Barrie Griffins Vosper MTB 379

[Philip OxleyParticipant @inonowt]

Hi all.

I completed my MTB during the week.  Enjoyed the build, apart from the waiting for last minute parts deliveries, and I’m pleased withe the result.   I can’t get it on the water just yet as I’ve been posted to the Ionian Sea for 10 days and it wouldn’t fit in the suitcase.  Oh well, gives me something to look forward to.

 

Best regards

 

Philip.

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

Lovely smart job.  Nice rigging detail and flags and the figures set it of perfectly.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Very nice job Phillip and can only echo Richards statements. Like the bow anchor trailing at the bow.

I find there usually comes a time when the hull and so on are finished ready for painting and look rather good in wood and it seems a shame to paint and cover all that hard work…but paint you must so slap the grey on and know its the right thing to do!

Conversely you could convert it to some sort of speedboat and just varnish it to keep all that lovely diagonal.planking on show…

Ashley

[John W EParticipant @johnwe]

hi there

That is one nice smart job you have made of that.  Well Done!  look forward to seeing it in sea trials.

You are way ahead of me in my model – I am still trying to make stuff and stick the bits to the model & throw paint at it from across the room 🙂

Keep up the good work

John.

[Philip OxleyParticipant @inonowt]

Hi All.
First of, thank you all for your encouraging comments.
I’ve never been one for putting figures on models, however this time I felt it needed them. The flags spell out ALTAIR which is the name I gave it. I understand that these boats were not ‘formally’ named, but were often given nicknames by their captains and names would change with the Captain. Altair is the 12th brightest star and the brightest star in the constellation of Aquila, the Eagle, and represents the eagles eye. It also forms part of the summer triangle with Cygnus, the Swan. So, exceptional eyesight and large curved talons used to capture and kill its prey, plus the gracefulness of a Swan.
The bow bull ring is made with brass rod and 0.2 x 3mm brass strip, fixed with 3M VHB tape, since I didn’t want to risk the paintwork with glue.
When you posted on 2nd & 10th April John, you were in front of me. I hadn’t finished the hatch, though I did build the wheel house and mast concurrently with the hull. Then all I had to do was the rigging that runs between the mast and the flagstaffs fwd and aft. I also cheated, buying deck fittings from Battlecrafts, mainly ports, cleats, hatches and vents but also the Oerlikon and twin Vickers. The aplied umbers came from Signomatic, who Ive used for all my lettering/decals. I did have to make the torpedo tubes since those I bought were out of scale. After some discussion, I decided to dispense with them and make the right size, though I cannibalised them for parts. I found some 15/18mm dia plastic tube and some 15 & 18mm ‘balls’. The 15mm ones slid in and the 18mm ones were cut in half. The exploders are nails from picture hooks, the bands small cable ties and the rear bits are motor mounting bolts and lock washers. The racks are wood.

After much thought on temporary fixing of the rear torpedo tubes, I opted for 3M VHB tape. I tried it and it worked though I would have to replace it every so often. It did peel off initially, but after a few days it didn’t and left residue on the deck which I couldnt get off. I subsequently found that Frog tape make a double sided tape which has been on the deck since I completed the build, and it peels off cleanly. I see from your last post you’re getting on really well. Best of luck with it.
Oddly enough Ashley, my next planned build will be a 70′ motor yacht and I think I will base ot on the MTB hull but modified so the deck doesn’t taper to the rear and with an additional section forming a swimming platform. That will have to wait (Grrr!) since DIY and decorating beckons.
Best wishes to all.
Philip

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