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    Deans Marine PBR
    7 Posts · 10 Followers · 40 Photos · 62 Likes
    Began 4 years ago by
    Vice Admiral
    United States
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    Latest Post 4 years ago by
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    📝 Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 30 Views · 12 Likes · 12 Comments
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    Hi y’all. Don’t know how many of you kept up with the “Night Watch” thread last year, but those of you who did know that the Texas Navy had its hands full...shoot, we lost our admittedly woefully obsolete flagship, the San Jacinto, and the heroic actions of my second in command, LT J.G. Errol T Cat (feline division). You may also know that we gained a new flagship in the form of a Robbe PT15, which is still undergoing sea trials before her final acceptance inspection. What you did not know is that Errol has been chomping at the bit for his own command. He wanted the PT, but I said no, you’re a cat!!! A few weeks later, someone made a purchase on my EBay account and the Deans Marine kit ended up on my doorstep several days later. Think I need to change my password...
    All kidding aside, I had been wanting another fast warship in my fleet, and since the PBR is a smallish boat, it will fit in my car and on the shelf nicely. Also, since I have a partially started Deans Wacht am Rhein kit in my stash, I figured this smaller and supposedly less complicated kit would help me get used to the way the Deans kits go together....I mean, how hard can it be?🤣
    I won’t bore you with step by step details, I’ll just go over a few things I changed and some interesting building points. Now, this is an older PBR kit, apparently they’ve updated the instruction manual and possibly a few other things. This kit has a decently molded abs hull, cast fittings, full size plan and printed sheet plastic parts. Some people don’t like anything that’s not pre cut, but the printed parts don’t bother me at all, as I’ve built model planes from print wood kits. Only 2 things made me a little uncomfortable. The manual is..well, a little hard to read. There’s pictures, but they are a little grainy, and some of the building sequences seem to jump around, or in one case was duplicated on 2 pages several pages apart. The other thing was the white metal rudder. Not a fan. We’ll get to that in a bit.
    The sequence of assembly is pretty straightforward once you figure it out. Cut trim the hull, add reinforcement strips to the upper inside, then add the stuffing box, rudder, well deck, battery hatch and radio hatch. Due to the way the decks are stepped, you end up with 3 different hatches-one to access battery, and two to access the radio and motor. Only problem I ran into that wasn’t of my own making was that the starboard aft of the hull, just before the stern, had a very thin spot, which started to crack. I just added a scab patch inside and continued on. Also, I changed up the motor mount as I am using a brushless outrunner for power. That also necessitated shortening the shaft and stuffing box.
    The rudder I used came from an Aquacraft Reef Racer that I had scrounged some parts from. The shaft was a bit too big, and the rudder is molded around it. I bend the original shaft so I could get the leverage I needed to work it free of the rudder without damage, I then installed a brass shaft that I nicked and inserted, then finished off with thin ca. It worked a treat!! I made some mods to accept the thicker tubing and shaft, and installed it.
    So far so good. Although it’s not the easiest kit to figure out, once you get the aft well deck installed things seem to fall in place, and the construction goes fairly quickly from there, I’m at the point where my next steps are the hatches and superstructure.
    Cash

    💬 Re: Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 CraigRobotham ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 22 Views · 1 Like
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    That's a great kit . The PBR is the favorite in my collection . Have a look in my Harbor for some pics . Look forwards to seeing more of your progress & well done 😎👍
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    💬 Re: Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 3 Likes
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    Hi Peter, sorry for the late reply. The Deans PBR has a molded hull, deck, fwd superstructure and upper radar(?) housing. I think it’s radar, not sure. Y’all have to remember, I’m a groundpounder, my main interest for years was aviation. So, sometimes I work on a naval project and wonder what the heck it was that I just built and attached to my boat🤣
    There’s also a couple of moldings for motor mounting and rx/esc mounting. Since I went with a brushless motor I had no need for the molded mount, and the jury’s still out on the electronics moldings.
    Cash
    💬 Re: Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    "Fleet, that’s why he was pining for the PT..40mm Bofors plus torpedoes 😁 "
    Make sure it's the Typhoon version with EOD and/or RFC targetting that he can remote control from the bridge with one paw Cash! 😉
    🐱"Engage"💥💥💥😮
    😎
    💬 Re: Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 23 Views · 3 Likes
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    “ Cash; Didn't Errol once have plans to fit a 12 pounder on the foredeck, but had to settle for a 20mm Oerlikon? 😉
    😎 “

