Our moulding for HMS Kite is for a 19th. Century Victorian Navy flat iron gunboat. Commonly known as a Rendel Flat Iron. One of a class of 22 vessels of the Ant class designed by Devonport Dockyard and built by Napiers during 1870 187. she was commissioned in 1872 and sold out of service in 1920. This very unusual model has been built by one of the UKs top modellers Mr Paul Freshney of the Brentwood MBC. Paul is a regular contributor to Model Boats and this model has been covered by a large series of detailed construction articles starting in the March 2001 issue of the magazine. In 2000 the model was entered in the Naviga World Championships in Belgium here it was deservedly awarded a silver medal a true testament to Pauls modelling skills.

With a displacement of nearly 15lbs this makes up into a surprisingly functional and effective regatta model although a complex and detailed model when used in conjunction with our comprehensive part fittings kit and Paul Freshneys excellent series of construction articles from the Model Boats magazine she is a model that could be tackled by the more ambitious beginner.

When powered by a pair of 545 type motors the model is highly manoeuvrable when fitted with twin electronic speed controllers with her wide beam she is a surprisingly stable model and well suited to regatta work.