How to calculate the scale of my model boat…?

[M HarveyParticipant @mharvey34888]

Can anyone suggest how to calculate the scale of my model boat?

Michael

[M HarveyParticipant @mharvey34888]

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

The best way would be to use visual clues., For example on a full size vessel the height between the decks would typically be 7 feet or so while the railings would be 45 inches high. You could also estimate the height of a man on board by looking at the doors. If you use each of these measurements as a basis to compare model size with full size and they all come out at around the same figure then you can be reasonably sure you have got it right..

Colin

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

It all depends on what you have to start with. Do you have a model and want to know the scale or do you have a plan that you want to build and want to know the scale? Do you know anything about the real life boat, do you have any specifications or information etc

The bottom line is that the scale is simply a ratio of the size of the real item to the model, when measured in the same units. For instance if you have a real item of 1 foot long and you make a model of it 1 inch long then the scale is 1 ft, or 12 inches to 1 inch, or 1/12th scale.

For your case you need to tell us what information you have but it follows the same theory, it is still a case of a ratio of the same dimension from the real item to the model.

 

Edited By Richard Simpson on 29/04/2021 08:33:50

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Michael. Just out of interest why do you want to know the scale of your boat?

Ashley

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Michael,

It's easier to keep your queries to a single thread as folk on here obviously havn't seen the picture of your ship on your initial post, hence Richards question.

I think your ship is freelance as the rear superstructure is not in proportion with the hull/holds in front of the bridge, could be twice as long to be scale.

Do we know how long your model is ?

Regards Ray

Edited By Ray Wood 2 on 29/04/2021 08:43:56

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Well spotted Ray (unlike the rest of us).

Agree, the whole ship does not appear to be in scale with itself.

Ashley

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

A starting point would be the stanchions at the bow. A reasonable guess would be about 1 metre high. Then check similar heights elsewhere, such as on or around the superstructure. The lower row of superstructure portholes look suitable for viewing knees, and are probably artistic licence, same with a few other details which might be better lost in a refurb.

If a model crewman looks OK if placed anywhere on the model, it must be to a constant scale, if he is a midget in some places and a giant elsewhere, it isn't.

[M HarveyParticipant @mharvey34888]

Thank you all for your replies

I wanted to know the scale of the boat so that I could order some decals for her. I have roughly come to the figure of 1:48. She is 1.3m long.

Sadly I took her to Clapham to test her out yesterday and she started listing and taking on water. So I'm now looking at trying to find out how to waterproof her…

So the saga continues…

Michael

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Whereabouts are you Michael? Bushy park is only 25 mins down the A3 from Clapham. Loads of tame experts with waders on hand for info etc

Ashley

[M HarveyParticipant @mharvey34888]

I'm in Brockley, SE4. Where is the pond in Bushy Park? What days are good to visit?

[Dave Cooper 6Participant @davecooper6]

Michael – do you know what metal the hull is made from – steel, aluminium, brass etc. – this should point you in the direction of a repair scheme…?

I would start looking at the more obvious areas eg prop shaft outlets, rudder posts etc. for leaks. Try slowly pouring water into the hull and see where it comes out. Tipping the hull fore and aft and across the beam could also help to localise the leak(s).

2-pack epoxy, and other modern adhesives, can work wonders once you've found the areas of leakage.

Good hunting,

Dave

[M HarveyParticipant @mharvey34888]

I have removed some earlier repair work that contained the point of entry of the water inside the boat and discovered some extensive damage and poor repair work in the past. I will upload a photograph tomorrow morning…

My feeling is that it will be important to stop the ingress from the outside and am considering using <https://www.rawlinspaints.com/home/metal-paints/metal-topcoats/3137-bradite-chlorinated-rubber.html&gt; in red (below the waterline) in keeping with ships of this type and era. I'm hoping that as a liquid rubber paint it will seal the hull after a few coats.

Happy to hear all your thoughts!

Michael

[M HarveyParticipant @mharvey34888]

Hi Dave,

So I have uploaded some more images of the removed previous repair to the inside of the hull and some details of the metal outer hull.

Looks to be made from Brass??

It also looks like she has been torpedo from the rear now i have removed the previous repair work…

Any comments gratefully received.

Michael

[M HarveyParticipant @mharvey34888]

Sorry, forgot the images…

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Ooo er Michael! Scrape all that muck out, rough up the area and fibreglass/epoxy resin I think to fix that. Externally, just red oxide paint should do, although some epoxy run into any external cracks may be needed, although the resin from the fibreglassing should penetrate those.

Bushy park 1hr 25 mins away according to google. Sunday Tuesday mornings, get there before 10 usually as it can get busy. Loo/catering on site. Entrance opp Hampton court palace lion gate. Car park 30 sec walk to pond.

Ashley

[Dave Cooper 6Participant @davecooper6]

Yes, Ashley's scraping method sounds like the way to go.

You may need to go easy in places though as you could go straight through ! I would do a couple of test patches first, then come back to us with some more photos. (It may just be brass-plated steel or similar…)

Dave

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