Guardsman by Vic Smeed

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

John,

What did you make the coal scuttles from? and how did you make them?

Hope you don't mind me using part of your photograph.

Tony

[John W EParticipant @johnwe]

Hi ya tony

 

The coal skuttles are made from very thin brass shim sheet about 15 thou thick. The brass shim sheet was first of all placed on top of a piece of thick plywood and then a suitable diameter steel tube was found roughly 1/2 inch in diameter. One end of the tube was placed on top of the shim and the other end you hit with a hammer to form an impression of a ring in the brass shim. The word coal was then scribed on in the centre of the ring impression and then the coal skuttle was then cut out from the brass shim and superglued to the deck with several coats of clear varnish to keep the brass looking bright.

 

You can buy brass shim from EBay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-x-100-mm-Polished-Brass-Sheet-Plate-Shim-0-9-1-2-1-5-2-0-2-5-3-0mm-Thick-/290990207483?pt=UK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling_Welding_Metalworking_Supplies_ET&var=590165442803&hash=item43c05e31fb

 

Aye

 

JOHN

Edited By bluebird on 26/12/2013 10:31:32

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Bob, thanks for the Vintage award for this one in the New Years Honours list.

Managed to make further progress with the build, the balsa sub-deck is now glued in place and sanded to it's final size i.e. 3mm overhang from the hull except at the bow. The top finished (0.8mm ply) deck has been lined with black ink and is now ready for gluing in position on the sub-deck. Upon completion of this, thought can be given to waterproofing the hull with Eze-cote and finishing with painting to the colour scheme on the plan. A rudder and it's linkage can now be made as can the coamings and bulwarks. Deck cabins and fittings can also start to progress, so lots to be getting on with now.

Some years ago, I was recovering from a long ilness and had to undergo counselling to enable me to get out and about again. The counsellor once said — sometimes it is worth taking a step back and instead of thinking 'what do I need to do' — think about 'what you have achieved'. When I applied this to this model – yes, there is still lots to do, but I am really pleased with the progress when I looked back at the early posts, which were nothing more than a few sheets of balsa.

Tony.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Tony

You richly deserve the award!

However, next year there will be an award for the "Slowest build"

All in the greatest possible taste!

Bob

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Time for a W.I.P report on this one.

Deck fixed, with every rubber band the postie wraps parcels with, or leaves on the drive.

Coamings now fixed. An additional piece of 6mm square balsa was fixed under the deck to give the glue more surface area.

Underside now painted in brown-red.

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Time to make a start of the cabins, fittings and all the other interesting bits.

Companion Shelter first –

Galley Skylight now in progress, The plan shows three windows, but looking at the photograph of the full sized vessel (which Larry posted) there were only two windows.

The photograph below shows the Galley Skylight with the 0.8mm ply (rough base) roof panel glued in place before the clear plastic and card top piece are fixed. The inside needs to be 'greyed out'.

The start of the central Engine and Boiler Room cabin has been started and can be seen.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Very nice neat work, Tony

It`s coming along nicely

Don`t forget to use some rivetted card on the main cabin etc……Always looks nice when painted

What about the bulwarks?

Bob

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Took the model out of storage and re-started building, it is such a lovely little model to build.

Here are the latest progress photographs showing the construction of the rear cabins. This is quite an interesting build, the different shapes of the boiler house and engine room cabin.The door frame and angled roof to the rear cabin also add to the interest of this assembly.

Some further detailing is required, the opening skylights are needed to the engine room and the front wheelhouse needs finishing and gluing to the front. Rivets (as Bob's suggestion, will be added later).

A steradent tube has been obtained for the stack and the templates have been made for the 0.8mm ply bulwarks.

Despite this being a slow build, progress is sufficient for a the model to see the 2015 sailing season.

This thread just won't seem the same without (the late) Larry Whetton's input.

Tony.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

A very nice model, Tony

Very neat and dinky too

The fun for me, these days is the building, after the sailing teething troubles are sorted out, I'm usually onto the next one!

My models only appear on special occasions…..Regattas etc

Hope to meet you at Haydock?

Bob

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Thank-you for the good feedback Bob. Your builds are always good to read. Must agree with your comments about the fun being in the building of models. After the building is complete, it's three sailings around the lake, into storage and on with the next build.

