MSC Sprite

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

First build

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

Hi everyone, new to the forum, is it scratch if you buy the hull then build the rest youself? thoughts please.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Ralph,

Welcome to the Forum and thanks for the impressive photo, there are people on here who love this type of model boat!

In answer to your question, it would not normally be considered scratch as the hull is a major part of a model boat and scratch is usually taken to mean that you have pretty much built the whole thing from modelmaking materials with perhaps the exception of things like the running gear such as the propshaft and propeller and some fittings such as the anchor chains etc.

Buying the hull and building the rest tends to fall between 'semi kit' and 'scratch' by common definition but it doesn't matter how you choose to build your model as long as you enjoy yourself. The only time that the balance between 'built' and 'bought' items matters is if you are entering it into a static judging competition when you would be expected to identify all the bought in items as marks would be deducted for these.

Colin

Edited By Colin Bishop, Website Editor on 22/03/2015 16:28:51

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hi Ralph

Welcome from me too!

That's a lovely model, got some more details for us?

Amy jane

ps don't care too much from definitions myself, If you've got an itch to build, then it's scratch built!

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

That's a very nice model, you've built there, Ralph

I like the outboard mounted handrail stantions……Not seen that style before

Your model is slightly similar to my current build….The Gentleman's Vintage Cruiser

Take a look?

Bob

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

thank you all for you welcome and kind words, I am new to model boat building "Sprite" being my first build since making airfix models as a kid, a long time ago. the terms used are new to me hence the question about scratch builds, now I get it, MSC Sprite was the Manchester ship canal MD's launch in the 50's / 60's 33' long and a lovely sight to see, I can remember seeing her in Old Quay yard in Runcorn, looking for some insperation on the internet I came across a picture of her being scrapped and also an old plan drawing, unfortunately she had been converted into a dive boat, sorry end for a beautiful craft like her. that was it, it had to be her for my first build.

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

Bob, made the handrail stantions from brass rod and bar, spent a lot of time turning them then nearly didn't use them, I thought that they looked to much like pop rivets lol.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Ralph,

Whether you call it scratch or not, that is a very impressive and attractive model. Have you had her afloat or is she a static craft?

Colin

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

Hi Ralph, great model, totaly my kind of thing with lots of wood and brass. Most importantly for me, it looks like a boat that has the x factor, it will sail as a boat should.
As Colin says, don’t worry about definitions, it’s the model that counts and there is a lot of good work there.
Chas.

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

Hi all thanks again, yes Sprite was built to sail, just waiting for the electronics to be delivered, and to find a pool our local council "Flintshire" will allow me to use, surprised that a well established hobby like this is banned so much, "NO you can't sail THAT here, we only allow fishing, its leased to this fishing club/ that fishing club………Noooooo it might disturb the fish! Nooooooo what about the environment!!! noise pollution. will get off my high horse and carry on with the description, the hull was purchased from the internet and shaped with a linisher, decking and superstructure from B&Q ply, clad with mahogany from an old window sill, brass came from some purchased rod, an old drift I had lying around and some old water tap internals, the deck was striped with med grade balsa, all put into a a big pot, covered and baked on gas mark 7 for two hours. lol I wish. the whole build came to less than £50, just a lot of very enjoyable work in the garage.

Sorry everyone as you can see I tend to drone on and I like a bit of fun.

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

Hi Bob, have had a look at your Gentlemans Vintage Cruiser, very very impressive, love the style of the boat, was that your boat at Ellesmere Port this year?, I was very taken by it thinking at the time that my next build would be something like that, I see that the plans were from here by Paul T, I have messaged him to see if the plans are still available, would love to build the 1/12 scale. should have said in my previous posts that the Sprite is 1/12, nice size to work with……..lol how do I know!!!

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Ralph

Thank you for the message and interest in the design.

Unfortunately there is a bit of a gulf between the design and the boat that Bob has built.

I designed the boat as a generic type that was based upon a few different examples from the period.

