**FREE 20 PAGE PREVIEW** Model Boats Magazine July 2024

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for Billing Boats’ newly updated 1:60 scale outrigger trawler

for this exquisite 1:24 scale Gentleman’s Motor Yacht

www.modelboats.co.uk July 2024 Vol.74 No.884

HERE COMES and a Greek fishing boat perfect for warm weather sailing sessions

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NEW SERIES

SLEEPING BEAUTY

THE SUPER HUSH-HUSH VERSATILE THEWWII MSC GP HULL We get the party started with some top tunes!

Model Boats • July 2024 www.modelboats.co.uk

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Vol. 74 IIssue 884: July 2024

EDITORIAL

Editor: Lindsey Amrani Designer: Fran Lovely Illustrator: Grahame Chambers Publisher: Steve O’Hara By post: Model Boats, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 529529 Fax: 01507 371066 Email: editor@modelboats.co.uk

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PUBLISHING Sales and Distribution Manager: Carl Smith Marketing Manager: Charlotte Park Commercial Director: Nigel Hole Publishing Director: Dan Savage Published by: Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR

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© Mortons Media Group 2022 All rights reserved ISSN 0140-2910 The Publisher’s written consent must be obtained before any part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, including photocopiers, and information retrieval systems. All reasonable care is taken in the preparation of the magazine contents, but the publishers cannot be held legally responsible for errors in the contents of this magazine or for any loss however arising from such errors, including loss resulting from negligence of our staff. Reliance placed upon the contents of this magazine is at reader’s own risk.

Model Boats, ISSN 0140 - 2910, is published monthly by Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR UK. The US annual subscription price is 89USD. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named WN Shipping USA, 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY 11256.

US Postmaster: Send address changes to Model Boats, WN Shipping USA, 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Subscription records are maintained at DSB.net Ltd, 3 Queensbridge, The Lakes, Northampton, NN4 5DT. Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent.

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contents

10 Compass 360

This month’s hobby-related news round-up

12 WIN a pre-production kit for Carli

Don’t miss your chance to net this unique prize courtesy of Billing Boats

14 Athene

Here comes summer… and Colin Bishop’s gorgeous Greek fishing boat build, perfect for the warm weather sailing sessions

22 The General-Purpose hull

Let’s get this party started! The first in a new series of articles from Ashley Needham kicks off with some top tunes…

30 HMS Warrior Part 2

David Bray continues his hands-on build review of this 1:100 scale Billing Boats’

38 FREE PLAN & build guide

Ray Wood explains how to build Shandau, an elegant gentleman’s motor yacht, working from this month’s free pull-out plan

46 Save money with a subscription

Check out our latest deals and get your favourite magazine for less

48 Flotsam & Jetsam: Sleeping Beauty

John Parker tells the tale of a hushhush World War II vessel so surreal it really could have come straight out of a fairytale!

52 ST Henley TLC, Part 2

Tony Bird forges on with his restoration of a vintage Stuart Turner steam launch hull (please also see the news story relating to Part 1 in this month’s Compass 360 section)

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WELCOME TO THE JULY 2024 ISSUE OF MODEL BOATS...

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38 48 58 Memory Lane: Days of Fury

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Vintage guru Dave Wiggins takes a little look back at the model diesel engines marketed by British manufacturer E.D. Ltd

61 Boiler Room

Richard Simpson conducts some pressurised liquid burner performance experiments

66 Your Letters Over to you…

68 Your Models

More of your brilliant work showcased

74 Next month…

Just three of the reasons you won’t want to miss the August 2024 issue of Model Boats

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Model Boats • July 2024 www.modelboats.co.uk

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lthough our front cover proclaims, “Here comes summer”, it’s actually grey, drizzly and still a little cold outside as I write. Hopefully, though – unless you live in Southern hemisphere – by the time you’re reading this we will be entering far more comfortable and clement sailing weather. And, if you get your skates on (probably a poor choice of idiom) there are some really inspirational and seasonally apt builds to consider in this month’s issue, for example: * Shandau – a gorgeous Gentleman’s Motor Yacht (for which a free pull-out plan is included) * Athene – a charming Greek Chaniotiki Gaita * The Bushy Belle – a great fun disco boat (and I defy you not to sing, or at least hum, along when you see Ashley Needham’s subheads!) all of which would be perfect to get out on your local lake/pond during the month’s you finally don’t have to wrap up like a North Sea fisherman in a hooley!

