Fairey Huntsman wanted for commemoration

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Our Editor Lindsey has received the following request:

Dear Model Boats

I’m really hoping you may be able to help…

I'm trying to find & purchase a model of a 'Fairey Huntsman', preferably one that is already built.

My dad was an engineer for the ‘Ford Powerboat Team’ and was part of the 1969 Round Britain Powerboat Race.

My beautiful dad passed away last week and we are heartbroken.

I would love to get a small floral display done of (his baby in the team) ‘808 Fordpower’. The idea was if I could buy a model of a Fairey Huntsman, I could ask a florist to decorate it in flowers as ‘808 Fordpower’ once was…badges and all.

It would be amazing if there was somewhere I could purchase one that was already built as the expertise needed to build such a model is far greater than any talent I possess. It doesn't have to be powered either for the reason I have already mentioned.

I know it's a ridiculous long shot, but thought I would ask anyway.

If there is someone within your organisation who could help me with this enquiry, it would be so very much appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

Kind regards

Lynda —

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

This rang a bell with me and a quick check produced the following:

**LINK**

Her Dad's boat is right in the middle!

Colin

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

I hope she finds one.

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

Please correct me if I'm wrong , but is the boat in the picture a Swordsman and not a Huntsman ?

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

It is a Huntsman 28 with the long cockpit and no aft cabin. The Swordsman was never a racing boat.

**LINK**

Colin

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

As Colin says, but there were Swordsman race boats but not sponsored by Ford.

Huntsman 28s don't come up very often but there is one on Ebay for £140 or offers. Type in Fairey boat or item no. 133937388763.

The different Faireys can get confusing sometimes especially when you get the full cockpit versions which more commonly have an aft cabin e.g. Huntsman 31 and Swordsman. Took me awhile to get my head round the different models. Even saw one at the last Warwick Show that was incorrectly labelled!

Chris

Edited By Chris Fellows on 21/01/2022 19:26:01

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Thanks Chris, I have passed the info on.

Dave Milbourn described the Swordsman as a seagoing country cottage! The Huntsman was always the performance boat.. The performance of my two SLEC kit models bears this out.

Colin

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

Thank you for the explanation Colin.

[Rich Griff 2Participant @richgriff2]

Hi Lindsey,

I have a huntsman, please pm me.

Will be back this evening. I am north Wales based.

Rich

[Rich Griff 2Participant @richgriff2]

Quick look on eBay, £2k ?????

Anyways the other 2 I saw are much more than reasonably priced.

The one I have would be much less, particularly for its intend use, and could always be sold on after.

I also have the kit box.

Pm me for email address, much easier for me for pictures etc..

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I'm afraid it's likely to be too much. There is one on Ebay for £140 which is apparently out of her price range.

For a floral decoration it is perhaps not a practical idea.

Colin

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

Perhaps someone would be prepared to lend a boat that could be decorated by the florist without damaging the model?

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi All,

I think it's a lovely thought, I did a similar thing with one of my models at a memorial service for an old friend of mine who recently passed, but in all honesty our size of models are too small to be decorated, maybe a really nice big photo of the real boat printed on canvas would be a more practical approach with flowers round it ??

Regards Ray

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

That sounds like a good idea Ray.

It achieves the “boat” bit with minimal cost and also the picture will be easer to display at home rather than having a boat.

Ashley

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Rich – That £2k. jobbie has been on for a long time and the price is slowly coming down! Pity the hull is wrong!

Apart from the one I mentioned the others are Huntsman 31 and what is required is a Huntsman 28. I'm guessing  that yours is a 31?

The 28 was only available as a full open cockpit version with no aft cabin.

Chris

Edit: Doh, missed the last few comments! Great idea Ray and it will be the actual boat then. Even shabby Faireys go for quite a bit and as I said H28 are few and far between.

 

Edited By Chris Fellows on 22/01/2022 17:12:03

[Rich Griff 2Participant @richgriff2]

Yes it's a 31 as it had an aft cabin.

 

For this application £50, as it's going to a good cause.

Edited By Rich Griff 1 on 22/01/2022 17:54:53

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