    Fleet, that’s why he was pining for the PT..40mm Bofors plus torpedoes 😁
    💬 Re: Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    "Are you going to have working armament so he can deal with the Rabbits ?"
    Cash; Didn't Errol once have plans to fit a 12 pounder on the foredeck, but had to settle for a 20mm Oerlikon? 😉
    😎
    💬 Re: Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇿🇦 redpmg ( Commodore)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    At least Errol does not insist on lying on everything unlike Willie. Are you going to have working armament so he can deal with the Rabbits ?
    Looking good so far .

    Have the hull only (long story) - nothing else - so be good to see how it goes together . Were there further mouldings or just the hull?
    💬 Re: Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 23 Views · 3 Likes
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    I gave Errol a credit card, but he got behind on the payments! 🤣 That’s why he’s in the Texas Navy, needs to learn discipline...
    💬 Re: Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    Martin, I’m about 15 hrs into the PBR, I’m figuring 20-30 hrs more....maybe 2-3 added to fix what I foul up🤣
    💬 Re: Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 20 Views · 1 Like
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    Your cat misspelt oxxccnnmmsks it has two o's at the start of the word. LOL!!

    Martin555.
    💬 Re: Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Commodore-H ( Sub-Lieutenant)
    ✧ 46 Views · 2 Likes
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    Coming along nicely. I also have kitty problems in that the cats always want to help me with building, As soon as I get to my workbench they are up there carefully inspecting my work for flaws.

    Sometimes they type on the computer too ;
    oxxccnnmmsks opkmsxkmk mxmkm ksmnsnqsmx mknsijjs
    💬 Re: Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇭🇺 MouldBuilder ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 2 Likes
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    Good start.
    On the subject of cats, you can get over this problem by giving them a credit card each. I have with both of mine and now all that arrives on the doorstep is the odd mouse and bird. I am trying to retrain them to buy kitty treats instead.😀
    💬 Re: Deans Marine PBR
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 20 Views · 0 Likes
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    Cash,

    Couple more hours and you will have it finished LOL!!!

    Martin555.
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    📝 Superstructure and mid deck hatch.
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 25 Views · 7 Likes
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    Hi y’all. Got a bit more done this evening after work. Now, this boat is designed to have 3 distinct hatches to access electronics and power. The aft hatch is for battery access, the middle for esc and receiver, and the superstructure is removable to access the motor. I started working on the superstructure, there’s a molded cabin that is cut and trimmed to fit, and to this you add panels that, according to the instructions, are not glued to the electronics hatch, but help hold it in place when the cabin is installed. Uh-huh. As I was building this thing, and it’s been on my mind for a day or two, I wondered why not glue the panels to the hatch AND the cabin and make the whole thing removable? To be honest, the only real reason one would need to remove either is to replace or troubleshoot the rx, esc or motor, or maintainance, and it would be much easier to remove them as a unit.....so that’s what I did. I trimmed the mid hatch down so that it just clears the side of the deck when lifted, and extended all the panels so I could glue them to the hatch and cabin. If I had thought of this earlier in the build it would have been easier and neater, but I still think it looks okay, and seems to work well.
    Cash

    📝 Some paint, gun mounts and that (censored) awning!!
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 25 Views · 8 Likes · 7 Comments
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    Hi everybody. We were going to try to get together to run boats this past Sunday, but the weather did not cooperate, so I did some building instead. The PBR is close now, some more details then it’s final install of the radio and esc. The only thing that put me off was the use of white metal for the awning frames. I can understand using white metal for many things, but not the frames, radar support and mast. The stuff is too fragile for those applications, so I made the frames from brass. After it was all said and done it looked okay, but I had set it too high, so I had to break the frames loose from the superstructure and trim then reglue. The awning material is a self adhesive material that I’m not in love with, might try something else. I’ve made some mistakes along the way, but she’s getting there. I need to sand the frames where they are glued to the sides and touch up the paint.
    Cash

