Italeri Vospers

Started by BW3

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BW3 Opening post

Italeri Vospers

Starting a separate blog for the pair of Vosper MTB’s that I am building , I got the special built kit of the St. Nazaire Vosper and a standard MTB of the same period. During a slow spot in my Schnellboot build bot kits have come together quickly , but the finer details of matching motors ,ESC, batteries and props takes time if you are not using pre-matched units . I don’t claim to know anything as to what I am putting together other than what I can study or see on line …so if you see any issues please point them out I would much rather learn the easy way than finding out the errors the hard way . In a fit of lazy I ordered a propeller shaft and rudders ,, but where they are now proving to be slow in arriving, my impatient drive to build I went ahead and made both rudder and propeller shaft with stuffing box using my limited scrap brass pieces . So at least one boat is moving toward the water maybe even for this summer or early fall …and not the six year build that the schnellboot took.
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3 comments
  1. BW3
    Chief Petty Officer 1st Class
    Both Are 1/35 scale kits ….I have in my stash of kits Trumpters 1/200 scale Bismarck and HMS Rodney , I hope to add to that HMS Hood , and others …but first need to clear up a couple of older kits / projects for years ago …one a 1/32 scale PT boat and an old ABS Robbie Hull that I would like to some day complete as an armed trawler…If health and a bit of good fortune come my way I dream of a few other projects like a WWI Q ship …but I think that will end up being almost a total scratch build , something I am far from even starting never mind the space and tools needed…
    Liked by RonBMK2

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BW3 #2 of 8

A step back ….

I have spent a bit of time getting both hulls ready for a water test either fabbing up needed parts as I waited for the over the counter parts to arrive. After completing the required install of a rudder and motor I was delighted at the power that the motor put out ….I have since had time to think about my choices and now getting something a bit less hot ….I am still trying to understand the calculations for motors and batteries for a given hull . I will say this my first choice I now feel would not have ended in a good outing I can only imagine what the damage would have been to flip this model at speed would have resulted ….😬😖. I include a few pictures of my efforts
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BW3 #3 of 8

More pictures…

Some of these have been posted in my schnellboot build ,I bring them over to keep them all together…
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BW3 #4 of 8

Sea trials for Vosper 1…

Have made good progress, have for the most part completed the standard MTB ,,,I do beg forgiveness if my attempt is not up to what is fitting ….I up date with a few photos , the plan is if a current health issue can be addressed and resolved with satisfactory out come I plan to take both the Vosper and schnellboot to the pond and have a go around ….
Liked by Colin H and RNinMunich and
4 comments
  1. Ronald
    Fleet Admiral
    Before screwing down the deck to the hull, I applied a bead of clear silicon to seal out water.
  2. BW3
    Chief Petty Officer 1st Class
    As you stated below I installed screws in the deck that did not use the kits or their locations ….along with RTV ….as to access I us the hatch just behind the open bridge , any major work will require the decks removal…I try to keep water access to the inside of the hull to a minimum via hatches and the like until my skills or means improve with waterproofing…

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BW3 #5 of 8

More Progress

Having completed Vs1,I turned my attentions to Vs2…the special Vosper made for the great raid of St.Nazaire…again I beg forgiveness for my poor attempt she is not a follow the out of the box nor a true to life scale build…but it is the best I can currently accomplish. I hope to sea trial both Vospers this weekend.So I will upload a few more build pictures and try to patently wait to get to the pond .
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4 comments
  1. RNinMunichBronze
    Fleet Admiral
    Who else is gonna know if the pattern is right or wrong BW?
    I must say though I was wondering about that frame over the bow, but wadda I know about that? ZILCH!
    I'm also looking forward to seeing both your Vosper On Patrol and tackling the Schnellboot.
    BTW; the Lürssen hull design of the Schnellboot lived on for many years.
    In the early 90s I spent some time in Guayaquil naval harbour Ecuador surveying their Lürssen TNC-45 Fast Attack Craft, amongst other vessels, for COMMS system updates.
    Basic hull design was exactly the same.
    Somewhere I have GA drawings of the TNC-45 if anyone's interested in building an 'updated' Schnellboot.

    Steady as you go BW👍, and stop trying to hide your whatsit under a bushel.😉
    Cheers, Doug 😎
  2. BW3
    Chief Petty Officer 1st Class
    As part of the plan in the raid this Vosper would successfully launch two special torpedoes at water control flood gates to the dry dock , the “cage” was to push the anti torpedo net out of the way so they could be launched over the net , where they run and sunk by the gate and to later blow by a timer causing major damage that was repaired but delayed the use of the docks . It is sad that on completing the mission and then picking up wounded and survivors in trying to make an escape only to be hit with gun fire and sunk with only two survivors…..
    Liked by Colin H and RNinMunich

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BW3 #6 of 8

Always something to keep a rabbits tail short…..

Well first mistake was to leave my iPad at home, and let Jr. video the outing on his phone , the video is still on his phone …not enough spare memory to allow it to be emailed 🤦‍♂️😖. The more damaging mistake was mine …I did not tighten the set screw on the coupler enough and as a result the Standard Vosper MTB ,,was not as fast or trimmed out as well as I had hoped and soon was losing speed due to the loose coupler…But The St. Narzaire Vosper #74 more than made up for my first poor showing ,,,she dances on the water at speed with nimble grace and is a joy to run , very stable and perfectly trimmed out …This boat I used a 3m commercial prop shaft and rudder assembly …if I can’t get my scratch home built prop shaft and rudder assembly to work as well , I will replace them the cost and effort required would be well worth the improved performance….I am hoping that Jr will visit the phone tech soon and get the issues solved with his phone as the video of the St.Nazaire Vosper I feel is something to watch …jmho ….lol ..next outing I will make sure I bring my iPad .
Bill.G

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BW3 #7 of 8

Videos at last …

Well I finally got the videos from Jr.’s phone and uploaded to YouTube ….this first one of Vs1 , I had a set screw back off and the motor moved in the ride over to the pond so not a very good showing , the second trial posted Vs2 is my attempt at the St Nazaire boat and I could not be more pleased with its performance….for a motor and a S2 Lipo setup …I have this winters projects lined up a scratch built armed trawler based off a Robbie hull and a Lindbergh Blue Devil Destroyer conversion for Jr. I also have ordered an Italeri 1/35 scale S-38 with crew, and Jr. has a 1/350 scale New Jersey by Tamiya that he wants RC’d …I don’t think I will be to bored ..lol.

Bill G.
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BW3 #8 of 8

It was that kind of day ….

Made it to the pond with my small fleet of 3 boats today ….Vosper 1 #78 ran better but still needs trimming out ,,,.Vosper 2 #74 ran flawlessly and my Schnellboot is still fast , but not without cutting our outing short due to losing a prop , my haste and over enthusiasm is showing with these mechanical issues…worst is I don’t think I am ready for an armada or a weekend club outing just yet ….😬.

I think this will close this build , and I will start another one on my next new project , Thank You All for the support and the knowledge resource you have given me . Fair Winds and Clear Sailing .
Bill G.
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