Sun Kent tug on eBay

[Kev30]

Just come across this tug for sale on eBay its a model of the Sun Kent formerly a tug based at Gravesend its 55" long so I'd imagine it's a model built to 1:24 and being this size be a lump to put in your motor? But these size models do look good on the water have a look at the link attached it might interest some members on here.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Radio-Controlled-Model-Tugboat-/322555447597?hash=item4b19cd892d:g:gacAAOSwgv5ZQmBH

Regards
Kevin

[2tugboats]

Good find Kevin. . .a beautiful tugboat. It's size, 55 inches, is about the largest
you want to go. As you said, ". . .be a lump to put in your motor?" My tug is
65 inches and it is a major concern for transportation and lugging about the shop.

Again, as you said, ". . .these size models do look good on the water. . ." and
I can pack a lot of gadgets and all.

The "Sun Kent" for sale for 200$ or is like seeing a brand new pick-up truck
for sale for 800$. I can't believe that it didn't go to a new birthing port. But then,
I have watched many world class models go for a song or not at all. To me,
it's sort of a mystery.

Thanks for sharing Kevin,
Michael

[Kev30]

The reason the tug stuck out in my mind Michael I'm fairly sure that the hull was a fibre-glass hull made by the late Eric Allen a member of the Victoria Model Steamboat Club in London as he had one he used in straight running rather than radio controlled and a few other members also made some nicely detailed models of the tug.
The funny thing about the model Eric had is that he lived in Harlow in Essex and when he died about 15 years ago his family cleared his workshop out and about 5-8 years ago a member of my model boat club here in the south-west (Shepton Mallet Drifters) who lives outside Bristol bought the model that Eric ran for straight running from a guy who ran a antiques shop in Fowey in Cornwall. Which is about 250-280 miles from Harlow??? I really have no ideal how it ended up down there???
I might be completely wrong with this but Eric did make quite a few fibre-glass hulls that various modellers used.

Regards
Kevin

[2tugboats]

Thank you for the interesting information Kevin. As I read your account about a bit
of the history of Eric Allen's tug hull I agree. . .hmmm, how did the hull get 270 miles
from where it started. Tugboat models are amazing in how they get around to
places and all.

Michael

[model tugman]

My model of the Sun London also built on one of Eric Allens hulls which I got from E Bay, it came with a fibre glass deck which was not used,and the Sun Kent/Essex superstructure and wheelhouse, which was altered to make the London, she also has a home made 6" nozzle with a prop shop prop.

[Kev30]

WOW I thought it was only the straight running community and a few others in the VMSBC that knew of Eric's Sun Kent hull I didn't realise that they were so popular and dotted all over the south-east. What I'm surprised is that Eric normally only made a hull once someone was interested in having one so he would make one rather than make a dozen then wait for them to sold. I wonder who made the master unless Eric made it?

Regards
Kevin

[Cocktugman]

Just seen Kevin and Michaels thread of a couple of years ago, ( my internets a bit slow here on the Wirral) regarding a large 55 inch Sun Kent tug made by Eric Allen. The good news is I acquired it 2 years ago,for a not inconsiderable sum,added tyre fenders, replaced the kort servo because it was picking up interference from the motor and fitted a noisy thing sound system with a nice throaty diesel with ships horn download, I love it for it's superb build quality, I've never seen one so well thought out. I sail it, weather and my health permitting, at the local lake at New Brighton, you were both right, it only just fits in my car, once the superstructure,ballast and battery are removed.Once sailing, it looks and sounds real, attracting much admiring attention. It's in good hands and won't be for sale until my recently fitted pacemaker battery fails.

[Kev30]

Well good to hear that there's still model boat activity on the New Brighton boating lake. Incidentally I was staying in New Brighton exactly 20 years ago this month and went along to a club night and was made most welcome. Good to see one of Eric Allens hulls still in action. I only knew of two tugs built using this hull one was Eric's and another was a member of the VMSBC Brian Heath had other one. It was either the Sun London or Sun Essex as the model Brian built has working fire monitors.
Regards

Kevin

[Cocktugman]

 :)Hi Kevin, Mine is the Sun Kent complete with working fire monitors,whoever built it is or was, a superb model tug builder, the level of totally accurate detail is phenomenal.Over the last 20years we have lost a lot of the "characters"  from the New Brighton lake due to old age and the old New Brighton model boat club being wound up some years ago, but it's still a great lake to sail on.