Twinkler by Vic Smeed

[Antoine GametParticipant @antoinegamet86463]

Hello,

My name is Antoine, I'm a new comer from Philly. Just picked up yesterday the special issue of Model Boats at a local bookstore. I had been looking for a model boat magazine that would have a lot of infos and ideas about scratch building and plans, so obviously I was very happy to find that issue of Model Boats on the shelf. Here is the States, it looks like we have a couple of RC magazine but they are not really promoting "scratch building", it seems they are talking a lot about the Ready-to-run kits. I want to build! Building is fun and although it will be my first project, I can only foresee a lot of fun ahead! I did a lot of RC airplane building / flying but I'm ready to try something different.

Anyway, I read the article about the Twinkler and figured it would be a nice first project. I'd like to thank Dave Milbourn for the great article.

First step was to scan the plan, rescale and print out at a local FedEx office. A couple of bucks and I was on my way.

The intent of that thread is to be some sort of building log. I'm new to making boats so I will probably ask you guys questions along the way.

Photos to come. Now it's about time to go get some supplies at a local hobby store.

Antoine

[Antoine GametParticipant @antoinegamet86463]

A first RC boat project for me

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Antoine. A warm welcome to the forum. A nice little boat as a first project to be sure, and Mr Milbourn will no doubt assist you in your trails along the way.

What size are you upscaling to might i ask? This will no doubt make the equipping of the vessel a bit easier having more space to play with.

I might draw your attention to Dm`s remark regarding making the next one out of lite-ply instead of balsa, especially if building a larger version of this particular boat.

Nice to see Colins special is being read in the States as well as in deepest Surrey and indeed north of Watford, ah..the fame of it all!

Ashley

[Antoine GametParticipant @antoinegamet86463]

Well I pretty much scanned the page and resized it to match the 150mm scale reference on the plan. So I'd say I'm about to build a Twinkler at the right scale. Depending if I can easily source the plywood or not, I may go for balsa instead where appropriate. Will see.

Glad I joined the community!

Edited By Antoine Gamet on 19/05/2015 14:55:26

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Antoine
Balsa is fine as long as you get the right grade. Avoid anything which will take an impression from your thumbnail without springing back. The superstructure sides and roof really need to be marine plywood as they take a lot of handling when you remove the lid to get at the gear inside. If you have trouble sourcing a motor then give me a shout – I seem to have acquired quite a few of them! Oh – and there's a blooper on the plan (sorry). The coaming strips are 1/8" x 1/2" as drawn, not 1/8" x 1/4" as labelled. Mea culpa………
Thanks for your kind comments about the article. The model I made was subsequently bought by a fellow club member who passed it straight to his 11 year-old son. He is delighted with it and, as Richard says, it will keep him away from the computer for at least one morning of his weekends. He has fitted a 25mm Raboesch 3-blade prop and this has tamed the top speed but increased the duration a lot. The motor also stays quite cool now.
I shall look forward to seeing your model take shape. Don't be afraid to ask – it's only a dumb question if you've already been given the answer before.

Dave M

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Blooper?

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Error. Clanger. Clumsy mistake. Whoopsy. Blah blah.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Dave

I wasn't questioning the meaning of blooper.

In all seriousness I would never expect you to make any mistakes on a drawing.

Paul

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Paul

Me especially, m'duck. My problem is that there's no-one else to check it, and you know yourself that you're often blind to your own mistakes. I must have made many more than that!

Dave M

[David Marks 2Participant @davidmarks2]

Has the 2015 Special Issue been advertised in the normal Model Boats? I receive my MB via the post as I avoid going to shops apart that is for the local model shop.

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Out of interest, here is the original magazine item from the July 1963 RCME. The original model built by (the late) Alec Gee, who was a good friend of Vic's. The free plan from the magazine isn't as good as Dave Milbourn's modern update.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

David, no the Special issue was not advertised in Model Boats – don't know why. But you can order a copy by clicking on the cover photo on the website home page.

Colin

[David Marks 2Participant @davidmarks2]

Colin. Thanks for that, I thought I was going senile. Luckily my Director of Finance and Catering kindly procured a copy for me today whilst she was out shopping.

Regards – David Marks

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Welcome from me too, Antoine

We shall look forward to watching your progress!

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