Have be working on the upperworks detail and now the model is almost complete. That is, if a model is ever really finished!
All was fairly straightforward with few items being bought, most were made up from bits and pieces, usually scrap wood or styrene.
The only real challenge was the Admirals Barge, which is complicated by the lack of drawings. Many members helped with information (Thanks again) and from that, along with details in the Ship Modelers handbook, was able the create a fair facsimile. The barge is almost a project in its own right!
Hope to give her a maiden sail later this week and will post any pictures.
In summary, have spent over 7 months on the model fitting out the "Models by Design" hull. Should have counted the hours, as there were many. The miserable winter and Spring in this part of Canada allowed a much quicker build than expected.
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Have be working on the upperworks detail and now the model is almost complete. That is, if a model is ever really finished!
All was fairly straightforward with few items being bought, most were made up from bits and pieces, usually scrap wood or styrene.
The only real challenge was the Admirals Barge, which is complicated by the lack of drawings. Many members helped with information (Thanks again) and from that, along with details in the Ship Modelers handbook, was able the create a fair facsimile. The barge is almost a project in its own right!
Hope to give her a maiden sail later this week and will post any pictures.
In summary, have spent over 7 months on the model fitting out the "Models by Design" hull. Should have counted the hours, as there were many. The miserable winter and Spring in this part of Canada allowed a much quicker build than expected.
Took her for the maiden voyage today in windy conditions. Wind was Force 3 gusting 4, making large waves but with little swell as the pond is quite small.
My two colleagues decided it was too windy to sail their vessels!
Anyway, in the circumstances she sailed well and without water ingress; although with the rolling trace water was found on the lower deck. This had come through the mid hull freeing ports.
The ballast and batteries sit close to the base of the hull so the model is tender, which exaggerates the motion. The side area of the superstructure is also comparatively large making the vessel is susceptible to wind effects, which add to the rolling and pitching. This causes the upwind propeller and rudder to loose "bite" in the water, making control difficult.
The waterline looked fine, but have now moved the rear battery sternwards by about 4" to lower the stern and improve purchase.
Unfortunately have no photographs, the official photographer had forgotten his camera!
Hope to try the effect of the battery reposition shortly and plan to post pictures with the concluding blog.
Took her for the maiden voyage today in windy conditions. Wind was Force 3 gusting 4, making large waves but with little swell as the pond is quite small.
My two colleagues decided it was too windy to sail their vessels!
Anyway, in the circumstances she sailed well and without water ingress; although with the rolling trace water was found on the lower deck. This had come through the mid hull freeing ports.
The ballast and batteries sit close to the base of the hull so the model is tender, which exaggerates the motion. The side area of the superstructure is also comparatively large making the vessel is susceptible to wind effects, which add to the rolling and pitching. This causes the upwind propeller and rudder to loose "bite" in the water, making control difficult.
The waterline looked fine, but have now moved the rear battery sternwards by about 4" to lower the stern and improve purchase.
Unfortunately have no photographs, the official photographer had forgotten his camera!
Hope to try the effect of the battery reposition shortly and plan to post pictures with the concluding blog.
The maiden voyage - 2.
She sails well, as you can see. I used a 12v system so the lights and radar scanner work. The model is overpowered and, once my large voltage reducer arrives from China, will dial back to around 6v as was recommended by another modeler.
The excess power causes a rapid and exaggerated response to a sudden control movement, which induces a heel. The screw on the inside of the heel lifts, so it splashes and then cavitates.
Every control movement needs to be very gentle to avoid this. This can be controlled on the RC, but it is not forgiving for a casual user.
Still making trim ballast adjustments. Although it looks OK, you cannot see the weights perched on the rear deck! They need to be integrated into the hull ballast.
I am not expecting to write further blogs as should be little else to report.
In summary, a great model to build. The results justify the hours of work that have gone into her. A very enjoyable project and a worthy addition to anybodies fleet.
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The maiden voyage - 2.
She sails well, as you can see. I used a 12v system so the lights and radar scanner work. The model is overpowered and, once my large voltage reducer arrives from China, will dial back to around 6v as was recommended by another modeler.
The excess power causes a rapid and exaggerated response to a sudden control movement, which induces a heel. The screw on the inside of the heel lifts, so it splashes and then cavitates.
Every control movement needs to be very gentle to avoid this. This can be controlled on the RC, but it is not forgiving for a casual user.
Still making trim ballast adjustments. Although it looks OK, you cannot see the weights perched on the rear deck! They need to be integrated into the hull ballast.
I am not expecting to write further blogs as should be little else to report.
In summary, a great model to build. The results justify the hours of work that have gone into her. A very enjoyable project and a worthy addition to anybodies fleet.
Decided to write a follow up entry.
Added more ballast to stern to fully submerge rudder blades and converted to 6V, as voltage reducer had not been received.
The result of these two changes makes the model as I had hoped. She is nicely controllable and tolerant of inadvertent control movements.
Looks very nice on water as can be seen.
Fitted with 2 x 6V SLA cells in parallel and they give over 2 hours of sailing time.
In summary, a very satisfying project, one to enjoy all Summer - now onto the next!
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Decided to write a follow up entry.
Added more ballast to stern to fully submerge rudder blades and converted to 6V, as voltage reducer had not been received.
The result of these two changes makes the model as I had hoped. She is nicely controllable and tolerant of inadvertent control movements.
Looks very nice on water as can be seen.
Fitted with 2 x 6V SLA cells in parallel and they give over 2 hours of sailing time.
In summary, a very satisfying project, one to enjoy all Summer - now onto the next!
I have only just come across this models Blog.
It is very nice and well made.
Really good work.
And i like the land-rover/jack plug idea.
I suppose you could do the same sort of thing as an on/off key.
I am surprised i have not seen this ship in your harbour.
You are only really limited by your imagination, pocket book and scale requirements.
Good suggestion about the Harbour, sound like a nice winter project