the Shannon pair i built together, Richard, one for a friend who doesnt build but shows to raise money for the RNLI, and mine was a present from a friend in canada who bought it for me as a way of helping him through depression…………the two on the bench……..now the one astern of the other is a restoration which turned into a rebuild, again for my friend who shows but doesnt buil;d……….and the one in front…..the Tyne is a lifeboat i served on for a very short period of time asa trainee in the mid 1980s before my new wife decided after only 7 months of married "bliss" we were moving out of fleetwood to be neared to her mother but i am enjoying that one where as the orange other boats i found a way of keeping busy………..the rib i enjoyed as i could work on it on a board on a chair whilst watching TV…………….AND THE BEAUTIFUL motor sailor, is my kind of build……..using old techniques and lovely timbers that bring it to life…………….and my next one is my 1950's CLASSIC Liverpool lifeboat with all wood interiors, before a 61' classic 1924 61' Barnett class lifeboat………..so thats my building calender………….no more orange ones, lol.

Edited By neil howard-pritchard on 10/03/2021 22:51:15

Edited By Colin Bishop on 04/04/2021 10:06:40

i've seen a few Mediators and Moderators named in the kits, but not a Watcher before. my old metal work teacher was an RNVR Lieutenant Commander during the 1970/80/90's and sailed on the Watcher and Moderater, and would invite myself and another model boat maker down into the "ward room"…….a small spare space for a few noggins when ever he and his ships came into Fleetwood on a courtesy call………we never seemed to be able to manage to leave the ship sober, lol.

Hi Phil

Great start on both of your models , nice handy size

Keep posting updates pls

Tim

Hi Tim

Thank you for the compliment

It is the first time that I have built boats and still lots more to do on them

But a good learning curve

Phil

Hi. Colin, I do like the beauty in the simplicity of this boat, but you do have both the inside and outside to get right.

A lovely build.

Eddie.

Edited By Colin Bishop on 04/04/2021 10:07:51

I have been honing up my plan drawing skills, as well as a bit of shipmodelling thrown in. This has been for my own amusement and satisfaction more than anything else, because interest in my ship preferences has fallen to an all-time low recently. I may well put them all together in a book, and never mind the cost –

I am becoming more academic these days, as putting things down on paper, whether in the form of plans or writing, keeps the mind very active and supple, even if there is little or no interest in it! A great stress-buster as I am no longer coming under pressure to get something finished, that was always the problem with models.

——————

I have found many advantages to being trapped indoors – It was like being at sea again, where the real world was something hundreds or thousands of miles away, and not of my concern. It was only the thoughts of the virus itself that was something of a worry, – the isolation was in many ways a welcome relief. I am now accepting things as they are, and am quite relaxed about it all.

—-

Life at best is but an enigma, and like children pursuing a "Will O' The Wisp,"so do we all pursue the illusive beacon light of a brighter and happier to-morrow – always hoping, never attaining, though striving ever until, wearied of the vain pursuit, at last we fall by the wayside and are forgotten.

Charles Clark Munn (1847 – 1917)

Edited By Colin Bishop on 04/04/2021 10:09:23

Hi Chaps

I`ve had a right job sorting out, how to post a picture on the Forum!

But my patience has been rewarded…..As we can see

During the lockdown, I`ve built an MTB boat, as a club challenge and also covered two ugly wardrobes with some of my paintings, from yesteryear!. The background has been painted deep red to simulate a typical Art Gallery. the effect is most impressive.

The problem is that nobody can visit due to the Virus restrictions!

Oooops!…..can`t find my photo now!

Back shortly chaps……Bob

Found it!…..Phew. 

Edited By Bob Abell on 04/04/2021 10:31:21

Edited By Bob Abell on 04/04/2021 10:35:48

Yes, very good Bob. I cant paint either! Nice to be able to display your work even if it just for private viewings!

Like the old sign behind your pt boat, about the frequencies! A thing of the past now with the new radio sets.

Ashley

Nice Hoga Andrew, and very well planked hull by the look of it. At first glance I thought she was being lined up in the periscope of a nearby sub!

I used my Black&Decker laser-level to help line up the frames on my Fisher, but never thought of using it for the waterline marking. Good idea!

George

Thank you George, it is not a model I ever imagined building. I got it very cheap off Stan without any intention of building it. I paid so little attention to it that I don't think I realised it is for static display LOL.

Anyway my other builds are all backed up waiting for rattle can weather and a space appeared on my bench that sparked a picture in my mind (won't take long LOL) soon this will also be waiting for paint.

The build along with other Billing kits can be seen on their official builders group or this Hoga Mayhem forum if interested.

Thank you Neil

This kit is off the shelf from nearly 20 yrs ago and the contents seem fine to me. The more recent ones I have are about the same quality but still from the original Billing production.

The more recent owners built a new factory at the onset of Covid which unfortunately created a kit shortage at a time of peak demand. Many kits now are nil stock or on pre order.

The majority of planked kits use Obechi but like any wood it only likes to bend in one direction or twist but try bending it edge on and it will end in tears, hence why each plank has to be cut into the previous one to follow the frames.

I see many people soaking or steaming planks and still have breakages which demonstrates an attempt to make it go where it doesn't want to.

All my planks are dry fitted then covered in finishing resin inside and out but finally finished in 1 oz cloth which also saves much filling.

This is after glass cloth as been final sanded.

Edited By Andrew Waters on 05/04/2021 08:27:12