In any list of the world’s major maritime heritage sites, Portsmouth must command a place in the top ten. Rarely can you see so much in one place, so when our Editor suggested I might like to do a feature on the Historic Dockyard from a modelmaker’s viewpoint, I didn’t need asking twice. Portsmouth has…
This month we will be covering our visit to the 21st. Wings and Wheels Spectacular, begin our report on the Weymouth International Maritime Modelling Festival and continue the build of a pair of Springer tugs. The 21st Wings and Wheels Model Spectacular Taking place at North Weald, to the north of London and one junction…
Some people seem to have difficulty in coming up with ideas for their next models. I’ve even seen people pleading for advice on internet sites. Maybe I’m lucky in this respect as there is never a shortage of possible prototypes to build. In fact there is a drawer in my filing cabinet that is packed…
Pic: 1 The Fisher 46 sails away from the side of the lake with all sails furled. Pic: 2 The mainsail is deployed. Pic: 3 The main and mizzen sails are stretched out and the model is sailing well. My friend Ralph Stockton has been making models since he was a very small boy. He…
Pic 1: The basic parts of the Sail Winch., Following my successful conversion of the small static Billings Colin Archer kit to a sailing model (see Model Boats June 2007), I decided to introduce the Billings Lilla Dan static display model to a similar fate. However, one aspect that I thought to be essential, was…
Whilst on a cruise on the Black Prince, I saw Voe Venture, a tug/workboat working at one of the outer Scottish islands. Unusually she was being used as an intermediate landing stage between the ship’s tender and the quay, owing to the low tide. I took a couple of pictures because she was so interesting.…
Welcome! This month, firstly we are off to Beale Park for the Thames Boat Show. Yes I know it is not models, but the craft on display are of interest to modellers. Secondly, more on the conversion of Karoline to r/c and finally a bit about my Springer Tug. The Beale Park Thames Boat Show…
Wheelhouse This is supplied as a very strong and even thickness GRP moulding with good clean edges and no air holes, a sure sign of quality. All the required openings needed marking out for the windows, fire valve boxes, top deck/roof and rear opening – so plenty of drilling and cutting required. This is a…
Welcome again! This month we visit the Merstham Model Steam event, the Alford Charity show and continue the modification to electric power of the Billings Karoline, otherwise known as the potato boat! The Merstham Model Steam Show This event at St. Nicholas School in Surrey has been running since 1985, but this was the first…
The little boat sailed o’er the pond,Puffin with all its might; Reg, he was as pleased as Punch, It was a wondrous sight. All morning long the boat sailed on, All thought of time had gone, But when, at last, the bonny craftRan out of steam and puff, Then Reg was clearly heard to cry‘Enuff,…
