RSL 1640

The model of this craft, constructed by Thornycroft, for target towing and gunnery range safety duties, is a welcome addition to the fast launch range of kits.
The hull of this model is moulded in lightweight glassfibre to give superb handling on the water, the deck is from 1mm printed plastic as is the after well and cabin internals.
The complete superstructure, nicad boxes and the motor/ propshaft seating are in vacformed plastic to give light weight and fast assembly, to complement this most attractive model a full set of fittings is included along with propeller shaft, tube and rudder, and to add the finishing touch the planked deck areas are in pre-printed cast vinyl.
To assist in the construction a FULL SIZE PLAN is provided along with a complete set of comprehensive instructions including many digital pictures, plus a set of decals to give a colorful finished model.
As in all of the Deans range, the on the water performance is outstanding.

Details of the kit

Scale 1/24 Length 550mm Beam 62mm Sailing weight 1.05kg

Twenty nine of theses craft were built by Thorneycroft ltd from the mid 1950s to early 1960s. They were numbered consecutively from 1640 to 1668.
They were constructed of Mahogony on Oak frames with double diagonal planking with a layer of calico between the hull planks.
Displacement was about 12 tons and power was supplied by 2 Rolls Royce C6SFLM Turbo-charged diesel engines of 220HP each, This gave a maximum speed of 24 knots.
The radio fit of the craft was comprehensive and varied in each station All carried 1 x PTR175 UHF radio for use with aircraft and other marine craft. They all had a Pye Maritime VHF radio for use with other vessels, lifeboats, and the coastguard. Most carried a HF set for distant work Also carried was a notification to the PTR175UHF called Violet Picture. This was a direction finding device used to home the craft onto a survivors SARBE or other UHF?VHF survival beacon.
Those craft in Home waters were painted gloss black above the waterline with green non-skid decks and RN light gray superstructure. The cabin tops, ventilators and the mast and ensign staff were white. There was a 2" white line around the hull at the waterline and the lower part of the hull was red anti-fouling. This turned green after some exposure to sea water. The inside of the hull and cabin was white with some varnished woodwork such as the gunwales. the numbers were white.
Those serving in the Mediterranean, or east of Suez were painted white all over and had black waterline and numbers. They had the same green decks and red anti-fouling, of theses craft 1640 spent all of her career in Scotland at Lossiemouth or invergordan at 1100 MCU. Others in the range are 1645 1656 & 1666 spent time at RAF Glugnor near Penang in Malaysia and were sold the Malaysian government when the station closed in 1971. 1649 served in Bahrain 1650 in Singapore at RAF Gan in the Maldive Islands.