
|
I am currently working on a 1:48 model of the
"Irishman" tug, using the Model
Slipway kit, and I hope to have it complete and ready for launch in
the 2006 season.
|
In the summer of 2004 Lesley spotted a model of a
Vosper
RAF Rescue and Target Towing Launch (2754), true length 68ft and built to a
scale of 1:24, at the local auction viewing and so I went down to the
auction to have a look at it and, to cut a long story short, I came home with it!
The boat was originally built as a radio controlled model still with
the old valve based receiver. The
original motor (horse shoe magnet and hand wound motor) was still intact and, in
fact, still works as does the original steering geared mechanism, but unfortunately
the electronic control elements had been disconnected and rearranged into
something I do not recognise at all and nor does anyone else who has seen it.
At
present I am acquiring the necessary parts to refurbish and refit her and with
any luck she may also be on the water again in 2006.
A photo of the
sister launch (2753), both full size and model, were spotted in the July
2005 issue of the Model Boats Magazine.
|
|
David is a member of the
Burton and District Model Boat Club,
and enjoys sailing with them at Branston Water Park on Tuesday evenings throughout
the summer.
|
|
