RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

Post a reply

Confirmation code
Enter the code exactly as it appears. All letters are case insensitive.
Smilies
:smallsmile: :wave_1: :big_grin: :thumbs_up_1: :heh: :cool_1: :cool_2: :woo_hoo:
View more smilies
BBCode is ON
[img] is ON
[url] is ON
Smilies are ON
Topic review
   

Expand view Topic review: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Wed Jan 04, 2023 11:19 am

Please note:

I have recently sold the business of Chylds Hall Model Shipyard business to Adam Slater at Mountfleet Models. He now has all the plans, moulds, patterns and rights of production for the models I designed and marketed, including this little Picket Boat and the German Destroyer of 1914 (build also on this forum).

I enjoyed designing and building these models and I would like to thank all the modelers around the world who helped with construction suggestions and research information.

Happy modelling

Steve (Picketboat)

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:14 am

THIS NOTE IS FOR THE SITE ADMINISTRATORS

I do not have any more to add to this picket boat build, having finished it with some on the water pictures. Is it a suitable addition to the "completed build" section? I leave it up to you.

Many thanks. :thumbs_up_1:

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by doog_k » Wed Jul 23, 2014 2:03 pm

She is a lovely wee model and performs absolutely beautifully, quite astonishing workmanship.
It was great to see her on the water Steve.

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Wed Jul 23, 2014 6:25 am

Neptune

Yes compared to the model the pond is BIG, however I was amazed how buoyant and sea worthy it was. This is certainly an indication of the thought that went into the design of the hull on the original vessel and this shows up when the model is seen riding over some quite large (out of scale) waves.
The 5mm plastic coaming around the edge of the main deck aperture (and hidden under the boiler house roof) was essential to keep water out of the hull. If I build another one I will certainly consider fitting a small smoke generator (with its own 6v power supply) as there is more than enough hull capacity and buoyancy.

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by Neptune » Tue Jul 15, 2014 3:01 pm

That's a pretty awesome pond! And a pretty small boat, still surprised by its size compared to its surroundings (= builder). :thumbs_up_1: :thumbs_up_1:

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Tue Jul 15, 2014 2:56 am

Hi all

Well that just about finishes off this picket boat model. The figures were installed and the only thing left was to take a few more pictures of the finished model sailing, this time with the crew aboard. A perfect opportunity came up at the recent Scottish National Model Warship Weekend in Glasgow.

The sun was shining, there was only a light breeze and there were plenty of models on the water. The little picket boat set off from the dock, out of the harbour mouth on its way to deliver the "Admiral" to his ship. The sequence of pictures below tell the story. Many thanks to Doug Kinloch from Edinburgh MBC for taking the pictures.

The more observant of you will notice that the ship involved is in fact a WW2 Flower class corvette. There was unfortunately no 1/48th scale Pre-Dreadnought at the show (surprise surprise). Never mind the correctly scaled corvette made a nice substitute. A nicely built model in it's own right and I'm very sorry that I failed to get the name of the builder.

I hope everyone who followed the build found it both interesting and informative. Thanks for the positive comments posted by forum members.

I shall now be getting back to building the 1/48th scale Russian Torpedo Gunboat "Kazarski" (1890). When I progress a little further I shall start posting details.
Attachments
"PICKETBOAT" launches the picket boat.
"PICKETBOAT" launches the picket boat.
The Little RN picket boat leaves the harbour mouth.
The Little RN picket boat leaves the harbour mouth.
.......and heads out into the bay.......
.......and heads out into the bay.......
.........across open water..........
.........across open water..........
........before arriving at the destination ......
........before arriving at the destination ......
Coming along side the &quot;Admiral&quot; was put aboard his ship.<br /><br /> No crew members were lost overboard in the making of this movie
Coming along side the "Admiral" was put aboard his ship.

No crew members were lost overboard in the making of this movie

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:47 pm

Hi all

The figures are all cast with bases, as the casting process requires a reservoir of liquid resin to fill any gaps in the figure as it sets. The bases look just like any other stand or base seen on war gaming figures, however, they would look pretty silly on the deck of a ship model. Removing the figure from its base is easy and involves exactly the same process as removing any other cast resin fitting from a casting base. A fine blade fret saw was used and again the blade follows the surface of the base and there is little loss of material (ie the bottom of the figures feet).

