A conflict of interests

[Des]

A superb looking boiler/engine combination Tug, first class workmanship.

Des.

[GAJouette]

 Tug,
This just blows me away my old friend.You're truly a very gifted Master Modeler. Absolutely stunning skills and craftsmanship are clearly evident in this project. Thank you very much for sharing the video of the engine run up. It was AWESOME ! Well Done Tug.

Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

PS: Just wondering if you ever considered building a steam powered David type torpedoboat from the American Civil War?

[Suffolk Lad]

Hi guys - glad you found it of interest 

Gregory, no, I haven't. Indeed I have never been aware of them in any detail as such until your post. Having just Googled it and spent some time on some very interesting reading it would make an interesting subject for sure (and different to the mainstream too) but alas I have far to many other projects to think about let alone do  - A new plastic WWI project for one 

Kind Regards - Tug

[Suffolk Lad]

Hi Guys

I thought some might like to know that this project saw it's finishing touches today  It's been a long haul - three years overall (though I set out to make it in 1972  ) Saturday see's it's launch but having built it, the original desire of doing so to steam it regularly has diminished with time to the point of little desire at all. After Saturday it will live in the hallway on display and I can get back to the real interest 





Though you may find it surprising to hear that and wonder why I spent the time on it, it was just something I wanted to do after all these years thinking about it. I'm pleased I've made it and very pleased with the outcome but the great thing is that now it's done I can shortly get back to the workbench and get to grips with a kit 

Kind Regards - Tug

[Des]

Absolutely superb Tug, it is as close to the real thing as anyone could possibly get. It may have taken three years but in my eye it was three years very well spent, you have created a true masterpiece and something to be extremely proud of.

Des.

[coyotemagic]

This is truly magnificent, Tug!  It looks 1/1!  Perfect!
Cheers,
Bud

[lcarroll]

    An absolutely beautiful reproduction Tug, the workmanship is very impressive. Three years well spent I'd say, the quality of this piece just jumps out at the viewer, you've done a real quality job on this!
Cheers,
Lance

[Nigel Jackson]

Gosh, what a beautiful piece of work, Tug. You must feel very proud of it.

Best wishes
Nigel

[lone modeller]

    An absolutely beautiful reproduction Tug, the workmanship is very impressive. Three years well spent I'd say, the quality of this piece just jumps out at the viewer, you've done a real quality job on this!
Cheers,
Lance

I completely agree with Lance - could not have phrased it better. It does seem a shame though that you only intend to sail it once - I do hope that perhaps you may change for mind, if only that others can have a chance to admire your supreme craftsmanship.

Stephen.

[Suffolk Lad]

Des, 'RB', Bud, Lance, Nigel and Stephen - my thanks for your kind and appreciative comments

Three years overall does seem a long time but I did have breaks in between as you know - Starfighter, Camel, Nieuport etc. The intention to do this began so long ago but unlike most ideas this one stuck - I guess you could say it was an itch that just had to be scratched.

Yes Stephen I guess it does seem strange to sail it 'only the once' but the thought of the amount of preparation for each steaming and the necessary cleaning down afterwards no longer provides the attraction it once did.  I am very pleased I kept at it though and very pleased to have it finished too but I'm afraid it's probably going to be more an ornament than a regular working model.

As basically a lifelong 'working model' modeller I am surprised just how great the appeal of plastic modelling has become over the last few years. I would never have believed it not that long ago but now find I much prefer the cleaner environment surrounded by books, paints and kits etc and the quiet pleasure of what we do than to standing in front of a lathe or milling machine.

I have a couple of small distractions in the coming weeks not least my wifes retirement this week but it's my intention to get to grips with a new model as speedily as possible

Thanks again guys - much appreciated

Regards - Tug

[Manni]

Wow, Tug,
this is just unbelievable! I can't say anything more, just perfect. It will look good in hallway I guess.
Chapeau,
Manni

[Suffolk Lad]

Thanks Manni - I hope so but Sue gets the job of dusting it 

Tug

[Monty]

Hi Tug, I am in Awe of your superb model... it is a wonderful inspiration of how models should really be... faithful replicas down to the working parts and "innards"... Just Great Work! But I can sense your attraction to static modelling too, it's a great hobby I have been involved most of my life... And as we mature, our interests wander... It's about the journey!

Thanks for posting and I hope your wife really enjoys retirement!

Regards,
Marc

[Suffolk Lad]

Thanks Marc - you are so right - it is the journey which becomes ever more important as those years tick by. I was only saying to my wife tonight that it didn't seem that 'long ago' she had just over four years to do and here we are and tomorrow is her last day  Four years gone in a flash - you really do have to make the most of each day. Ah, and especially so, with so many models in the stash


Regards - Tug

[Suffolk Lad]

Hi guys

This will be my last post on this subject but I thought that perhaps one or two of you would like to see that she did not sink 


We had a great launching with some bubbly and cucumber sandwiches (ah! what else would you expect )  but now it's safely in its stand in the hall and I can get back to more serious matters  (Pics as before on the MEM site)

I have a couple of workshop mods to do and Sue has ideas about decorating  but I should be able to get back on a new build within a couple of weeks - it will be nice to have something far more topical to post about.

For those who had the interest - thanks for looking in

Regards - Tug