Having said that, if fishing boats are your thing, you certainly won’t want to miss the chance to win a factory preproduction sample of Carli, the 1:60 scale outrigger trawler kit that Billing Boats has been working on improving and updating ahead of its now imminent re-release, in our July prize draw (see pages 12-13).

On the subject of catches, but on a far more serious note, I must apologise for letting the suggestion of some very inadvisable practice slip past me while editing Part 1 of John Bird’s ST Henley TLC article in last month’s issue. As editor the buck always has to stop with me, so I say this with no disrespect to John whatsoever, but if any of you are now contemplating a similar restoration project on an old hull, please be sure to read the very important H&S warning flagged up in our Compass 360 news section (see page 10).

Finally, before wrapping up, I’m sure you will all want to join me in wishing our brilliant designer Fran Lovely, who will be leaving us once this issue has been put to press, all the best. Thanks, Fran, not only for all your hard work and marvellous layouts but for being an absolute joy to work with. You will be missed!

Next month, as well as all the other splendid content we have lined up, there will be another exclusive prize draw, this time for Ymer, Billing Boats’ terrific little tugboat kit. As with all competitions, ‘you have to be in it to win it’, and it could be your entry that gets pulled, so don’t miss the August issue, on sale (for those of you who don’t subscribe) from Friday, July 19.

Enjoy your read!

Lindsey 5

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www.modelboats.co.uk

July 2024 • Model Boats

Model Boats • July 2024 www.modelboats.co.uk

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Signals

Compass 360

If you have a news story for these pages, please contact the Editor, Lindsey Amrani, via e-mail at editor@modelboats.co.uk

URGENT HEALTH & SAFELY ALERT – PLEASE READ! Restoration

A very serious health & safety issue has been kindly brought to our attention by reader Robin Evans following last month’s publication of Part 1 of Tony Bird’s ST Henley TLC feature.

Consequently, this is an urgent warning about the extreme danger of any kind of exposure to asbestos while modelling. The PART inhalation or ingestion of asbestos dust or ONE ST He nle y TLC fibres can result in Mesothelioma (better known as Asbestosis), an incurable, S terminal cancer. Asbestos, therefore, should never be sawn, filed, sanded or drilled, etc. Indeed, once discovered asbestos should only ever be dealt with by specialist contractors, who will remove and dispose of it safely.

Further information about and advice regarding the dangers of asbestos can be sourced d via i Mesothelioma UK at www.mesothelioma.co.uk.

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Tony Bird explains how he turned a vintage Stuart Turner steam launch hull in a rather sorry state back into a magnificent, ready to hit the water again, beauty

ome time ago I acquired an old Stuart Turner Henley hull from a friend who had purchased it on eBay, and this is the story of its restoration/rebuild.

But first, a little history…

During the 1920s and 30s there were three fairly large companies manufacturing model steamboats: Bowman, Bassett Lowke and Stuart Turner. Both Bowman and Bassett Lowke made a similar model steam launch to the Henley. The Bowman ‘Snipe’ which was 23-inches long and cost £1-2s-6d, which equates, if you’re too young to remember pre-decimal days, to the princely sum of £1.121/2p. The Bassett Lowke ‘Dixie’ was 21-inches long, and slightly more costly, at £1-5s-0d – £1.25p in today’s money.

The Stuart Turner Henley was 24-inches long and a lot more expensive, at 2 guineas/£2-2s-0d, or £2.40p. What did that extra expenditure get you? Well, unlike the Snipe and the Dixie, the Henley’s engine was double acting, while the boiler was hard soldered copper rather than soft soldered brass and had two water tubes under it (these being absent on the

other two models). Another touch of luxury was that the hull was made from Honduras mahogany rather than pine. All three models were spirit fired and had safety valves, but none of them had a regulator; and only the Snipe had a crude lubricator fitted.

It would have been very interesting to compare their performances on the water.

Stuart Turner is, of course, well known in the model engineering world due to the finished model steam engines and casings that it still sells to this day. The Henley steam launch was the first of only a few designs of model boats that ST marketed; both Bowmen and Bassett Lowke had many more designs.

