John!
Will send a message asap with particulars.
👍😉

Hi Jump,

Your build blog would be good - I look forward to seeing it. 👍

Bob.

hi there Jumpugly

I like your hydroplane build; food for thought - I wonder if I can fit a build in somewhere - maybe next future build.

Couple of questions for you my friend, regarding your Bluebird build. Is there any evidence or photographs of this particular kit of Bluebird being run on a ducted fan - I have read reports from the makers that it can be run this way with a ducted fan, but, I cannot find any evidence anywhere.

There is someone from UK on Facebook who is building a Bluebird and I think he may be going to try and put a ducted fan in. The weight he is quoting of the hull is 6 lbs and this is a little bit too heavy because by the time you put the batteries and fan in the hull, it would be something like 8 lbs - 9 lbs. I believe the maximum thrust you can obtain is about 7 lbs from a 90 mm ducted fan on 6s batteries.
What are you thoughts my friend and your answers? As you have opted for the prop driven way....

John

Will do a build blog Zooma! Hope to get to it today and thanks for the kind words.
😊

Hi Jump,

Your new retro-hydroplane looks really cool!

I have never seen one before, but it looks like it is a nice size too ( judging by the bricks) maybe 30 - 36" long?

I will be following this project with interest. If it goes as good as it looks, it will be a real blast to drive too!

Bob.

Alessandro! Truth be told I prefer easy going cruising, but just for now I will visit speed to say I did it, although that's not a very good excuse considering the costs! 😉

Everything else on my bench and in my stash is meant for a more leisurely approach including a the queen of my collection rather large Chris Craft Corvette cabin cruiser. That will bring me and everyone else back down to Earth.
👍🤣

Hi Jump, you're now specializing in very high-speed vessels.
Be careful, you'll also lead those who love slow, calm sailing ships astray, hahahahaha.
Jokes aside, your work is always very interesting.

Managed the surgery...😁. And yes Cash, I will glass her for sure!
After days of edge sanding. I will start a new build log on her soon!
👍

Thanks Cash! She's definitely right out of a sci-fi movie! Having had a really nice experience (so far) with Traxxas on the Bluebird, I will probably go for their speed and mucho power. Brushless, Lipo etc or mix and match various components as I am still fairly new to "big" power and speed. So, advice will be sought and happily accepted down the road.
Right now I have to carve and add the nose block and then the cowl surgery comes. I have to surgically cut it (at a 45 degree angle) because the nose section up front is permanently attached...it's a worry.

Good news is that the canopy for the Bluebird should arrive from the UK today or tomorrow.
👍😊

Looks good nice shape good use of block pavers as wheights😂
Philuk👍

Jump!!! The Pay n’Pak is so COOL! Looks good already sir, very nice. Are you gonna glass it? What power you looking at? I like old hydroplanes, especially shovelnose and early pickleforks. Keep at it, you’ll make a winner of her I’m sure.
Cash

X442 and X445 would be a good start. Make sure to sharpen them and balance as they arrive as blunt as a spoon. The bronze ones are the best of the bunch as there's zero flex in them. I did try 3 blade though without a gradual throttle to idle i found it caused a short chine walk and imbalance when coming off full throttle. I have this down to the extra drag a 3 blade makes in the water as haven't experienced i with an exact alternative 2 blade. 4 blade was even worse

HH! You have given me hope that my worries may be unfounded!
I will definitely look into a Octura prop. Size and pitch suggestions always appreciated!
👍😊

I see no reason why that setup shouldn't get her up and moving. I have the same setup almost in a 7 pound hull and it'll lift perfectly. At first with the standard prop it struggled though fitted an Octura and you've got to use throttle management carefully now or she will try flip. Fine once you're moving but i get lots of cavitation until she bites

Hey there Happy Haggis! Thanks for the well wishes. 😉

Here's some photos, it's a standard Taxxas Spartan drive-train with two 3 cell 5200 lipo's. The esc is a Traxxas Marine VXL-6s. The motor is a Velineon 540XL. This would propel a standard 5.3 pound Spartan to 50mph. I salvaged the whole set-up from a wrecked Spartan and tucked it into the hull. Down the road I will upgrade whatever I can to get this 9 pound K7 to plane.

