A very unusual model of a very unusual subject:- the 10-foot -long Motorflote vessel, built by Thomas Storey (Engineering) Ltd is in fact a standard Uniflote pontoon unit fitted with a Mermaid diesel engine driving a four-bladed propeller in a Burness Corlet Towmaster nozzle and rudder system. The idea is that the unit can manoeuvre and position the Uniflotes to form bridges, powered pontoons etc. The unit can also be used as a general workhorse and push anything around.
The plans presented here first appeared in the December 1985 Issue of Model Boats magazine and offer a 1/12th scale model of the Motorflote - ie. 10" long - for radio control and electric power transmitted through a commercial steerable nozzle sysem. The initial model was built using a Calder Craft 2" steerable nozzle, however Graupner units or a Z-Drive unit would work equally well.
The completed model won't many regattas or awards for good looks, but it is a great crowd-puller and very, very different.
A PDF reproduction of the original six-page build article is available in addition to the plan itself.
Motorflote Tug | |
MODEL TYPE | 1/12th scale tug |
DESIGNER | David Metcalfe |
POWER TYPE | Electric |
POWER SIZE | Monoperm Super with steerable nozzle |
CONTROL | 2-Channel RC |
MODEL LENGTH | 250mm (10") |
PLAN SIZE | 810mm x 600mm |
SHIPPING WEIGHT (printed) |
0.25kg |