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📝 President Huntsman kit
13 hours ago by ChrisF (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Funnily enough there's a Modav version which was the first (same as the Precedent) on EBay at the moment complete with drawing and instruction book. You don't see them very often.
Chris
Chris
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📝 President Huntsman kit
2 days ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
I'm at my mother's today but when I get home I'll have a look through my Fairey drawings and see what I've got.
Trouble is they used the same drawing for both the 34" and 47" versions and it won't be at a size for the bigger one!
I did have a nice 47" version myself but sold it as found it a bit big and heavy for me so I'm building a 31", 1:12 model which matches my other Fairey builds.
Chris
Trouble is they used the same drawing for both the 34" and 47" versions and it won't be at a size for the bigger one!
I did have a nice 47" version myself but sold it as found it a bit big and heavy for me so I'm building a 31", 1:12 model which matches my other Fairey builds.
Chris
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📝 President Huntsman kit
2 days ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Is it a timber hulled or GRP hulled version?
The Precedent kit passed through the hands of a number of suppliers and I think the early ones came with the small build instructions and a drawing.
The last company producing it was Anglian Models by which time I think tabs had been added to position the various parts and the drawing had been dropped and replaced with 12 page assembly instructions that had very small drawings showing how the parts go together. Are there any notches in the keel for locating the bulkheads?
Do you have the box, does it say who supplied it?
Chris
The Precedent kit passed through the hands of a number of suppliers and I think the early ones came with the small build instructions and a drawing.
The last company producing it was Anglian Models by which time I think tabs had been added to position the various parts and the drawing had been dropped and replaced with 12 page assembly instructions that had very small drawings showing how the parts go together. Are there any notches in the keel for locating the bulkheads?
Do you have the box, does it say who supplied it?
Chris
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💬 Re: Freeman 22
1 month ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
You've made a nice job of that.
Many years ago my family had a property on the River Avon near Pershore and our neighbour had a Freeman 22. I was always envious of the cruisers with inboard engines!
We had a Norman 20 with an outboard, which wasn't a bad boat, but not as good as an inboard, especially the fine timber hulled ones that used to glide serenely past with barely any wash. Happy days.
Chris
Many years ago my family had a property on the River Avon near Pershore and our neighbour had a Freeman 22. I was always envious of the cruisers with inboard engines!
We had a Norman 20 with an outboard, which wasn't a bad boat, but not as good as an inboard, especially the fine timber hulled ones that used to glide serenely past with barely any wash. Happy days.
Chris
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📝 Fairey Huntsman 31
2 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Mike and welcome.
As it's an inheritance I'm guessing it's a Precedent kit? If so what size is it, 34" (scale 1:11) or 47" (1:8)?
Have you got the build instructions as they are a fairly straightforward build?
I'm building one based on the Precedent design but scratch building it as I'm building it at a scale of 1:12 to match my other Fairey builds.
Chris
As it's an inheritance I'm guessing it's a Precedent kit? If so what size is it, 34" (scale 1:11) or 47" (1:8)?
Have you got the build instructions as they are a fairly straightforward build?
I'm building one based on the Precedent design but scratch building it as I'm building it at a scale of 1:12 to match my other Fairey builds.
Chris
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📝 LiPo Batteries and Charging problems
2 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Good stuff Dave. I know it's generally accepted that 3.0v is the cut-off for LiPos but some manufacturers state a higher voltage, like I said for the Giant I use it's 3.4v per cell so I set the ESC at 7.0v for a 2S.
Do you know if it's adjustable on the MTronic?
Chris
Do you know if it's adjustable on the MTronic?
Chris
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📝 LiPo Batteries and Charging problems
2 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Stuart
Great that you bought the Giant charger. Yes those two batteries are scrap! And your new one is in danger of going the same way as you can't rely on judging when the performance is dropping off - by then the voltage may well have dropped too low. You were lucky that it was still 3.2v per cell. Your particular batteries should tell you what minimum voltage is acceptable. I use Giant Power and they state 3.4v per cell so I set the cut-off at 3.5v
As Nonsuch says ideally you need an ESC that has the facility to set a low voltage cut-off. I take it you bought the boat ready built with the ESC etc. already installed? A low-voltage buzzer as already mentioned is another option.
Be interested in a photo of the boat, I'm a big Fairey fan, but more importantly, can you provide details of the ESC so that we advise on the suitability of it or not for use with LiPos.
