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This issue includes a major Feature Article for USS Monterey, an outstanding steam powered model of the American monitor which has been totally scratch built by John Hollis. In addition, we welcome back Brian Roberts who has built the classic Amati Riva Aquarama kit, but with some 21st Century improvements! Something a bit different, that readers may not be aware of, is the bi-annual USA-UK Yachting Challenge, that began early in the 21st Century and in 2013 had races at Gosport and Llandudno, with Gareth Jones doing the reporting for us. One of the major annual model boating events is the Model Boat Convention, held at Haydock Park Racecourse in late-August each year and Dave Wooley has a comprehensive Photo Gallery on the centre pages of this magazine for the 24th event held in 2013. This is a show run by modellers, for modellers, and this year it had nearly 800 model boats on display with 67 entered in the various competition classes. This was also the year that the Russians came for the first time (after a five day journey by van across Europe!) with their outstanding static models which scooped a number of the top awards, and deservedly so. There were over 30 clubs and more than 20 traders on site over the two days, so a great advertisement for the hobby in the North West of the UK. We also have all our usual regular articles, including club reports from a fast electric race meeting in Essex and the Barry Maritime Festival in Ireland that is supported by our Irish readers. I hope there is something for everyone in this issue who has a passion for model boating and please don’t forget to visit our website and its Model Boats forum at www.modelboats.co.uk. In addition, Model Boats is now on Twitter and Facebook for those readers who use this social media. This is not quite the last issue before Christmas 2013, the January issue being on sale in the shops on the 17th December, but anyway for now, on behalf of myself, the magazine designer Richard Dyer and Coli