BIL528 – Smit Nederland 87cm 1:33 RC LC By BILLING BOATS @ Great Hobbies

The tug SMIT NEDERLAND was built in 1979 by the Dutch shipyard BV Scheepswerf & Machinefabriek “De Merwede” in Hardinxveld for Smit Internationale Havensleebdienst BV of Rotterdam.

The tug was built to tow seagoing vessels in the Port of Rotterdam. It is driven by two Stork Werkspoor diesel engines which, at 1000 RPM, give an output of 1800 HP and a tow hook pull of 27 tons. Special features on this vessel make it very easy to manoeuvre, ie. the screws with reversivle blades running in Kort nozzles, and the two manoeuvering rudders. The Norwinch steel towing hawser is 14cm thick and 500m long. The Smit fleet now comprises ten tugs, all named after countries.

Specifcations: Length: 28.40m; Beam: 8.85m; Draft: 3.85m; GRT: 193cu m. The tug has a maximum speed of 12 knots, a range of 2250 miles and space for a crew of eight. The wheelhouse provides an excellent field of vision and carries advanced navigation equipment. The mate is able to steer the ship from four different positions. On “Smit Duitsland” and “Smit Frankrijk” the top deck carries monitors for firefighting purposes. The latter was built at the shipyard Jonker & Stans Hendrik Ido Ambacht.

The SMIT NEDERLAND is a 1:33 scale model of ABS construction, is suitable for radio control, and comes complete with all fittings.