I do love these boats, but it is a shame that Precedent got the front cabin window shape so wrong.
It should not have such a high curved top - I was once told that this was to ease production - but I don’t see how?
When I get around to tackling my two kits I will make a new front cabin window shape and see how much of the cabin roof needs changing to blend in with it.
If the mod works (and you like it when you see it), I will send you copies of the templates to convert yours.
I agree Bob, it's those little details that aren't quite right that can spoil a model.
Ooh, yes please, that's very kind of you, and would be gratefully received too.
I look forward to following your progress when you do move onto your Huntsmen.
Well done Chris - but I think you have "sorted" it for your own (very nice) 1/12 scale scratch built Huntsman 31?
What Will and myself need is a better shaped front cabin windscreen for the 34" President kit - and the revised roof parts that will also be needed to get it all to fit together.
Your input would be welcome (of course) - especially any pictures of the real thing that show the front windscreen clearly enough to make copying the shape and transferring it to fit this kit a little more accurate.
Pictures of your superb creations would also be welcomed on the Classic Model Power Boats thread 👍
I popped home today to pick up some mail and things and took the opportunity to spent a couple of hours out in my workshop (shed).
The frame of one of the two Huntsman 31 hulls now has the wooden internal parts bonded into it - I should have probably fitted the prop shaft and rudder etc first, but I can't find any plans or instructions at the moment ....and it was nice to play with some wood again!
When I am home next, I will do some more work on this hull as I am keen to get to the superstructure stage and take a look at any pictures I can find that shows the front cabin so I can make a windscreen shape that looks closer to the original....and if I think it looks OK I will cut it out and see what changes will be needed to make the cabin roof fit it.
I was looking earlier, and found these (from various online sources), that show the shape of the cabin front fairly well.
I'm looking next to see if I can find a decent picture side on, showing the rake of the front window etc, and how much of an overhang there is to the cabin roof at the front.
The process I went through with the front window is as follows. Given that the width and the height at the cabin sides is already fixed the only real variable is the height at the centre of the window which I reduced as much as I could to make the window look wider but still show some curve to the roof.
I found it to be a fine line between height and curve and it took a couple of attempts to get it looking as right as I could. As I've said elsewhere, if I was building another I think I'd reduce the width of the decking on each side a tad to allow the window to be wider.
I didn't draw the window opening on until I'd got the window blank to be a good fit after scrapping the first one (I think that was the one shown clamped in place) - I'd underestimated how much material needs sanding off with the angles on all four sides!
Attaining the discreet look of the windows with slim frames gives the right look.
I have made a 16 inch long model and used a thick clear plastic, heated to shape screen. I then used masking tape to reveal where the pillars and frames are and theses were painted in. I used 4 or 5 coats of paint to give some body to it and let it all dry for several days and gently soaked off the masking tape.
The paint has a solid look and seems to do the job. Construction was based on photos of various prototypes.
Power is with a 380, 40 watt motor with a 1 : 2 gear reduction motor, consumption at speed is 19 watts. It took a long while to get the balance right for the model to plane including buying 4/5th size sub-C 2.8Ahr. cells to make up as a 7.2 volt battery. ESC is an Aliexpress 10 amp one cost £1.50. Running time is 30 minutes plus.
Roy
Wow, that's only 16" in length? Fair play Roy, it doesn’t appear to be a small model.
The windows and frames look really good, you've done a great job of it 😎
The curvature of the rear cabin window top looks to be the right shape on your model Roy - unlike the domed top window shape seen on all the Precedent Huntsman 31 kit models.
Those last pictures showing the rear of the Huntsman 31 will help me as I modify the curvature of the front and rear windscreen tops on my two Precedent 31 kits…..and make a spare copy for you too if you have one to build?
If you want to see a lot more information about the Fairey Huntsman and photos, there's a great article on SLEC'S 48" version by John Milestone in the latest October Model Boats Mag, 8 pages worth.
Hope this is of some help to the Fairey fans. Steve 😀👍..
Steve-S, two Fairey articles one month apart from the same magazine, wow, that is unusual.
Chris F on here is extremely knowledgable about all things model Fairey, and he did an article that was in the September issue.
I'll have to look for the October one now as well in that case.
Cheers for the heads up.
Well--
😁I get my copy on " prescription ", I need a monthly fix, ☺ it arrives a few days earlier than it does in the paper shops so it will be on the shelves on Friday 19th. Steve..👍
Backing-up Chris’s excellent “Fairey Tales” in the September Model Boats with an a kit build of another Fairey in the October issue can only help to promote interest in the excellent Classic Fairey Model Power Boats.
I drove into Southport yesterday in search of a copy (Thursday 18th September) but apparently I was a day too early, so I will repeat the process today (Friday 19th) the date that I believe it should appear in any shop that stocks it in the UK.
I will try whatever the local W H Smiths is now called as I noticed that they had quiet a few magazines about full size power boats, so I am guessing that would be the section to look in for the Model Boats magazine as the Model Railways magazines are in amongst the magazines about the full size Railways etc….although the Tamiya magazine seems to have got them beat as that too was in the same section as the Railway magazines !
I will search all the shelves, but I need to be careful as I found myself getting quite interested in other magazines such as those that featured scale model aircraft and tanks etc…..and I already have too many hobbies……
I have been able to find a copy of the Model Boats October issue in W.H.Smiths on Saturday 20th.
