Building the USN Garcia DE1040 5 ft RC

Started by Hhager2

36 updates 105 likes 16 comments
Hhager2 Opening post

Building the USN Garcia DE1040 5 ft RC

Scratch build the ship I was on in 1965-67. I purchased a hill from scale shop yard in California. Covid held up making it n delivery. I have it and it’s perfect. I’ll publish bits as I do them. I gathered all data from my past n all online. I’m building it as it left upgrading at Charlestown ship yards in Boston. I have a hull so first thing is put in formers n stiffen the hull so I can install the deck. First thing done was do a fast sand to get the top of the walls flat. I’m adding carbon fiber cross frames and added rear torpedo ports. These ports were to allow the ship to torpedo without turning around. Never got used as far as I knew. I also made formers from fiberglass sheets left over from my gyrocopter where I added a body shell. I was advised by manufacturer that expansion rates in the sun could cause cracking of joints. So carbon fiber n fiberglass are similar to the hull. Once formers epoxied in I will start the deck with its opening for equipment. Here is pic of real ship rear n the model. I used hatches from Polaris missile plastic sub kit. I also will start on the stand for the ship to rest on. I used cardboard to make patterns fir formers and stand.

I’ll post more
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5 comments
  1. ToraDog
    Commodore
    I am looking forward to this build. Great subject.
    Hey PeeJay, I have a friend Downeast of me who served on Connole. D.Spear. He was aboard for the overhaul @BIW. Can't give you the dates.

    I apologize for going off the rails. 😊
    Liked by Colin H and Peejay and
  2. Hhager2
    Lieutenant
    Peek at I was under Smith n Vecchione later. They n XO were really nice to deal with. It was mainly ops officer n ensign that were jerks n not qualified in technical areas. Chum teacher in charge of technology doesn’t work well. I didn’t extend my contract because of them. Good thing as my life went to build companies over the decades.
    Liked by Colin H

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Green bits wire

It was taken on work bench. Under it was my gyrocopter control panel I am building. The wire n cables are fit that. I think I may sell it soon. Not enough time to fly it. The panel was too long and interfering with control stick in forward position. I had to cut an inch off its bottom center. Air command 477 with new blades n upgrades. Haven’t flown it just kept upgrading n building. Like a big full size model
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1 comment
  1. RodC
    Lieutenant Commander
    Good Grief !! You are certainly courageous to contemplate flying one of those. In my 30s I embarked on glider soaring groundschool however failed the medical now hav a pacemaker. Was never a good RC flyer but doing fine now with RC tugs as I hav 3 fantastic mentors within our club. And boats only crash in 2 dimensions unlike RC planes crashing in 3D. When I get into trouble I just take my hands off the sticks & she coasts to a stop, harmless & unharmed😀

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Laying out deck

The plans I got from scale shipyard were scaled to the hull. I had top views, deck views, side views. Using rulers n measurement tape I could transfer the cabin section to my template. The template was foam board glued n taped to form my deck. Simply laid the foam board on table n placed upside down the hull. Traced hull n cut it out with sharp xacto blade. Then I just drew a center line. Took measurements n drew all the superstructure and overhangs. I had the rudder post hole measured so I can do that next. The layout of the parts also showed where I can make it detachable fir access. I will probly detach after the MACK stacks out to the hanger door. Next will be figure How to latch it. So roughly 1/3 from bow to stern will be intact so gun n ASROC if I want to animate I’ll do do before attaching deck. From amidships to end of hanger will be the opening for access to radio, servos, battery and motor. By keeping the MACK and forward structure I can add detail n it won’t get damage when servicing. That’s it fir tonight. Hopefully I can get to real job tomorrow. Sometime I’ll let u in on what that job is. Especially fir you folks in the UK. Thank you all fir encountering me to post the progress. Maybe I’ll get back to Creole Queen steamboat n finish it. Nite all.
Liked by Scratchbuilder and RNinMunich and
1 comment
  1. Hhager2
    Lieutenant
    I decided to build a mock up of superstructure on deck template. I copied the plans onto foam board n plastic to get sense of it.

