Billings Kit - my 2nd boat build. This time I thought I'd challenge my skills and build a plank on frame boat rather than using an ABS hull. Fairmount Alpine is a 75M Ocean going tug used for heavy duty work. The model is 1:75 scale, so around 1metre long.
As I started this some time ago (before I joined this website) I'll put some regular posts up to catch up to where I am now... still not finished! Kit comes with all timber laser cut, brass fittings, instructions etc. Extra purchases of course are the motors / ESCs / and other electronics. This model is large enough to accommodate a few ancillaries such as lighting / bow thruster etc. Although laser cut, some of the joints needed trimming, and I had to use some of my bigger clamps!

adding deck...

The bottom of the hull comes mainly as 4 large pieces of ply - 2 which fit flat on to the frames, and the 2 rear pieces have a nice S curve to make things interesting. Relatively easy to glue with plenty of clamps. The bow structure all slotted together with a little added effort from some screw up large clamps!

I have to admit I'm a bit of a novice and tend to work on my own a lot, although I have looked at build videos on YouTube. I often wonder about the best time to paint the various bits as it seems some will be difficult to do later. So I painted the guard rail uprights and glued them in... then clamped the painted guard rails (proper names?) then started adding the hull sides, glued, clamped, and pinned where necessary.
Size comparison picture with tug Annabelle (Billings Banckert) Fairmount is 1:75 scale, Banckert is 1:48

So the rear deck seal isn’t that great and on choppy water it’s a problem coming over the sides and stern. All the electronics were located under the rear deck and in danger of getting wet! So I moved everything around and put the waterproof speaker at the back, and the receiver/ turnigy switches at the front, much higher up. Seems to work. Occasionally still get water in the hull but only the motors and (waterproof) ESC are there. 👍