Thor

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

Cone on Paul, out with it.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Andy

This comes with a strange mixture of pride and embarrassment.

I was showing him how the superstructure fitted and he pointed out that it didn't fit very well at one point and then he asked "does the whole top have to come off"?

I told him yes because I need to get inside to fix things.

Ryan looked thoughtfully at the model and then said "cant you get in through the back of the cabin then the walls can be fixed properly"

Whoever said 'from the mouths of babes' had it right because in a single statement seven year old Ryan had come up with an all encompassing answer that solved quite a few design problems.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

Good idea from Ryan, but you`ll need plenty of access to install the bow thrusters?

Can you stick a few windows on your prelim model, to give us a better idea?

See what Ryan can think up?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

Its half term holidays so the gaffer is watching closely and I am under strict instructions to get the superstructure sorted out. I'm sorry to say that windows are a long way down Ryans schedule.

As for the thrusters Ryan has already given me instructions about where the pipes have to go.

Paul

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

It is amazing how we over-complicate things sometimes and it takes someone else to point it out.

Andy

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Progress shots

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Like I said earlier. Paul……A few black sticky tape windows etc, simply stuck on, would be nice and would give us idea of the scale etc

And a 12" rule alongside?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Captain Bob

Sorry but I've not fixed the scale yet so I cant do the sticky tape windows

Do you really need a ruler?.. I thought that the electric socket and 6 x 6in wall tiles would be a fair indication of size.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Why not try a few different sizes of windows/port holes and get Ryan`s expert opinion?

If your model is 48" long, a ruler comparison would not go amiss?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Paul

Today's tip for steering comp boats

When it's very windy, the chaps remove the superstructure!….To beat the wind effect

I would have thought that would be against the rules?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Just for Bob

A photo with a spanking new steel rule.

On a more serious point and to answer your last question I have it on the best authority that the interpretation of the rules are up to the individual clubs and so there isn't a problem if the head honchoes of a club decide to allow the removal of superstructures.

Is it cheating?……………I leave that decision to you.

Paul

Edited By Paul T on 14/04/2014 18:55:34

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Seeing as how there is a post concerning the Rhino barge somewhere, then would this make a good steering comp boat?? no superstructure at all…….

Removing superstructure!! what baloney.

I have a small promotional die cast ferry model somewhere, it is the same both ends and has a prop at both ends. A sure fire steering comp boat surely.

Ashley nb Paul, nice boat, shame about the ears.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Ashley

Oddly enough one of Thors first incarnations had a forward facing propeller tucked under the bow, I was playing around with a push and pull concept.

Glad you like the boat and just keep watching as the ears are getting bigger (even as I write they have grown vertically by 60mm)

Paul

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Paul. Trouble is, there are any number of permutations that may work well, but eventually you have to choose something and go with it.

I think a boat such as Thor (tuggy/resupply vessel) will have a wider interest to the majority of boaters looking for a steering vessel than a ferry or something more interesting obscure.

Lets face it, that round Russian battleship could be a blinding steering boat with 4 swivelling korts dotted about the edges. !

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Paul

For once in my life……I`m stuck for words!

Some time ago, you were waiting for confirmation about whether or not the model had to be a scale model to enter the comps……Did you get an answer?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Ashley

You are right about deciding upon a design and sticking with it, if I didn't follow this mantra I would never get anything built.

We will see if people prefer something like Thor as opposed to a ferry when I display the model at Haydock.

Hi Bob

The answer is as follows

These rules are posted under the Scale section of the MPBA and therefore it would be expected that in a competition being held under the MPBA rules the vessels would be scale representations of true life working vessels. However it would be up to the organisers of the event to decide if they wished to enforce this.

So as you can see it boils down to what individual clubs decide.

Paul

Edited By Paul T on 15/04/2014 16:25:45

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

I have acquired a nice pair of chunky temporary motors for the prototype.

24v Hi Torque, 6000rpm, 8amp max, 5mm dia shaft, can size [52mm dia x 85mm long], 630 grams.

[mike farrellParticipant @mikefarrell21522]

Hi Paul I.ve just seen 2off 24 volt motors on ebay with a starting price of 19.99 . What about the weight ? Mobile model marine so should be good Michael

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Mike

Yes I have seen them but thank you for telling me.

They look the part but the problem with the T range is the lack of specification details.

The weight of the motors isn't a problem as I will need a fair bit of ballast to get Thor down to its water line.

Thanks again for the heads up

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Now I realise why you spent all that time designing the heavy model loading device!

I guess your model will weigh about 60 lb…..?

Be careful, Paul

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

At the moment it weighs in at 9kg and is already getting unwieldy so when the motors, batteries and ballast are added it will be somewhere around 25kg (55lbs) so your guess isn't that far off.

I will certainly need the heavy duty launching equipment for this one.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

We has a trip out to Prestatyn today and spotted this spectacle…….And Thor came to mind!

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Thanks for thinking about me Bob.

You had a nice day for a trip to the seaside I wish that I could have joined you as I've had my head in books all day brushing up on my judging skills.

Thor is coming on well with the first coat of paint being applied.

Paul

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Judging as in JP/magistrate or model boats?

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Dave
Can you really see me as a magistrate or a JP?
I don’t have the patience for the first or belief for the second.
Paul

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