Blog

H.M.S BRAVE BORDERER

Thinking of a future project and decided upon another launch type vessel. My earlier Daman 4207 project gave an interesting model with good performance. The Brave class of FPBs (Fast s) caught my attention. Can remember the incredible performance they offered when entering service. Only two of the class were used by the RN, although variants were used by other navies. Have decided to use proprietary Glass fibre hulls in future as they probably cost little more than building from scratch using wood and resin. They give a robust and watertight hull, but one which still requires thought to complete properly. There are several companies that offer a “Perkasa” hull, a Brave class derivative with an almost identical hull. From previous experience have decided to limit my models to 40” long, larger vessels become difficult to transport and handle. After much research considered the hull offered by MTB Hulls in Gibraltar met my requirements best. The inquiry to MTBHulls was well handled; the quotation acceptable, so placed an order. Was pleasantly surprised at the shipping costs. From the UK these often approach the cost of the hull, but from Gibraltar they are much more reasonable. Delivery only took 7 days.

6 years ago by Rowen

Blog

Krick Police Launch

I have just started to build the Police Launch that I have had for a while. Work commitments have left me with little time lately but hopefully I can get a good run on this one for a while. I hope to finish it by late July which just leaves me enough time to send it to Hungary so that I can test it. The kit is said to be good for a beginner. This would be good as many years ago I built a Patrol Torpedo Boat which took me five years. I am currently restoring this one as well but I think that will take most of this year to complete.😁 I have started by buying the speed controller. The motor is a 400 brushed. Probably not going to be too difficult to keep up with this one. The kit itself is not too bad considering the price, but I do feel that the ABS vacuum formed hull could be of a slightly better quality. Also I am finding the ply wood to be rather brittle. Does anybody have an idea for a good filler to use to fill the chips which will take to acrylic paint. I have prepared the hull and added the propeller shaft and rudder holes. Care taken here to avoid splits in the plastic. Cellotape on both sides before drilling helps.🤓 I have assembled the internal parts which hold the motor, battery and rudder and also fitted the prop shaft.😲 I will start on the deck and superstructure next. An additional note about the kit. The instructions are reasonable but they are in black and white which is not helpful considering they are photograph based with text. I found a PDF on the web which is in full colour. Why don`t Krick supply this. Surely not that expensive.🤔

6 years ago by MouldBuilder

Blog

Command Boat 90

Scratch built at 12th scale from pictures and profiles of the internet. The boat was originally built in Sweden a class of fast military assault craft originally developed for the Swedish Navy by Dockstavarvet Speed: 40 knots (74 km/h) Draught: 0.8 m (2 ft 7 in) Length: 15.9 m (52 ft) Overall; 14.9 (48') Complement: 3 (two officers and one engineer); Up to 21 amphibious troops with full equipment Armament: 3 × Browning M2HB machine guns; 1 × Mk 19 grenade launcher; 4 naval mines or 6 depth charges . The Model I was attracted to this boat due to its great performance and maneuverability, this was mainly due to the use of twin water jets as the main propulsion, this is a trade off with efficiency. So my start point was to collect as much information as possible about the boat this involved collecting pictures and profiles of the craft from various sources. http://www.dockstavarvet.se/products/combat-and-patrol-boats/combat-boat-90-h/specification/ Eventually I found some plans of sort :- http://laurell.today/boats/combat/plans.html My Dad was a boat builder in the days of wooden yachts, and had showed me how to make plans and frames from a line drawing. I went about this first by creating a prototype about 24 in long out of light ply. I then created full size plans of the model to be made. Pictures of small prototype finally painted plain green. The Main model Used my computer to print out the frames onto paper, cut them out and used them as templates for the ply ribs. The construction was simple chine style, with 1.5 mm ply. I tried to build jet drives but failed to produce a effective unit. So reverted to propshafts which worked out well with better control and the boat can spin on it own axis by putting one engine in reverse the other in forward and adjusting the twin rudders. That it for now, hope it was of some interest

6 years ago by CB90

Forum

Help identify

Greetings from Australia, Can anyone help identify this boat. It was built from a plan and was listed as a Thames Fast WW2.I am having difficulty finding any information about it. Any help would be most appreciated. Sid

