Cheers Anvil. Yeah I’m pretty happy how she’s coming along. Couldn’t help myself after the fibre glass dried and was cleaned up, I gave it a quick float test with some clear tape paneling (the ghost ship method) happy she sat true and level. now to get some balsa paneling happening, contact adhesive clamp and repeat, (2.4mm cruiser spec for BigGun.) very fiddly work! and I really need to pickup more clamps
Yeah not looking forward to the stern (the indent from the bulge runs back . Even with wet balsa , slow and steady . .
Pretty happy, Sea trials have begun . . I had to rectify a few pinhole leaks around my bilge keels (small bubbles in a couple of spaces in the fibreglass) I opened them up with a razor blade and ran epoxy along the edge again had sorted that out. A quick grey enamel spraycan job and shes surprisingly stable on the water, but no SS yet. . Has anyone done County Class SS 3D print files? , I’m new to 3D printing but it seems like the way to go . . now to piece together all the components for the fitout, parts are trickling in from online. .
That looks fantastic. I don't know if anybody has a print SS, but I know the guy who would. let me ask him and see if he has done one yet
Cheers Anvil, Hope so, and if so, I may have to buy someone a couple of coffees. (Here are some bonus pics of my other hulls in progress, trying to drag them along with the County build.)
yeah so I talked with Dr. Brian (I'm OtherBryan), and he doesn't have a SS built yet. I'm seeing if we have a copy of the plans right now. it shouldn't be too hard of a project
Hey all. Life took over for a while there. . But she got painted up in a funky Arctic camouflage and a wooden SS built. After testing I found I will need to lighten up the stacks and forward SS. I was going to hollow the funnels, but thinking fibre glassing funnels would be better. and just replace a few blocks with foam, so that’s on the go. . (If any printed SS do pop up I would be interested.) But time to start a fitout! have been collecting the parts bit by bit. Rudder setup first. . Waterproof 15kg servo . JST extension cable . Nylon rudder with stainless post and fittings (eBay stuff) Just a single Rudder setup on the County Class, so I’m going for simple linkage push pull setup. Rough positioning of components . . (and rudder will be cut down to suit hull position) (540 and 380 shown)I have decided on direct drive twin 380s with 4mm shafts driving 40mm (just over 1.5” cast metal three blade props) Setting up for BigGun so I don’t need to be to fast. . . I’m thinking this cruiser would suit the purpose of convoy hunter or convoy escort ship for campaign mainly? try and keep up with convoys and harass bigger heavier ships when it gets a chance (like when the heavyweights are already engaged, come third in with its speed maybe? Take shots and continue on. Anyways, see if I can make this rudder work today. And drive will be the next step. First build continues!
Progress update. Had fun with the epoxy and a mild disaster . made up a servo box and some wire drag links (not too happy with them but we will see . . ) Onto drive. I tacked the shafts with superglue as level as I could get them to the hull with hight for the motors and with some toe-in to the props, then taped it all up. Poured some epoxy let it level, was looking great! I ended up with two sections as the keel divides them off. So I poured some more put the ship on a slight angle to create some water channeling to divert back to midships. Had a look gave it ten minutes. . . Small drip on one side turned into several . . Turned into one side a puddle on the floor. Tried patching the tape job and catching some to pour back in but just had to leave it with the knowledge I’d re pour that side. So yeah many bubbles had to drill a little to open up sections to get it re done. But second go went well. Cut down the rudder land fitted it also. Now to start some wiring . .
Time to commence sea trials! (Video to follow) I’m Running 2s 5200 50C x2 eBay 60A “KYRC” ESC running twin 380s, got my polarity correct, set with full power forward 1/2 power Reverse. Both turning inward in forward motion. Still needs finalising and tidy up, just thrown in and got working, I may add some better connectors in future to motors etc. still needs battery mount, more channeling for my .5 pump fitted etc. . Have not done waterline as of yet. . Figured I cannot really set true ballast and finalise WL until I develop my torp setup. But temporary ballast for sea trials and check the weight used to see how much I have to play with, would be useful? I’m thinking two seperate power supplies . . One to armament and one for drive. reliability and easier fault finding/diagnosis being the reasoning, thoughts? so if i loose one system I should hopefully have the other. . Loose drive have guns, vice versa (Going for a simple suitable BigGun setup) soon as I’m happy with the hull and drive systems, it is onto developing the armament systems. (Any guidance or suggestions with parts list or design please don’t hesitate, are automotive 12v LPG solenoids suitable or way too large I’d imagine?, I used to do Autogas conversions and have some lying around) Side note: of late has been a great time to try finish some projects as have been off work due to a hand injury (motorbike accident)and this hobby has been great to keep a mechanic busy in some downtime. Want to get battling ASAP with this cruiser. But See if you can make out my other hulls in my build batch, and what I should focus on Finishing next, something I can fit rotates in i think. Thanks all
