After about 6yrs of the model being 'laid up', I thought it was about time to get it back in 'survey' again, and get some better videos with new camera. Checked it over, cleaned the smoke system (glycerin mixture had separated) oiled everything up and off to the pond. Ran as well as ever and everything still worked which was pleasing.

For those who missed the build blog way back, the model is 36", glass over strip planked balsa, has twin 28mm 2000kv inrunners with twin 60A car escs, twin GT Power sound units, a smoke and water exhaust system (developed by myself and Graham 96, -which he and Mike Turpin successfully fitted to their excellent fireboats) and lighting. Uses 2 -2s 2200mah LiPos for the motors, and an 1800mah 2s LiPo for the air and water pumps.

Boat was shipped to the RNZAF in 1940 and was eventually sold to a private owner in the late 50s. It is still around in Auckland after suffering 3 major modifications to the coamings, and is now fully airconditioned, and can be operated from an I Pad. Today powered with a Detroit 8V96 in place of twin Grey Marine (Detroit) 671s, which replaced the 3 original Napier sea lions. Did 38knts with the 3 Napiers, (1500hp) and does 22knots today with a single 500hp Detroit. It was the only one of the 22 built to be sold in the southern hemisphere. The only other one running is HSL 102 in the UK

I have been on board once in 1968 when it was still in original form, and then again 50yrs later in its' present form.

JB

I'm getting an 'Invalid File Type' message when I try to upload the MP4 video file of all the equipment working. I think the file might be too big at 119Mb? ! Consequently I've just put a photo of the setup because I've been unable to delete my post!

I bought this boat in reasonable condition five years ago from an estate sale. The original geared 540 brushed motors were rusted beyond repair, so I replaced them with a pair of 2830 1000kv brushless motors, running off a pair of 6 cell NiMH packs.
I use a transmitter mix to allow the model to rotate on the spot and perform scale-like docking manoeuvres.

Was invited to take my restored 1970s 12ft racing yacht (red and white one-93 at 1:3) down to put in the display this afternoon, at the Viaduct Event Center In Auckland, and decided to get some pics of the boats on and off water before the crowds come over the next 3 days. Lots of beautiful restored yachts and launches, as well as smaller racing and sailing dinghies. A couple of NZ designed and built Chris Craft copies inside as well. Also steam launches and a few models.

The boat at 1:54 and 3:12 does not have the usual V8 as you would expect, but has a 4 cyl Mercruiser motor, not as the drive motor, but as a generator running 3 high output alternators powering an electrical system for twin electric motors, (round black objects seen in pic, in front of petrol motor). Shafts run each side of petrol motor, Has large control boards on each side for each motor. Boat and laminated wooden trailer designed and built by the owner, Took 2000hrs to build,- absolutely immaculate workmanship.
Also a short vid on an Auckland ferry trip I took while waiting for the liner Queen Victoria to
depart
JB

Here's a few pics of the Lumba. It is ready for fiberglass and the superstructure is here just test fit. I need suggestions on how to power it; I want it to move scale, about 20 knots and it is going to be twin screw. I have a pair of 800 motors that are great but might be too much, even though I would rather this be over-powered than under. She has very cool lines, like an airplane. Lots of curves and twists all over her. She's a big girl, ready to carry quite a few angry oil rig employees on a dark and stormy night.

Haven't tried hard turns and full throttle yet (usually 1/2 is plenty) so though I'd take the boat out and chuck it round a bit. Didn't fall over, so passed the test. More than enough go for 'sensible' use,- could even afford to de-power it a bit. Not too bad for brushed motors.

Sun was out, wind was down, so took the boat for swimming lessons. Went very well, no problems other than the silicone couplings trying to screw themselves off as usual, (too much bite and torque) and bunching up to the motor causing friction), (have a possible fix I'm working on for that today) Heaps of power from the 2 - 540 HV brushed motors only running on 3s. Never went much more than a tad past 1/2 throttle which was spot on scale wise.

Very quiet as well, - mind you, couldn't hear much anyhow with a road milling machine working at the end of the pond about 150m away, at around 80db where I was!!😠😠😠😭 Of course it would have to be there today,! something like this always stuffs my plans up, cars, trucks, screeching seagulls, people talking to you while you are trying to make a nice quiet video etc etc. Can't seem to get away from noise. Added to that, the video's crap,- as soon as it uploads to YT it turns to rubbish,- was quite acceptable till then.