Hope springs eternal!
👍

What size of esc are you using? She looks fantastic and I wish you luck on her maiden

Hi Alessandro.
My tub test was in the garage in a low light, hence the shade change, but it's in the photos only.
Thanks for the well wishes. I'll need some luck moving forward!
😂

Hi Jumpugly, from these latest photos the blue tone seems much lighter to me. Have you changed the color again since last time, or is it just the light exposure that's different?
Good luck with your tests!

Thank you for the detailed explanation Jump. BLUEBIRD is quite the project. I didn’t know that 3D printing could create an interstitial web that resists the structural forces I mentioned. That explains the weight & bullet proof characteristics of the hull. Quite a project; good luck as you progress. Sounds like you have things under control.👍👍

Morning Chum!
As this project as moved along...here's the good, the bad, and the ugly...

This particular printing is like iron and very heavy; much heavier than I anticipated. Throughout the structure there is a gap between the inner and outer skins. That gap is filled with an incredibly thin spider web lattice that is also incredibly strong, but almost impossible to cut. I could run this thing over with my car and it will probably survive. To address your question; I do sincerely believe that in the end a fully printed one layer hull for any boat other than this monster is a great idea and would be totally workable and probably not too heavy.

The other downside is that the outer shell is covered in tiny 3D printing layers. I thought about using Bondo throughout the outer skin to cover the layers, but thought that task more than I wanted to tackle for a project that was more centered on a need for speed than absolute perfect beauty. Not only is this stuff impossible to cut, it is impossible to sand, hence a perfectly glass smooth surface could only have been achieved with a complete covering of Bondo or another resin product that is designed for sanding applications.

The designer/printer in the UK felt that this K7 could be powered by a 90mm EDF. I was hoping it could be as well. However, The air openings to the boat are nowhere near 90mm so the EDF would never be able to operate at 100% even if I had fabricated a twin tube set-up running from the air inlets on either side of the cockpit to the fan itself. A turbine was an option that probable would have worked, but starting at $4K it was out of my budget. With a Scale speed of 85mph; 1/10th of K7's 276mph my only other "affordable" option was a high winding brushless set-up with high powered lipos and cooling. That's what I opted for and was lucky enough to stumble upon a stock Taxxas Spartan drivetrain that might get me close. Down the road I will have to do mods to the drivetrain and lipos to squeeze out some more raw power. At 9 pounds fully laden I am not sure I will ever get close to what I want.

So, the experiment will continue. For now, it's just finish work and waiting for warm weather!
👍😉

Jump, sounds as though you have had some unfortunate past results from leak/ballast test tank. I have had a few myself, although nothing like some of the bizarre adventures I’ve had on the first real run! Just have positive thoughts
Your comment about fully-printed boats intrigues me. Having a bit of structural knowledge & experience I’ve often wondered about the strength between individual layers of the print. How does a printed component hold up to torsional, bending, lateral, eccentric forces? Then one faces what appears to me to be a monumental sanding task to achieve a smooth surface. Don’t get me wrong I’m not bashing 3D printing. It has many applications.
Does your comment reflect structural concerns, sanding, other? You mentioned weight. I would think a printed hull would be rather light weight. I have zero experience with with printed hull’s so hoping to learn from your experience.
Tx.

John:
Thank you for this information. My Bluebird experiment comes in at just a shade under 9 pounds. A scale top speed on the water would be a whopping 87 miles per hour! Would need a turbine to get close to that like Ernie Lazenby's build.

Please send along some pix of your Crusader. Super interested in the build including scale size etc. I am a Cobb fan as well!