Mounting the figures on a model requires a little thought. I used a 0.5mm drill and pin vice to drill up into one of the figures' legs approximately 8mm. I then inserted a short length (30mm) of 0.5mm brass wire securing it with CA. Having decide the location of the figure on the model the deck was drilled with a 0.5mm drill and the figure was installed. Obviously the figure can be glued in place but it is also possible to not use glue so the figures can be removed or swapped. The wire inserted into the deck should be at least 20mm long to reduce the chances of "man overboard" particularly on working models. On models of 1/48th scale a 0.5mm hole in the deck is barely visible.

One of the figures was in a kneeling pose and was cast inverted, ie standing on its head. This was so that the detail on the underside where its feet and legs met the deck were not lost in an amorphous casing mass. Again this was sliced of the base using the above process.
Attachments
The figures had their bases removed and were then fitted with a length of brass wire to secure them to the deck,
The figures had their bases removed and were then fitted with a length of brass wire to secure them to the deck,
A 0.5mm hole was drilled in the deck and the wire attached to the figure was inserted.
A 0.5mm hole was drilled in the deck and the wire attached to the figure was inserted.
The other figures on the picket boat model were secured in the same way. Here is the sailor with the boat hook on the fore deck.
The other figures on the picket boat model were secured in the same way. Here is the sailor with the boat hook on the fore deck.

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Fri Jun 27, 2014 1:26 pm

Dabber56

Thanks for your comments. I will contact you via PM.

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by dabber56 » Fri Jun 27, 2014 12:05 pm

Very clever Steve, in time will you be making these figures available....

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by sandy » Wed Jun 25, 2014 1:05 pm

:thumbs_up_1:

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Wed Jun 25, 2014 6:03 am

Hi all

Well that pretty much finishes off the construction of these figures, some of which which were designed as a finishing touch for this picket boat model. As I said previously, there are seven figures in total, (see pictures below) but not all were intended for use on the picket boat, despite the fact they were all in suitable period clothing for 1900.

All I need to do now is to show how the figures were mounted on the finished model.

The figures have been an interesting little side project, and I would at some time in the future like to make some more, possibly a gun crew for the 12 pound QF gun on my HMS Velox model, but in the meantime I must get on with other more pressing projects.
Attachments
The finished and painted RN crew c1900. The officer (third from left) is holding a section of deck edge railings not a walking aid!
The finished and painted RN crew c1900. The officer (third from left) is holding a section of deck edge railings not a walking aid!
The 7 finished and painted RN crew c1900,
The 7 finished and painted RN crew c1900,

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Sat Jun 21, 2014 1:35 pm

Sandy

I will see you at the National Model Warship Weekend when all will be revealed and we can discuss your project in detail. I will bring some motors for you to see. The Belgian contingent seem to be experts on the "sub miniature" RC equipment. They were showing me how they use dismantled servos for their models. Brilliant.

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by sandy » Sat Jun 21, 2014 6:50 am

Hi Steve,

They look great. Will you be selling them? :smallsmile:

Away from home at the moment but looking forward to seeing you at NWW (I'll be there Saturday only though).

Since I missed your sailing visit with the launch I am very keen to see it and talk about how you electricised it.

I am thinking of r/cing the Revell 48th scale PCF, but I don't think I have quite as much weight to play with.

The Belgians are coming over again this year and they seem masters at lightweight R/Cing using mobile phone electric motors.

I may need to buy a couple of those littel motors from you...

Apologies for not sending an email and breaking into your thread.

See you soon.

All the best
Sandy

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Wed Jun 18, 2014 4:55 pm

Hi all

And three more finished figures. These are destined for the picket boat model. The Officer and the seated sailor will be in the aft cockpit and the kneeling sailor adjusting the mooring lines (in white duck working uniform with bare feet) will be in the bow. The cast resin bases will be removed with a fine fret saw and a brass 0.5mm wire fitted into the legs (as a locating pin) to help secure the figure to the model.
Attachments
The sailor will be in the aft cockpit of the picket boat model with his arm along the cockpit edge.
The sailor will be in the aft cockpit of the picket boat model with his arm along the cockpit edge.
This sailor will be adjusting mooring lines in the bow of the picket boat.
This sailor will be adjusting mooring lines in the bow of the picket boat.
The officer will stand in the cockpit of the picket boat.
The officer will stand in the cockpit of the picket boat.