Must be the wide format they use, as it's fine in a small screen (ie YT preview) and my computer. Worst thing is, it took an hour to load this rubbish on a fibre connection!! Not loading any more till I get a better camera, "Santa, did you hear that ?"😁

I might de-power it a bit, as it has too much power really,- might put 2 540 45T motors in which will run on 2s nicely with 30mm props (has 35s at the moment) and not be as touchy on the throttle. You can steer this just using the throttles it's so bitey. Spins on the spot like a jet boat as well. Stereo worked well, but the IR remote doesn't like working too far away in bright sunlight, (have a separate vid, but YT would give a copyright warning, so I won't put that up) The vid is garbage, but you'll get the idea😁

Transferred this from my build blog. Quick vid of the starting - sound/ smoke /water exhaust sequence (water not plugged in, but can be started a few seconds later than the smoke). Smoke starts first to heat up, then air pump (timer for 5 seconds delay) then water (TX switch,) - could put in another timer to make it fully auto, but enough spaghetti there already. Also handy for future water cooling if the motors need it (fan cooled so probably not needed.) Left stick is held over to start the sequence, then released to turn the smoke and air off.

Finally had a chance to do a test on Pilot 40 project that was my lockdown stay home project . Change the props to 50 mill.4mill.threaded & now I have right prop & left prop Replaced the Sabertooth speed control as it was to hard to control with my Airtronics transmitter used a standard Hobby King speed control changed the wiring terminal block to a larger size as the one I first used was to hard to put wires in it . I always have trouble with mounting so glued the motors in with some goop & there just fine now

well finally got there. she sits a little low in the water, but evenly along the water line. this was with the battery central to the hull. when powered up the centre screw alone moved her quite serenely and was very manoeuvrable. when power was added to the outer screws I would say she didn't plane well as she wasn't going fast enough. even with all props on full power, I think also she is to heavy and the battery too far forward.
So to remedy this I moved the battery back a compartment, positioning it over the 3 motors , it was a tight squeeze, but fitted just.
This sat the stern down a little and the bow up and gave the impression of planeing, she still not fast enough though. the scale speed still doesn't look right.
I'm going to have to have a rethink on this one. having said all this though she looked well in the water if i say so my self.
Roger

I built this model during four long years. my Lulonga is nearly whole scratchbuilt model (about 75 cm long) except the steering wheel and position lamps.
The model has a plywood and balsa hull construction ,plywood decks,from hard polystyrene sheets made superstructure,laminated with veneer. Sidewheels with skew paddles, two DC 12V independent electric motors with gearboxes controlled by ESC. Electric LED lights, steam sound module, sirene and horn.Tx/Rx 6 channel HK 2,4GHz.
completion expected in spring 2014
More infos about building you find at > www.paddleducks.co.uk <

some videos are here at Model Boats too >
http://mdlbt.com/19852

wiring diagram you can see here in my albums
http://tomarack.rajce.idnes.cz/RC_model_Lulonga#lulongaelschema1.jpg

Weather was perfect tonight for a test, so I did the 15km trip out to the Gulf harbour pond (most weed free pond) to throw the boat in. After a thorough under water hull inspection from the marine department, she was off. Everything worked ok except the silicone drive tube which had become enlarged due to soaking in the grease coming out the front of the jet shaft. It was slipping badly and probably losing about 60% of its' thrust. Manoeuvrability is excellent but reverse leaves a bit to be be desired. Steering in reverse is perfect but the thrust is not going forwards enough from the bucket. Might have to build in some nozzles to direct it better.

Smoke air and water are working as well as can be expected, (smoke is a bit wafty, but with too much air introduced it will disappear as it gets thinned out too much to see) I was not expecting miracles as this was a bit of an experiment (modified cheap jet unit with unknown abilities) but at least it shows promise😁. If I can find a coupling which is concentric it will solve the drive problem.

Trouble is, the Chinese insist on making a 4mm shaft, 4.95 (or whatever) which is useless for balance in a 4mm ID bearing for example. Fine for cars, but no good for boats or planes due to balance requirements (it's a mission trying to balance plane props due to this thinking,- they do it with everything) shafts for electric motors are a nightmare at times as the play they build in, can ruin an otherwise good motor. I might have to buy a flexible rubber/nylon universal or a collet style( preferable as these take up any undersize on shafts) to fix it. They included a spiral alloy one with the jet unit which is as loose as a rooster in a sock, and only good for slower things like 3D printers etc. One of these days they will learn how to machine things to fit.😐