Great that you bought the Giant charger. Yes those two batteries are scrap! And your new one is in danger of going the same way as you can't rely on judging when the performance is dropping off - by then the voltage may well have dropped too low. You were lucky that it was still 3.2v per cell. Your particular batteries should tell you what minimum voltage is acceptable. I use Giant Power and they state 3.4v per cell so I set the cut-off at 3.5v
As Nonsuch says ideally you need an ESC that has the facility to set a low voltage cut-off. I take it you bought the boat ready built with the ESC etc. already installed? A low-voltage buzzer as already mentioned is another option.
Be interested in a photo of the boat, I'm a big Fairey fan, but more importantly, can you provide details of the ESC so that we advise on the suitability of it or not for use with LiPos.
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📝 LiPo Batteries and Charging problems
3 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Stuart
Sorry to keep harping on about a better, intelligent charger, but one other thing, after which I will shut up!
I've kept my LiPos fully charged for weeks on end in the past, except for during the winter, off-season, when I've storage charged them. But at the club last week we were having a chat because one guy's fully charged LiPos had begun to swell and so the thought was that if you aren't going to use them for a few days then it is a good idea to storage charge them.
So my regime now is to fully charge them the night before use and after use or not then storage charge them. You can't do this with a cheap LED only charger. To know exactly where you are with LiPos and safety you need an intelligent charger.
What are other folks views on this?
Chris - lips now sealed!
Sorry to keep harping on about a better, intelligent charger, but one other thing, after which I will shut up!
I've kept my LiPos fully charged for weeks on end in the past, except for during the winter, off-season, when I've storage charged them. But at the club last week we were having a chat because one guy's fully charged LiPos had begun to swell and so the thought was that if you aren't going to use them for a few days then it is a good idea to storage charge them.
So my regime now is to fully charge them the night before use and after use or not then storage charge them. You can't do this with a cheap LED only charger. To know exactly where you are with LiPos and safety you need an intelligent charger.
What are other folks views on this?
Chris - lips now sealed!
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📝 LiPo Batteries and Charging problems
3 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Stuart
Yep, dig that multimeter out or get a battery checker before you do anything else as you need to know the current (pun intended!) voltage of the batteries and ideally get the Giant battery charger that myself and Dave have mentioned because this will give you the voltage of the individual cells and tell you whether either have dropped below the minimum voltage. Also before buying new batteries a charger of this quality will stand a good chance of recharging your existing batteries and doing it safely. If it doesn't recharge the batteries it will prove that they are irreplaceable damaged rather than just guessing that they are.
I was being diplomatic before about your existing chargers as I wouldn't use them for LiPos and would only use them for lower capacity batteries which only have balance charge type leads which only have the capacity for very low charging rates and very limited monitoring of the actual charging.
In my opinion for the safe and efficient charging and effective/meaningful monitoring (i.e. not just LEDs which tell you little) it is essential to have a good quality intelligent charger of sufficient power.
Chris
Yep, dig that multimeter out or get a battery checker before you do anything else as you need to know the current (pun intended!) voltage of the batteries and ideally get the Giant battery charger that myself and Dave have mentioned because this will give you the voltage of the individual cells and tell you whether either have dropped below the minimum voltage. Also before buying new batteries a charger of this quality will stand a good chance of recharging your existing batteries and doing it safely. If it doesn't recharge the batteries it will prove that they are irreplaceable damaged rather than just guessing that they are.
I was being diplomatic before about your existing chargers as I wouldn't use them for LiPos and would only use them for lower capacity batteries which only have balance charge type leads which only have the capacity for very low charging rates and very limited monitoring of the actual charging.
In my opinion for the safe and efficient charging and effective/meaningful monitoring (i.e. not just LEDs which tell you little) it is essential to have a good quality intelligent charger of sufficient power.
Chris
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📝 LiPo Batteries and Charging problems
3 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Trouble is though Dave he can't charge either of the batteries as the chargers are showing an error as soon as he connects up.
Good idea to get a battery tester or multimeter as really need to know the existing voltage of the batteries.
I stand by what I said about a better charger as it will charge via the much thicker battery leads and will have more sophisticated circuitry for balance charging etc.
As said, I'm very happy with my Accucel 6 but it's very difficult to find one with the AC power source now. There are other models though and Component Shop have the Giant equivalent in stock.
Chris
Good idea to get a battery tester or multimeter as really need to know the existing voltage of the batteries.
I stand by what I said about a better charger as it will charge via the much thicker battery leads and will have more sophisticated circuitry for balance charging etc.
As said, I'm very happy with my Accucel 6 but it's very difficult to find one with the AC power source now. There are other models though and Component Shop have the Giant equivalent in stock.
Chris
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📝 LiPo Batteries and Charging problems
3 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Stuart
I've Googled what you've got and the battery and chargers do have balance leads. If you go on the Sky RC web-site it tells you what the sequence of error lights mean.
