Rudder post installed, used resin from one of the hulls, perfect timing on a batch of resin about to kick Started on subdeck, had to push the top of the hull outward Traced around inside edge, 1/4” ply Position of the cross brace is not ideal, but I think it is the best option to allow access to the gearbox fasteners, will be over the motors but they will have a spin guard on them anyways Cut out for the pumps Glued in last night Traced out for the deck to reduce the number of tweaks needed Set pretty good, hardest step is done (for the stern) Bow subdeck Bow subdeck rough cut, still need to dremeling the bow area
every time I look at the plans for that ship, I wonder whether the naval architect that came up with the idea to make it a floating pile of gun turrets had a suitably absurd name to match his insatiable desire for the dreadnought version of more cowbell. lookin good so far, that subdeck is pretty sweet
yeah, I read up on that a while back. super interesting story. guess they wanted something with more firepower than the two dreadnoughts they had, but didn't want to transition to 14 inch guns, so they just added another turret! But could you imagine the architect that was given those instructions, worried his hands together with a grin and said "GIVE ME ALL THE GUN TURRETS!!!"?
Yes Steve, I think I might have a problem haha. There are actually 7 visible in that shot, the bottom of the DE is barely visible (and really small) I got the forward sub deck and the deck rim over the past few days Here is the obligatory ‘look at all the clamps’ shot I used small blocks to help set the height, the forward deck and subdeck are 3/16” each Post drying, cut out the deck rim and test fit in place Stern. I used on continuous cut around the rim to allow the inner pieces to become the deck pieces, so an efficient use of materials More clamps, much easier set since the subdeck is in place Here are the deck pieces. I left some extra material to serve as the deck just aft of the set down, it will be cut to size once I see how the pieces fit in once everything is dry Deck pieces almost in place, I will have to trim them down to account for the rim shifting in slightly I’ll be taking the next week off while I travel home for the holidays, but the plan is to go full throttle once I get back. I always view the deck install as the transition from the project just being a hull to being a ship, so I’m glad that I got it in place
Back to work over the past few days Cut the deck pieces down Bow Marked the deck to cut to size Underside of pump outlets, it will hold the tube and reducer direct from the pump Glued in the tubes and filled in the edge between deck and hull Holding down the tubes A lot of filler in the bow Dries the next morning Bow Cut out barb holes Dremeled down the excess Cut the tubes flush Drilled holes for magnets Aft piece Pressed in the magnets with pliers, tight fit Epoxy coat over the deck rim went on thick and smooth probably due to the cold temperatures Cut out the barbs Extra piece on the underside for the aft piece to support the 4 guns Under Worked on the mid piece Underside Tested out a few arrangements inside Bow Waterchannel tomorrow hopefully
Worked on the waterchannel today, standard 1/4” balsa Also finished the rudder servo mount, using sprocket and chain from servo city Underside, 1/8 ply with 1/4 balsa sticks to help hold it together Aft waterchannel walls, the areas aft will be filled by micro bubbles and balsa chunks. This will form a platform to both keep water out of the extre stern and serve as a mounting point for the four aft solenoids
Hey, those pump outlets look pretty sharp! how much thrust are you planning on gaining from them? lol
Hopefully minimal thrust haha Finished waterchannel and a few other things Here is rudder servo with sprocket test fit Covered waterchannel with 1 layer of cloth and polyester resin Didn’t come out as nice as I hoped Filled the aft part in Dry Bottle holder Aft solenoids test fit and T clearance Bow side mount T clearance Filled bow void with foam
If I can make it to NATS I will bring it along at least. I'll see how it does in the spring battles, but I've also put a lot of work into the Missouri which would be my default ship depending how the sides end up. NATS this year might end up on the one week all year that I can't make it, I have an international trip with school around that same time period that might conflict I should find out around April
Been a bit since I posted, Here was the last portion of waterchannel, wall in the front, came out good Gun parts shipment came in (for this boat and others planned). I used Blackhawk Supply, very low cost, quality looks solid as well Popped a motor in for getting the pump mounts in the right place General pump arrangement, same as Missouri Showing pump outlet hose route, nice large radius bend up and out Tested out the weight, I think it came out to 22.5 to 23 lbs, so I will have to pay attention to weight but should be alright (max 26.5) Arrangement check, feeling good about this configuration Batteries in the bow will be for drive, keeping them outboard gives room for CO2 hoses off the reg Solenoid mounts, 1/8" ply aft solenoids forward, squeezed in next to bottle They might be glued in in this picture pump mounts, same as I have used in the past Pump mount holes one pump. new BC large pump, the reduced width helped here two pump worked on guns up tubes and elbows, Foster breech, back feed, five for this boat magazine construction end caps. coupled with drilled pistons I have found that the CO2 entering through the bottom of the cap increases shot velocity. All the parts for guns
Thanks guys, with 3 aft turrets I just have to use them all. I typically have high hopes for my boats, results vary haha. Did some work on getting the guns in, but primarily focused on other builds this past week. I knew getting the 4 mags in back aft would be a challenge. Started with the stern guns, pretty standard mounting. In general I make little magazine anchor points out of 1/8 wood and use wire ties to attach the guns, pretty simple and easy to make Now I started snaking the sidemounts in. A shot under the deck. Stern T’s are clear of aft-most solenoid The starboard sidemount snaked in. I had to curve it to reduce the length enough so it wouldn’t reach the rudder servo Overhead with all aft guns Another under deck Moving aft. The outboard solenoids will be do the aft guns, 1/4 pipe nipple and check valve, heavier than I expected but should be OK, they can be replaced to something lighter if necessary How is this for compact mounting? Getting the 75 rounder in was the toughest part, there are guns completely intertwined at some points. I use magnets on the Ts so I don’t need to worry about feed angle Under deck, less clearance than I expected, but there should be enough for a nice ‘unpersuaded’ deck placement. Showing the one mag cap I had to bend to clear the solenoid Bow was a bit simpler haha Still need to trim the up tube This build is coming along. Next big step is probably epoxying the deck pieces, making the base of superstructure, then maybe internal armor? I need to make a turret mold too, didn’t get to it this weekend, will need to mold 7 turrets
