Here’s a couple of pics of the 1st gun, bear in mind it’s not finished and needs some detail sanding and another couple coats of paint, plus a few more details. It’s built up from a brass barrel, wood, abs and bits of wire. I really wish Robbe had gone to a styrene kit of parts for the guns, but they didn’t. I figure the decision making process sounded like this:
“Hey, Gerhardt, here’s the plans for the gun moldings for the new PT were putting in production soon, waddya think?” “Well, Kurt, that looks sehr gut, but the boss says we have to use up existing stocks before making any new moldings.” “Soooo....we have to design a gun from bits of wood, brass, and abs?” “Ja”.🤣

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Kinda hate to see the Graupner name now just associated with the electronics side of the hobby. I remember the old Hobby-Lobby Intl in the USA imported a lot of Graupner and Krick models, and I built quite a few aircraft and boats from the former and Robbe while stationed in Germany. I think the quality suffered a little when they moved the kit production to China, but it has improved. At least Krick is still functioning, and they have started reviving the older Robbe boat kits under the RO-Marin brand...my Neptune is one of those newer kits, and it built up nicely, no surprises, or guesswork.

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Nice job Ed, your eyes are fine, they look good!👍

Thanks Doug, I’ll keep that idea in mind. I’m also thinking checking out some robotics parts house as they have some gears and belts that are made to be hobby servo driven.
Im telling y’all right now, don’t be surprised if I end up with some 1/35 scale resin or plastic Bofors gun kits on this boat in lieu of the kit supplied parts. The guns, as supplied, are a bit “challenging”🤣

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Think that’s a good idea, or at least add some removable weight to simulate the servo weight. The plans show a servo with a large pulley driving a smaller pulley on the gun, this way you have a 120 degree servo driving the guns roughly 270 degrees, but I might see if I have the room to just direct drive the gun with a modified servo, or a store bought 270 degree servo

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Hi y’all..just a quick update, the railings and most of the deck details are done. I need to give the rails another coat of paint, maybe paint the chains (need to decide color, want it to contrast with the light grey) and then I’ll starts building the guns. Need to decide early on if I want them to traverse, or if I want to add that feature later.

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Hi Ed. Try Lighthouse LEDs, Mouser Electronics or Digikey. From what I understand all base in USA, don’t think Mouser or Digikey has minimum orders, don’t know about Lighthouse. Might see if there’s a Frys electronics near you, also check online for STEM or robotics supplies.

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Hi y’all. I have the torpedos and tubes painted and fitted to the deck, and did the aft railings too. I simplified the torpedo install, there’s a number of brass wire clamps you have to make up, paint and install, but after looking at both the box art and other PT15s built, most people omit them, and on the few boats that have them they’re hard to see, hidden for the most part. Figured they weren’t worth the time and trouble.

Ed, she’s looking good, LOVE the brass rudders, and the superstructure is taking shape nicely.
Give me a couple of day’s to ask a buddy of mine where to get LEDs in the USA. You might do a search for “model airplane led” or nav lights.
Cash

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Quick update from Western Squadron, Texas
The newest flagship of the Western Squadron is coming along nicely..need some advice on protocol. Although she was originally designed for the JNDF, and came to Texas via Germany, would it be remiss to fly the Texas flag on her fantail .vs the Rising Sun? Will acquiesce to Fleet’s and higher HQ recommendation.
Also, our barracks was invaded Thursday morning. We think the invader was sent by the Oklahomans to get data on our new flagship, however, with the help of LT Errol, the invasion was put down. I regret to report that our assailant did not survive the struggle, and it’s body went missing some time after 1300 CST Thursday. There is one picture snapped by surveillance cameras just before the ensuing fight, and we did get a code name: “Butterball”

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Hope everything’s well Nerys.
Cash

Pretty much unless the winds up. It’s either dead calm, 5-10 or 20-30 mph here, at least it seems like it.

A little fun at Josey Ranch this past weekend

North Texas Model Shipwrights, Josey Ranch, November 25 2019

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Hi all. Got a bit more done the past couple of nights. Built and installed one hatch, glued and painted ammo cans and built the life raft canister supports, painted canisters and installed the assembly’s. Working on torpedos now.

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Nerys, all talk of dragons, cats and rabbits aside, I do hope you’re feeling better soon.
Cash

Ed, she’s really looking like a tug now. Man, you’re flying low and avoiding radar!! Keep up the good work! She looks good..

