Peter’s model boat sizes up to real thing
A MODEL replica of the Flying Christine sailed in Guernsey waters for the first time yesterday morning.
Peter Rutsch’s boat is a 12th-scale replica, so while the original is 45ft long, Mr Rutsch’s version is 45in.
For two to three years Mr Rutsch has been working on his project, doing research on the size and functions of the boat and making many of the pieces himself.
Mr Rutsch and his wife live in Goytre, South Wales, but he was born in Guernsey and was inspired to start the project because he could remember seeing the earlier Flying Christines in action.
‘I was born in Guernsey,’ he said.
‘So I knew Flying Christine from the very first ones; I, II and III.
‘I used mostly my own photographs of the boat to match up sizes and details right down to the true colour of the boat.’
No detail was missed on the working model boat, from the inscription on the bow to the blue flashing emergency light on the roof.
Mr and Mrs Rutsch are enjoying a 10-day stay in the island.
‘We come every year,’ said Mr Rutsch.
‘And I always bring at least one of my boats with me.’
That was the first outing the model had experienced in sea water.
Mr Rutsch said: ‘I was a bit worried about washes from other boats after the Condor Liberation pulled into the harbour.’
He intends to continue sailing the model along with his other projects back in Goytre, where there is a model boat lake near their home.
The 70-year-old started making model boats when he retired.
He has a collection of nine, some of which are motorised like the Flying Christine model, while others are sailing boats.