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Tue Jun 17, 2014 1:06 pm

Thanks Chrischan

I also produced a couple of figures which are not for the picket boat, but are in the same vintage uniforms so will be suitable for my other late Victorian RN vessels. Here is the finished signaller complete with semaphore flags. The flags were added to the cast resin figure using brass wire and aluminium adhesive tape. The aluminium tape makes it easy to animate the flags.
Attachments
A cast resin figure in grey spray primer.
A cast resin figure in grey spray primer.
The same figure from the front. Adding a wire to the base makes it easier to hold.
The same figure from the front. Adding a wire to the base makes it easier to hold.
I was never very good at painting figures but I gave it my best shot.
I was never very good at painting figures but I gave it my best shot.

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by Folgore » Tue Jun 17, 2014 4:19 am

Hi Picketboat!

That's a great result. These figures will definately add
a decent amount of �liveliness� to your boat.

Regards

Chrischan

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Tue Jun 17, 2014 2:34 am

Hi all

Well this is the moment of truth. You never really know how well these moulds work until you try them out.

I poured the resin and increased the pressure pot internal pressure to 50 psi.

Not bad results in the end. OK so it's not exactly "Games Workshop" quality but for home produced figures they are not too bad. There was a small amount of very thin, and thus easily removed, flash along the mould seam. The "walking sticks were very easily removed with small side cutters. These served their purpose very well and there was no loss of limbs.

Beards and chins are a slight problem with small air bubbles trapped under the figures chins on some de moulds. A fine incision in the RTV mould,vertically under the chin allowed the bubble out. The resulting "web" under the chin was easily removed on the de moulded figure.
Attachments
The first figures out of the mould.
The first figures out of the mould.
Some fine flash was left along the mould seam.
Some fine flash was left along the mould seam.
The &quot;walking sticks&quot; served their purpose.
The "walking sticks" served their purpose.
The &quot;walking sticks&quot; were removed with small side cutter.
The "walking sticks" were removed with small side cutter.

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Sun Jun 15, 2014 4:23 pm

Hi all

Here you can see the secondary incisions into to RTV mould (at 90 degrees), which make it possible to extract the figures with out-stretched arms and "walking sticks". Next I pour resin.
Attachments
The secondary incisions into the mould.
The secondary incisions into the mould.

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Sat Jun 14, 2014 1:23 pm

Hi all

It was at this point I did a little calculation and figured I had spent about as much time working on the seven figures as I had making up pretty much all of the picket boat model !!!!!!!!

The next stage was to remove the figures (masters) from their entombment within the RTV silicon rubber. This is a little tricky and needs a sharp scalpel, a steady hand and a good light.

I started at one end and making an incision along the mid line, making repeated cuts, until I met approximately the side line of the figures, then continuing along to the next figure. Pulling the mould apart as I went along was a bit difficult (you sort of need three hands for this) but eventually I went all the way along and half the mould came away. The figures were still captivated by their out stretched arms and "walking sticks" so secondary incisions were made at 90 degrees until I came to the "walking sticks" . The figures were then carefully removed. The mould was checked and fitted back together and secured with three small rubber bands.

I was now ready for casting.
Attachments
A sharp scalpel was used to split the rubber mould.
A sharp scalpel was used to split the rubber mould.
Holding the mould apart while cutting was difficult.
Holding the mould apart while cutting was difficult.
The mould was eventually cut in half.
The mould was eventually cut in half.
Secondary cuts had been made into the mould to meet the out stretched arms and &quot;walking sticks&quot;.
Secondary cuts had been made into the mould to meet the out stretched arms and "walking sticks".
The two mould halves fitted very neatly back together and were secured with three rubber bands.
The two mould halves fitted very neatly back together and were secured with three rubber bands.

Re: RN Steam Picket boat (1900) 1/48th Scale

by PICKETBOAT » Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:44 am

Hi all

The next stage was to fill the plastic card box with RTV silicon rubber, carefully measured and catalysed in this case with slow (blue) catalyst. This had previously been de gassed in a vacuum chamber to 18 inches of mercury. The whole mould was then put into a pressure chamber and left overnight at 50 psi. The following day the walls of the mould were removed.
Attachments
The RTV rubber was poured into the box.
The RTV rubber was poured into the box.
The tape was removed along with the front wall of the box.
The tape was removed along with the front wall of the box.
The other three walls were then broken away.
The other three walls were then broken away.

Top