    💬 Re: Some paint, gun mounts and that (censored) awning!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Rookysailor ( Commodore)
    ✧ 22 Views · 2 Likes
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    Quite understand Doug...
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    💬 Re: Some paint, gun mounts and that (censored) awning!!
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 2 Likes
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    Hi Rooky,
    Re Colossus.
    Don't want to mess with Cash's Blog so I'll answer that in a new thread!
    Cheers, Doug 😎
    💬 Re: Some paint, gun mounts and that (censored) awning!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Rookysailor ( Commodore)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    Many thanks Fleet....HMS Colossus ?😛
    💬 Re: Some paint, gun mounts and that (censored) awning!!
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 2 Likes
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    Congrats on your well earned promotion Commander Rooky 👍
    😎
    💬 Re: Some paint, gun mounts and that (censored) awning!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Rookysailor ( Commodore)
    ✧ 22 Views · 2 Likes
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    Nice build Cash👍, was thinking to buy one of these from Deans, as I built the Tamiya one some years ago, and liked the design, Deans kits are not the best instructions, but you have done really well sussing them out😀looking forward to seeing her maiden sail.


    Cheers, Pete
    💬 Re: Some paint, gun mounts and that (censored) awning!!
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    Thanks Martin. I’m thinking I’m not real happy with the canopy though. Might make another...but thanks for the kind comments. This boat has more going on in its construction than I originally thought, but I’m bulling through it.
    💬 Re: Some paint, gun mounts and that (censored) awning!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 20 Views · 0 Likes
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    Looks good cash,
    You certainly sped your way through that build.
    Great stuff.

    Martin555.
    📝 (Censored) Awning AGAIN!! (censored, censored, and censored)
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 28 Views · 10 Likes · 3 Comments
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    So. The Awning. The thing that keeps me up nights. Wasn’t really happy with it anyway. The frame was a little tweaked, it had too much peak in the middle, and to make matters worse, the sticky back material for the “canvas” kept coming loose. So, since I didn’t take the Hawk out this morning, (late night slept in) I decided to fix the thing once and for all.
    I had purchased some new stock for the railings, it’s closer in diameter than the first brass I used. However, I had to reuse one piece as it’s made from longer stock then I presently have. I made a jig from 1/4 inch balsa sheet, made my frames, lined everything up and soldered the whole mess together. After I checked fit on the superstructure, I then had to apply the “canvas”. I was wondering what to use, cloth, Monokote, etc, then I remembered that I have a roll of sticky back sailcloth, as I have used that to repair rc boat sails where the rigging goes thru, and it’s used for the battery hatch on my DF65. I made up the top, installed it, then used another piece as a “headliner” to keep the tabs from working loose. Has a wrinkle in the aft port side, but..it looks good enough for government work, and better than the last monstrosity I built.
    Next, guns, fittings and electrics!!

    💬 Re: (Censored) Awning AGAIN!! (censored, censored, and censored)
    4 years ago by 🇿🇦 redpmg ( Commodore)
    ✧ 21 Views · 2 Likes
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    That's so much more lifelike Cash - the awnings were never pristine . Watched a couple of videos on Vietnam boats after Googling PBR's - that awning is definitely "real"
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    💬 Re: (Censored) Awning AGAIN!! (censored, censored, and censored)
    4 years ago by 🇳🇿 jbkiwi ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 2 Likes
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    That looks better Cash,-shame you weren't closer, I could have sent you a bit of the green canvas look-alike material I found for my Seaplane Tender, (see my harbour)
    JB
    💬 Re: (Censored) Awning AGAIN!! (censored, censored, and censored)
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 20 Views · 1 Like
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    Fiddly work cash but well worth the effort.

    Martin555.
    📝 Radio install
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 23 Views · 4 Likes · 3 Comments
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    Hi y’all!! Did a little on the PBR today, installed the rudder servo, rudder, esc and rx. The rudder servo is under the aft gun mount, I installed it on its side with some of that tenacious Tamiya black servo mounting tape. That stuff loves plastic, once’s it’s set and cured you can remove it, but it takes some patience. Good stuff! The esc is mounted in the battery compartment on the port hull side, the receiver is mounted on the starboard side, higher up just under the gunwale. I laid down 2 strips of Velcro going fore/aft on the hull bottom on each side, that will let me mount a 2400 mah lipo transversly and allow shifting core and aft for balance. I’ll do a little more detail this week then it’s off to the maiden!!