5 years ago by sidley70

Blog

Pilot Boat

Winter approaches again so what better than a new project,.......to go along with the other two yet to be completed. I have excuses. Honest!! This new one is a bit different again. No wood at all this time. It is the Aero-naut Pilot Boat. I thought it didn`t look too much of a task but I think I will have to re-assess as it is tricky in parts. I have assembled the hull frame, which although the parts are rather loose fitting until glued went ok. I have, however, stumbled slightly on the next stage, to fit the hull skins. The instructions suggest to cellotape them in place prior to glueing. Not as easy as it sounds as considerable bending of the parts is required to get them to fit, too much for the tape. Does anybody know of an easier approach please. The ABS is extremely difficult to hold in position when trying to tape it, which incidently, does not hold anyway. Should I warm up the skins or will this distort them and give a rippled finish. Any help here would be appreciated.🤓 I will continue with the refurbishment of the Patrol Torpedo Boat for now as I have been trying to manipulate the sides of the Pilot boat into place for hours, no, days!!.😡😤

6 years ago by MouldBuilder

Forum

Mystery boat

Nice looking model, let's have the dimensions, and a couple more pictures of front and back views, I think it might be a high speed or police launch. But in the model world it can be whatever you want it to be. Look forward to seeing your interpretation. Cheers Colin.

5 years ago by Colin H

Media

105 PBR PIBBER.

U.S. Navy PBR 31Mkll. River. This is a vessel that I'm building from scratch. To achieve accuracy I will be using a Tamiha 1/35 scale kit and scaling that kit up to 1/9th scale for the vessel I am building. it will measure up to almost 1 metre in length.

5 years ago by sandkb

Forum

What scale

Hi All I have managed to obtain a 1960 Frog original 34” fast , however there is know indication of the scale, can anyone help. Thanks Russell 👍

5 years ago by Boat660

Media

March'71

Scratch Built of BN. Cruises pretty smooth and nice. A bit heavy I guess, put a lot stuff there.

5 years ago by Sakibian

Response

Fast

Now I understand. Yes Make do and substitute.

5 years ago by BOATSHED

Response

Fast

Hi BOATSHED, The wooden block is screwed and araldited ti the keel and supports an Aluminium bracket designed for holding a Brushless motor in an Aeroplane, use what’s available I always say. The coupling is Silicon tube fitted to brass universal coupling fittings and because the way brushless run is very quiet compared to a normal Unversal Joint assembly. Will post it running shortly. Thanks for you interest. Graham

5 years ago by jelley_baby

Response

Fast

How does the coupling work, as it looks to be a flexi coupling. There also looks like you have a wooden support under the motor? With the torque on brushless motors will it not wave about? I look forward to seeing her on the water, hope you do a bit of video of her.

5 years ago by BOATSHED

Media

Fast

Just renovated this one not been used of several years, I need to get back into sailing, was running on a 400 size motor now on a outrunner Mystery D2632-100 and it seems to go very well, will post it on the water later.

5 years ago by jelley_baby

Media

Riverine - River Rat

RTR proboat Alpha PBR, on patrol...no enemy contact...rtn to base.👍

6 years ago by POGray

Forum

Veron Vosper F.P.B. 52''

Hi John. interested to know what kind of offers you have had. Boaty, yes Veron did an RTTL Rescue Target Towing Launch, they featured in the black and white film ' The sea shall not have them'. This though is their fast . I believe it's called a 'Trinity class and some were supplied to the Trinidad and Tobago navy. You will sometimes see the model bares the name Coureland Bay'. I have seen photos on this website of her. They were built by Vosper Thornycroft in Portsmouth. if I was building her I would put two meaty brushless motors n her which should bring a sprite lay planing performance. I have fitted two Graupner 900s in mine, which give her an excellent turn of speed. These are brushed motors but are not available any more. The hull space is vast so easily accommodates batteries with space for sound system working radar etc. Regards Kevin

6 years ago by kevinsharpe

Forum

Veron Vosper F.P.B. 52''

Is this an ASRL as Veron did a version approximately 28 inches in length and made out of balsa and ply. I do recall that they manufactured a bigger boat but do not know if it was an ASRL or Fast . Though from what you describe it sounds like the latter. Boaty😊

