I love my Invincible dearly. I don't think for a second that I was led astray when I made that my first ship. I'd caveat that though, by saying that if you can get an Indefatigable hull, I think it's a little easier for a rookie due to the added space, and shouldn't lose much in turning to the Invincible. Also, the Invincible hull is incorrect. It's had the 2% removed, and is about an inch short.
Right now, all I care about is getting a ship on the water and exact scale length doesn't really matter as long as its still legal. I think the I-boat is my best bet right now. But this makes me think....The i boat seems to me to be just like the AD except for turning. They have the same bill board sides right? So which one is better?
Than I guess it's the I-boat because I like tough. But a good looking ship ain't bad either so AD..... Wait... Ughhh why does this have to be so hard? Now I've discovered the derfllinger which makes things even harder because they're all so cool! Any more cool ships out there?
Heh. Ah, Matt, you are in the early stages of Tugboat Disease. So many cool boats, want to build them all! As a long-time sufferer of this disease, let me advise you: Build one ship and battle it. Some people advise for at least 2 years, some for at least five. I don't think I'm constitutionally capable of that but I'm trying But build one and battle it for at least one year, and then see how you feel. After one year, it'll be a decent, reasonably reliable ship. After 2, it'll be so reliable and fun to take to battles that you won't believe it. And reliable is SO fun. As I was saying at the Labor Day Leadfest recently, 'A reliable cruiser is a lot more fun than an unreliable battleship.' Regardless of the size of ship, build one and stick with it for at least a year. It'll take that long to get the gremlins worked out. And then, my friend, you can really enjoy the ship. So you have a tough choice, as the Invincible, Andrea Doria, and Derfflinger are all good ships. But that's a great choice to have to make **I like the I-boat from those choices. Other considerations aside, the I-boat has side-by-side rudders which will make for better turning than the inline rudders on the AD and Derf.
And what a horrible disease it is . The biggest competition is between the AD and the I-Boat right now, mainly because I like the look of inline turrets but also like the side by side rudders. I've ruled the derf out because I would like to keep the ship size down for ease of transportation. Once again I'll have to think about this for a while
Yes, the I-boats have some pretty big sides up forward. They turn like a dream though. If I had to pick between the I-boat and the Dorias, I would take the I boat and not think twice about it. Like I said though, if you can find one of the Canadian Indefatigable hulls, I'd probably pick it over the Invincible, and I'd definitely take it over the Doria.
Ralph Coles used to. I'm not sure if he still does or if he's sold the mold. I've seen the hulls, they are lovely. I'm sure one of our Canadian bretheren know what happened to it.
I am not sure whether Ralph still has the hull mold. There was a thread on what Ralph had for sale about a year or so ago.
If you want an Indefatigable hull, email Ralph Coles (link to email here: http://www.scrapcombatships.com/hulls.html) and ask him. He may not have any on hand, so its best to ask before it gets cold in Nova Scotia and unsuitable to fibreglass outdoors. His prices are quite reasonable.
not that i dont like the the indefatigable or anything, but i think i will stick with the i-boat. what kind of batteries are good for the small space in the hull?
I think it depends on the voltage that will be run in the boat. All of my boats use 6v sealed lead acid batteries. But I do not use firing boards. I stick with the older clippard poppets so I dont have to worry about frying boards or solenoids.
