THE TUGBOAT ‘CERVIA’. 162 CMS LONG

Here is an extraordinary  scratch built model. Electric motor.  Radio-controlled. Working navigation lights. Two working compasses.  Perfect rope fenders, we think they’ve been knitted. Even the engine control to the engine room works.  Fully crewed, ship's dog too of course. Sails beautifully, see videos for bow wave. Beautifully restored by Howes Models of Kidlington.

And the original boat is in Ramsgate harbour undergoing restoration.  She was built in Aberdeen by Alexandra Hall & Co in 1946. Previously named Empire Raymond.  All ships built by the British between the wars were prefixed ‘Empire’, rather similar to ‘Liberty’ ships built by the Americans.  She was employed in the Refurbishment of the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth after the war. See Wikipedia for more information.

The name ‘CERVIA, was originally used on an earlier tugboat which took part in Dunkirk and returned with 230 troops.

A very grownup present.  £1,000. And you get a signed copy of the book 'Cervia the Steam Tug'.