This page is about the radio controlled models I have built over the years, ships and aircraft.
Ships
The first radio controlled model I built was a 1/12 scale model of an “Atlantic class” inshore life-boat. It was powered by an electric motor and used a two channel 27MHz radio unit. It was quite fast, but the battery life was only about fifteen minutes. It was built from a kit but it was a lot of fun
The second ship was much more ambitious, a 1/72 scale model of a ship I was working on called “Lowland Cavalier”. This model was powered by two main electric motors and used two smaller motors to power bow and stern “tunnel” thrusters. The model featured a working ‘A’-frame at the stern, complete with a model of the UDI seabed trencher. The model was based on a preformed glass-fibre hull, with all the superstructure scratch built. The controller for this model was a 35MHz five channel radio, that was really meant for aircraft. Unfortunately this model falls into the “Unfinished Project” category, as after successful ‘sea trials’ in the bath, it was sacrificed when I moved house.
As a foot-note, although the “Lowland Cavalier” left the North Sea some years ago, when I was in Fourchon, Louisiana in January 2002 I saw her there under a different name.. small world!
Lowland Cavalier, real thing and the model
Aircraft
I had built several rubber power, free flying models in the past, when I decided to try a glider. With typical “in at the deep end” attitude, I started to built a radio control glider with a 8′ 4″ wing span. This model was about 95% completed when re-decorating necessitated suspending the model from the ceiling of the den to keep it safe. And there it has remained for about three years! Recently, I took it down and had three or four short test glides inthe garden to check its balance and airworthiness. (is that a real word?) Some day soon it’s gonna have a proper flight. I’ll keep you posted.
My current project is a 1/10 scale twin engined aircraft, specifically a Mark I Bristol Blenheim. Again a bit over the top, my first powered aircraft and it is twin engined! At least I stuck with electric motors, something I know a bit about! I’ll keep you posted on this one as well.
Visit the Ripmax Web Site, for more information on their radio control kits and equipment. This site also has links to mail order suppliers