Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2024 i Model Boats

KD Perkasa kit review I will start with an admission. I’ve never actually been a fan of the Perkasa as a model! I’ve always found the kits available for this 96ft Malaysian Fast Patrol Boat build into scaled down models that are either too bulky or very crude in detail. So, when the editor asked me if I could do a build review of SLEC’s new kit for the KD Perkasa I had mixed feelings. This kit, however, was to completely change my views on the Perkasa, and throughout this review I will explain why. Oh, and by the way, should any of you be wondering about the headline for this feature, Perkasa in Malay means ‘mighty’. As mentioned in my preliminary assessment last month, this was last kit to…

Flotsam & Jetsam Every once in a while, the complex interplay of factors governing military procurement comes into alignment to create a truly great program. Such was the case with the US Fletcher class destroyer program of World War II. The design was sound, with no significant issues; the timing was right, with the US shipbuilding industry being on the cusp of mass production and able to build it in large numbers; it was successful in action; it was adaptable to changing demands; and it was well liked by those who crewed it. Built to the tune of 175 vessels, more than any other type of destroyer, the Fletcher was the dominant class of destroyer in the Pacific during World War II and went on to serve in the Korean…

Signals Best of British We are delighted to announce that Best of British, the nation’s favourite nostalgia magazine, has joined the stable of titles at Mortons Media Group. The magazine, which covers every aspect of life from the 1930s through to present day, becomes the 25th regular title in Mortons’ portfolio of publications. Recent articles on a nautical theme have included a celebration of 60 years of Radio Caroline and a look back on 100 years of the Shipping Forecast Regular, while regular content includes: ‘Treasures in the Attic’ (a look at recently uncovered antiques and collectables), ‘Postcard from…’ (which casts a spotlight on a British town or city to visit or stay in) and ‘Window on the Past’ (a compilation of archive images and memories from The Francis Frith…

Cartoon capers This was a project driven by outright jealousy and a feeling of gross inadequacy! The chaps at the pond had all built working rowing boats of one description or another, and I hadn’t.... First out the starting block was Richard, with his Disney Toy Story Marshal Woody rowing boat, which has an innovative geared and clutched system allowing differential control of the oars. Next was Peter with an ‘indigenous native American’ canoe, based on the Glynn Guest free plan issued a while ago in the mag (see the October 2016 issue), which features a very simple cranked drive and has two oars, one either side. Lastly, Trevor has made a Jessie (also from Toy Story) canoe, with another quite simple mechanism that powers the doll via a crank…

I had an interesting conversation at the pond side recently, dealing with the various types of feed systems. I went through the engine driven types, the electric types, the diverter valve controls and fully automated electronic units before getting to the real crux of what was being asked. All the chap really wanted to know was whether a feed system was actually worth it. It was one of those moments where I felt we had been discussing all sorts of details but hadn’t really got down to the bare bones of the issue. It was a fair question and one which I thought merited more evaluation. It does seem to be a bit of a ‘thing’ (for want of a better expression) nowadays to add unnecessary complexity to everything. For…

● FREE PILOT BOAT PULLOUT PLAN Plus accompanying build guide ● The mighty Mintanic A tip of the iceberg ‘go small’ build ● More of your brilliant work showcased Including a very impressive first build PLUS A thematically varied selection of feature-length articles, all your favourite regular pages – including Your Models, Your Letters, news, reviews – and lots more (Please note: content may be subject to change) You will find more about the exciting content coming next, features of particular interest you may have missed in past editions and details of the very latest subscription offers on our website at www.modelboats.co.uk You can, of course, order you copy of the May 2024 issue, which goes on sale at all good newsagents from Friday, April 19, 2024, now, but why…

Out and about The last time I covered this popular annual event, now in its 41st year, was in 2019, and a lot has happened since then. I was, therefore, delighted to find a virtually full car park when I arrived shortly after opening time at The Grange Leisure Centre (located in Bepton Road, Midhurst, West Sussex) on Sunday, February 11. The show’s multi-modelling format was, I’d estimate, made up of around 40% boats, 40% trains and 20% military models/diecast toys/Meccano/etc, along, of course, with various trade stands – something for everyone really, which is clearly starting to be recognised as the way forward. As well as boosting attendance figures for the organisers, visitors have so much more to take in, and here the £5 entry fee (for adults, with…

This month I will be completing the build of this US Navy seaplane tender and covering the painting and the addition of all the little finishes touches that really bring this model to life. I will start with the coaming… The detachable hatches and superstructure block were held in place by fitting over coaming strips around the inside of the deck access openings. They are not a structural part of the hull; they just keep the removable parts in place and any water landing on the deck out of the hull. They could, therefore, be made from anything, providing it’s not too heavy of course. Once again, I went for card, this time about 1 ⁄ 16 inch (2 mm) thick. The card was cut into strips some ¾ inch…

South Coast inshore trader I am sending you some photos of the sailing boat I’ve finally finished. I started building this model back in the early 1990s, originally intending her to be radio-controlled; this idea was, however, later dropped, and she’s been completed as a static model. She represents a 18th/19th century South Coast inshore trader. Measuring over 4ft in length, her glass fibre was supplied by Horizon Kits of Hastings. I made her cotton sails myself, dyed them using spirit wood stain, and threaded rope up all the seams that are attached to the mast and spars; the mast rings were made of 2mm glass beads threaded onto rope and tied to the sails. I’ve set the deck out with crew members (one splicing rope), a ship’s cat (catching…