6 years ago by boaty

Response

Bulwark Stays

Hi Mike, fellow Leo! Mine is 6 days later 17.08. I've also been in Oran, Algeria, several times, talking to the navy and the naval shipyard in Mers El Kebir just round the headland from Oran. Yep, that's right, where the RN reluctantly shot up the French fleet in WW2. Result of the discussions; 3 s built in Mers El Kebir, 2 Frigates built in Germany, 1 Training ship and 3 Corvettes built in China. The italians nicked my design for the COMMS system for the LPD which was built in italy (incentive - Govt. funding!), otherwise I'd have had that as well. 😡 You can't win 'em all 😉 I got my revenge just before I retired when I won the contracts for 7 ships for the Qatar Navy, built in italy by the same Genoa yard as the Algerian LPD. 😁 Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Guestbook

Guestbook Post

Hi All. Many may already recognise the 'nutter from Munich' 😁 but I just wanted to say- I first stumbled across this site and enrolled here in 2014 but was still in harness and trundling around the world working with various navies and shipyards on all sorts of naval ships from small Fast s through subs, Corvettes and Frigates up to LPDs, Heli and Escort Carriers. So I didn't have much time for model building (sounds better than 'Modelling' somehow 😁😲) or contributions to the site, but I did try to keep up to date with advances, as I always did in my profession - Naval COMMS systems - and dipped in and out of this site without getting involved. Since I retired last year I have become an active member and have also dipped into, and registered with some, other Model Boat forums in various countries. But in all of them I have never found such an international, friendly and knowledgable bunch as on this site. Or such a well organised site where it is 'relatively' easy to find the info you need, or to just ask and get informed answers pronto. Sure there is room for improvement in some areas but "Tempus fugit" and things move on - so is it also on this site. I understand that a facelift and changes are afoot😉 whatever the outcome I'm sure you won't find a better web site for informed (bin there done that!) info on model boat / ship building as well as research on the original vessels this side of the asteroid belt! Welcome aboard and Happy Building and Sailing, All the best, cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

HMS BRAVE BORDERER

I suggest you go to one of my old reports on my 48 inch Crash boat by Lyle G. The issue is most likely t5hat asn it is a MODEL it needs some extra support in full size water . A model thus NEEDS the advantage of planing strakes at the vertical hull and lower hull joint as it is a "Hard Chine design " and you may need to widen with an extra strake WIDTH though it can be thinned in its vertical configuration as it is blend into the forward hull skin. The wider chine is the secret of the MGB's Torpedo Boats the Elco's and the Higgins and the BPBoat design . Though I live in the colony of Oz I have the British Power boat 41 foot 6 inch model at 48 inches , the Vosper Fast , the Range Safety Launch , The BPB co Whaleback at 36 inches and the Black Maurader and even the Sea Queen and ALL I/Combustion powered and all over 15 to 20 years young and ALL as well as the Keilcraft 48 inch Cras Boat all all all have this trick and all get up on the plane as the "Brave class" with its Proteus engineer was still a planing Hard Chine hull and as such it is the hull chine strakes that are so essential to the design originated by was it Georga Selman ? and Hubert Scott Payne ?. Oldies are goodies and the masters of old need to be never forgotten for their skills. Regards Lyle and best construction wishes for modifications.

6 years ago by Lyle

Response

lastest progress

My pleasure TJ, get well soon👍 But as an ex Pat living in Germany for 30 odd years and having worked on several types of Fast s / Fast Attack Craft your spelling of Schnellboot is still making my hair stand on end! 🤔 BTW: DON'T cut the switch wires on the ESCs or you won't be able to turn them on! Cut the red wires in the 3 wire cables from the ESCs to the RX. Cheers, Doug 😎 BTW 2: boat looks good, nice work👍 I have a couple of 1/72 kits for E-Boat / S-Boot, hope mine turns out as well as yours! 😉

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Renovating my Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat.

