"Escaped into the garage for a bit more today. Bridge/wheelhouse starting to take shape, decking started to be laid on the top. Slow 🐌 progress

Now that part of the superstructure on the main deck is in place, I've been able to put in the supports which sit on either side for the top deck which in turn will have the bridge, funnel etc on. "Slowly slowly 🐌, catchy monkey 🐒 " as the saying goes; bridge and aft cabin have started to be assembled so that I can get an idea of how they will "sit" on the deck. I've started to lay the planking with this in mind, going to be a long job as I need to mark out where additional bits go on the deck. Obvious at the moment as it's all printed, but of course this will disappear once the planks are in place, doh!😛. Good thing is the sister in law is over with her husband from the Netherlands, so whilst they sleep, I can get on with some more, every cloud etc etc 😂

First deck now laid and stained. Now started on building some of the superstructure. Finally starting to get my head around the plans 🤔 as not exactly forthcoming with information, maybe this has changed over the past 20yrs from when they were originally printed. Discovered that the initial fitting of the superstructure wasn't great as it was making access to the rc rather tight as it didn't marry up with the precut holes in the deck plus the precut sides of the structure were smaller. A bit of out of the box thinking and this issue now resolved. Doors 🚪 cut out of the plastic sheet and applied in position. When dry, I can then drill out the window 🪟 and fit the portholes. Then spray and fit the glass before fixing in place. Additional lighting to hopefully fixed in place. And bless his little socks, Doogle still wakes me up at 4am ⏰️, so I get a little bit done before I go to work.

Started to lay the deck down this morning before going to work. Doogle, bless his little paws 🐾 is getting on a bit now (14 yrs) and generally my day "starts" around 4.30am with him needing to go out in the garden. Sometimes if I'm especially blessed it's even earlier. So I decided to try and get some more done whilst the good lady was still asleep 😴 💤. Finished laying the deck this evening, when dry, I can sand lightly and tidy up the edges. Maybe that's tomorrow's early session. Night night everyone, sweet dreams 😴

Spent the morning taking my wife to a hospital appointment and having taken the day off managed to make a bit more progress. Batteries now moved forward, rudder servo has been relocated / initial blonde 👱‍♀️ 😳 moment rectified (probably not the last) and hey presto - it works 😆. No leaks, always a bonus, still a bit noisy but hopefully this will quieten down when more superstructure is added. Strengthening bearers have been added to the lower deck as it's a bit bendy- most likely due to the age of the model 😳.

Now the universal joints have arrived, I can start to finish of the internals so to speak . 2 x 380 brushed motor installed and all working. Tried to cut out the vibration noise generated by the prop shafts where they go through the plastic hull, a lot quieter than originally now acceptable but unable to eliminate it anymore..
Then it all went pear shaped so to speak.initially it seemed a good idea to locate the batteries forward so as to help with ballast - then realised that with the deck on I wouldn't get full access. Plan B, move towards the stern, finally plan C; place batteries in front of the motor's. Success 😁. Had a little time this evening whilst my wife was on a group chat, rookie school boy error - rudders not working properly, finally realised I need to offset the servo and it will work. It's been a long day, starting at 4am and now tired, need sleep before 4am comes around again . Once I have got everything in place properly I can update the details. Night night 🌃

Slowly but surely, we're getting there. Bought some lights for the grand sum of £1.00 and thought I'd see what the forward underwater observation chamber looked like lit up. Happy with the initial result. Question is - can these be wired up to run from the rx/txt and if so how? Always seem to struggle with the electronics, then again I enjoy learning 😉 😀. If not, I'll keep them as they are and the batteries can act as additional ballast 😁

Managed to place rudder servo in position this evening, now waiting for glue to dry before finishing off. It's going to be a long build 😊

380 motor x 2 arrived this afternoon, prop shafts and rudders installed 😀.
Sometimes it feels like an old mfi cupboard to build, instructions are not the greatest, almost like you look at the illustrations and then make your own mind up as to which part is the correct one🤣. Going to be a long build with work commitments etc, hey ho 😀

Managed to cut out the main body in 2 halves plus the floats. The body shell is pretty basic and no interior as such, so I'll be getting my thinking cap on to see what I can make.