The first version of the Henley (this being the one that I acquired) was made between 1925 and 1929. There are records of 250 hulls having been made, while the boiler and engine had been designed, produced, and marketed a few years earlier as stationary

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rather than marine units (the engine used for the Henley is still available today, in both ready to run and kit form). All the Henley’s parts were available as separate units for anyone wanting to build their own version, or indeed use to create a totally different model.

Given this, you’d be forgiven for thinking plenty of factory and home built examples would still be around today. Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to be the case, and other than what was in the old Stuart Turner catalogues and advertisements, along with a few photographs on the internet, there isn’t a

“The first version of the Henley (this being the one that I acquired) was made between 1925 and 1929”

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www.modelboats.co.uk June 2024 • Model Boats

OUT AND ABOUT Roker Park MBC Open Day

The Roker Park Model Boat Club will, together with the Friends of Roker Park (Whitburn Road, Sunderland, SR6 9PF), be holding a summer open day on Sunday, June 30, between 10am and 3pm.

Amongst numerous other model boats to be sailed will be a large-scale SD14 model that members of the Roker Model Boat Club spent the last winter restoring on behalf of the Sunderland Maritime Museum. The huge 15ft model, made up of three-bolted together sections, was originally built by a Mr Norman Hill of Weston-Super-Mare, but, after having been transported all around the country for various displays over many years, was donated to the museum in need of a complete rebuild.

Roker MBC Secretary Alan Wilkinson explains: “Early on in World War, following heavy loses amongst the cargo ships bringing supplies to the UK, a replacement design

by Sunderland shipbuilder Mr E. Thompson was taken up, with almost 3,000 of what were became known as ‘Liberty Ships’ swiftly built and delivered to the Allied merchant fleets. Post-war, having served their purpose, these 10,000-ton deadweight tramping ships 10

New kit for the Belle Poule A new 1:90 scale OcCre kit offers modellers the chance to recreate the 60-gun First Rank frigate of the French Navy frigate the Belle Poule, probably best remembered as the vessel that posthumously repatriated Napoleon in December 1840, the ship being painting black for the historic voyage from the island of St Helena to France.

OcCre’s kit features

were, by the early 1960s, approaching the end of their viable working lives. So, once again, it was Sunderland to rescue, with the shipbuilding company Austin & Pickersgill (now part of British Shipbuilding) coming up with a solution: the 14,000 tons SD14. Over 200 of these Liberty Ship replacement vessels were built between 1968 and 1988.

“Due to the local history behind this model, we were, therefore, very proud when In October 2023 the Sunderland Maritime Museum asked if we could help with the refurbishment of the donated model.

“Now, this model isn’t exactly a ‘back of your car’ size model, and we don’t have our own club house; we simply share the bowling pavilion located next to the purpose-built boating lake in Roker Park. Fortunately, however, between September and April the bowlers go into hibernation, allowing us full use of the pavilion, so we knew that the refurb of the SD14 would have to be finished by the end of winter. But, with limited sailing during the winter months, we had time on our hands, and as an added bonus the project allowed us to get new members involved and appreciative of just what can be achieved by working together.

more than 6,600 parts and comes complete with sails, a stand and a cast plaque featuring the model’s name, comprehensive and fully illustrated instructions, scale blueprints and a life-time warranty. Priced at just over £400, orders can be placed on the manufacturer’s own website at https://occre. com/ or via one of its UK distributors (see ads).

Under restoration: the SD14 that will be sailed at the June 30 Roker Park MBC Open Day. “We began with removing all of the superstructure, after which the hull was sanded and repaired before being repainted, while the mast houses, hatch covers, and accommodation block were renovated by different club members within their own homes. By February we were ready to start the re-assembly of all the components and undertake the necessary electrical work, and much to our relief, by early March we had returned the SD14 to former glory.

“The model is now displayed at the Sunderland Maritime Museum, but those coming along to our open day will, for one day only, be able to see her actually being sailed on the lake at Roker Park.” www.modelboats.co.uk

July 2024 • Model Boats

Signals

MPBA Centenary celebrations

Wings/Wheels/Water at Old Warden

The long-established aero-modelling meets organised by the Shuttleworth Trust and held at Old Warden aerodrome have recently been expanded to incorporate other popular modelling disciplines, including model boats.

