Texaco Tug "George Beckford."
These small tugboats were built in 1942 for the Army Transportation Corps and were utilized on rivers and harbors to move cargo barges. In the post WWII years these tugboats were sold as surplus and a number of oil companies purchased them for the same duties. Usually the tug would tow alongside a fuel barge to a commercial ship that was anchored in the harbor for re-fueling until a berth could be arranged. Constructed of wood and 70 feet in length they were powered by a diesel engine. Manned by a crew of three the ship would handle any chores the dispatcher would assign them.
The model was built from plans I found in an old ship model magazine and was constructed of wood, brass, and plastic sheets. Designed for radio control the tug's cabin could be lifted off to access the motor, batteries, and RC gear. The figures are 1/24 scale automotive types, modified to be a tugs crew. (There's a captain in the pilot house at the wheel, I should have added lights!) But my boat was built as a gift to my friend George, an engineer on a tug operated by the Boston Towboat Company. George was always going to build a model of a tug but like many things you just never get around to it. He got a big kick out of the model and it was displayed proudly on his fireplace mantel. A fun build!
Fantastic work!
Thank you!
Excellent result, Mike @john-galt
I fully understand your friend displays it proudly on his fireplace.
Thanks for the nice comment.
Great looking tug!
Thanks for the kind words.
Very nice, Mike (@john-galt). This RX model has a very high level of detail and the finish is immaculate. I used to build RC boats, and I know how much expertise and work is involved in something like this. Well done.
Thanks!
Excellent build of something different, and a very nice gift for a friend. Great work!
Thank you for the compliment!