Hamburg Pilot boat

The Lotse is a pilot boat employed in Hamburg. NB Lotse is pilot in the German language.

The model was constructed from a kit manufactured by Graupner. The model is a relatively simple one designed by Graupner for fast building. The hull, deck and superstructure are vacuum formed styrene parts. The motor is a MFA Torpedo operating from a 6 volt system. The electronic controller is an Electronize 43X giving continuously variable drive both forward and reverse. The main battery supply is obtained from two 6 volt 1.2Ah lead acid batteries connected in parallel although an option is to provide a 12 volt supply by connnecting the two batteries in series. A separate 4.8volt Nicad receive battery is installed. The radio equipment is a Futaba Attack two channel 40Mhz AM system for motor and helm control.

The boat was built primarily for management to participate in my model boating hobby. To this end management was involved in the construction doing some of the styrene trimming work and assembling the electronic controller kit. On the water the model works quite well and has at least 2 hours duration with the 6volt option. With 12 volts the performance is quite good but a bit "twitchy" for steering regattas. Dimensions are length 520mm x 165mm beam.

BACK