Full Size Printed Plan to Build a 1:48 Scale 43 ¾” lighthouse tender suitable for Radio Control

Coastal lighthouse tender

Plan represents the ship as she was originally built.

Full Size Printed Plan on two 47” x 33” sheets

Five page article with description and some building tips

For  Model Builder with scratch building experience

Scale 1:48

Length 43 ¾”

Beam 7 ¾”

Suitable for Radio Control

Fabulous Fir

1939 coastal lighthouse tender

1940 U.S. Coastguard Cutter

1965 as U.S.C.G. tender WLM 212

In terms of historic lighthouse tenders, this classic is a real beauty... Jim Pottinger recounts her story and shares some illuminating hints and tips

Originally designed as a coastal lighthouse tender for the U.S. Lighthouse Service, and constructed as Yard No. 194 by her builders, the Moore Drydock Company of Oakland, California, Fir's keel was laid down on January 7, 1937. She was launched on March 22, 1939, but by July of that same year the Lighthouse Service had been absorbed by the U.S. Coast Guard and Fir was therefore subsequently commissioned as a U.S. Coastguard Cutter on October 1, 1940. Later in World War II she was assigned to the U.S. Navy and armed with machine guns and depth charges.

Re-classified in 1965 as U.S.C.G. (United States Coast Guard) tender WLM 212, the primary duties assigned to Fir were maintaining aids to navigation, transportation of lighthouse keepers, provisions and fuel and water, etc.

The lines show a hull which should be fairly simple to construct, not having any drastic changes of section or awkward curves. As illustrated, the vessel had twin screws; when modelling her, however, there is the option of modifying the keel at stern to incorporate a cut out that will house a single propeller if preferred.

Additionally, the long superstructure can be made removable for easy access to the inside the hull when installing a power plant; although it should be noted that the hull is relatively shallow.