The next Model Air: Wings/Wheels/Water event is scheduled for July 27-28, 2024, when both static model boat displays and sailing exhibitions on a lake within the Old Warden complex will be put on by various regional model boats clubs. The Model Hovercraft Association will also be in attendance, plus there will be some interesting trade stands for visitors to browse.

A specially dedicated area has been set aside for the model boat element of the show alongside the lake. A grass parking area has also been arranged for those participating (this field does not give direct vehicular access to the lakeside but is adjacent to the show area). The lake is large enough for most model boats but there are only a couple places with firm level ground from which to launch and recover models. The Luton Model Boat Club, however, will be operating a rescue boat to recover any models that get into difficulties.

All enquiries (whether from members of the public, clubs wishing to participate or businesses looking to book stands) will be welcomed by mark.cooper@shuttleworth.org

2024 marks the centenary of the Model Power Boat Association. As finding a body of water that would provide all of the different conditions required for each of the six sections that make up the MPBA at one large event, it’s therefore been agreed that each section will hold its own Centenary Regatta. These events will be held around the country at the venues normally used by the individual sections.

Dates planned are as follows, but please confirm with the relevant section secretary.

Further details can be found towards the end of the MPBA 2024 Yearbook.

■ Multi: Saturday, June 8 at Elmbridge ■ Circuit: Sunday, June 9 at Elmbridge ■ Fast Electric: July 6 & 7 at Bridlington ■ Straight Running: July 28, Victoria Park, London

■ Tethered Hydroplanes: August 24 & 25 at Kingsbury Water Park, ■ Radio Scale: September 8 at Bournville The MPBA hopes that as many members as possible will attend these events, either to participate, watch/support others or just generally enjoy the celebrations.

Anyone interested in joining the MPBA can find details on the Association’s website at https://mpba.org.uk/membership/

The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival

With 2024 marking its 31st anniversary, the annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, set around the charming 17th century harbour in Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, is this year scheduled for the weekend of June 23-24, having recently extended its sponsorship deal with the Glenglassaugh Distillery for another two years.

The festival is a glorious celebration of the north east’s nautical past, where you can see the finest traditional sailing craft, hear a great line-up of live music, and enjoy a dram or two of Glenglassaugh’s superb coastal single malts paired with some delicious Scottish food and drink.

For more information visit www.stbfportsoy.org

David Urquhart, Chairman of the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival (left), and Stewart Buchanan, Global Brand Ambassador for the Glenglassaugh Distillery (right), share a wee dram at Portsoy’s historic harbour.

PRIZE DRAW RESULT Are you making Progress?

Kirklees MBC Summer Open Day

The Kirklees Model Boat Club will be holding its annual Summer Open Day at Wilton Park, Bradford Road, Batley WF17 8JH from 9.30am to 3.30pm on July 14, 2024. Visitors will be welcome to sail their own model boats alongside those belonging to members on the club’s lake (please note, steam powered models will need an up-to-date certificate and no I.C. or high-performance fast electric boats can be accommodated), plus there will be static model boat and military vehicle displays, trade stands to browse, a massive raffle (in support of the RNLI), refreshments served and free on site car parking. For more information. contact the club’s events planner on 0113 2675790.

Model Boats • July 2024

www.modelboats.co.uk

In the May 2024 issue of Model Boats we were able to offer you the unique opportunity of netting a preproduction factory sample for Billing Boats’ newly updated 1:60 scale kit for the North Sea fishing trawler Progress. The draw has now taken place and we’re delighted to announce that catch of the day goes to Mr Peter Guy, Orton Waterville, Peterborough.

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EXCLUSIVE PRIZE DRAW COURTESY OF BILLING BOATS

WIN!

A PRE-PRODUCTION KIT FOR CARLI F

ollowing on from the Progress Prize Draw in the May issue, this month we’re offering you the opportunity to win a pre-production sample of another of the 1970s’ 1:60 scale kits that Billing Boats has been improving and updating ahead of releasing to the trade – this time around for the outrigger trawler Carli.

Created for the test build stage of the production process, this particular kit may feature slight differences to the ones brought to market, so you will, therefore, be winning something money literally can’t buy!