I know that the chargers should do what they are supposed to do but for charging LiPos I would recommend spending more on one for peace of mind and safety and providing more information via a text display rather than just LEDs on what is happening when charging. Those batteries aren't cheap afterall!
For example I have a Turnigy Accucell 6 and am very happy with it. Your chargers have quite a low power output which may be part of the problem. Do you know anyone with a better charger who could do a test?
Chris
I've Googled what you've got and the battery and chargers do have balance leads. If you go on the Sky RC web-site it tells you what the sequence of error lights mean.
I know that the chargers should do what they are supposed to do but for charging LiPos I would recommend spending more on one for peace of mind and safety and providing more information via a text display rather than just LEDs on what is happening when charging. Those batteries aren't cheap afterall!
For example I have a Turnigy Accucell 6 and am very happy with it. Your chargers have quite a low power output which may be part of the problem. Do you know anyone with a better charger who could do a test?
Chris
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📝 LiPo Batteries and Charging problems
3 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Stuart
I do have a an ESC with a low voltage cut-off but like you I bring the boat in when the performance drops off.
Do your batteries have a balance lead and if so can it be plugged into the chargers?
Chris
I do have a an ESC with a low voltage cut-off but like you I bring the boat in when the performance drops off.
Do your batteries have a balance lead and if so can it be plugged into the chargers?
Chris
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💬 Re: Spray rails finished and other small tasks….
3 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Thanks Sy. I'd like to see at least one finished and on the water pretty soon out of the five builds I've got on the go!
Chris
Chris
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💬 Re: Spray rails finished and other small tasks….
3 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Sy
I'd rather have the laser etched planking than nothing but agree that if one can do it planking gives the best effect.
I've done it on three of my Fairey builds so far, photo shows my Huntsman 31 in the foreground and Swordsman behind.
Unfortunately I haven't done any building for quite a few weeks now due to commitments and it being summer!
Chris
I'd rather have the laser etched planking than nothing but agree that if one can do it planking gives the best effect.
I've done it on three of my Fairey builds so far, photo shows my Huntsman 31 in the foreground and Swordsman behind.
Unfortunately I haven't done any building for quite a few weeks now due to commitments and it being summer!
Chris
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💬 Re: Spray rails finished and other small tasks….
3 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Nice to see another Huntsman 31 being built. You've made a very nice job of the flared bow, not easy.
I did have a big Precedent version, bought already built, but found it too big for me and sold it on. Now scratch building one at 1:12 which matches my other Fairey builds.
Chris
I did have a big Precedent version, bought already built, but found it too big for me and sold it on. Now scratch building one at 1:12 which matches my other Fairey builds.
Chris
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📝 Levi Corsair 28 powerboat
5 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
I was going to post and say that I don't think it would be easy to convert a Fairey kit as I thought that there are too many areas that would need alteration and Will's post has confirmed this.
As well as the changes to the stern the bow needs changing as well. In side view the Huntsman 31 would appear to have a similar raked bow but it has a significant flare which the Corsair doesn't and the Huntsman's is very round in plan view . Other Faireys have blunter bows i.e. the Huntress and Huntsman 28 and so aren't suitable. Then there is the superstructure of course though that is the easiest to alter, though the deck camber in greater than the Faireys.
In my view to build a credible model it really needs to be scratch built and Will's drawings would greatly assist with that.
Chris
As well as the changes to the stern the bow needs changing as well. In side view the Huntsman 31 would appear to have a similar raked bow but it has a significant flare which the Corsair doesn't and the Huntsman's is very round in plan view . Other Faireys have blunter bows i.e. the Huntress and Huntsman 28 and so aren't suitable. Then there is the superstructure of course though that is the easiest to alter, though the deck camber in greater than the Faireys.
In my view to build a credible model it really needs to be scratch built and Will's drawings would greatly assist with that.
Chris
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📝 Boat Build Help
9 months ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Interesting thread as my family had a house and speedboat in Wells in the 1980s and remember the area well and I've also produced plans and built a model from a small photo - in my case a Fairey River Cruiser prototype.
I must go through my box of photos and see what I've got of Wells - not that I used to take many in those days.
Chris
I must go through my box of photos and see what I've got of Wells - not that I used to take many in those days.
Chris
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📝 Plans for 46inch RAF tender
1 year ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Thanks Rick. I trace them anyway as I usually need to resize as building all my models at 1:12 and like to print the parts out for transferring to ply but it would have been easier to work from accurate templates rather than redesign them.
The Huntsman 28 is ready for painting and came out well and being smaller than the Veron kit I modified it so that the superstructure lifts off in one rather than having hatches in the cockpit and cabin roof to gain access.