Thanks!

hi there,

Thank you for the kind comments.

The Crusader of mine 'mark II' comes in at just under 6 lb all up weight - that is including the fan and 2 batteries plus speed controller. The hull, itself, with nothing inside, comes in at just a tadge over 4 lb. About 4 lb 3 oz to be exact. (That is in Uk/English lbs ) She is built from 2mm lite ply, frames in the bottom of the hull with balsa wood framing; covered with Obechi planks. Just 3 coats of pure epoxy finishing resin over the top of the hull.

Mark I, which is, at this present time retired to the garage came in at 6 1/2 lbs - that is without any internal propulsion systems, e.g. power plant and batteries and it was way too heavy. When I was running this on 12 s batteries, it was liking running a house brick through the water - plenty of spray but nothing else.

My initial hopes on Mark I i.e. getting her to work on the water just dissipated and I was going to give up on the model. Until, just before Christmas I was clearing stuff out and I came across some of the drawings again of the Crusader and my mind began to work again....so, Mark II was put on the drawing board.

John

John! This is excellent despite the fan mishap!
I am certainly jealous that your Crusader is run by a fan! My intention and the designer of my 3D printed Bluebird was to run a 90mm fan, but the sheer weight of it made it impossible to get this K7 to plane and the whole turbine idea was way too cost prohibitive. So, prop drive (to start) it is. In many ways I wish this was a build up just to save on weight.
Keeping that in mind, how much does your Crusader weigh? Let me know and please keep me updated on the repairs. And send more pictures!!!
👍😊😉

hi there, not long before sea trials - your progress is coming along well. Yes, don't forget to add some form of floatation because, some things tend to happen when you don't expect them.

Take for instances sea trials last Sunday for the Crusader - I was running her on 6s batteries, driving a 90mm fan - near enough right and not far off getting her on the plane. So, I upgraded her to 8s batteries and I just flicked the rudder to correct her as she was running a bit off and she flipped right over. The camera man, my son, managed to take a pic just as model was about to flip - the camera was put away awfully quick and everyone tried to retrieve the model before sinking, Lucky she stayed afloat. When I got home and checked the model, dried everything out and started the fan up - the fan blades had shredded a little bit of the casing and sheared a few bits off the blades. So, obviously the impact with the water had done some unseen damage and now I am waiting for a brand new fan to arrive.

John

Follow your aesthetic taste, Jumpugly, you do very well.
I'm not a big fan of super-fast boats, but I have to say that your construction is fascinating and intriguing me precisely because of the way you describe it.
The construction phases are very interesting.

Hi Alessandro:
Yes, I opted to go with a blue that is not exactly historically accurate to the final version of the craft, but pleasing to my eye as I used the same color decades ago on a smaller version.

As for the rudder and prop shaft I was lucky enough to find a similar colored paint that is specially formulated for exterior metals. The original color of the rudder and prop shaft were an anodized blue that tended towards purple and just wouldn't do with the overall look of the boat. In essence the colors clashed and upset my artistic sensibilities. I guess I am a slave to fashion!
😉😊

Hi Jumpugly, it has to please and satisfy you, so it's fine.
I can't quite see the extent and effect of the change; the difference must be very small, or the photo doesn't quite capture the reality.
Is it a slightly lighter shade than the previous one?

Hi Jumpugly, good luck with your new work.
With the weight so much higher than expected, I'm curious to see how you'll resolve it, but I'm sure you'll find the right solution.
You've reminded me that I need to get back to work, too.
A bit of indolence and laziness have crept in; I need to overcome this post-holiday inertia.

