Have taken on this project recently for a gentleman who due to health issues was no longer able to finish this off. He passed it on to a neighbour of his who in turn, contacted our club and the rest so to speak is history. So with that in mind, having sorted out a few pressing matters boat wise, I've put the Ark and steam punk project to one side for the time so that I can concentrate on this. Trying to make a photo blog for the gentleman who started this as not sure what the state of play is regarding his health. So that's the background, now for the build. The hull has been well constructed alongside the start of a wheelhouse and some other deck fittings. I've so far cut out a false deck which I can now start to add the decking with appropriate access to the interior for the rc. Managed to find a spare motor this evening and now lined up with the prop shaft. Hopefully a bit more tomorrow, trying to work around work again .

Managed to spend a bit of time and fixed rudder in position. First attempt at cutting the rudder from brass sheet and pleased with the result. Servo fixed in position and initial run with the motor in position is all smooth 👌.
ESC to be fixed and a battery tray to made and fixed. Ballast will be positioned and then I can look at starting the decking

Not much room I discovered inside the Osprey, or maybe just me and my big hands. , a bit of thinking "outside the box " so to speak, I found a container/ battery box which would contain the esc and still allowing access to the motor, rudder servo and battery. All fired up and running nicely, rudder linkage to be set up and a dry fix of the sub deck with hatches/access panels cut out looking OK. Once the ballast is in place and the sub deck is fixed I can then start working on the deck.

"Sub" deck is now in place and top deck started, think 🤔 it might take a while.

Finished the deck this afternoon, and then played with fitting navigation lights to the wheelhouse.
Next stage will be to stain the wood, I'm trying out an experiment after reading an article about using tea or coffee to stain the wood with. Currently soaking redbush/roobios tea bags to see what the colour looks like when applied to the wood. Update to follow 😊

Well after drinking copius amounts of tea 🍵 and coffee ☕️, the results of my wood staining tests are in. Looking like the coffee has the most impact with staining the wood, followed by the redbush and finally Yorkshire tea. Will start the decking stain maybe tomorrow and if it goes wrong, I'll just sand down and start again. Looks like I'll be buzzing 🤪 from the coffee I'll have to drink so I can use the pads. Better not add tòo much brandy 😂

Tried the coffee ☕️ staining idea this afternoon inside the rear of the wheel house. 3 coats later and looking 👌. Will spray with a matt varnish to seal it in and then start on the deck.

Given time between staining the deck comprising of a glass or three of Bailey's between each coat purely for medicinal purposes (it's cold out there) & a suitable amount of drying time. Pleased with the initial results, maybe a bit more drying and a few more Bailey's 😀.
Fore and aft masts are in place, now need to work out how to attach boom , the plans that came with the Osprey don't appear to show any method of fixing the boom to the masts, only line drawings of everything in place. If anyone has any suggestions, drawings or photos to help me with this part, most grateful as this is a new school 🏫 day.

A few little extras, put in place, rear step for access into wheelhouse, boom in place on the stern, deck fittings and structures. Starting to look a bit more like a fishing trawler..

Hi Ronald, sorry for the delay in replying, work pressure and home life 😅.
In answer to your question, the masts are 5/16 diameter and 12" high in old money according to the plans .