Hello Me Hearties!!!

Well, after multiple tests, endless recriminations, bitching, sleepless nights, and too much booze I decided to paint my new K7 the same color I used on my lost Touchwood Models K7. I know the folks at Coniston Water won't approve, but the RAL coded paint they used was just too dark for my taste. I suspect there is a mixing mis-match between here and there...I hope you guys like it!

Then I powered up the Lipos and much to my horror found that the ESC that was in the drivetrain I pirated from a busted up Traxxas Spartan was toast. But the good folks at Traxxas tested and replaced the ESC and bench tested it too. It's due back today or tomorrow.

Then I had an absolute brawl properly vacuum-forming a scale canopy for the beast. The 3D printed canopy was opaque so I made a mold and made a plaster casting. A good idea for a while, but didn't use an adequate release agent and trashed the plaster casting. Fortunately, the mold was still good, so I used Hydrocal (dries like stone!) for my next casting and ordered a proper silicone release agent designed for high temperature vacuum-forming. Finding just the right temperature to soften the clear PETG plastic was not a walk in the park, but through trial and error I managed to get it done. I have to clean the oven now or it's a one way ticket to divorce court. Just kidding, Whew!

When the drivetrain goes back in with the new ESC and all that, I'll get this K7 back in the water for leak tests and ballast adjustments before a full maiden voyage. Which won't amount to much as fully loaded she's going to weigh over 8 pounds!!! That will mean a ton a performance parts to get her to plane.

Sheesh, what have I gotten myself into?
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Donald Campbell’s nephew Donald Wales and the Bluebird Supporters president David with the restored K7 painted in RAL 5009 Azure Blue. And my K7 for grins…again. I think David was trying to drive home his point.
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As per the notes from the Bluebird Supporters Club here is the first go at their chosen color. Well, she's coming along...bit by bit. It feels a bit dark, but it's certainly eye-catching!
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I am not surprised that two primer coats won’t hide much of a 3D print’s issues. A heavier sandable automotive primer is next.
Oh brother!
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Stripped her down and found the leak… I hope. It’s not the prettiest location, but the driveway works as well as pool...well not quite.
But, I was getting desperate to find a way to shore her up.
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Well, back at my bosses' pool and she passed the ballast test, but is taking on water. I will have to remove the drive train and do a large tub test with some sort of dye to find the exact spot. I have some ideas, but no proof.
A complete base coat of automotive primer may be of assistance as I cannot see the hull joins as much as I'd like too. My epoxy and Micro Balloon concoctions are too similar in color to the printer plastic.

Much more to do. 🙄

ps: The Traxxas hardware, while unsightly, will produce a sizable rooster-tail some day. I hope.
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Dr. Frankenstein here. Most of the Spartan transom has been implanted into the K-7 with as much 10 ton epoxy and micro balloons I could mix up quickly. The drive shaft and rudder (minus the plumbing and servo arm) are trial fitted for a leak test tomorrow.

I really don't love all this hardware, but have no choice right now as the Spartan set-up is more likely to get this (now) 7 pound beast to move at any appreciable speed than any size ducted fan could do...and as you know I can't justify the cost of the whole turbine thing. Maybe someday...if I can go this far I can go back to a more scaled out business end. Ernie Lazenby's K7 is still my inspiration.

Updates to follow and forgive the mess!
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Hey there gang and a huge thanks to Doug as I went to my local auto-paint store and the whipped up a rattle can of RAL 5009 Azure Blue Spray Paint. As mentioned the Bluebird Supporters Club used that color in the actual K7 restoration. I ran a this group of tests (my usual obsession) on three different primers and had good results all-around with a grey automotive primer giving me a nice even result.

Also, I've been fighting with the large joins on this printing and have gone to a two-part Z-Poxy finishing resin mixed 3:1 with Deluxe Products "Micro Balloons." This worked better than expected in filling joint seams as it sped-up the drying time of the resin from 24 hours to under an hour. It makes a great workable paste and sands much better than this horrific heavy 3D plastic.

It's still early, but onwards and upwards!
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Dave at the Bluebird Supporters Club was kind enough to share the correct color used on the real Bluebird restoration. It is (now) called Azure Blue code # 5009. Now the trick is getting a sample or a color card. I don’t think a can of spray paint can be shipped across the Atlantic. Suggestions appreciated! I guess I can contact MBP.
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As for butchery...After an all-nighter I managed to cut, chisel, sand, hammer out enough of an engine bay for the Traxxas Spartan guts. Working with 3D plastics is not for the faint hearted and I made a promise to myself never to embark on such a venture again. Be that as it may, I'm in too deep to quit now. There is so much more to fabricate to help this power plant from vibrating itself and the boat all to hell.
More to follow.
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