Absolutely Outstanding David!!! And many thanks for the good wishes! What an inspiration!!! I only hope I can achieve just a portion of what you and the builder have here. This made my DAY!!!
👍😊

I believe at a meter she’s 1/8th scale, mine is 1/10 at 30.5 inches. When you have the time let us know your means of propulsion? Dying to know if it’s like Earnie Lazenby’s.
Again, many thanks for your posting!
😉

I wish you every success with this exciting venture, running a K7 at speed is absolutely thrilling- I am fortunate enough to look after this one ( I didn’t build it) it’s about a metre long. The builder wanted it to look right on the water - I believe he achieved that very well. Here’s a link to a video of my K7 running fast.

https://youtu.be/AQQzPrSTzM0?si=gGfQ0Mi01ripY_4i

Thank you Bob and Alessandro!
Your kind words mean so much to me.
When I next return to the bench I will send more pix of these latest developments.

I know this particular build is off the beaten path for me, being a 3D print, that's why I am approaching it as a "grand experiment." The idea being that I would try to achieve a semi-scale speed with a decent "rooster tail" and get it on film.

It'll take some doing and I'd like to start a traditional large scale Chris Craft build and finish the rigging on my freighter, but the quest continues.
It's good to keep my brain engaged and working!
👍😊😉

When a colour is used on a smaller scale model it needs to be a little lighter than the original to look “right”, so choosing a lighter shade to paint your model is not wrong.

If you copied the exact RAL shade number blindly, your model would look too dark.

Common sense and what looks “right” is far more authentic than blindly copying the label on the tin!

Well done!

Bob.

Hi Jumpugly, I admire your tenacity and determination.
I love the precision (super precision) in your search for the exact color; anyone else would have been satisfied.
I'm very intrigued by the processes you described.
I invite you to post photos if you have them.
If you didn't take photos of the creation and experimentation stages, do so next time because they're very helpful.
This way, a message can be transformed into a tutorial for others. Bravissimo!

That gas turbine powered Bluebird model is superb, very stable at speed and it turns well enough too.

Just about perfect, with the sound track to match.

The onboard shots show the Perspex side guards doing their job to keep the spray from being ingested into the turbine intakes, but they may not be needed depending on the propulsion method chosen for other Bluebird models.

Bob.

Hi Boatshed:
I am torn about the color, but like your suggestion. Here is my early color test chip. The Tamiya TS-10 was the color I used for my (lost in a house fire) Touchwood Models K7. I was a wonderful kit and perfectly cast, broke my heart to loose it. But, still loving the TS-10.
😉

Bob! I bet you saw Ernie Lazenby's turbine powered Bluebird model. It's a beauty!!! I wish I could afford to go this way!!!

Now that Bluebird has returned to the lakes museum, I hope to drive up to Conniston and spent some time admiring it.

The whole history of this speed craft and its eventual rediscovery underwater and its recovery from the lake …flowed by its restoration…and its following ownership battle is something that I find very interesting.

Seeing a turbine powered model on our Southport lake some time ago further fueled my interest, so it is an itch that needs scratching.

During a weeks fell walking when I stayed in Windermere I wanted to see Bluebird, but she was “not at home”, so I returned home very disappointed (and caught Covid - but no glimpse of Bluebird!).

Hopefully after seeing it, I will resist the urge to start making a turbine powered scale model of it as I fear it could easily become an “all consuming” episode that I know I should not start….but the Bluebird is a very special craft……

Bob.

Hi Junpugly,
Have you thought of trying a small mix of bot RAL 5009 and RAL 5015.
Just to see if that would lighten it up a bit to your liking.
Adding white may be just too much of a hit to the colour.
Just a suggestion, or experiment??
That's what I would try. But I am a bit odd at times to say the least. 🤗.
I do love the model though, wish I could have a model of her.
She is an amazing boat, so sad about what happened to her.
I did follow the rebuild of her.
I would love to be there when she is back out on the water for her next run.
Not sure thought when that is or which Loch it's going to be on.
Ullswater possibly ??

Superb job on the sportfish Jump!

