Chinese Mini Tug

This figure looks about the right size.

  

unfortunately the pose is wrong, and I can't remember what scale he is supposed to be. Two his size with hands free would be good. The problem with these figures is that you get a random selection of poses.

More paint has been applied - I am sticking with more conventional tug colour schemes  I also made a searchlight and a radar scanner. I just need to make navigation lights and an aerial. I will not be fitting a mast. I have a couple of bollards for the rear deck. I can't do any more to the cabin until I get the wheel I ordered from BattlecraftsCMB, but I can give the deck another coat of paint, and finish off the capping at the stern.

Barrie

I gave the black a second coat after re-making the capping at the stern. Some other items were painted. I also tried my hand at sculpture   I sawed off the right arm of one of my figures and have tried to create a new arm that will allow him to steer the tug. Apart from giving the deck another coat of paint, and finishing my reshaped man, I am now stuck waiting for the wheel to arrive. This needs fitting before I install the windows and roof.

Barrie

 

ouchhh……..you butcher!!!...……..I hope he recovers soon...…...or he won't be able to pick his nose or scratch his bum...……...shameless brutality, 

Painting now completed on the hull. The Captain is almost ready to take command. Just need a steering wheel so I can complete the cabin. I think I have all the fittings ready to go.

Barrie

 

nice one barrie,

david

Still waiting for my wheel  I gave the lower hull and the deck a coat of matt varnish, after sticking the fittings on the deck. I have added a foam strip round the hull at deck level and will not be using the tyres that ere included in the kit. I have mounted the fittings on the cabin roof, although the roof is not fixed.

Barrie

 

 

The wheel arrived today and has been fitted. The Captain fits and manages to hold the wheel - albeit rather casually with one hand in his pocket  I am now ready to finish the model. I made a mast today and on my next session I will fit the glazing and then stick down the roof. I do have to try it in the test tank  - the washing up bowl I think. Not sure when that will be as I have to go and look at a possible new sailing water for our club tomorrow which means shopping is postponed until Friday . I was going to buy some ply on Friday which will now have to wait until next week, and I've just got a 'taxi' job for Monday to Cambridge and Saffron Walden on Tuesday.

Barrie

are you pleased with it Barrie......I certainly would be...…...I think its a little cracker. TBH.

Yes Neil - very pleased. For less than £50 including the extra bits I had to buy I think it was a good decision.

And wait until you see my next project - that cost even less

Barrie

barriew wrote:

Yes Neil - very pleased. For less than £50 including the extra bits I had to buy I think it was a good decision.

And wait until you see my next project - that cost even less

Barrie

keep us in suspense barrie, lol.

OK Neil, just for you a little taster. This cost me £8.71 from China. It is not intended as a working model! Length of hull is approx 9.5 inches.



so far I have dry fitted the bulkheads to the keel and then dropped on the deck. Everything beautifully laser cut and etched. The planking is laser cut from ply. It all fits!

Build log when I start building properly.

Barrie

hi barrie,

you said my build looked big, that looks smallllllllllllllllll ish   


david

David - you may be right, but at least it didn't cost me much money

Final photos of the tug. All it needs is a new stand which is waiting for my visit to Maldon next week to buy some ply.

  

I tried it in the test tank - it needs a LOT of lead  In fact I think too much. I am not sure that I can install what is needed to bring it down to a reasonable level but certainly not the water line. It looks as though it may have to remain dry.

Barrie

its a little cracker, barrie…………..hope you do get to sail it...……...nothing worse than a virgin boat.

I will give it a go today. Part of the problem is the very limited access. I probably should have tried it before I added the deck

Barrie

Well - I managed to get just over half a kilo of lead into the hull. This brought it down quite a bit although not to the water line. I will have to wait and see how it performs when i get a chance to sail it.

Barrie

Can you put a false keel under it with the lead attached Barrie?

I could try Damien, but I think this is OK for the amount it will probably get sailed.

Barrie

Fair enough.

Finally got it in the water! It sails very well and looks pretty good. There is a problem with the rudder alignment, but otherwise I'm very pleased.

Barrie