Bob liked the photos of the 'Sea Dog' and decided to build his version of the VGC along the same lines, I have to admit that Bobs variation has come out very well and in many ways is better than the original design.

However Bobs model is significantly different to the original design and I haven't amended the design to bring it into line with the variations that Bob has made.

In short the design for Bobs version doesn't exist.

I am sorry to be the barer of bad news but I couldn't recreate Bobs version without pulling Bobs model apart

Paul

Edited By Paul T on 23/03/2015 19:06:05

[mike farrellParticipant @mikefarrell21522]

Hi Paul Both boats are of a time gone by and beauties . Having followed the build I admire your honesty as we all saw so many changes take place during the build .

Perhaps our friend might like to build your new creation Michael

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ralph

So your model is 1/12th scale?

What is the overall length and the motive power, please?

Bob

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

Hi Bob, Sprite is 33" long with a single 50mm prop, motor is 4.5 -15 powered by a 9-12ah battery, I'm not after speed quite the opposite in fact, my memories of the boat was that she very sedate and moved gracefully down the ship canal. she was in fact the Limo of the MSC fleet lol.

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

Hi all, finished the build today, enjoyed every min, can't wait to start Paul's VGC.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Very nice Ralph

I like the green and white canopy………I might do the same for Lady Joyce, as plain white is a little bland?

Create a new thread for the VGC build, please

Looking forward to your build……..Don`t be shy

Bob

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

Thanks bob, very kind of you, my mate recon's it's an old pair of pajamas lol, really looking forward to Paul's VGC build, it will just fit on my center bench! think that this one will stretch my skills, will start a new thread.

I have to get some ply first, I have nothing of the size required.

busy gluing the VGC plans together, that will take some time!!

Ralph.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ralph

For really flat plywood for the keel, I always glue two pieces of 6mm ply together, face to face, which results in a very rigid flat piece of ply

Same for the formers too

Bob

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

Hi Bob, thanks for that, will do, picked that up from one of your posts, got to admit that I have not worked with wood very much, any suggestions would be gratefully received, not used to boat terms or the correct names of parts so if I drop clangers

having said that, did I read that laminating strips is stronger when making "stringers" errrr!!…….think thats the right term than using solid wood section?

Thanks Ralph.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ralph

Laminating stringers solves a lot of difficult bending problems and is also very strong

Build on a thick flat board with a true datum edge…….Mark a centreline down the middle that is parallel to the datum edge

Build accurately…..Neatly……Parallel and square at all times

Measure everything……..No guessing

So to lecture…….But these are the ground rules to a nice build and eventual success

You will need plenty of clamps and sash clamps…..Strong elastic bands with wire hooks at both ends for versatile clamping solutions……….A metre rule and a big square are essential……Blocks and heavy bars of steel are very handy

Any problem…….Just ask…….And Paul and I will sort you out

Welcome to the club!………..Bob and Paul

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

Thanks Bob, glad to be enlisted into the VGC club, and the kind offer of mentorship……….do you realize what you have done lol.

Seriously though I have a fairly well equipped workshop, cheap table saw, a very good linisher/disc sander, home made small slitting saw, small bench lathe/ milling machine, pedestal drill BUT no band saw, think that this could be a problem, given the size of wood used in the VGC, might have a look around for one before I start the build.

The saying "all the gear, no idea" springs to mind

Thanks Ralph.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Ralph……You will need a bandsaw, without a doubt

The formers are 1/2" thick and quite big

Go on…..Spoil yourself

Bob

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

Hi Bob,

well I think you have convinced me to spend some pennies, didn't take a lot……time to break open the piggy bank!!

Now on the lookout for a good one, thinking of an Axminster model, they are pricy but you get what you pay for.

The wife will think I have ordered a new carpet!!

Thanks Ralph.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ralph

I haven't seen the type of Bandsaw I use, for years…..I had a Burgess BK and a Record look alike

I think they may have gone out of fashion?

Bob

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