Hi Chris! The bluebird colors definitely varied over the decades. After some research I discovered that some of Sir Malcolm‘s cars were painted in a slightly lighter pearlized blue, that would sometimes shift color depending on the weather outside.
It seems that the K7 was a bit lighter in the early variants, but the Azure Blue became something of a constant over the last couple of years of it record-breaking life.

Be that as it may, I’m starting to like the RAL 5015 too! Hence, I may throw caution to the wind and go lighter. But first I am going to do some experiments with a very light white primer and let’s see how those tests work out before I try to apply a lighter blue over the Azure.
😉

Can't really argue with that I suppose! Do you know if the same blue was used on the record breaking cars? I saw one in a museum many years ago and had a model and always thought it was a brighter shade and other models of the boat I've seen posted looked similar.

Perhaps its just that RAL 5015 looks a nicer blue! 😀🤔

Just had a Google and one of the cars looks the same colour as the boat. Trouble is there are lots of models/toys which are a brighter blue.

Trouble is that colour on models versus the full-size can fool the eye. With my Fairey builds the oft used dark blue looks far too dark to me and so I'm using a slightly lighter hue - not a problem with my builds as a number of colours were/are used and none are as historic as Bluebird!

Hi Chum:
That's an ancient Lindberg 40' Chris Craft Sport fisherman kit. I heavily kit-bashed it with the marlin bridge etc. It was a high water- mark for Lindberg way back in the day (circa 1965). IMHO

Rumor has it that the kit was pulled when the hull mold (the most important part) was destroyed on the production line during the 1984 re-release. I understand that Atlantis, who now owns the Lindberg molds, may try to sort it out some day for the RC crowd. New-in-Box originals go for monster $$$ these days.

I have a spare kit (still boxed) that needs some work that I hope to fully motorize some day. This old gal was a used, partially built glue bomb that I restored, kit-bashed, and turned into a shelf queen. I love it.

I've included the scalemates history...

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/lindberg-811-chris-craft-40-sport-fisherman--116

Whoa! What’s that sportfisherman in the background?

Hi Stu! There is a gentleman in the UK that does very nice, but slightly heavy, 3D prints in 1/10 and 1/8th scale to order. They are a bit pricey.

The original idea was to propel it with a 90 mm ducted fan, but weight issues with the printing make that pretty much impossible. So I have opted to go with a water cooled Traxxas brushless prop system that may get it go plane, but suspect I will have to go very big with the motor and monster lipo batteries.

Ideally, the best solution would be a jet turbine, but the cost is way out of me league. Not to mention, my total lack of experience with that form of propulsion.
😉

Love to build one! Where to get one please? Very nice looking boat for sure!

As confirmed by the Bluebird team admin…


“I can confirm that the Bluebird K7 restoration team have used RAL 5009 Azure Blue.”

But, I still might make a change.
Going to have to think long and hard about this.

Hi Chris! Yes, your instinct is the way I am currently leaning as well. I have submitted this chart to the Bluebird Team. I am dying to know what they say. More to follow and...
Thank you!
😉

I'd say that RAL 5015 would be more like it?

Going through the RAL Blues...uggh!!!!!!!

I think I can go with a few others other than 5009. Dammit!

Thanks for the kind words gang! I have submitted this photo to the Bluebird team in the UK. It will interesting to see how they react.
Phil, I def did this paint on three different primer tests including white. It's great paint that covered evenly in all three cases, which was shocking to me.
Be that as it may...I may actually will do a finish coat in a lighter color as I, like Alessadro, am a bit concerned about loosing it (visually) out on the lake when the time comes.
The experiment continues!
We shall see.
🤔

It looks like a blue lobster coming on well.
If you want it lighter ter white primer that may brighten it up a bit .
Philuk👍

It's a beautiful blue, Jumpugly (great master of color), but will you be able to see it well in the water?

Unfortunately I think you will find that paint doesn’t hide defects; it magnifies them particularly when you apply the gloss coat.

Perfect