I had an MFA Spearfish in the mid 1990s and it was powered by an MFA Marlin or should I say underpowered. The Marlin was a good motor but was not really suitable for fast craft such as a powerboat or fast service launch like an M.T.B. I understand that MFA did an 850 which was for fast scale type models but in the end I put an Irvine 25 I.C in the Spearfish. At the time there was a motor called a Buhler which I think was Swiss . I used one😁 in my Perkassa running on nicads which performed very well. For the Aerokits P.T boat there are a lot of suitable brushless motors around and running on lipos will certainly give you all the speed you want.😁 Boaty

6 years ago by boaty

Media

PBR - Riverine

Proboat Alpha - ready to run, model of PBR, Riverine, used by US Navy during Vietnam conflict, served 1967 -1972. Images show basic detail, 1/18 scale, with crew. Bow gunner servo is linked to rudder. Comes with Navlights, looking forward to a night sail.....some painting added to weather craft, as well as painting radar housing a lighter grey....and the canvas roof over wheel house....a little artistic licence with vessel numbers......Brown Navy did'nt always have numbered vessels....but could'nt help myself. Bravo Zulu Chaps😉

6 years ago by POGray

Forum

Venetian Evening

You just lost your bet Martin😁 There sure are, seen 'em first hand. Tugs to assist the cruise ships, tanker barges, plus a tanker terminal near the entrance to the lagoon, and s from the italian Navy and Guardia Finanzia. There has always been a Marine Arsenal and Academy there. Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

46Firefloat Mk2 paint

Hi Astromorg, Hmm! Your assessment throws up some interesting questions! 1 if the 'teardrop' is a DF antenna what frequency band was it intended to detect? it's way too small to contain the multiple antenna elements necessary to detect, and determine the angle of incidence, of any frequency in common use at that time. I've also never seen a microwave waveguide that shape. if DF I would expect a rotating loop antenna in that era. 2 it's my conviction that the tear drop on the Vickers Wellington is a streamlined VHF antenna. Or just possibly a radar detector much later in the 'grand ruckus'. 3 Why would a Fireboat need a DF set anyway? 4 Some photos clearly show a forward facing lens (white disc) in the teardrop. 5 Such boats when tied up to a mooring buoy instead of the dock would require a 360° visible light. Hence mast-top is the favourite mounting place. 6 Visible angle is primarily a question of the lamp and lens construction and not necessarily the mounting position. 7 A stern light providing the 'fill in all round' is a contradiction of the purpose of running lights which are so constructed and mounted as to help the observer to determine which way the vessel is moving. Forward and aft lights visible 180°? red and green 90°. Which combination you can see helps indicate which way the vessel is moving; towards or away from you. Conversely the single anchor light should be visible from any angle. it can be yellow to distinguish it from a running light. Current regulations also recommend the use of deck lights while at anchor. 8 I agree re position halfway up the mast for the forward running light, BUT, as the masts on these vessels were often folded down the permanently fixed forward running light on the cabin roof would make sense. But then, that's only my opinion! And what do I know?😲 I only worked in communication engineering for 45 years, the last 32 of 'em in integrated Naval Communication Systems, on all types of vessels from Fast s through FACs, OPVs, corvettes, frigates, conventional subs and up to Escort Aircraft Carrier. Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Aerokits MTB, what is it?...

Agreed John, but generally the USN used the term PTB, Patrol Torpedo Boat, and most other (allied?) navies used the term MTB Motor Torpedo Boat. RN of course also had pure MLs and MGBs, Motor Gun Boats - some of which I believe also carried torpedoes, just to confuse the issue further?, but I never ran across an MPT up to now.😲 Nowadays it's just FAC or FPB for the little bruvvers without missiles! Cheers, Doug 😎 PS Yep, I know the Wiki page you linked. That's the Power Boats demonstrator sent to the US from which the ELCO PTB boats were derived.

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Aerokits MTB, what is it?...

I think you would have to wade through the histories Doug but I think it comes down to the very varied arms carried. or just the crossover of Motor and Patrol Torpedo boat and Motor Torpedo Boat. Maybe Motor Patrol Torpedo Boat too as reading through some of the history I think they weren't sure themselves which term(s) to use. The Wiki description is an easier and informative one to read.👍😊

6 years ago by onetenor

Forum

what have I got?

Bryan, that appears to be a Fast . I don't know that it was a kit one, although Aerokits did one, but it looks to be a very nicely done model. You certainly can't get those batteries any more, Ever ready being long dead as a company, but please keep them. They are more museum pieces than the boat! And that motor is something interesting. if you want to replace it with some modern rubbish, I'd be interested in buying it from you for my "Maverick's collection of Unfeasable Motors". I would be tempted to leave the finish as it is as that is so typical of the period (late 50s), but rarely seen any more. it's a very nice boat and deserves to be kept in period. These boats for real, were not that fast, despite being called High Speed Launches, so you don't need some screaming brushless in it. A 400 brushed would be sufficient. Some suitable decals on the hull sides would finish it off nicely. You could paint those side windows dark gloss grey to represent glass from a distance. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Response

