Hello from Kent.

[Chris Harding]

I'm Chris,

I have been lurking in the background since early December. I now feel I have got to know the MO of this forum enough to give me confidence to post.
You certainly are a very friendly bunch of guys, unlike some forums I have looked at.

I think a small snippet of myself first is called for.
 
I retired last year after a long service in management at UCL in London. I have been modelling for many years, Firstly billings boats 35 years ago, and then model trains (a large layout depicting Californian  logging in the 1930s), then flying model i/c planes in Kent, and now back to boats. I have been very fortunate to be able to buy over the years several scratch built large Thames sailing barges which my friend had built, but is now too old and frail to sail them. I have been interested in paddlers for many years, but my working career once I got into management 30 years ago did not allow me the time to to explore this wonderful side of model boats.

I intend to start of gently with 2 projects (I always run several projects at the same time, I seem to get fresher ideas and input with a change every few days). Firstly HMS Volcano, I have the hull and fittings and may wait to see what Kim produces in the way of the first class decking and superstructure parts in his winter Volcano post, brilliant stuff, keep up the good work.

After looking at Eddy's posts on the tug Lingdale I am very, very tempted to have a go at this one, tugs are my weakness I just resist them. I was very lucky to be looking at ebay during December and picked up not one but two paddle tugs for quite reasonable sums. They are PT Strongbow and HMAS Forceful, both in quite good condition. A little TLC needed but very sailable.
I'm sorry if I have waffled on for too long but I will probably get much worse over the next few weeks.

Many thanks

Chris

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & welcome on board Chris.....from the other side of the world......

Keep us posted with images of your "new to you" two vessels & the rework involved ....... .....Derek

[Eddy Matthews]

Welcome to Paddleducks Chris....

My model of the PT Lingdale is sitting forlorn in the shed at the moment after moving house. I hope to get back to building her again once the weather improves a little.

Please post your progress on your models as we all like to see how others do things..

Regards
Eddy

[Chris Harding]

Many thanks for the warm welcome.

My responses may be a little slower than I would like at the moment, as I am looking after the wife who has just had surgery on her arm. Unfortunately it is her dominant arm so she struggles to even make a cup of coffee, or get dressed on her own. She should be back to par in a couple of weeks though.
The tug Strongbow is just old and needs sprucing up a bit. But the HMAS Forceful needs a complete new paint job. Some muppet who previously owned her did not understand that Royal Navy auxillary tugs had specific livery. Certainly not white superstructure and a blue hull. That may have to wait until next month. 

We started are model yacht racing season on Sunday at Mote Park in Maidstone, and it was snowing. The club chairman decided mid morning that we were all totally mental, took a couple of photos and promptly went home (not a bad judge). By lunchtime our fingers were so cold we were having trouble operating the joysticks on our trannies, so we all went home. The football match on telly was good though, I was born and brought  up in Chelsea.

A question I think Eddy may know, where would I get a GRP hull for the tug Iona. I know the principle of how to rivet plate hulls using lithoplate and a pounce wheel (which I have both) but if I can buy one already done, so much the better.
Thanks again for the welcome.

Chris

[Eddy Matthews]

The only person I know that does a hull for the PT Iona is Gib Duthie up in Edinburgh.... I don't have any contact details for him though

Andrew Gray (ajg141 on Paddleducks) is a member of the same club, so he should be able to put you in touch with Gib if you PM him or email him.

Regards
Eddy

[Chris Harding]

Eddy,

Did a search on the members list for Andrew but no match. Do you have an email address for him. I would just like to obtain several hulls of the paddle tugs I would like to build whilst my savings are at a good level. I am quite experienced at searching the internet, but these hulls are proving very elusive to find. Almost certainly because nobody makes them. I have not built plank on frame for 35 years! Perhaps I will have to start.

Cheers

Chris

[Eddy Matthews]

As I said, search for ajg141 in the memberlist and you'll find Andrew....

Regards
Eddy

[Chris Harding]

Cheers Eddy much appreciated,

Still learning how to use this website. Email sent to Andrew.

Many thanks

Chris

[Mike]

Hi Chris, I live just down the road from you. Give me an email and we will get together. Just south of TW. Prentice.

[Chris Harding]

Evening Prentice,

That sounds like a plan. I am looking after the wife next week but should be free after that. What is your email address? I will ping you a week on Monday and have a chat over a beer.
I was looking at Bob Abell's Jeanie Deans in wartime mode build on Model Boats forum. Now that is something special. Wish I had the patience to produce that quality workmanship, absolute work of art. But then I would think that being ex Royal Navy and liking any ship with guns sticking out, specially paddlers.

Cheers

Chris

[derekwarner_decoy]

Chris....just left click on the name of prentice next to his posting....
That will bring up his profile & from there you can send him a PM [private e-mail] via the PD's group ....Derek

[Chris Harding]

Cheers Derek,

Your'e an Aussie treasure, next time you visit the old country we'll share a few tinnies, on me!

Cheers

Chris