Comments, observations and details on building Janus.

Tools, glues and fillers used were minimal and exactly as per kit instructions. Radio control is Futaba 4 channel (Skysport4 – 40 meg) kit which shipped with a receiver and 3 servos. I only use one servo which is for the rudder. Engines are 2 x 540 Motors with 2 x MSonik Viper 15 amp speed controllers. This means I am using 3 channels – one for the rudders, and one for each of the 2 motors. This results in superb maneuverability. The motors shipped with mounts which were discarded – the Model Slipway units were better. Battery is Venom 7.2v 3000ma which gives a running time of over 40 minutes – I take 2 with me.

The stand was built from pine and MDF then varnished. The MDF vertical members can be replaced (with another hull profile) if required which means that one stand template fits all models.

The hull, metal fittings and thermoformed plastics were superb and required little preparation. Main points (variations on the build) were as follows:

-> Joining the deck to the hull was a bit of a nightmare. Probably my fault but this was not a good fit with variable gaps/overlaps. Heating epoxy was ok but pouring was very messy – a chance for me to improve next time!

->  Deck supports – I used 12mm MDF for these and increased the number from 2 to 4. This increased rigidity.

-> Aerials were purchased separately and fitted instead of the ones in the instructions. I built a cofferdam in the rear cabin roof space to conceal the wires, and then built a square conduit to conceal their passage through the cabin. A square hole was cut in the cabin floor and the wires pass under the cabin before joining to the main receiver aerial. This has resulted in a receiver range greater than the size of my local boating lakes.

-> I had kittens about doing the railings – I’ve never done any soldering. Initial tests were diabolical – using cheap 30W soldering kit. Changing to an Antex 55W unit and liquid flux (from Maplin), plus using quality solder changed my life!! Suddenly soldering was predictable and became a pleasure. There are 3 main sets of railings on this model so I used 3 x 12inch MDF base units on which to build them. I made a template for where the holes should be and transposed this to the MDF. After building I checked they fitted ok before again using the MDF for priming and painting. The railings aren’t exactly as per your plans, but what the hell – it’s my model!

-> Took a few liberties with the mast assembly where I ditched the wire and made my own radar pedestal from scrap plastic. I’m quite pleased with this.

-> Figures (2 in cabin and 2 on deck) are 1:20 scale and not too far wrong except for the uniforms. Sailor in the cabin is examining ‘an intricate piece of machinery’ – it’s the inside of an old digital watch. Flag is RFA rather than the correct one but again it’s not too far wrong – and it flutters beautifully in the breeze (another victory for baby oil).

-> I was concerned that (a) Repeated contact of the superstructure with the deck would scratch the deck and (b) The gap between superstructure and deck was variable and turned into a 3 dimensional nightmare! Killed both birds with one stone by fitting rubber sheathing around the hatch coaming (2 mouse mats for 99p from Wilkinsons).

-> Displacement after the build (with battery etc) was 3.5kg. An additional 1.3kg brought her down to the correct trim lines – exactly as indicated in the kit. Ballast is lead flashing which was free (being thrown out by a local roofing company). Total displacement is 4.8kg.

-> Everything external was sprayed using Halfords car spray paints – Acrylics. Ford Radiant Red for antifouling. Ford Royal Blue for the hull. Rover Brooklands Green for the deck. Vauxhall Glacier White for the upper works. Volkswagen Brilliant Orange for the cabin roof etc. Cabin internal were Humbrol enamels.

-> I’ve replaced the 2 bladed 40mm plastic props with 3 bladed 30mm units which (a) look prettier (b) reduce battery consumption (c) reduce scale speed to about 30 knots. There was nothing wrong with the originals – it’s just my preference.

Janus is the Roman God of gates and doors, and is referred to as ‘The Gatekeeper’ – he faces in two directions. As such I thought I’d borrow this for a name. London is the port of Registry because Droitwich is a long way from the sea.

Total build time (my first model) has been 8 weeks – from the time when I received the box, until today when I sailed it out for the first time. This equates to 56 days x 5 hours per day average = about 280 hours. This includes a lot of thinking time and testing. I’m a bit of a plodder – I tended to carefully think things through, then do a test before doing things for real. I was doing all these things for the first time!!

It was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding introduction to model boat building and I would highly recommend the Range Safety Craft to anyone as a first or ‘early’ model. The kit is superb and when allied to the excellent telephone 'support’ paints both the manufacturer and supplier in an excellent light.