The easy-build kit, which comes with Billing Boats’ newly put together photo manual, will be perfect for those just getting started in the hobby. It will also, however, offer plenty of enjoyment for the more experienced amongst you, as once you’ve completed the basic build you can then invest your time and skills in further detailing the superstructure and/or installing all the necessary equipment for R/C operation.

To further explore the Billing Boats range visit www.billingboats.com 12

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July 2024 • Model Boats

EXCLUSIVE PRIZE DRAW COURTESY OF BILLING BOATS

HOW TO ENTER

To be included in the draw, all you need to do is complete the entry form below, cut it out (those of you who don’t want to deface your magazine can instead photocopy and complete the form) and mail it back to us at: BB Carli Kit Prize Draw Model Boats, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR Please note, the closing date for entry submissions will be Friday, July 19, 2024.

Good luck, everyone!

TERMS & CONDITIONS

N.B. For this particular prize draw we can only accept entries from those residing in mainland UK, the European Union and North America. The competition closes on July 19, 2024. There are no cash alternatives available. Terms and conditions apply.

To view the privacy policy of MMG Ltd (publisher of Model Boats) please visit www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

BB CARLI KIT PRIZE DRAW Name: Address:

Postcode: Tel No: Email:

Model Boats • July 2024

www.modelboats.co.uk

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Here comes summer...

ATHENE

Colin Bishop shares detail of a Greek fishing boat build that’s perfect for warm weather sailing sessions

Here comes summer...

Here comes summer...

The frames and deck derived from scaling up the kit drawings. Note prop tube already in place.

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he June 2021 issue of Model Boats featured my review of the attractive Navarino Models 1:24 scale traditional Greek Chaniotiki Gaita fishing boat kit. Its small size and method of construction put it firmly in the static model category, but the instructions did include full size drawings of the major hull components, which made me think about the possibility of building a larger working version in the future.

For many years, my wife and I have visited Greece on a regular basis, and I have taken the opportunity to photograph the colourful and attractive caique type fishing boats to be found all over the region. All the small ports in Greece have their local fleets of fishing boats and, while some of them are now modern designs with GRP hulls, the majority are still built from wood in the traditional way.

The building technique is standard over a wide range of boat sizes, but then individual owners add their own take on fitting out and painting their boats. As a result, there are hardly any two boats that appear the same.

Just Google ‘Greek Fishing Boats’ and the incredible variety becomes very clear.

Apart from size, there are two main

Installing and testing the rudder servo and chain linkage.

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characteristics governing the appearance of the boats. Firstly, there is the layout. The hull has to accommodate a fish hold, the engine, and often a small wheelhouse/shelter/cuddy.

The latter might be perched above the deck or partially set into the hull and comes in all shapes and sizes. The fish hold can be forward or aft. Plenty of deck space is left for handling the fishing gear and nets. As far as the model maker is concerned, it’s a pick & mix situation; you can just look at all the online images and choose what appeals to you most – which is exactly what I did.

The stern section added, showing rudder mounting.

The bow and main decks added.

The decking completed and side sections added. Dummy frames are inserted between the actual ones. www.modelboats.co.uk

July 2024 • Model Boats

Here comes summer...

“Sadly, these lovely vessels are an endangered species” Secondly, there are the colour schemes.

Every owner has his own ideas, and the paintwork is usually unique and invariably attractive. So, again, the model maker has free rein, although blue and white are always the most popular colours.

Generally, fishing boats tend to exhibit a good deal of weathering, but the majority of the Greek boats are maintained in pristine condition by their proud owners and are a delight to the eye.

Sadly, these lovely vessels are an endangered species. The Mediterranean has been heavily overfished by the big commercial operators who (as elsewhere) hoover up marine life with their large vessels.

The European Union in 1996 introduced regulations to prevent overfishing, which resulted in thousands of Greek fishermen handing in their fishing licences and destroying their boats in return for subsidies.

One knock on effect was that the boatyards building the boats also went out of business and only a few remain. Today, it is difficult, if not impossible, to make a living from Caique fishing and most of the boats that remain are used on a part time basis, with the owners (with an average age of over 50) having a second job onshore. Catches are used to supply local markets and restaurants rather than being marketed further afield.

Boats are however being repurposed to support the tourist trade, offering fishing trips and being used as waterbuses and ferries along the holiday resort beaches.