H.M.S BRAVE BORDERER

Evenin' Rowen, So far so good, nice job👍 Let me go through your comments one by one😉 1) "Moved the battery towards the stern and, at speed, the forefoot lifts slightly clear of the water. The plane is now almost flat. The battery is not well positioned when near the bow." Battery in the bow is almost always bad news🤔 too much weight forward of the CoG or natural balance point when planing. 2) "The 2S battery used was a 4000mAh 30C; suspect this battery does not have the capacity to operate the model. Every motor will run up smoothly until a second one is operated. The first motor then “stutters” and a fuse might blow, this could be indicative of a power surge. Any comments from the electronic experts among the group would be appreciated." First the battery: you may be right. Especially with 3 x4500 kV motors Since you are using 3 ESCs how about feeding each one from a slightly smaller (lower weight) battery? Precondition of course is that all three are equally charged to the same voltage and capacity AND have the same (or very very similar) internal resistance! Complicates the issue of course and motors with a lower kV rating and one power source may well be the better solution😉 Second the 'stutter': How and when did you switch in the second motor? If the first was still at 'Full Ahead', i.e. 'Pedal to the metal!, I might expect the battery voltage to dip and then recover with the sudden additional load and a sharp rise in total current drawn. But no particular excuse for a sudden current rise in the first motor ! Where was the fuse that blew? I suspect in the primary supply lead from the single battery🤓 since with brushless motors you can't fit individual fuse in their supply leads like you can with a brushed motor. BUT you can to the ESCs feeding them!!! You can't get a power surge from a battery, not like a surge on the mains network due to lightning etc! But you can get a voltage dip and recovery if you suddenly present it with an additional load😲 3) "The 3S battery was 10,500mAh and 40C; with this battery all three motors can be run at full speed together and fuses do not blow. it was also very heavy at 1700g, holding the model down." All run up together to full speed or 'switched in' as described above? There's a big difference between a gradual increasing of load on a power source and a sudden step increase! 4) "The motors are 4500 kV. On refection, think a slower motor around, perhaps 2000 kV would have been a better choice." I did think at the outset that 3 x 4500kV was perhaps a little ambitious😲 2000 - 2500 sounds much better, and more controllable👍 Then you could also get good performance results with a single battery of capacity lower and weight 👍 The function of the third (centre) motor for 'action speed' would also be more pronounced👍 5) "Would concur with comments by others that a simple single or two bladed propeller layout for this model is probably best - that is unless you want to capture the true scale layout. The centre propeller seems to have little effect on overall performance, (see above re 4500kV motors- Doug😉) although it will power the model quite nicely when operating by itself. Have had several suggestions about how best to use the centre propeller. Will think about them and decide later how to do this when I start to finish the model." As a 'Scale Purist' (as far as my skills and tools allow!) personally I would frown on the use of 2 blade props, much less only a single prop. Do that in a fictitious power boat if you will, but for 'Brave Borderer' ? 😡 Do her justice please😉 Many three screw (😲) boats (including the full size originals of this era) only used the third motor for additional manoeuvring speed in action situations. My personal experience of FACs (Fast Attack Craft) and FPBs (Fast s) over the last three decades shows me that the three screw configuration has been largely dropped, especially since the introduction of much more powerful engines such as improved diesels and gas turbines. Many use a combination of diesel, for cruising, and gas turbine for 'action speed', so called CODAG, COmbined Diesel And Gas turbine. 6) "The 2 blade Hi – speed propellers both increased performance and current draw. The model is more than fast enough with the original scale layout." As I believe the 2 blade props were of larger diameter (and perhaps also of larger pitch) than the 3 bladers the higher current draw is a logical conclusion! Stick with the scale config! 👍👍👍 7) "Will purchase a lighter, 3 S battery as that seems the best choice for performance and weight." 👍 but don't overdo it to the other extreme by reducing weight and therefore capacity too much😲 You want a decent sailing time don't you? 8) "Testing using the bare hull with a minimum of detail worked well. For a models with a complex power train, this is a good approach as access to the internals can be gained easily. Nothing worse that finishing a boat carefully just to find the performance disappointing. Then having to to rip it apart to make major modifications or adjustments!" Heartily agree 👍👍👍 Bon chance mon ami😊

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

H.M.S. BRAVE BORDERER

Hi Rowen, I have had water cooling on all my s running at 12Volts, whether brushed or now brushless. For the brushed motors I have used aluminium tube coils with water pickups between the propellers and rudders. I did try water jackets a couple of times but found too much friction loss and therefore lack of flow. For the newer brushless outrunners I use a brass tube soldered to a brass plate across the front of the motor fitted between it and motor mounting bracket. I agree with Doug with regards to the disconnection of the red wires on the ESC's. This is now common practice, especially if you have an external receiver battery.

