HMS HoodAugust 13, 2019Navy Day on 12th May 2019 was a glorious sunny day with only a light breeze and seemed a fitting occasion to try out the new Trumpeter 200th Scale HMS Hood. Built by Devonport Models, this superb kit makes a beautiful sailing model in these near perfect conditions. [Other models of John Wills] [other Warship Models]... Read more...Peggy Tragedy – All Hands LostApril 28, 2019It is with great sadness that I report the tragic loss with all hands of the Thames sailing barge ‘Peggy’whilst on passage across the stormy waters at Setley on Thursday 25th April 2019. She put up a valiant fight but she was on her limits when a sudden blast caught her and laid her on her beam ends. Unable to shed the weight of water from her decks she went to the bottom under full sail. However, I did have time to take a couple of mental bearings using the racing buoys as reference points as well as a point on shore. I returned the following afternoon with a rubber dinghy, a 10 foot boat hook, a homemade grapnel from 3 wire coat hangers and a willing neighbor. After about 25 minutes rowing against a troublesome wind we found her right where I thought she would be. On reaching the shore and a quick inspection of the vessel I found minimal damage which can be put right in a couple of hours, I am a very lucky and happy man. I would like to say a big thank you to Nigel, who at the time of the sinking offered encouragement and the use of a 10 foot boat hook. Also to Jim who came all the way from Bournemouth to assist with the recovery by shouting out encouraging tips from the shore like ‘put your bloody back into it’. Thanks also to Pat and Oliver Chapman who photographed the whole event. I am proud to be a member of such a helpful group of people, thanks to all of you.... Read more...USS North CarolinaApril 17, 2019USS North Carolina (BB-55) is a World War II Battleship; now a Battleship Memorial in Wilmington, North Carolina. Model: model: Athanasios Kanias. [Other models of Thanasis Kanias] [other Warship Models]... Read more...Lifeboat Display, Highcliffe 2019March 26, 2019A video by Penny Coombs of the display of model lifeboats at the 2019 Highcliffe Charity Exhibition of the Solent Radio Control Model Boat Club held at the Highcliffe Sports and Social Club on 23rd March 2019. [click to view a report on the Show]... Read more...Maiden Voyage of the Vela (one metre)March 17, 2019Although it was a bit breezy I finally managed to get my “Vela” one metre yacht onto the Pond. Not ideal conditions but still looks good and sails well.... Read more...Grand Banks SchoonerJanuary 18, 2019The Grand Banks schooner, Bantuzi, built by the late Harold Hartigan is now owned by club member Brian Jones. [Other models of Brian Jones] [other Sailing Ship Models]... Read more...Cup Class YachtJanuary 18, 2019Cup Class Yacht; model: John Wills. [Other models of John Wills] [other Racing Yacht Models]... Read more...Robbe ContessaJanuary 18, 2019Robbe Contessa; model by Jacob Roth. [Other models of Jacob Roth] [Other Offshore yachts]... Read more...David Reith’s Pacific 24 RIBDecember 3, 2018Sea trials of my new project. [Other models of Dave Reith] [other Unusual Models] ... Read more...
