These are made from conveyor belt material - I've got miles of the
stuff lying around (without the fancy graphics)

Great! One of my major clients deals in Conveyor Belt spares, and I should be able to strike gold soon.

The Mermaid is coming along well, as you can see. Plan to skin her over the weekend.

I love the second snap, taken by my daughter, it shows me working on the RAF Crash Tender in the background.


                                                *** Cigarettes are injurious to your heath***

May be an out board motor for one of your boats VC 

http://geb.ebay.in/g/ImportHubViewItem?itemid=221043930590&Toy-Outboard-Super-Zoom

This beauty is coming out really nice sir.. Great work VC sir

Basic Superstructure is complete. Stuffing tube has been installed. I hope to complete the skinning tomorrow.

Beauty & the Beast, (You know Which is beautiful and who is the beast ? )

The Beasts like the Yeti, Chupacabra, Big Foot (and some others) are found at higher altitudes. The Beauties are found at significantly lower levels.  

Hull skinning completed. Now for all the filling and sanding to start.

Interesting comparative study from your left to right - RAF FIRE Rescue / PT 109/ Mermaid/Schnellboot

Skinning completed with epoxy and initial gap filling done.

Hull and Superstructure ready for paint.

Not much achieved as I have been busy with the RAF Crash Tender. Just some pictures to show the comparative sizes.

How do you bend the ply so evenly? Is it the result of all the pumping iron?

The ply has to steamed and bent into shape. You have to work up some steam when you are pumping iron to get into shape. Roughly the same.

You need a palm sander (orbital) i.e. if you don't have one

Initial coat of paint. Not happy with it and may decide to repaint her completely. Windows out of card and framed with soldering flux. Window frames will be painted Chrome or White depending on the final cabin colour. If I retain the blue, I will frame them in white. What do you say?

Looks pretty nice as is

Have you started using your compressor/air brush? Should give a good finish.

I've completed about 80% of the Neptune (in 2 & 4 mm Sunboard) and now I appreciate your builds even more

great build sir!

Midnight ramblings.....

While building a boat, at the very beginning we have to decide whether we are building something that is purely 'functional' (for IIT type competitions) devoid of all details and aesthetics or are we going in for a scale build with additional details. If we don't do this, the transition from a 'functional' build to a 'detailed scale build' can be a daunting, frustrating task.

Stay tuned for details............

Fully tuned sir! Ears cocked, eyes open, nose up, fingers and toes splayed...........

How's that for an authentic wooden deck staining? I'm delighted with the effect that I have been able to achieve.............

My trusted assistant decided to help her ol' man with the second coat of porthole frame paintings.

Beautiful! Really authentic deck wood planks!

Your daughter sure brings that touch of perfection! Porthole frames  No wonder your boats have such intricate detailing! 

Finally ready for her maiden. Finishing touches remain.

She carries the name 'JAYSHIL". It is a portmanteau derived from my Mother - JAYanti and my Father - SHILaditya.

More to follow soon.

Some more.

Model features working lights as prescribed by the International Maritime Authorities:

http://www.bosunsmate.org/seamanship/lights.php

In keeping with Rules 22 and 23:

http://www.bosunsmate.org/seamanship/rulesoftheroad.php#rule23