Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2022 i Model Boats

Before moving on to the preparation for air brushing, I feel it’s worth first covering some methods I used to construct various fittings such as cordage reels, ladders, small armament and RHIBs, as these may prove useful not just for this build but for various other projects. One of the primary tasks I usually undertake is what I’d term as a ‘dry run’ fitting of all the components thus far constructed, i.e., before they are painted and installed into their respective locations on the model. Knowing all the necessary adjustments have been made gives me confidence that, when all the fittings are removed for air brushing, they can just as easily be reinstalled in the exact same location with no further work required – more on this later (see Photo…

All hands on deck! African Queen My congratulations to the lucky person who wins your November Prize Draw for the Billing Boats’ 1:12 scale African Queen kit. The African Queen was my first working model and she’s given me many hours of pleasurable sailing on our lake at Kirklees. As you will see, I did add a few refinements to my model. Charlie (Humphrey Bogart) is holding a glass of gin, and Rose (Katherine Hepburn) a cup of tea; obviously, he’s represented before the point in the film where she throws all his gin overboard! I did have to re-dress the figures used. For example, the lady came with a black dress, whereas in the film, although in mourning for her brother, Rose always wore white – so it was…

BUY THE BOOK Super-Battleships of World War II Due for release on December 22 by Osprey Publishing is this new work, penned by Mark Stille and illustrated by Paul Wright. The paperback format book, priced at £11.99, covers the Montana-Class, Lion-Class, H-Class, A-150 and Sovetsky Soyuz-Class. It can be ordered directly from www.ospreypublishing.com or via your local bookstore (please quote ISBN 978147 2846723). The Salty Sailor Newly added to Timbercraft’s range of mechanical model kits made of natural wood is the Salty Sailor kit (Ref. TK/48), which builds a manned sailboat that can be made to move with the waves that surround it simply by the turn of a handle. Carrying an RRP (Recommended Retail Price) of £32.95, the kit includes pre-shaped and drilled components, sandpaper, PVA glue and wax…

While pondering my next build and rummaging through my now way too thick ‘possible projects’ file, along with having ideal proportions for a working model, the interesting history behind, and attractive appearance of, this class of vessel quickly saw it become my preferred choice. You may well question why the US Army needed tugs of its own during World War II. When, however, you consider virtually all of its troops and their equipment had to cross oceans to get to the combat zones this makes perfect sense, because, of course, mass transportation such as this required not only ships but also auxiliary vessels to support them. The tugs employed were of steel construction and originally powered by a 100 hp engine – although this proved marginal and eventually 400 hp…

Memory Lane In previous instalments of ‘Memory Lane’ (and indeed in several earlier series in Model Boats, and elsewhere) I’ve presented many miniature two-stroke British model diesel engines, and here is yet another. Until now, however, never have I delved into the means of powering these once essential propulsion devices. Since I first began to collect and restore model internal combustion engines and electric motors (vintage radio gear, too, for that matter) prices have risen steadily. Certainly, the sort of exotica that I once purchased and restored when prices were manageable (Taplin twin cylinder diesels, Channel Islands and Gannet petrol engines, for example) are now way beyond my retired income. So, what to do? Well, I’ve mentioned before that attractive yet ‘minor’ accessories and tiny items such as model sized…

Letters can either be forwarded via email to editor@modelboats.co.uk or via post to Readers’ Letters, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR Mini plans I would just like to say how delighted I am that the centre page plans are making a reappearance in Model Boats. As a digital subscriber I do not get access to the ‘free plans; that are included in alternate issues, so I am delighted to get the centre page plans. The choice of Ashley’s Bumper Boats and Glynn’s 45ft Army tug are also very welcome. Small models with a very wide appeal. Long may this trend continue. CHRIS EAVES EMAIL Much appreciated feedback – thank you, Chris! And, yes, we hope to be including lots more of these mini-plans going forward.…

Model shows, and particularly model boat shows, are thin on the ground these days, as many of the long-established shows have sadly fallen by the wayside. I am, therefore, delighted the Blackpool Model Show continues – although, I hasten to add, not purely as a model boat show. The organisers have been savvy enough to realise that if events such as this are to survive, then they need to evolve and diversify in order to attract a much wider and larger audience. Blackpool, therefore, now embraces scale trucks, armoured vehicles, heavy plant, etc, as well as various model engineering exhibits. However, while I appreciate both the commercial reasoning behind this, and the benefits of bringing the modellers of all persuasions together, naturally it is the model boats we shall be…

Flotsam & Jetsam The pages of an old magazine can provide inspiration aplenty for modelmakers willing to try something a bit different for their next project, and none more so than the pages of Modern Mechanix. Produced by Fawcett Publications, this American magazine underwent a bewildering number of name changes from its inception in 1928 to its demise in 1996, but it’s the issues of the 1930s’ era we will be looking at here. The magazine started that decade with the title Modern Mechanics and Inventions, changed its spelling to Modern Mechanix and Inventions in 1932, and then became Mechanix Illustrated in 1938. Amazing covers Modern Mechanix really excelled with its covers. The full colour artwork, usually by Stewart Rouse, depicted startling machines achieving improbable feats amidst a blur of…

“Because it’s difficult to hold the round boiler when applying the cladding, the small jig suggested in the instructions is worth making” Having purchased your steam plant for this project from Clevedon Steam, first take the opportunity to have a close look at all of the components – but keep them in their separate bags. As you will see, everything comes finish machined. Comprehensive instructions for both the engine and boiler are also supplied – they are simple to build but do follow the instructions carefully. I don’t think I can add to these, but in this instalment will be sharing photos of my build as it progresses and commenting accordingly. Equipment required * Virgo vertical steam plant* Small gas tank* Gas refill adaptor* Butane gas cylinder The boiler Because…

The issue of running in engines has cropped up many times over the years and I’m still surprised at the divided opinions on the subject, as well as how little understanding of the process some show. I think a lot of this may stem from the fact that when I was young it was a normal practice to carefully run in a new vehicle engine for the first 500 to 1,000 miles of its life, slowly increasing the revs and load over time, whereas nowadays significantly more accurate manufacturing tolerances and more forgiving materials have almost removed the need for the procedure entirely. Most guidance from vendors tends to be something along the lines of “Just take it easy for a couple of hundred miles, change the oil, and you’ll…