6 years ago by reilly4

Directory

(Racing Boat) Genesis

I bought this boat to give me some running time whilst I complete a major overhaul of my Patrol Torpedo Boat and build my Police Launch kit. I plan to try it for the first time next week in my local river. I would like to thank Doug (RNinMunich) for all his help to get the boat connected electrically as I have not used brushless before and needed to complete quickly. The boat is on it`s way Doug. Note. it is faster than 24km/h. Ran out of options. The instructions say 55km/h. (Motor: 3674 2074KV) (ESC: Hoddyking 125A Water Cooled) (9/10)

6 years ago by MouldBuilder

Response

Vivace Patrolboat

Much easier to buy Deluxe Materials Ezekote. Krick carry it in Germany and most probably send to Denmark. Don't get so many odd looks in the shop either 😲😉 But, Whatever Floats Your Boat 😁

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Vivace Patrolboat

Find some ladies slip underwear made of rayon (artificial silk) and dissolve it in Amyl (Ethyl) Acetate. Voila Dope. This solvent is the one smelling of pear drops and is nicer to use for that reason.Don't pinch wife's best stuff. Other fabrics of this type might work too. Obviously test a sample first. Acetate sheet might work also. Make it as thick as you like.Cut bits small to dissolve more quickly. Other solvents may work but you need to test first.👍👍

6 years ago by onetenor

Response

Renovating my Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat.

Brushless motors are fantastic, but you mat still find that prop will not be workable with a brushless. You may still need to experiment with props of different types and sizes. Unless you find someone with the same power set up and they can tell you the prop size that it works well with. I even found that rudder sizes made a difference on how the boat performed on the water. They can act as a brake and even cause the boat ti dig in on turning. Any way good luck and happy boating.

6 years ago by BOATSHED

Response

Renovating my Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat.

Thanks Boatshed. I have now purchased a brushless motor which I am making a mount for. I have a feeling that the lack of speed will be dramatically improved. I hope the hull will stand up to this dramatic improvement in power.😊

6 years ago by MouldBuilder

Response

Renovating my Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat.

You say the MFA motor was strong but slow ?? Have you tried changing the prop and trying different sizes. I put a 4 bladed on a small version of a Crash Tender that I have built and it was a failure, I have since changed it to a smaller 3 bladed prop and it is better but now have 3 different sizes to change to and see if they perform better. I know they are not cheap., all 3 came to just over £35 but the first one I tried made a very big difference. You could even try smaller nylon props as they are a lot cheaper. I know they do not look authentic but when on the water they cannot be seen. if you have her on display at home you can always change the prop back to the nice brass one just for show.

6 years ago by BOATSHED

Response

Renovating my Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat.

Hi mouldbuilder. I have never had any problems using stainless shafts you may need a oiling point if using a long time. check this web site.

6 years ago by dennisw

Response

Renovating my Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat.

Hi Dennis. I have already purchased a brushless motor which will improve the performance significantly, I hope. One of my concerns for this change was whether the prop shaft could handle the four fold increase in RPM. The shaft is around 12" long. I am considering whether to make a nylon/acetal bush and push it up the shaft approximately half way to try to eliminate shaft whip should it occur. is this thought to be necessary or am I concerned about nothing.😊

6 years ago by MouldBuilder

Response

Renovating my Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat.

see build blogs on this web site 👍 ignore my last blog about aerokit site.

6 years ago by dennisw

Response

Renovating my Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat.