Unfortunately, I won't make Haydock, but hope to meet with you some time.

Tony.

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

The latest WIP,

Wheelhouse now built with card window frames to match the rear cabin. 0.8mm ply waterways glued to the deck ready for the bulwarks. Bulwarks now in progress, with a start made on fitting the timberheads (gussets) as per the second photograph. There are four external stiffening plates (two each side) and these are ideal to use for the joints in the bulwarks.

The receiver has been bought and had the latest Hitec firmware installed, a rudder servo is in the spares box, hopefully Santa will bring me an ESC. Upon completion of the bulwarks (c/w a coat of black paint) and the rudder assembly the model should be ready to get a trial after Christmas. I love testing models in the winter – Brrr

Tony

Edited By Tony Hadley on 01/11/2014 14:34:59

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Made further progress with the model recently, bulwarks now completed and externally painted with Revell Aqua Color 302 satin black. Had the model in the bath a couple of weeks ago and all looking good, although quite a lot of lead ballast will be required. Guess it's easier to add weight than take away.

Next stage is to make paint the bulwark inside and the handrails. Afterwards the rudder can be made, the internals fitted out and make a grating at for the rear to cover the rudder linkage. A lake test would then be needed before the cabin and deck detailing is done.

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Riveted Boiler & Engine room. Simulated rivets, by using PVA glue from a small medial syringe with end filed flat.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Back on the job then, Tony

Rivets always look nice, but you need a few more rows of rivets…..across the top surface to indicate the walls below?

Don't forget the chimney rivets

How's life at the Metro these days?

Bob

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Now beginning to look like a model,

Further detailing, mast, tabernacle, rigging, boathooks, coaling scuttles, cowl vents, navigation lights, galley chimney, lifebelts, lettering and winch. The handrails need a little tidying and the fairleads fixing. A crew is needed, I have some airfix figures but might wait as Paul Freshney mentioned in a post last week that a future issue of Model Boats magazine will feature an in-depth article on figures.

Bow and side fenders, I had the ones made for the Police Launch by a lady in Somerset, who made the to the correct size and shape, sadly she is no longer in business – any forum members know of anyone who will make these?

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Coming along nicely Tony, keep up the good work!

Colin

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Tony

Dave Brumstead's wife used to make a mean knitted fender in several sizes (both bow and side fenders). Dave used to be a regular contributor to the magazine, but I don't have his contact details. Maybe Colin or Paul F could help?

Dave M

[Mark Jarvis 2Participant @markjarvis2]

Tony

If DM's contact doesnt work, have a look on ebay (model boats) a regular seller is offering a ready made set or fenders too order, size by arraingment.

Mark

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

I found this, which might be interesting if not actually helpful!

**LINK**

DM

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Thanks for the replies, Mark and Dave.

The link to make your own certainly looks good, if I don't feel confident to make my own, it will be worth ordering from the ebay site.

[Diede van AbsParticipant @diedevanabs87670]

Did anyone say DYI knitted fenders?

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq05wiX3JH59ui1_BIwUeBOQLScWxEgJ1

Sorry, the text in the vids is in Dutch, however I did put a summary in English in the comments.

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Diede, I had al look at your youtube clips on making fenders. I will have a go at making my own before buying, they are now available (in the 2016 magazine) from Hobbies in Norfolk.

Managed to install the r/c, although it needs tidying. Th receiver is a Hitec Minima and the ESC is an MtroniKs 10 amp micro viper protected by a 5amp car type fuse. The battery is a Ni-mh 6 cell 7.2 volt fitted with a small Tamiya type connector (from my Southampton RTR tug). As the ESC is fitted with a standard Tamiya connector, I made a fused adapter lead.

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Took the model for a first trial sail at Bury this morning. The model is a delight to sail, the rudder control is correct and the 385LN motor (thanks for the recommendation D.M. if you're reading this) gives more than ample power. The photograph shows the model on about half power, so plenty in reserve should there be a requirement for above scale speed. Testing the model indicates that a small amount of ballast from the bow needs to be removed.

After a very pleasing test run, detailing can now continue.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Looking good Tony, well done and glad that sailing trial was a success.

Colin

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Very nice, Tony. Take a hundred Vic points!

Dave M

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