I think farting and setting the sofa on fire might be a neat party trick, although it would be a one shot kind of thing...unless you have a really good fire extinguisher. Or a plentiful supply of sofas.
Hey!!! I got it, a literal stroke of genius! We can breed dragons to expel Co2 instead of flames. Shoot, feed them a steady diet of say, fish and baking soda you might even get a little foam! Would work great next time the LT and I go rabbit hunting in the lake. Think of it...one fire breather, one foamer, a couple of Bofors guns and a 6 pounder and we’re in business!
Y’know, Dragons are supposed to be pretty intelligent, they might decide they want rank and pay too. Just sayin’.

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Might want to talk a Night Fury into being an aviation scout/moveable deck gun.

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Hi everybody. Will keep this short and sweet, have to hit the hay. Superstructure pretty well done, mast installed and a couple of details added, and I decided to go ahead and install the running lights. She’s looking almost shipshape now!!

Rabbits have been inactive so far. However, I have come to the conclusion that, even as our new flagship is being built and fitted out, there might be a need for a second military craft, one Lt Errol can command. He’s a cat, cats are fast and maneuverable (usually). Might be a Deans Marine Pibber would be a good match. Although I run the checkbook, I’m thinking this would be on the order of a Christmas donation to the Western Fleet, so I will have to put a bug in Teresa’s...err, the Commodores ear.

I really can’t complain. We share chores, I do most of the cooking, the cat boxes and cleaning the toilets, she does most of the laundry and the rest of the house, and some yard work as I absolutely abhor yard work. However, in reference to funds needed for naval operations.....I make sure bills are paid and I balance the checkbook....😁

Hi everybody!!! Great weekend so far, drove the Studebaker this morning, saw “Ford vs Ferrari” with my family (great movie btw) and had time to work on the PT. I did the side aerials last night, got the mast about half done today. Now, if you’ve kept up with this blog you’ll find that I just don’t like making small detail parts from wood, unless it’s supposed to look like wood. The side aerials are supposed to be glued into small pieces of wood that are rounded and fitted to the side of the fwd cabin so that the aerials are about a 20 degree angle. Nope. Not doing that. I have a small stock of various sizes of carbon tube, it was easier and I think, better looking to cut a small piece, sand the angle in, glue that to the cabin and insert the wire for the aerial. Also, Robbe recommends that you put a loop in the aerial end for safety. I used small thrust buttons for rubber model planes glued to the tip. I think that looks better.
The mast was started today, I substituted 5mm carbon tube in lieu of the 5mm wood dowel, everything else is kit supplied. I think the superstructure will be done by Monday evening, maybe Wednesday latest.

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Coming along nicely Ed, it looks straight and true.👍

So, since I’m in command of North American operations, does that mean my wife (the Commodore) has to take orders from me?🤣

I don’t order from Hobbyking unless the product is in a US warehouse. The service is pretty good from there, however, if it comes from the “Global” warehouse(s) then it’s rolling dice on when you see your goods, plus they send them “signature required” which means I have to go to the Post Office to sign for the goods. I work 8-9 hours a day, don’t want to run all over town after work. I use Cornwall quite often, am very happy with their prices and service. I would probably order from Krick but I don’t think the Krickstore ships to the US. I also peruse EBay and RCgroups classifieds. I have quite the collection of older brushed speed controllers, motors, and non-digital servos, as I still find them quite useful...my Neptune utilizes an old Futaba MC210 speed control that I think I paid 15 dollars for.
My buddy JP orders from Banggood and is fairly happy with their service, seems to think they have Hobbyking beat on several levels.

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Hi Mouldbuilder! I agree with you, masking isn’t fun. My saving grace is Tamiya masking tape in different widths and some tape sold over her called “Frogtape”. That tape will not bleed, and really gives one a sharp line.

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Hi all. Did a bit more the past few evenings, got most of the railing installed. I really think next time I build a boat with hand rails and the like I’ll build up the superstructure, locate and drill all the holes THEN paint the cabin and install the railings after. I think 20 percent of the time I have in this is correcting any scratches and errant glue dobs that seem to haunt my work. Anyhow, a couple more small details then it’s antennas and mast.
Cash

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Hot dog! She’s looking good. You took your time and the results show it. One question, I see in the comments a reference to “green putty”. Don’t think I’ve ever heard of it, but most of my modeling experience comes from building airplanes. Is it made by Squadron? I know they have a green putty for plastic models.
Anyway, keep at it, she’s gonna be sweet.

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Looks like a fun build! Can’t wait to see her completed. What batteries and esc do you plan on using?

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Looking good buddy, looking good! You’ll have her in the water before you know it!!