I would change motor to a brushless motor & speedcontroler-see aerokit web site

6 years ago by dennisw

Forum

Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat

Hello Canabus. Please can I take you up on the pdf files of the plans for my boat. I have an A0 printer so should be able to print them full size. I have looked all over for the originals without success. I am learning a lot as I go and wonder, looking back, if I have made a mistake. I bought the 3648 1450kv motor, yes, the beast. Just cannot help myself!!😁 Now that I understsnd these motors a lot more, I realise that it is an outrunner. Do you think I need water cooling and if yes, how is this done when the main outer can is rotating.😊🤔 Thanks.

6 years ago by MouldBuilder

Response

Vivace Patrolboat

Back from Penang. Nose job done and filler applied. I'll go for a epoxy and nylon stocking setup as dope is hard to get in DK, and it is smelly compared to this epoxy. So watch this space 😎

6 years ago by Tica

Forum

Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat

Hi Peter, we are all 'Standing on the shoulders of Giants'! Folks like Canabus, Dave_M and Jarvo, to mention but a few, showed me the way last year. Couple that with my insatiable desire to know 'How Things Work'! and here we are 😉 The Robbe should give you years of trouble free service. Have fun, Doug 😎 PS the 20A rating of the other charger is 'marketing blurb'! No one charges at 20A, unless they are into pyrotechnics and demolition😲

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat

Thanks Doug. Finally found the Robbe on Amazon for £42 plus delivery. I took your advice and ordered it as it appears to be the only one left anywhere. I will leave the battery until I get nearer to the re-launch. I also purchased the monitors and balance unit. There is no point in starting from total scratch. Thought it safer to follow your lead. Thanks. 😊Peter.

6 years ago by MouldBuilder

Forum

Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat

Maybe we need an Enigma machine 😉

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat

Hi Doug, Here is the coded message that Steve's ship send of using flash Morse "#T#TTT ##EE 5#E ##E #TG## # 7# S". This is all it says. I'm an amateur radio operator...

6 years ago by figtree7nts

Forum

Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat

Hi Peter, seems a bit pricey to me. For me two disadvantages- 1 Only a titchy 2 line display for setting up and reading the batt status, can't put much info in that, 2 External DC supply only. The Robbe version I use can be either 12V DC at the lakeside, or mains at home. Personally I wouldn't buy it for that money, but that's just my opinion and wadda I know😉 Surprised about CMB 😲 I always thought it was a real shop! Ciao, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

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Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat

Hi Doug. Would you mind giving me your thoughts on this charger please. Thanks. Peter.😊 Charsoon Antimatter 2X300W Had to think twice about going to Cornwall model boats. it is a warehouse and not a shop.😡

6 years ago by MouldBuilder

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Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat

PS: Attached is the user manual for a typical Quickrun Car brushless ESC. Par 3 shows how to program it using the TX. Para 5 shows a table of the options available and the presets marked with black background! I used the programmer to set the Running Mode to Mode 3, i.e. No Brake between forward and reverse! the programmer is also useful for setting other parameters; esp number of battery cells and Low Voltage cut off. Hope this helps to know what to expect😉 Cheers Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

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Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat

Glad to help Peter, I was a Brushless & LiPo newbie last year, guys like Canabus, Dave_M and co helped me make the quantum leap. Being a retired electronics engineer helped as well 😉 Know what you mean about 'a change now and again'! Did I mention that renovations / upgrades are often more awkward and time consuming than a new build? 🤔 I have a few other 'odds n ends' on the go for a break from the Sea Scout renovation. A Deans Marine HMS Manxman, an Alexander Engel GmbH AKULA II sub, and a Dynam PBY Catalina kit are queued up in the planning and research stages. Kit boxes are clogging up the cellar! Bits and pieces for various 1/350 Plastic Magic projects are being collected and prepared! it's all Go folks😊 Happy hunting at CMB, longish drive for me 🤔 Cheers Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

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Aerokits Patrol Torpedo Boat

Thanks Doug. That really helps me. I have read a lot about LiPo batteries and now have a better understanding. This experienced help is perfect. I did buy the 100A car ESC as recommended by Canabus but Hobbyking did not have the suitable programmer. I have left a message so they will respond when a new supply arrives. I have looked elsewhere for the programmer but all of the stockists I found do not have any stock. Supply problem? Thanks again for all of your help. A lot of sanding down and painting awaits me for the next few weeks. I plan to drive to Cornwall Model Boats this weekend to see how it looks. I am getting that hollow feeling that I should get a new kit to run alongside this rebuild. Just for a change now and again you understand😁. We will see. Peter.😊

6 years ago by MouldBuilder