…. they had 5 or 6 issues in stock when I called but at £6.35 a copy the magazine needs to be good - and it was, so I am going to subscribe 😇 to make it more of a pensioner friendly purchase😂
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It should not have such a high curved top - I was once told that this was to ease production - but I don’t see how?
When I get around to tackling my two kits I will make a new front cabin window shape and see how much of the cabin roof needs changing to blend in with it.
If the mod works (and you like it when you see it), I will send you copies of the templates to convert yours.
Bob.
Ooh, yes please, that's very kind of you, and would be gratefully received too.
I look forward to following your progress when you do move onto your Huntsmen.
Will
Bob.
What Will and myself need is a better shaped front cabin windscreen for the 34" President kit - and the revised roof parts that will also be needed to get it all to fit together.
Your input would be welcome (of course) - especially any pictures of the real thing that show the front windscreen clearly enough to make copying the shape and transferring it to fit this kit a little more accurate.
Pictures of your superb creations would also be welcomed on the Classic Model Power Boats thread 👍
https://model-boats.com/blogs/156760
Stay safe,
Bob.
I popped home today to pick up some mail and things and took the opportunity to spent a couple of hours out in my workshop (shed).
The frame of one of the two Huntsman 31 hulls now has the wooden internal parts bonded into it - I should have probably fitted the prop shaft and rudder etc first, but I can't find any plans or instructions at the moment ....and it was nice to play with some wood again!
When I am home next, I will do some more work on this hull as I am keen to get to the superstructure stage and take a look at any pictures I can find that shows the front cabin so I can make a windscreen shape that looks closer to the original....and if I think it looks OK I will cut it out and see what changes will be needed to make the cabin roof fit it.
Bob.
I was looking earlier, and found these (from various online sources), that show the shape of the cabin front fairly well.
I'm looking next to see if I can find a decent picture side on, showing the rake of the front window etc, and how much of an overhang there is to the cabin roof at the front.
Will
I found it to be a fine line between height and curve and it took a couple of attempts to get it looking as right as I could. As I've said elsewhere, if I was building another I think I'd reduce the width of the decking on each side a tad to allow the window to be wider.
I didn't draw the window opening on until I'd got the window blank to be a good fit after scrapping the first one (I think that was the one shown clamped in place) - I'd underestimated how much material needs sanding off with the angles on all four sides!
The top curvature of the front (and rear) screens can be reduced a little .
The roof top overhang helps too - slightly more curved than the absolutely flat front screen.
I am sure I can do something with that to improve the appearance.
This is probably a “long shot” but do you have any pictures of the cabin rear as that would probably need the same treatment?
Bob.
Will
I have made a 16 inch long model and used a thick clear plastic, heated to shape screen. I then used masking tape to reveal where the pillars and frames are and theses were painted in. I used 4 or 5 coats of paint to give some body to it and let it all dry for several days and gently soaked off the masking tape.
The paint has a solid look and seems to do the job. Construction was based on photos of various prototypes.
Power is with a 380, 40 watt motor with a 1 : 2 gear reduction motor, consumption at speed is 19 watts. It took a long while to get the balance right for the model to plane including buying 4/5th size sub-C 2.8Ahr. cells to make up as a 7.2 volt battery. ESC is an Aliexpress 10 amp one cost £1.50. Running time is 30 minutes plus.
Roy
The windows and frames look really good, you've done a great job of it 😎
Will
Bob.
Those last pictures showing the rear of the Huntsman 31 will help me as I modify the curvature of the front and rear windscreen tops on my two Precedent 31 kits…..and make a spare copy for you too if you have one to build?
Bob.
Hope this is of some help to the Fairey fans. Steve 😀👍..
Chris F on here is extremely knowledgable about all things model Fairey, and he did an article that was in the September issue.
I'll have to look for the October one now as well in that case.
Cheers for the heads up.
Will
My search for the September issue failed to find a stockist and so I had to mail order it .
Bob.
😁I get my copy on " prescription ", I need a monthly fix, ☺ it arrives a few days earlier than it does in the paper shops so it will be on the shelves on Friday 19th. Steve..👍
Will
I drove into Southport yesterday in search of a copy (Thursday 18th September) but apparently I was a day too early, so I will repeat the process today (Friday 19th) the date that I believe it should appear in any shop that stocks it in the UK.
I will try whatever the local W H Smiths is now called as I noticed that they had quiet a few magazines about full size power boats, so I am guessing that would be the section to look in for the Model Boats magazine as the Model Railways magazines are in amongst the magazines about the full size Railways etc….although the Tamiya magazine seems to have got them beat as that too was in the same section as the Railway magazines !
I will search all the shelves, but I need to be careful as I found myself getting quite interested in other magazines such as those that featured scale model aircraft and tanks etc…..and I already have too many hobbies……
Bob.
…. they had 5 or 6 issues in stock when I called but at £6.35 a copy the magazine needs to be good - and it was, so I am going to subscribe 😇 to make it more of a pensioner friendly purchase😂
Bob.
Here is a clear case of the online forum proving beneficial to the magazine owners who will hopefully continue to support this forum in the future.
Bob.