shad Model

[Hightower]

This is a model I built a few years ago of (you guessed it) Shad. Its 7ft long making it 1/10th scale, metal bottom, wooden top, its not perfect, but I thought I`d show you. I can`t seem to upload anymore than 1 photo..

[MtB]

Lovely, thanks for posting!

 

I wonder how big a model has to get before CRT demands a licence, insurance, BSS etc! 

 

 

[Tonka]

And when does a model become a drone

[IanM]

21 minutes ago, Tonka said:

And when does a model become a drone

 

When it flies.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

10 hours ago, MtB said:

Lovely, thanks for posting!

 

I wonder how big a model has to get before CRT demands a licence, insurance, BSS etc! 

 

 

This model boat club sail on the Hereford and Gloucester canal at Over Basin. Not CaRT waters. Perhaps that's the reason!

[Tonka]

45 minutes ago, IanM said:

 

When it flies.

Unmanned surface vehicle - Wikipedia https://share.google/B3ACEemcSug3876YH

 

Drone boats

[IanM]

9 minutes ago, Tonka said:

Unmanned surface vehicle - Wikipedia https://share.google/B3ACEemcSug3876YH

 

Drone boats

 

Whatever.

 

I took your comment to be humorous so posted a non-serious reply in that the OP's model is of a boat.

 

Forgot who I was replying to. 

[Tonka]

1 hour ago, IanM said:

 

Whatever.

 

I took your comment to be humorous so posted a non-serious reply in that the OP's model is of a boat.

 

Forgot who I was replying to. 

As an ex radio control model pilot it does confuse me when a model is classified as a drone

[IanM]

5 minutes ago, Tonka said:

As an ex radio control model pilot it does confuse me when a model is classified as a drone

 

I think it's the degree of automation.  If you let go of the controls of your radio control model it would likely crash.  A drone stay flying until you tell it to do something else.

[PrimusStove]

According to the CRT website if I want to licence my 1m by 0.15m R/C sail boat its £768.05 per year, not sure I can get a BSS certificate for it thou 

[Alan de Enfield]

7 minutes ago, PrimusStove said:

According to the CRT website if I want to licence my 1m by 0.15m R/C sail boat its £768.05 per year, not sure I can get a BSS certificate for it thou 

 

 

You won't need a BSS - it'll be exempt.

[MtB]

7 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

 

You won't need a BSS - it'll be exempt.

 

I doubt it. Won't there be an electrical installation aboard? 

 

But of course if any model operator fails to display a name and CRT registration number, no enforcement will happen anyway.

 

Or so we observe....

 

<popcorn>

 

 

 

 

 

[wakey_wake]

On 05/05/2026 at 22:29, MtB said:

I wonder how big a model has to get before CRT demands a licence, insurance, BSS etc! 

I suspect it can proceed under the 'turn a stochastic blind eye' principle.

 

They only run checks for unlicenced boats at intervals, in whatever sweeping patterns suit them. For a model that spends most of its time out of the water the chances of confronting the question remain really low - unless one makes the mistake of asking them.

 

ETA: and if CRT did catch it in their drink, and demand it had a licence or else remove it from their water... then it's easier to remove than a 1:1 scale model. The mole escapes the whacking unharmed, and lives to swim another day.

Edited May 6 by wakey_wake
ETA

[TID Tug Tony]

On 05/05/2026 at 20:54, Hightower said:

This is a model I built a few years ago of (you guessed it) Shad. Its 7ft long making it 1/10th scale, metal bottom, wooden top, its not perfect, but I thought I`d show you. I can`t seem to upload anymore than 1 photo..

 

That's a very nice model, thanks for sharing. When you say the bottom is metal, is that the whole hull or just the baseplate? I presume you've fitted a motor and radio control?

[Jen-in-Wellies]

8 hours ago, MtB said:

 

I doubt it. Won't there be an electrical installation aboard? 

 

But of course if any model operator fails to display a name and CRT registration number, no enforcement will happen anyway.

 

Or so we observe....

 

<popcorn>

 

 

 

 

 

If it is electrically powered, it will likely be by Lithium batteries too. The humanity!

 

To go properly stealth from CaRT enforcement, that nice back cabin will need to be painted black over all the red paint and signwriting, covered with miniature logs and a blue tarpaulin. 😀

[MtB]

1 hour ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

If it is electrically powered, it will likely be by Lithium batteries too. The humanity!

 

 

Good point, in which case it is amazing this model hasn't exploded already! 

 

(As we learn from YouTube happens whenever lithium batteries are installed, anywhere.) 

 

 

 

[Stroudwater1]

22 hours ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

This model boat club sail on the Hereford and Gloucester canal at Over Basin. Not CaRT waters. Perhaps that's the reason!

I’ve seen them operate their models in Gloucester docks Jen, at an open day for the museum. It was windy so perhaps CRT were hoping for salvage moneys rather than licence fees. 
 

 

[MtB]

23 hours ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

This model boat club sail on the Hereford and Gloucester canal at Over Basin. Not CaRT waters. Perhaps that's the reason!

 

Great typo on the "submarine" page on this model boat club site!

 

"You just never know what is cursing below your water line." 

 

(My emphasis.)

 

https://gdmbc.co.uk/club-models/submarine/

 

 

 

[Hightower]

13 hours ago, TID Tug Tony said:

 

That's a very nice model, thanks for sharing. When you say the bottom is metal, is that the whole hull or just the baseplate? I presume you've fitted a motor and radio control?

Thank you, yes the whole hull is metal plate and it has got a motor..

 

[brianthesnail96]

That's excellent!

I've got some similar scale railway wagons, if someone fancies making a model interchange basin... (These aren't actually my ones but it's a better picture).

[Dfasham]

On 05/05/2026 at 22:29, MtB said:

Lovely, thanks for posting!

 

I wonder how big a model has to get before CRT demands a licence, insurance, BSS etc! 

 

 

Rivets 5000 is a 1/2 scale ‘model’ (foreend and aft only) loosely based on a Josher. We license it either with short term license or a 30 day Explorer license which means that with a lack of living accommodation etc. can self declare instead of BSS. It does have to be insured for the license. It is pictured here with its butty for the upcoming BCN challenge weekend.

[Guyon]

On 05/05/2026 at 20:54, Hightower said:

This is a model I built a few years ago of (you guessed it) Shad. Its 7ft long making it 1/10th scale, metal bottom, wooden top, its not perfect, but I thought I`d show you. I can`t seem to upload anymore than 1 photo..

Beautifully made. I have made models for most of my life until getting onto a boat full time, when ironically I stopped due to lack of space. But I am tempted to jump back in if it proves practical. 

[Pluto]

A photo by Tim Leech circa 1967 of Shad on the Bridgewater with a somewhat precarious rain shelter.