Gloucester and District
Model Boat Club
David E’s steam Paddle tug ‘Glasgow’ with differential drive to paddles
Barry P’s Ocean Going Tug ‘Dannie Hugo’ of Capetown
David L’s Steampowered Tug “Maria Felling”
Three of the clubs tugs doing what they do best!Pictured here giving the canal trust trip boat a bit of help |
In the picture above is Mark’s Twin Screw Imara Tug towing “Mister Maysey” back to its dock after the engine broke down on her inaugural outing with new engine. Oh the shame of being towed back to port by a model, Ted was last seen negotiating salvage rights for G&DMBC! It is powered by 2 x Mobile Marine T12 electric motors, 2 x 75mm 4 Blade Prop Shop propellers and 2 x 15A Mtroniks Speed controls. and a single 12V 22Ah Battery. Mixing of the rudder and throttle is done at the transmitter end by using “elevon” mixing in his Spektrum DX7™.
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Here we have Pete’s recently acquired Bugsier tug. She sails really nice and is equipped with LED lights so is ready to take on a tow day or night.
Mark’s Marie Felling Tug from a Calder Craft kit. Its a real weight lifting challenge getting it in and out of the water with its 12V 17Ah battery (no its not a typo!) and a 12V 7Ah for the smoker, plenty of power to run all day though. The drive motor is an old Smiths Industries fan motor. It is also equipped with a MMB smoker for steam effect out of the smoke stack.
Above is Marks twin screw Imara Tug. It is powered by 2 x Mobile Marine T12 electric motors,2 x 75mm 4 Blade Prop Shop propellers and 2 x 15A Mtroniks Speed controls. Mark likes his ballast work for him and not just along for the ride so to power the beast for over 6 Hours of constant sailing it has a 12 Volt, 22Ah golf battery in it. Steering is done mostly by prop as the rudder is out of the prop wash, mixing of the rudder and throttle is done at the transmitter end by using “elevon” mixing in his Spektrum DX7™. this works very well and can turn the tug 360° on the spot.
The second picture shows his daughter (Lisa) testing the pulling power and she confirmed the tug was pulling very well, later that day “Imara” was seen towing a dingy with a young girl in tow around the lake.
Bob’s RMAS Forceful – used in the 1950’s for towing Britain’s fleet of aircraft carriers. The model is from Argus Plans and a vac-formed hull with plywood superstructure and planked decking, It is driven by two “Pile” motors and gearboxes via tooth-belt drives. As you can see it gives a fair wash when it is under way.
Above is Derek’s scale model of the “Mayflower” Originally built for Steam power but has been converted to electric.
Barbara’s Pushtug
Dave L’s St Canute on Ice Breaking duty
Mike ‘s Model Slipway Tug Wyeforce almost finished very powerful model and very manoeuvrable, Mike is a toolroom engineer and all the fittings are immaculate and in full working order, the berthing tyres are all correctly hung, it can turn in its own length and will push a full sized boat.
David E’s Push Tug from a Glyn Guest design modified with chain drive to paddles and additional rudder
Ted T’s Mayflower Tug, there are several versions of this tug in the Club, the original full sized tug is now in Bristol but used to work on the Canal and up the Severn pulling barges
It started life as a steam tug, became a diesel powered one and has now been restored as original, the models in the club show it in its several versions, Phil made the hulls for all the models.
David E’s the first ever steam tug 1801 – 1804 “Charlotte Dundas” had her maiden voyage at the Warwick Show, now detailed and finished.
Lawrence’s “Lady Cathy”
Gloucester & District Model Boat Club 