Scale model of a steam pinnace. 1:35 scale Wooden hull 5.51"H 17.71"L 3.74"W

In the mid 1800's, the Royal Navy began to equip its larger men-of-war with so-called steam barges or steam pinnaces. After experiments with a number of different types, 30, 40, 50 and 56 ft boats became most widely used. By the end of the century, the first motor pinnaces were ready for duty. When the First World War broke out however, steam boats returned to the scene. The 50 ft pinnace or 'HMS Renown' dates from this period.   The boats had a small forepeak, a crew compartment, a boiler room and a cabin. Above the crews' quarters was a conical steel base with a permanent universal ring, on which a 3-lb quick-firing cannon or maxim machine gun could be mounted. This type of boat was used for a variety of tasks; taking officers between boats, or to patrol the mouths of harbours for the protection of ships anchored therein hence the name 'picket boats'.

Kit includes laser-cut wooden hull frames and wooden strips, fittings set, plan and manual. Scale model of a steam pinnace. 1:35 scale Wooden hull 5.51"H 17.71"L 3.74"W. 

All of the 600 Series Model Boat Kits (item numbers 600-609) include an easier way of building the hull. The hull is assembled in halves, on a table. This allows for easier assembly and is quite useful in learning plank-on-frame or plank-on-bulkhead construction! Once each half is done you join the two for a completed hull. Make sure you work each half in opposite directions so that when joined they marry up evenly!