Blog

Wheelhouse

Having completed the basic hull repaint, it was time to get on to some of the more interesting details. Many of the deck fittings, ventilators, Samson post, etc were sourced from the shop on this website. These plastic fittings were primed with a grey etch primer and then top coated with Tamiya Gunmetal or Humbrol white enamel as appropriate. Being the 1/16th scale Crash Tender, I don't have the benefit of having a set of white metal fittings. I wasn't able to find many off the shelf fittings in 1/16th scale so decided to scratch build them instead. It makes the job more interesting, if a bit fiddly, ....... and very time consuming! The first task was to replace the fixed wheelhouse roof with a removeable one. This gives access to the interior of the wheelhouse for fitting lighting, new windows, and the searchlight servo. The were cut from 1mm plasticard and painted silver. The mast was built from brass, including making the pulleys. A 5mm white LED is fitted to the top, with a little white painted brass cap to make it look the part. Rigging is 1.5mm elastic cord. I think this is a little thick and 1mm might look better. I still have to source the ensign to fly from the mast. There is a pulley in place ready for it. The port, starboard and wheelhouse roof navigation lights were all constructed using plasticard and fitted with 3mm LEDs. The aerial on the roof of the wheelhouse is made from brass based on the details given by Mike (mturpin013) in his blog. The boathooks were also scratchbuilt from brass. I thought they would look better than the white metal ones available on eBay. For the "shepherd's crook" hook, the brass rod was first tapered by filing and sanding before being bent to the appropriate shape. The other hook was formed by silver soldering a brass cross piece onto a tapered shaft. Both hooks were formed on the end of a long length of brass rod to make it easier to handle them. Once complete, a short section of rod behind the hook was turned down to 1mm dia to form a spigot for mounting on the poles. The poles were carved from mahogany. With all these details in place it is really beginning to look the part. Next up the rear deck.

5 years ago by Graham93

Blog

Windows and frames

Nothing earth shaking tonight, I installed the skylights in the cabin roof, and the in the cabin proper. I didn’t paint the frames, they’re molded in with, some guys paint them, some don’t, I elected not to. The windows supplied with the kit are tinted and laser cut, but still have to be trimmed as they are a mite oversized. Going to see how they fit in the , if I don’t like how the fit I’ll cut windows from clear and make my life a little easier to boot. By the way, I use RC56 to do all my glazing, it’s designed for plastic canopies and dries crystal clear. It’s not waterproof but it is water resistant, had several planes get pretty damp flying in misty weather never had the glue let go.

5 years ago by Cashrc

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Veron Huntsman 28 riding the white horses!

Sorry Martin but NO WAY!🤔 I recently tried a 2 part "chrome paint" sold as "ideal for plastic RC car / buggy shells". Tried it on primed 0.5mm ply and on raw alu. Came out looking like Hammerite Silver-Grey ☹️ Haven't tried it on plastic yet! Back in my scootering days (Vespa GS160) I used to use chrome tape which really did reflect and look the part. If I fit to my Sea Scout I will go the same way as Paul - polished aluminium. Chrome looks too "pimped up" anyway 😝 Cheers, Doug 😎

5 years ago by RNinMunich

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Veron Huntsman 28 riding the white horses!

Last time I refurbished or at least tidied the boat up, about 3 years ago, I realised it was impossible to find chrome parts or a rechromer who would do small parts. I stumbled across a northwest company called chrome illusion and after some badgering he agreed to put all my small parts in the paint booth next time he was doing chrome paint. It's a treatment he has patented and its paint but the prep was the key. Over time the metal parts have remained beautiful but the plastic parts such as the have suffered, mainly due to water Ingress getting under the paint. When I tidy things up I'm going back to a stainless finish on the frames as I think they look more subtle and less like bright silver paint

5 years ago by pmdevlin

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Workshop

Thanks for the comments. For safety as our grandchildren play here I used 4mm polycarbonate safety sheet direct from the manufacturer cut to the sizes of my . Cheers Colin.

5 years ago by Colin H

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water is wet and so was I.

Hi, I have just been looking at these photos again admiring the woodwork. Excellent job. How do you plan on doing the chrome .? Perhaps I should wait and see. Martin.

5 years ago by Martin555