Chris
The Huntsman 28 is ready for painting and came out well and being smaller than the Veron kit I modified it so that the superstructure lifts off in one rather than having hatches in the cockpit and cabin roof to gain access.
Chris
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📝 Plans for 46inch RAF tender
1 year ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi All - it was me (probably amongst others) that posted awhile ago about the poor drawings that guy on Ebay sells. The ones I bought were for the Fairey Swordsman and Huntsman 28. The kit drawings were fine (unsurprisingly being Aerokits and Veron respectively), but the hand drawn templates were shocking being unsymmetrical, inaccurate slots, wavy lines etc. and would involve a lot of work and a challenge to build from them even for the more experienced. He has quite a few plans advertised. How he has the nerve to sell such poor drawings and copyright them as well (!) I don't know.
Fortunately for me I can draw and so just used the kit drawings to produce my own templates.
Chris
Fortunately for me I can draw and so just used the kit drawings to produce my own templates.
Chris
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📝 Aerokit plan availability?
2 years ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
He's posting regularly on the Model Boats Magazine forum as Harry Smith1.
Usually upsetting us by telling us what the temperature is down under!
Trouble is with that plan is like other Aerokits it doesn't have the bulkheads and other parts drawn out. As usual the plan and side views are very good though so easy enough to draw.
Chris
Usually upsetting us by telling us what the temperature is down under!
Trouble is with that plan is like other Aerokits it doesn't have the bulkheads and other parts drawn out. As usual the plan and side views are very good though so easy enough to draw.
Chris
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💬 Re: Fairey Huntsman 31 Sport
2 years ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Decorating etc. has taken up a serious amount of my time but I have managed a bit of progress. Now at a point where I can start fitting the skins.
With this one I will have 4 Faireys to paint once the weather is amenable!
Chris
With this one I will have 4 Faireys to paint once the weather is amenable!
Chris
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📝 Brushless motors
2 years ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Out runners are the way to go, as size for size they have more torque. Inrunners are more suited to high speed race boats etc.
For cooling to you could either fit a small fan (on the motor shaft or separately) or use a water cooled motor mount.
Chris
For cooling to you could either fit a small fan (on the motor shaft or separately) or use a water cooled motor mount.
Chris
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📝 Aerokit plan availability?
2 years ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Be very wary of EBay. There is a guy selling plans where he is using the Aerokits kit plans etc and then adding his own for the bulkheads and other parts which are very badly drawn and almost unuseable. He says they are to a high standard, yes, the printing is, but the drawing part is rubbish!
I bought a set for a Fairey and had to completely redraw the bulkheads etc. The kit drawings for the plan and side views are really good as they are the original kit drawings but the rest are very poor.
Chris
I bought a set for a Fairey and had to completely redraw the bulkheads etc. The kit drawings for the plan and side views are really good as they are the original kit drawings but the rest are very poor.
Chris
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💬 Re: K & O Outboard motors
2 years ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
As said, very nice looking motors.
Future plans is for a model with an outboard.
What do those scale to?
Chris
Future plans is for a model with an outboard.
What do those scale to?
Chris
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💬 Re: Fairey Huntsman 31 Sport
2 years ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Build progressing. Slowly at moment (well that's my usual speed!) as I'm doing some work and decorating in the bedrooms and landing at the same time.
Chris
Chris
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📝 Boat Stand
2 years ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
I build decent stands but that stand is interesting. Thanks for posting.
Chris
Chris
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💬 Re: Fairey Huntsman 31 Sport
2 years ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Thanks Martin. I'll post some photos up as the build progresses.
Chris
Chris
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💬 Re: Fairey Spearfish
2 years ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Thanks Peter. I'm a late starter to the hobby, about 3 years ago, so I've only ever used brushless (well apart from my Club 500 which was already built). The hull will probably be the only part that I use.
Just realised that this build and the Huntsman 31 Sport will be very similar as the mould for the Spearfish GRP hull was taken from the wooden Huntsman one.
Nerys - yes you still see Atalantas for sale. Building a model of one will probably be a future project - I've already got the original Fairey drawing.
Chris
Just realised that this build and the Huntsman 31 Sport will be very similar as the mould for the Spearfish GRP hull was taken from the wooden Huntsman one.
Nerys - yes you still see Atalantas for sale. Building a model of one will probably be a future project - I've already got the original Fairey drawing.
Chris
Club 500
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📝 Fairey Huntsman 31 Sport
2 years ago by ChrisF ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
The Huntsman 31 is usually built as the more common and practical aft cabin version but the rarer Sport version, mainly used for racing, has a full length cockpit which compliments the sleek lines of the hull.
It is this version that I've just started to build as a winter project.
Chris
It is this version that I've just started to build as a winter project.
Chris
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