Armidale Class Patrol Boat

[Steve BatcheldorParticipant @stevebatcheldor]

Hi Peter

 

Love the job that you are doing on your Armidale. A great subject and an informative build log.

 

I have just come across this thread and have read through it from the beginning. I was pleasantly suprised to see a couple of photos of my 1:72nd scale model Armidale with the USS Longbeach.

 

I seem to have developed a bit of a thing for these boats recently. I have one completed model and I have recently started another three in various scales.

 

My model has been running sucessfully for the last couple of years but I agree with many of the comments throughout this thread stating that a 1:72nd model is a bit small. Mine is Ok in calm water but bobs around like a cork as the water starts to chop up.

 

I am interested to see how your model performs when completed as one of the models I have started is also at 1: 50th scale.

 

Keep up the great work and looking forward to further progress reports.

 

Steve B.

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Hi Steve, welcome to the forum, and thank you for your kind comments.

 

HMAS Bundaberg has been the most enjoyable build of my relatively short model boat building career, chiefly because of the challenges it has produced. I have definitely learned a lot during its construction, but the ultimate test will be its on water performance. This test is not too far away, perhaps even today so – watch this space

Meanwhile, the RIBs have been painted and mounted on their davits, although the tie downs and lifting hooks have yet to be attached. 

 

Peter. 

 

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Well, today WAS the day, Bundaberg had her sea trials and came through with flying colours. She handled beautifully, and looked marvellous on the water. She really does handle a chop like the full size boats. I’m ecstatic

 

My wife came along for moral support, and took the photos.  

 

Peter. 

 

 

[HvyCGN-9Participant @hvycgn-9]

Look’s good mate! How was performance on 6 volt? Was She planing !!

 

Cheers Bruce

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Looks good.

 

I recon the aim should be to get a picture of yours just cresting the wave like the full size `un.

 

My camera has a “burst” or “action” setting whereby it will take up to 15 shots very quickly, as long as the button is helf down..This is the sort of thing you want, take it to the sea and take…however many shots you need to get THE RIGHT ONE! Some cameras allow selecting individual frames from a video clip (even better), if at lower resolution.

 

It has to be done. You know it. what a picture to have blown up and hanging on the wall !!

 

All that hard work..immortalised in inky paper.

 

Ashley

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Bruce she flies, no problem at all on 6 volt. Any faster would be unrealistic.

 

Ashley, my camera also has “burst” capability, but my wife was using it and she has trouble turning it on, let alone using some of the more advanced capabilities 

I will have one of our club members drive the boat on Sunday, and I will try for some “action” shots. 

 

Peter. 

[HvyCGN-9Participant @hvycgn-9]

Sweet mate! better 2 have 2 much grunt than not E’nuff!! Looking fwd 2 some more pic’s!!

 

Bruce

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

Hi Peter just picked up on your big day . Excellent  , good pictures as well .

Dave Wooley

[David MeierParticipant @davidmeier28154]

It is a real credit to you Peter, it looks fantastic.

I’m with Ashley here. I want to see at least half the hull out of the water . An 11.1 volt LIPO battery should do the trick.

In anticipation.

 

David.

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Thanks Dave W and David M.

 

She had her first club outing last Sunday, but I didn’t get any more photos. We’re off to a static display next weekend, and the following weekend we have a Brisbane club visiting, so I will try for more photos then.

 

Peter. 

[STASSEN CHRISTIANParticipant @stassenchristian81536]

hi Peter,

i live in belgium, your model of the armidal is beautiful.

i want to construct this boat.

where can i find this plan ?

thanks for your help.

 

christian

sorry for my english.

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

i’ve only just picked up on this build thread peter……what a lovely looking model.

the RAN have some superb looking ships in her fleet, and you have just brought to life a superb minature…..you must be really proud of her, and so you should be,

neil.

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Hi Christian,

 

Your English is fine. Plans of Armidale are hard to find, but you could go to this web site for information http://www.austal.com/files/delivery/DS_ArmidaleClassPB.pdf

 

There are also some photos available on the internet, just Google “Armidale Class patrol Boat”.

 

Peter. 

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Hi Neil, good to hear from you.

 

I am pleased with the result, and she really looks the part on the water. While it’s nowhere near museum standard, the local Naval & Maritime Museum in Ballina have told me that there’s a place for her in the museum if I get tired of sailing her. However, I don’t think I ever will

 

Peter. 

[STASSEN CHRISTIANParticipant @stassenchristian81536]

thank you, Peter for your help.

christian

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

i would say It definately is museum standard, peter.

a lovely model indeed, very crisp, clean and nicely detailed.

 

 

neil.

[Kevin KofothParticipant @kevinkofoth60514]

Hello Mr. Fitness,

Sorry for my really bad English.

After watchin Sea Patrol I had the Idea to build an Armidale-class parolvessel myself, but I cannot find any plans for this boat anywhere in the internet. Maybe yout can help me findig some plans or could give me some of your drawings.

Thank you!

Kevin Kofoth

 

[massimo puppoParticipant @massimopuppo48836]

hello peter where I can find plans construction of armidale

thanks massimo

my email [email protected]

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Massimo, plans are not available anywhere I could find, so I had to do my own using whatever information I could find. Sorry I could not be of more help.

Peter.

[massimo puppoParticipant @massimopuppo48836]

thanks peter
I would build the Hammersley ,of the film sea patrol, very famous here in Italy

[massimo puppoParticipant @massimopuppo48836]

tu hai qualche disegno dello scafo?

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Io ho dato loro un altro modellatore, mi dispiace.

Peter.

[Garry WarnesParticipant @garrywarnes19230]

Hi Peter,

Found your articles whilst Googling HMAS Bundaberg.

My son is ABBM on HMAS Bundaberg/Childers and I have been searching everywhere to find a Model of his boat that I can give him.

No doubt your boat is a scratch built one off but is there any likelihood that you may make a set of plans or even a kit (static) for purchase?

I am aware that Alan Pew in Lake Macquarie is intending to do something along these lines but I have not been able to find out any more information.

I am in Maitland N.S.W. so not far from you if your are in the Ballina area?

Do you travel down here to run your boat at the Newcastle Pond?

Garry

[Garry WarnesParticipant @garrywarnes19230]

Hello again Peter,

Just to let some of the followers of this thread know about the Armidale Class Patrol Boats, my son has sailed through at least one tropical cyclone if not more in them, category 6 seas? and says they take them well.

My wife and I had the opportunity to have a quick look through Bundaberg when it came to Sydney for a rare visit and my recollection of it is much as your model represents.

For some reason your link to Allan Pew's site does not work?

Garry

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Hi Garry,

Allan Pew actually makes a 1/72 scale kit for the Armidale boats, according to this web site

**LINK**

I don't know how old the link is Garry, but I do know that at least one member of the Model Boat Mayhem forum (who unfortunately passed away recently) bought a 1/72 hull from Allan and built a working model.

As I mentioned at the start of my build thread, I found it extremely difficult to obtain much official info on the Armidale, and what material I did obtain was mostly through the internet.

I don't have any up to date contact info for Allan, but I believe he is still active. Sorry I can't be of any more help.

Peter.

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