The older fiberglass hull I had was tossed into the trash, the hull was so off measurements and shape... I decided to build a wood hull from some plans I have that are 1/100. They are from a detailed plans book by Ing. Prasky. A quick trip to the print shop and the plans are 1/144. Just to be sure, I used the graphics program I have to resize and print off the hull lines. I used the plans from the print shop for the placements of the hull ribs ect.. By using both thte computer and the printed files, I have a very nice hull. I did decide to not model in the casements... too much crap to deal with. Maybe a second build later will have them. There is a nice template of the casements in the plans. The ribs and all the stringer pieces, along with the keel and casement stringers are ready to piece together. Everything fits... Now the gluing begins Putting in the 1/2" balsa bottom for water channel.
Some more updates.... trying to get this boat ready for May battle and then NATS. The mini plane is awesome for getting the balsa wood down to shape... A little sandpaper PS, those ribs you see in the water channel are being removed after the glass is applied! and she is ready for glassing Missed the shots for skinning it with thin balsa wood and then outside when it was wet.... but here is the finished hull... just need to clean the edges and re drill out the prop shaft holes.. Putting a stringer at the bottom of the pen area was a big plus... I will always do this from now on.. gives the edges of the skinning something solid to glue to before wetting it out.
Last pics of the night... Ready to mark and cut the top plate... Fits like a charm.... Also cut out the ribs in the water channel.... I have a paper due so off to my studies...
Update pics.... Top cap going on... Deck lids done and barbetts done... I need to thin the deck by 1/8" above each casement area where the stringers are two between ribs... that is fore and aft.. the rules only allow me to have 1/2" total thickness, and in those spots I am over by 1/8". The leveling/holding bracket for the stern guns.. the inserts are fastened to the deck just past the aft turret. The screws are permanently held onto the bar by soldered nuts underneath. This way when I turn the screws, the guns raise or lower... Using two screws to stabilize the set up. On the IJN Mustu the single post was just a little unstable...
Getting her done... will be installing Kips and wiring this week... So far... I so luv this system of using wheels and a wire.... you see fishing line right now. This will be replaced with some tough stainless wire this week... the wire wraps around each spindle and runs through two holes in each one to prevent slippage. This is a very nice, tight set up for rudders, and can be used for single, double, or more... The turrets are done as well... need to be trimmed just a little on the bottom.. The trips fit! All gear in place but the kips... they will mounted in the stern just forward of the rudder servo by using removable tray. a fiberglass turret for the trips..
Looking great! Question on your fiberglass turret. Did you make an undersized master then lay the cloth on top? Or did you create a mold?