    Btw take a moment to remember Pee Wee Herman Paul Rubins. He was close friend of Mark from DEVO band. I got to spend an hour with him couple years back. Btw DEVO heads to Europe tommorow. I know as I’ll drop my sons at airport. One in band other is the sound engineer for the gig. If anyone going let he know. I want them to look at hobby shops fir me.

    Back to rounding up the real deck material and continue build.
    Liked by MouldBuilder and Scratchbuilder

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Rod c ham radio

Wa2DLT since late 1950’s

Live near Boston for decades used to be in NY.

I got last renewal in Puerto Rico at Aericibo space antenna site. Renewal this year again.
Liked by MouldBuilder

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Mock up done

Mock up is about complete. Now waiting on real deck materials. I will order running gear n 5 blade prop n rudder. So take a brake from this and back to Creole Queen. It’s 3:45 am taking kids to airport bus. They will be on the way to the UK then Denmark, Sweden and back to UK n Germany. Looking forward to them hitting hobby shops. Check tour schedule maybe meet them n guide what’s good shops.
I’m going back to sleep when done with drive. Cheers
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Proud papa I’ll post this for UK modlers

My sons n grandson are in this band or working as crew n engineer. If you get there early Paul is the sound guy, Luke grandson crew and Josh is in band Shaved head can’t miss him on stage. Stop at sound guy before show never when working. Maybe u can get to talk to them about hobby shops there. Josh n Luke are model builders.

Ok proud Dad but I really want them if the can to visit hobby shop. I love older kits and they can stuff in luggage fir me.
Liked by hermank and MouldBuilder and
2 comments
  1. Hhager2
    Lieutenant
    If u just get cheap seats ticket’s I’m sure the kids can get snaps of them n autograph. Just get in early u can get someone there to find Paul tell him his Dad sent you.

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Update on z Garcia build

Just playing with the placement of the equipment using foam board. I will drill rudder hole next. I’m rounding up the motor for it too.

Kids in Scandinavia niw, soon to Germany n Uk. My other grandaughter was I Scotland, Wales and London on a Soccer trip. They won all but against Scott’s as they were a year older too. No hobby shops visited but we got Cadbury bars. Her Uncle, dad n brother are on the band Tour.
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USN Msco 49 Lorikeet

Took the Lorikeet down to blow dust off n took pics. Maybe if use to building similar ship. Note on left side the two port holes at bow. That was bathroom portholes. Nite the scupper opening along sides below the mahogany rail Note the otters at rear of ship. The mechanical cable gears are a removable section to get to rudder n motors. The top cabil is removable too. Note a washing machine next to stairs back of stack. Under the searchlight is a mahogany sq with a tube it’s a filter as tge lights are signal lights to communicate at night. Note flag bag, to side is ammo box fir 40 mm guns. The external platform under 49 mm was taken off. On right side is a yellow potable water emergency storage. Also see the sonar dome. It gets lowered by hand crank and rotated by another crank/ wheel. The rear door between the guns is entrance to radar radio room topside n next to big steering wheel are two radar scopes, sperry Rand ones. Not shown are small orange floats around the smoke stack. Last a search light to light rear deck is on the mast aft of the smoke stack. If any of this helps I’m glad. Any questions?
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Kids are on bus going to Wales Cardiff

Kid are on the bus going to Wakes Cardiff to be ready for tommorows show. Hope they get time to see hobby shops.

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Main deck

Just got plastic at hobby shop in Marlboro MA . Talked with owner he is retiring. He is selling it and I may just buy it with my son. We had long talk and price isn’t high. I worked at some hobby shops n do stuff with Glencoe models owner Nick. Building some prototypes etc.

On Garcia I started to assemble plastic sheets for deck. Next is cut it to shape and get wood around the sides to give more of an edge to glue to. Once glued n clamped then dry, I’ll trim it . Then start the cutout to access the innards. I’ll start building helicopter garage furst then mid section and finally the bridge n stack. That is the plan. Scale 1:92 I have 1:1 blueprints from the vendor so I can simply copy size n transfer it to parts. I have esc andcwill also start motor n rudder Servo mountings soon too. Let’s see how it goes as work has picked up a bit. Boys off tommorow I’m hoping they get hobby shop time in. Then home Monday from London.
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