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40 APRIL 2015 http://www.marinemodelmagazine.com

A

t the beginning of the 19th Century, English boats were

undoubtedly ships and yachts of great style, often having

elegant lines. Roland Pierson, a fine artist and member of

the Marine Club (B) Liège, constructed this very beautiful replica of

the Chimaera, a traditional British pilot cutter.

At the time when sailing ships ruled the waves it was rare for the

captain to navigate all the way into a port as he was not always fully

aware of navigation channels or the variability of the wind so close

to land. This was particularly true when the weather was stormy

or he had to navigate the port at night. In these cases, a pilot boat

was required to put on board an experienced sailor who had expert

knowledge of the approach: sandbanks, wrecks, current, etc. This

pilot then took control of the vessel to ensure it arrived safely, thus

avoiding any obstacle until docking.

The English boat was handy, fast and had good sea keeping. The

America, the first racing boat in the America’s Cup was modelled

on this type of vessel.

A CAREER OF LEARNING

Roland Pierson has been a devoted naval modeller for nearly forty

years. His first R/C model, a wooden tug, fitted with a drainpipe as

a funnel was so heavy that it rolled badly when turning. This was

BELGIUM

CHIMAERA

ERIC GIVES SOME OF THE DETAILS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 1/33 SCALE

MODEL OF A BEAUTIFUL 19TH CENTURY ENGLISH PILOT CUTTER AUTHOR: ERIC BAUTHIER

A

the Marine Club (B) Liège, constructed this very beautiful replica of

the Chimaera, a traditional British pilot cutter.

captain to navigate all the way into a port as he was not always fully

aware of navigation channels or the variability of the wind so close

to land. This was particularly true when the weather was stormy

or he had to navigate the port at night. In these cases, a pilot boat

was required to put on board an experienced sailor who had expert

knowledge of the approach: sandbanks, wrecks, current, etc. This

pilot then took control of the vessel to ensure it arrived safely, thus

avoiding any obstacle until docking.

America, the first racing boat in the America’s Cup was modelled

on this type of vessel.

A CAREER OF LEARNING

years. His first R/C model, a wooden tug, fitted with a drainpipe as

a funnel was so heavy that it rolled badly when turning. This was

The beautiful English Pilot

Cutter Chimaera

Roland Pierson

presents Chimaera

under the watchful

eye of Baya, his

faithful friend

p40_MMAPR15_Chimera Pierson.indd 40 9/3/15 11:01:24