Model Boats Blog

Hello and welcome,

This blog has a purpose. It will document the course of a complete build from scratch of a model Fairey Marine Huntsman from a plan by Vic Smeed.

 

First a bit about me and why I have created this blog. I am 52 years of age and recently retired from 30 years service in the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. I live in Devon and since retiring I have been assisting my wife with her Antique Silver Business. I have also been developing a number of affiliate websites of which the main website this blog is attached to, www.myfordengineeringauction.com is one.

I mention all this before I explain I have no engineering or model building skills. The last model I can recall making was an airfix model of a Lancaster bomber when I was about 15 years old and a mad keen air cadet!

So why am I doing this? Its simple really. My brother Mike who is a model engineer and has a model engineering website challenged me. I am continually taking the mick out of his efforts and one day he said words to the effect " Even you could make this model"  stupidly I rose to the challenge when he said he would make the engine from scratch if I made the boat from scratch. (Please follow the Engine build here)

Well that is how it has come to pass that I now find myself out in a freezing cold garage a couple of hours a week pouring over a model boat plan reciting the words "even you can build this one" I have since established however he had an ulterior motive, he hates working with wood hence he delegated the task to me (well he is a retired Chief Fire Officer)

 

Now I have not set myself any goals as to when it may be completed, nor have I actually committed myself to completing the task. I am however going to have a go.

I will be using my garage which has only limited room. I have no fancy tools and most of the specialist kit I shall borrow from Mike. The first thing he has leant me is an Axminster Jig Saw. This impressive piece of kit will no doubt save a lot of time if I can master it.

I have set it up on my bench and screwed it down to stop it wandering when switched on. I have also built a fold down bench on which the boat will be built and assembled.

The plans have come from Mike and have already been laminated. Mike has his own laminater and everything gets laminated! Now I have never built anything from a basic drawing and raw materials. The plan is in 2 drawings. Having had a quick look it seems straight forward but that might just be naiive of me at this stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One plan pinned to the wall

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other on the bench to work from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now some basisc research has found this image of the real thing being built in the 1960's which were the heyday of the Huntsman. The picture shows the factory and boats in production.(from the Fairey owners club)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 So this is my first blog post on the new project. I shall be creating a page setting out the objectives of this blog as well as a page detailing how I will try to earn money from this blog to pay for the build if I can.

Still much more to come but please do leave a comment. I do not profess to have a clue so any comment would be appreciated.

Now I intend to buy a lot of the accessories and tools etc from ebay. Below you will find a number of ebay items for sale.