The hull planking completed, with gummed paper strip used to smooth over minor cracks, etc.

Right: Further progress, with the offset motor and belt drive installed.

The Bruder figure gives an indication of scale.

Below: The gunwales and rubbing strakes were fixed in place by pinning and clamping and then running thin Superphatic glue along the join.

The cabin and hatch superstructure were built around a deck coaming in the conventional way.

Model Boats • July 2024 www.modelboats.co.uk

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Here comes summer...

“The drawings with the Navarino kit included all the hull sections, hull profile, and deck plan showing where the sections interacted with the deck – in fact everything that was needed to construct a scratch-built version” Model considerations and initial construction

At the outset I wanted to follow the original construction in model form and used several types of wood, including lime/basswood, birch ply, balsa and spruce, together with hardwood strip.

The drawings with the Navarino kit included all the hull sections, hull profile, and deck plan showing where the sections interacted with the deck – in fact everything that was needed to construct a scratchbuilt version. Plus, of course, I had already built the kit so was familiar with the basic assembly. It only remained to decide the scale for my working version. After some thought I decided on 1:16 scale, so scanned in the Navarino drawings and enlarged them accordingly for printing out. There were some very minor issues in the scanning process, but eventually an acceptable hull length of 21 inches (54cm) was achieved.

This represented a full-size boat approaching 30 feet, or 9 metres. I rearranged the keel and stern frame to accommodate a shaft and propeller as fitted on modern boats (the Navarino kit depicts a more traditional sailing version) and modified the hull frames to allow them to be cut out to provide internal hull space in the central section of the boat.

Missing intermediate frames at deck level were simulated by wooden inserts, as on the original Navarino model. They look quite effective.

The completed cabin and hatch superstructure in the workshop.

Some modification at the bow was needed to achieve a fair run of planking to the stem, which may have been due to scanning distortions, but the end result was OK. The framing bodges were covered up by the planking anyway; wood construction is very forgiving in that respect. At the stern the Chaniotiki Gaita hull featured a small transom, whereas most vessels of this type are double ended, but that is a relatively minor difference.

I made an error with the basswood hull planking in cutting the widths to 5mm; these proved difficult to bend at the hull ends, necessitating a lot of stealer planks and some filler. This wasn’t too much of a problem, but I could have saved myself some effort with narrower main planks. The hull on these boats is essentially smooth, with only a suggestion of the carvel planking being apparent to the onlooker. I have left some indications of planking on the hull of the finished model as this would be apparent on the full-size version.

Steering method

At an early stage it was necessary to determine the means of steering the boat. In full size practice the fisherman would use a long tiller to turn the rudder. For those boats with wheelhouses, I have not been able to see how the boat might have been steered, but they all seem to feature tillers. As far as the model is concerned however, I needed a servo below decks to operate the rudder. The poseable crewman figure I had was too stiff to move with the tiller, so control had to be disguised. The most unobtrusive method was to use a chain linkage through the transom.

The mini servo is concealed beneath the after hatchway on the rear deck. The basic mechanism can be seen in the photo.

Deck planking

Most boats of this type tend to have painted decks, but there are some where the planking is exposed. In either case, when the boat is in use the deck tends to be covered to protect it from the effects of fishing with tarpaulin,

Turkish fishing boat lines, as mentioned in the text.

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www.modelboats.co.uk

July 2024 • Model Boats

Here comes summer...

The steering control components, which form a secure ‘closed loop’ Adjustments can be made by running the securing pins through the appropriate chain links.

A bit of help with the deck planking!

The after section of hull, showing deck planking from spruce sheet. Black caulking would have been incorrect on this boat. or even old carpet! I decided to plank my deck and leave it on view, as it adds to the appearance of the model. Planks were cut from thin spruce sheet from SLEC using my Minicraft circular saw, but as an alternative these could simply be cut with a knife. The actual width of the planking needed a bit of research. I knew it was fairly wide and could vary but the online photos gave few clues. In the end I found the answer in one of my own photos taken in the Chania, Crete Maritime Museum back in 2010, which indicated a width of about 3.5 inches. When applied to the model this looked just about right, although the precise width isn’t critical. These boats don’t seem to feature prominent deck caulking, so there are no black lines between the planks.

