Building a mini-boat- Revell 1/72 scale PT 109- conversion to RC

[Frank v B]

Next project is a plastic model adapted to RC.

3 main Problems/Challenges:
- the hull comes in 5 separate pieces.  Look at photos 60 and 61 at the holiness of the hull. Added a layer of 1/2 ounce fibreglass cloth inside.  Applied it with 15 minute epoxy diluted in an equal part of Rubbing Alcohol. A boat within a boat.
- making the superstructure removable to access the motor and RC guts. Will deal with that along the way.
- it is small.  Only 13" long.  Hammers won't work.    Found a small DC geared motor that appears perfect.  It is in the last photo.

The photos shows the fibreglass after the cure.  It still has to be trimmed.  At least it is waterproof.

Frank

[Frank v B]

Keep building:
- installed the prop shaft
- installed the motor- rolled a piece of 1/64 plywood to hold the motor in place
- made the rudder.  A little deeper than the bottom of the prop to protect it.  The bent shaft behaves like a skeg.
- built the main pieces of the deck house but left it removable.
- cut the deck to make a larger access hole
- installed the rudder, servo and pushrod.

next:
- run the motor in the sink to see if it is a snail or a rabbit.  No idea.
- foam flotation in the bow and glue the deck to the hull.

Frank

[Frank v B]

Float my Boat

- added the RC, bound it to a Spektrum 5 basic transmitter
- added foam flotation in the bow
- glued on the deck
- added all the details that will not get caught in a shirt or sleeve (guns, railings, etc.). Painted the wood prop shaft support and rudder.

Test floated it on a 2 S 250 mah battery in the sink.  Good enough to run in Toogood Pond.

Frank
 

[GuyOReilly]

Water in the sink is much cleaner than at Toogood Pond!!
Looking forward to seeing it in the spring.
Hopefully the groundhog was correct: early spring!!!