Hey guys, My first ship build. I chose the heavy cruiser HMS Kent not to big, not to small (and I have a 1/350 scale model and plans to scale from) hopefully I can learn to fit it out and get it functional. I’ve chosen wood for this build. And base board style of construction. Should aid in keeping things square for a rookie. I started with converting some numbers measured off my 1/350 model to obtain my deck layout measured and cut that out, then lots of entering measurements in https://www.scalemodelersworld.com/online-scale-converter-tool.html to get my sections and rib profiles. 1 Inch in 1/350 = 61.73 mm in 1/144 I rounded up three thou to 62mm ( gave me 21 sections almost 2.5 inch apart) (I love using recycled items when I can, just to recycle and to keeps costs down. . hence the colourful paint jobs on some of my plywood haha) New ship yard has opened, More photos coming! Thankyou for having a look, feedback guidance and inspiration welcome.
looks like you're off to a great start! County class cruisers are cool looking boats. wish we had some running around up here in the states. we're currently obsessed with the Crown Colony class CLs
Hey thanks! Yep I’m trying to push on with it. . working on a sealable sub deck and lots of sanding, shaping this hull at the moment. . That’s really cool the Colony Class is popular over there, light cruiser does look mean with the triple mounts! Might have to look up some plans/builds in future. (But first/next up I need to get a parts list together for the Kent. . )
yeah hey if you want a Crown Colony, we have all the goods to build one so get in touch. Plans, 3d models, the works
So good, Thankyou Anvil! yes I think a Crown Colony is on the cards next, (I have made good progress on 2 other project hulls at the moment but let’s make it 4 while I’m rolling) Need to figure out what to buy motor wise etc. just got some driveshafts and props in the mail but my internet has been down for over a week straight,I do live pretty rural it happens, But yes help is much appreciated!
Some photo updates on the County Class build. Strapped down for sanding, after filling the curves to the hard section with various blocks. Getting there, still rough. Cut out and test fitting deck, more sanding . . After lots of sanding (and learning it’s worth just buying good epoxy for the ease and speed) I sorted the panelling of some balsa wood to the stern and bow section, With a Skim coat of auto body filler, it’s it’s Starting to resemble a hull! so next will be to fibreglass the hard section, I decided to use epoxy with woven fibre glass. see how this goes. And I have received the two 350 4mm driveshafts with tubes and fittings. Went with X2 3blade props as per the scale model try keep it looking somewhat correct. Motors and power here is where I’m not sure never run 1/144 scale ships. ( although many RC cars when I was younger) I like the idea of 12v. Brushless simple and direct as possible for ease and cheapness I was thinking mabuchi x2 355 direct drive. Or will that scream along unless I lower voltage to 6 how do I achieve this? or x1 380 to a gearbox? I’ve no idea what gives what speed on the blue. . But I like the idea of lower rpm of a gearbox. County is about 52in long ? What do you think would suffice guys? Cheers?!
right on. yeah for the county class, I would suggest like a 550 direct drive motor. that's one of the more common ways of doing the job in Fastgun. though I don't know how the AUSBG speed system runs. it may be worth it to reach out to them and check. because the Big Gun guys here stateside are slow as turtles stampeding through peanut butter compared to Fastgun/IRCWCC. you may not need that much get-up-and-go. the crown colony cruisers I've built/worked on have 380 Titan motors, and they're direct-drive.
Great to see AUSBG back on their feet! Have the laws changed back? Where are you sourcing Big Gun cannons these days?
Looks like I'm the first to ask this, but... is this being built for combat? Or just as a fun pond-runner? And if it is for combat, are you in contact with the AusBG? The reason I'm asking is that will dramatically change your needs here. A non-combat ship has very different motor requirements to a Fast Gun ship, which is very different from the motor requirements for a Big Gun ship. Armament, armor, power, pumping, etc. are also very different. Since this looks like a combat-legal hull, and since Big Gun is currently the only legal format in Australia, I will assume that is your intended goal for now. Big Gun ships run slower than Fast Gun ships, and tend to place less emphasis on acceleration. Furthermore, most Big Gun clubs require that reverse be symmetrical, so there is no incentive to overpower your propulsion system to get better reversing. Motors that are excellent in Fast Gun, like direct-drive 550's, are extreme overkill in Big Gun. Given the slender hull form of the County class, you'd probably do quite well with a pair of 365 or 380-sized motors direct-drive or with reduction gears if you're feeling complicated. These can be obtained in a variety of voltages, most commonly 12v. You won't need Titans or any high-performance motors. For power, you'll do just fine with a 3s (11.1v nominal, effectively 12v) LiPo battery. Heck, you'd probably do just fine with a 2S 7.4v battery, but 3S will definitely be enough voltage. What are your thoughts on armament? Cruisers are notoriously difficult to arm in Big Gun, but County class ships have guns and torpedoes to choose from so you've got options.
Oh yeah good point re: torps. I forgot they do torps in Big gun. the Crown Colony also has a pair of torpedo launchers. it's about the only way to arm them in BG I reckon.
this gave me hope, there is a bit of activity about. View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5xny3ziXSPc&pp=ygUWQXVzdHJhbGlhbiBiYXR0bGVncm91cA%3D%3D
Yes good call. I’m very interested in researching some torp launcher setups, as yeah probably my best bet. But I do like the setup of stern twins also but yes may be difficult . .
@Nateseadog - as a fellow Big Gunner, I’d like to reach out to AusBG and start a conversation. i can’t seem to find a working email address. Can you help me?
I don’t think they exist anymore because the guns I believe are illegal all throughout the country besides maybe one or two areas. Haven’t seen anyone from there on here in the 5-6 years I have been on the forum.
Maybe… but that YouTube video is dated August ‘23. Also. listening to the discussion on the video; the captain talks about “we can’t fire faster than [xx] m/s” and “we can’t use BBs anymore [so we are limited to the higher calibers only]”. So, that give me hope there are some captains still trying across the pond.
I messaged the OP and he said they battle every 2nd sunday. Cannons may not exceed 50m/s. Sounds like they're still active, although they have very little online presence.
Yes pretty much as Katori said, but Possibly 3 groups still. I spoke to a bloke from sydney battle group that are still active. numbers have been down recent years tho as I understand. but a new website is started https://ausbg.au/ Some contact details, but No email as of yet that I can see @JustinScott. but yes I believe they have clarified with authorities exemption or clarification paperwork from all police depts from all the states now. (That they do not fall under firearms law, 50m/sec, and ball size etc.) so there is hope. And plans for some current media so maybe it can kick off/grow once again
onwards with the build! Few photo updates, on my second attempt, I got the bilge keels shaped and fitted made from 3mm hardwood ply same as my decks. . scale length (and shortened to 3/8 legal as I believe) And Glassing the hard section. Was tricky with the keels so I did them first with their own strip of weave for strength ( they are attached with 75KG fast set Epoxy)