Superstructure

Whereas the hull construction of these boats is fairly standardised, the above deck arrangements vary widely. The engine is of course hidden below deck and the fish hold is not prominent. All except the smallest vessels have some form of shelter for the fisherman: some feature full height deckhouses, others have lower structures let into the hull, and some just have small cuddy shelters with only the top protruding above deck. After some thought I decided to go for a partially recessed deckhouse as this gave a more balanced profile to the boat. Crew access would be via a rear door plus a sliding hatch on the roof, much as is the practice with a modern cruising yacht.

The deckhouse itself would carry modern navigational aids such as radar and VHF aerial, as well as the standard navigation lights. All in all, it would be an attractive combination of traditional hull with up-todate features. What’s not to like?

Model Boats • July 2024

www.modelboats.co.uk

A selection of fittings and detail, homemade and commercial. And yes, some lobsters are blue!

Propulsion and R/C

I hadn’t built a model like this before, so had to give some thought to propulsion. Being quite small, the boat wouldn’t need a great deal of power, despite its bluff lines. Based on previous experience I estimated that a 25mm 3-blade propeller would be enough but erring on the side of caution allowed space for a 30mm prop if needed. Looking through my collection of motors it seemed that an old 6v Monoperm would be up to the job, especially if geared down. Today’s equivalent would be a low drain 280 or 360 type.

I used my favourite method of belt drive to gear down the motor and allow it to be tucked partially under one of the side decks.

The low power consumption of the Monoperm means that a high-capacity battery is not required, and so I fitted a six cell AA size 2500 mAh NiMH pack of low self-discharge cells from Vapextech Uk Ltd at a very reasonable cost.

As a single screw boat, the R/C setup is straightforward, with just a rudder servo and a Mtroniks Viper 15 speed controller, which also supplies power to the RX via a BEC. My wiring looks a bit more complicated but includes an on-deck switch and LED power indicator, plus a fuse and charging lead.

The completed rudder. Note swivelling brass rod which stops it lifting off its mountings. It is also possible to remove the propeller without unshipping the rudder.

A ‘busy’ interior, but there are some optional extras. The RX is mounted vertically to keep the aerial above the waterline. The brass screwed rod is for the retaining nut keeping the cabin and hatch securely attached.

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Here comes summer...

“A modern version of one of these traditional boats can carry a surprising number of fittings, and it’s only when you look at photos that you realise just how many” Fittings

A modern version of one of these traditional boats can carry a surprising number of fittings, and it’s only when you look at photos that you realise just how many. All except the smallest carry winches to deploy the nets and the arrangements can be quite complex. I settled for a single winch fitted to the starboard bow, which is a common configuration.

My little owner seems to be quite successful, judging by the modern radar and well-equipped cabin.

Almost all these boats feature a circular hatch on the foredeck giving access to stowage underneath, and I must confess I don’t know exactly what is stored there.

Frequently there’s another hatch at the stern, but in this case, as I needed to house the steering servo, it’s a raised rectangular cover.

The only other hull fitting is the rudder, which hangs from the sternpost.

Extra detail

Anchoring usually involves a grapnel type and rope line suitable for sandy shallow seabeds.

This is secured to the boat via a king post up forward. Two long sweeps are frequently carried stowed along the guardrails in case of engine failure.

Decks are typically quite cluttered, so I’ve included a variety of commercial and scratchbuilt items to give the model some extra life.

The completed model with all detail added.

The forward section showing detail in close up.

I’ve also added some nets, sewn by my wife Liz from yellow tulle fabric, with beads as floats, plus some of ‘today’s catch’, the latter from Macs Mouldings. These small boats typically net a variety of small sea life, although perhaps not the variety shown on my boat all at one time. Octopi are also welcomed at the local tavernas, but I can’t bring myself to eat these intelligent little creatures.

The aft section in close up. The tiller has to move independently of the helmsman, a necessary compromise.

“These boats are highly individual when it comes to size and how they are fitted out and finished, but the sky-blue paintwork applied to my model is pretty typical”

Athene with her earlier kit sister Phaestos, showing the degree of scaling up. The Bronze Owl from Delphi is associated with Athene and represents wisdom and knowledge.

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July 2024 • Model Boats