Severn class RNLI Lifeboat

Severn class RNLI LIfeboat

I obtained four sheets of plans (three @ 1:20 and one @ 1:25 scale) from the RNLI.

I resized all four to 1:40 scale as I felt that this was the minimum size to do this model justice.

 

Because there were only 4 plan sheets, I had to rely on pictures gleaned from the internet to cover the profiles and layout of the boat that were not covered by the plans.

 

The hull was constructed using the normal plank on frame method for model boats. This can be seen on other models on this site.

The superstructure was constructed using 1.5mm and 3mm plywood.

RAILINGS.

The forward deck rails were next to be made.

A template of the deck shape was made from 1mm card and the stanchion holes marked and drilled. All the rails were made from 1,8mm copper wire obtained from twin & earth cable and fitted onto the jig and soldered.

The template was then placed on the deck and the stanchion holes transferred to the deck.

The superstructure railings were next to be made and again, a card template was made of the upper deck.

The stanchion holes were marked out and then the railings constructed.

Again, the template was placed on the upper deck and the stanchion holes transferred to the deck.

REAR DECK

The rear deck and side rails were now constructed as before using a card template.

Right-angle mounting plates were made from brass plate and drilled to accommodate the stanchions. 

A length of right-angle mounting plate was made for each side and shaped to follow the upward curve of the deck. The stanchion positions were marked on the plates and holes drilled for them.  The stanchions were then fitted and soldered to the base plates. The base plates were then cut between some of the stanchions in line with the design of the real boat.

The guide rails made from thinner wire were then soldered to the stanchions, except at the entry ports where removable links were fitted.

All the railings were now painted and put aside, to be fitted later.

The hull was now painted and left to dry,

The rubbing strips along the deck edges were made from electric cable.

The front bow thrusters were made from a piece of 10mm dowel with a painted picture of the propeller blades glued to both ends and then glued in place.

The rubbing strips were now glued to the deck edges. Red and yellow vinyl car pin striping was added to the hull beneath the rubbing strips as on the real boat.

The windows for the superstructure were now made from 1mm styrene sheet. The bolts were simulated using a fabric pin wheel.

The window frames were glued into the superstructure and the glass was simulated using squares of old X-rays glued to the inside of the superstructure. The windscreen wiper housings were made from strips of styrene pinned and glued above the frames and the wipers from brass rod with thin brass plates soldered to the ends of the arms.

The searchlights and sirens were made from brass rod and bells sourced from a bead shop.

Once all the aerial arrays were made, painted and fitted, they were glued to the superstructure along with the railings.

The superstructure was then glued to the hull.

The RIB was made from dowel, ply, styrene and brass wire. The outboard was shaped from styrene and wood.

The crane was made from 1mm styrene pieces and brass rod, nails and brass tube.

All the various deck fittings such as bollards, anchors, capstans, fairleads etc. were made and fitted.