My very generous brother-in-law from Holland came over here with my sister and neice for a holiday and he brought me a Tugboat Kit for a present! Thanks Rian. Once I get finished with the yacht building, I'll start planning the build of the Tug. I think I'll make a fibreglass hull off of it as the styrene is a bit on the flimsy side. The rest of the kit contains some very nice detail items made from brass etc, so she should make a nice model. My new scroll saw will come in handy to cut out the wooden parts. Once I get it under way, I'll post the progress here. JP.

The kit hull is of styrene and a bit flimsy so  I made a fibreglass moulding from it.

Please note: There are a few "Tip" text boxes like this that were added with hindsight to hopefully be of help to other 'Banckert' builders.

Started on her on Saturday 27th Aug 05

The mould waxed ready for primer and glass.

The battery was later fitted laying down to fit under the deck. (Silly me)

I decided to make a fibreglass deck moulding too as the hull went so well. It's a lot more substantial than the original plastic one and will stand up to more rough Tug like treatment! It was easy to do and well worth the extra effort. It also allows for a resealable hull-deck joint for maintenance.

The hull with the motor deck and a couple of frames

Supplied plastic deck used as a mould for a glass one.

Cutting and fairing the deck scuppers

Some modifications done to my first motor mount and a home made coupling. Also shows top off rudder shafts in place.

Tip: I replaced the tiny brass rudder shaft horns with grommet type solid ones that can take the load and are easy to adjust/remove etc.

I decided to make fibreglass rudders instead of the plywood ones on the plans.

I drilled and pinned the shafts to prevent them working lose in the rudders after time.

The hull painted

I've just about finished the main wiring and RC set-up. The AM receiver you see is just for testing. It will have a 6 CH. FM one. I fitted a cooling fan for the motor. Pinched it from an old laptop PC.

5th Oct 05 Water trim test

5th October Electrics fitted and deck screwed on.

I made some custom steering fittings to replace the Billings thin brass ones that didn't look equel to the task. (Yes I am ex RACT)

8-Oct-05 Fitting winch and starting on bollards etc

She's now ready for cabins and more deck gear.

13-Oct-05 Rear hatch nearly finished

The bollards are done

The cabins are well underway now.

The boat is finished below deck now so I sealed the hull deck joint with bathroom sealant, making sure to use mould release agent on one side of it so it can be easily removed for repairs that can't be done through the hatches.

I've roughly faird the cabins and resin coated them and am about to start building the wheelhouse and other detail.

I fitted a new 400 motor and universal coupling after deciding that the Dick Smith one and a plastic tube was scimping a bit. I tried it in the bird bath and it has enough grunt. I fitted the fan to cool it.

Testing the hull in Cherry Lake. The 400 motor has plenty of go but the prop pitch is too big. I've ordered a new prop to fix this.

The first deck of the superstructure is almost done. 2 decks to go and all the masts and ladders, radars, lights etc. Lots more fun for me yet!

Tip: I used sheet aluminium for the front of the wheelhouse as the thin ply is very breakable with the window holes cut in it and won't bend easily. I glued balsa onto the aluminium to thicken it to size.

The towing frame/superstructure attachment is done.

Tip: The towing framework pictured above, needs to be anchored through the deck as it takes a fair load when the superstructure is put on and off,; it acts as a bit of a cam and strains it. I re-fastened it later when it came adrift.

The wheelhouse and crew cabin are on and some furniture, skipper, wheel and controls are fitted. The next step is the flying bridge deck.

Tip: Fit all the detail items you want in the wheelhouse before fitting the roof!

I took her to Cherry Lake on the Tuesday Scope boating program and she performed very well!!! I must have the prop pitch about right now. Click Here to see a short video.

The wheelhouse roof is on and the flying bridge is in the making.

I've started on the ladders and the flybridge building.

18 Nov 05 The flybridge is done and painted. I used plasticine to mask the windows.

I've started building the funnel/mast and some of the railings.

Combing fitted around hatchway to keep water out (hopefully).

25 November

Most of the detail items are on. It still needs the RDF aerial  and it's mount and the 3 signal lights on the mast. It also has some more handrails around the superstructure, to go on and lots of paint work and decals of course.

27-28 Nov 05

Spreader/light frame fitted. I made one from brass rod and plastic sheet as I didn't like the kit's version at all.

Most of the railings are on and the spreaders and lights on the mast too.

Building tip: When making the hand-rails, thread all the rods and solder-glue them in place up to the next bend, before bending them all together. (all 2 or 3). I started by doing just the top rail into position and found it impossible to fit the lower ones, so started again!.(Silly me) This tip could save you a lot of work!! Everything on this build needs lots of fore-thought, but it is a lot of fun to do

Doing some wiring alterations. The deck is easily removable thanks th the GRP construction.

The skipper at the wheel of the Tug

I fitted the transfer decals and added the stripes around the funnel. The boat was too tender with it's high superstructure, so I've reduced it's weight by replacing the lead acid battery with a NIMH power pack and I've attached a steel weight (cole chizzel) to the bottom sand faired it into a long shallow false keel using balsa wood and glass etc. It now sits just right and is much stiffer. I've also fitted the large speaker and the electronics for the fog horn. It sounds good! There's a small funnel in the deck under the cabin which allows the sound to come out without letting water in. I've also increased the height of the hatch combing to about 4cm with sticky back, which is hidden under the cabins,  to ensure (I hope) that she keeps the water out when swamped. (She sits low like all tugs)

It's all over bar the shouting! Apart from a final sea trial to test the new keel etc, she's pretty much all finished. As far as I'm wanting to take her anyway. You might wonder why it has no anti-foul etc. I like it like it is and no hull stripes either. Who says it has to be 100% scale anyway!

The Grand Launch at Surrey Park!!!! She's all finished and going well. The fog horn even worked today! Click Here for a video and slide show.

Next building page '5'>>>>

Started cutting out the wooden parts with the scroll saw.

Fitting the Kort Nozzle and rudder shafts.