    💬 Re: Radio install
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Joe727 ( Commander)
    ✧ 20 Views · 0 Likes
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    Cash,
    Thanks for the clarification, I will try on my plastic work,
    Joe
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    💬 Re: Radio install
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 22 Views · 2 Likes
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    Joe, the Tamiya tape works reall well on plastic to plastic joins, or any smooth clean surface. If on wood, you want to make sure the area is sanded and maybe coated with CA or epoxy
    💬 Re: Radio install
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Joe727 ( Commander)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    Cash,
    Looks good, I will have to try that Tamiya tape. Thanks for the info. 👍
    Joe
    📝 Ready to maiden!!
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 30 Views · 14 Likes · 9 Comments
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    Hi everybody. Well, she’s ready to maiden, got a few more details added and she’s been gone thru and checked. I still have a handful of small details to install, like davits and the water jet thrusters, but that will wait till after the maiden. Here’s a few pics of her as she sits.
    Cash

    💬 Re: Ready to maiden!!
    2 years ago by 🇬🇧 CraigRobotham ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 16 Views · 0 Likes
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    Like it fella , I have the Tamiya 1/35th model & I also have an R.C PBR MKII @ Over 50" long . Have a look in my Harbour there's some pics there you might like . Keep up the great work & enjoy the hobby 😎👍
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    💬 Re: Ready to maiden!!
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 figtree7nts ( Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    Hi Cash,

    You've done a Brilliant job of it!
    Job well done!

    She looks fantastic!

    Cheers, Ed
    💬 Re: Ready to maiden!!
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Joe727 ( Commander)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    Cash,
    Looks good, I really like the paint finish, looks like a satin. Look forward to the sea trials, good luck. 👍
    Joe
    💬 Re: Ready to maiden!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Nerys ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    You've done a great job Cash, lovely finish on her, look forward to seeing her in her natural element.

    Cheers, Nerys
    💬 Re: Ready to maiden!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Rookysailor ( Commodore)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    Lovely build Cash, will you be doing a bit of weathering on her? or will you just let the elements do it.😐

    Cheers, Pete
    💬 Re: Ready to maiden!!
    4 years ago by 🇭🇺 MouldBuilder ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    Super looking boat.
    Well made.👍
    💬 Re: Ready to maiden!!
    4 years ago by 🇳🇿 jbkiwi ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    Nice job Cash, canopy has worked out nicely as well!
    JB
    💬 Re: Ready to maiden!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Colin H ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    A very good model, I love the canopy, very well made. Look forward to seeing it in the water.
    Cheers Colin.
    💬 Re: Ready to maiden!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
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    You have done a great job.
    Well done.
    Looking forward to her sea trials.

    Martin555.
    📝 She’s a Squirrel!!
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 27 Views · 7 Likes
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    Hi y’all. It’s been a couple of weeks since I was last on. The PBR was maidened, and it was somewhat successful..by somewhat I mean it didn’t sink🤣. The first run I ran a stock type prop and a 2 cell lipo mounted in the middle of the radio bay. My trim was off, but it seemed manageable, so I opened the taps and tried a slight turn to starboard. Um...I’ve never seen a boat snap roll, but this one did. I was able to get her back, the snap was violent enough that I lost one of the hatch mounted MGs, and there was about 3/4 cup of water in her. The hatches were secure and taped well enough to keep her dry, but almost turning turtle was a bit much. After I got the ESC dried so she’d run again, I set about changing to a lower pitch 3 blade prop and I used a heavier lipo mounted further forward. I also cut my rudder travel down quite a bit. This seemed to calm her down a bit. The ESC still had a bit of residual moisture, and she quit near the shore after a short run, but I think I’m on track. I’m running the same size and kv (1400) motor that’s in my SAR, and it’s just too much for this little hull, so I have a 1000 kv unit coming in today. I think we’ll be good after the swap.
    Cash



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