Bruma was my first radio controlled model and it was constructed from a Mantua/Panart 1:43 scale kit, described as a Spanish fishing boat converted into a cabin cruiser. It was bought for me by my wife, to provide some therapy for a problem I was experiencing with my hands. Construction started August 2001 and it was completed after 196 hrs work in December that year; the first successful sailing on Setley pond took place in January 2002.
The Bruma kit was of excellent quality and is an all wood model with a hull of 2 layer plank on frame construction. It is not suited to those wanting a quick build as there is much fine detail, for example the deck has to be covered with 4mm wide individual lime wood planking, between each of which a 1mm x 1mm hardwood caulking strip that has to be glued in position. The installation of the masts and rigging is also a time consuming operation but ample supplies of consumables in the kit allow for frequent mistakes.
As supplied the kit contains many well crafted components and some less than easy to understand Italian/English instructions. Two shafts Are needed but two propellers and two fibre gears are included, to be driven by a single 500 type motor. However this makes for a somewhat noisy sailing and later I changed it to twin 400 motors on direct drive for a quiet life. Bruma weighs about 2.8kg and still looks good on the water, also she sails very well.