Scale Hydroplane - Page 4

Jeff Higgins · 02-01-2022, 03:08 PM

Finally making progress on my Dumas (pronounced "dumb-ass", as in the guy who was stupid enough to buy this kit...) Miss Unlimited. I had it complete and in "running order", with all hardware, motor, speed control, radio, and batteries installed. I could have actually ran it, it was that complete.

So I took it all back apart. Now that I know everything fits and functions (yes, I powered it up and went for a full functional test), it's time to finish it. I'll fill, sand, and paint the bottom either "aluminum", or (more likely) white. I want to keep the deck in its natural mahogany, but I'm not sure I'll be able to do that. The decking proved to be most uncooperative, cracking in several places in spite of wetting it down before forming it. I did manage to fill the cracks with the dust created when sanding, by adding some CA glue into the cracks and filling them with that dust. I'm hoping that when I apply whatever clear I decide on, that it will all darken enough to mostly hide the cracks. We'll see.

Ayles · 02-01-2022, 03:27 PM

I think that will look pretty good with a couple coats of clear!

Zeke · 02-01-2022, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Finally making progress on my Dumas (pronounced "dumb-ass", as in the guy who was stupid enough to buy this kit...) Miss Unlimited. I had it complete and in "running order", with all hardware, motor, speed control, radio, and batteries installed. I could have actually ran it, it was that complete.

So I took it all back apart. Now that I know everything fits and functions (yes, I powered it up and went for a full functional test), it's time to finish it. I'll fill, sand, and paint the bottom either "aluminum", or (more likely) white. I want to keep the deck in its natural mahogany, but I'm not sure I'll be able to do that. The decking proved to be most uncooperative, cracking in several places in spite of wetting it down before forming it. I did manage to fill the cracks with the dust created when sanding, by adding some CA glue into the cracks and filling them with that dust. I'm hoping that when I apply whatever clear I decide on, that it will all darken enough to mostly hide the cracks. We'll see.

I make a living from concealing defects in natural finishes. PM me with any concerns.

Jeff Higgins · 02-01-2022, 04:34 PM

Thanks Zeke!

Ayles · 02-10-2022, 09:11 AM

Getting closer to being able to skin the sponsons. Last night I layed out the cooling lines, just need to figure out the outlets and that should pretty much be it.

Jeff Higgins · 02-20-2022, 04:25 PM

Well, I'm recovering from a pretty big setback. I tried finishing the mahogany deck with flecto varathane, which turned out to be a big mistake. It might be o.k. for furniture, but I just couldn't get the evenness to the finish I was after. Sanding it proved fruitless, as it seems to be pretty darn soft, and even appears to remain somewhat under cured under the surface. Tough and flexible, maybe, but it just didn't work out on the boat. So I wound up stripping it off, which proved to be no mean feat. Absolute PIA, really.

But, well, I think it "recovered" about as well as can be expected. I managed to gouge it a bit while trying to strip and scrape that damn varathane off, which was hugely disappointing. It's now ready to reassemble all of the hardware and running gear.

I'm still trying to come up with a name and a number. I don't want to recreate a real hydro. Suggestions are welcome.

javadog · 02-20-2022, 04:47 PM

That sort of resembles the Arno XI…

Ayles · 02-20-2022, 04:53 PM

Hard to tell from the pics that there are any issues. In fact it looks pretty damn good! Digging how it turned out.

I actually spent a fair amount of time working on mine this weekend. Wrapping up the water inlets/outlets. Probably pretty close to being where I can skin the sponsons. Cooling lines are pretty much the last thing in that regard.

herr_oberst · 02-20-2022, 04:55 PM

I 'd start with a list of words that begin with Mis
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/words-that-start-with-mis

For me, because I like the old WWII planes with a woman with curves in the right places and not a lot of clothes covering those places, I'd name her something like

Miss Behavin'
Miss Adventure
(Miss Antrhopic, ha ha)

Then I'd get a decal of a pin up gal:

And I might steal the number from the GeeBee racer, either the 7 or the 11; I'd definitely use the dice if I was going this way.

But when I was looking at WWII noseart I came across this one, "Second Chance" which kind of fits the theme of this build. "Miss Second Chance"

Number 13 would be the way to go here, tempt fate.

herr_oberst · 02-20-2022, 04:57 PM

PS, Jeff, you can't name it Miss Rainier, Ayles got there first.

herr_oberst · 02-20-2022, 05:11 PM

Another idea: Since you get all the lead for your reloading hobby at the local tire store, you could do something like "Miss Les Schwab" and throw your patron a bone!

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

Miss take?

Jeff Higgins · 02-21-2022, 07:32 PM

All of the hardware and running gear are now reinstalled. All I have to do is complete the plumbing for the water cooling and seal the front half of the hull off from the battery/speed control/motor compartments so that it is water tight. The bulkheads and stingers have some gaps between them and the decking and other outer hull sheeting. While the whole front half is full of styrofoam, I still want it water tight so that it won't sink when (not if) I flip it.

It's kind of surprising, and somewhat concerning, just how heavy it feels. Like I wonder if it will even float heavy. Like it's gonna sink like a bowling ball heavy. I knew it would be heavier than its original design intent, which was built around a .35 size control line airplane motor. But this is really concerning. I think once it's sealed up I'm going to float it in the bath tub, just to see.

Rawknees'Turbo · 02-21-2022, 07:44 PM

^^^

Don't post pics if you are going to be floating in the tub along with it!

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayles

Good eye on the whisky!!! I did open it with a buddy and it wasn't very good at all... It's a local concoction that is very young.

rip off the label
just drink a bit more of it, it will improve, trust me.

Jeff Higgins · 02-22-2022, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

^^^

Don't post pics if you are going to be floating in the tub along with it!

You mean you don't want to see how I steer it with my rudder?

Jeff Higgins · 02-24-2022, 03:43 PM

Well, it's "ready" for its maiden voyage, in that it is fully functional. I'm still not happy with some of it aesthetically (like the fit of the cowling), but I can refine that from here. Dumas just really doesn't give one much to work with. Perhaps a carved balsa cowl or some modern piece from one of the parts suppliers is in its future. We'll see. For now, though, it's as ready to put in the water as it ever will be.

Those familiar with hydroplanes will notice I built this thing to turn left, just like the real boats. Interestingly, almost all of the model hydroplane racing I have watched on YouTube goes clockwise, turning right. Our local racers go the "right" way, counter clockwise, so I have to wonder why clockwise is so prevalent in the hobby. From what I've been able to gather, at least the gas boats, due to engine rotation, turn right much better. Maybe not as big of a deal with the electrics (the locals I'm referring to are all electric). We'll see if it seems like a big deal.

Of course that may all be moot anyway. I'm strongly suspicious that this thing is just going to float around like a turd in a punchbowl. I'll be surprised if it actually gets on plane, much less "handles" well. It'll probably plod around like a factory trawler...

In the end, this thing will probably end up on a shelf, as a static display and I'll build a modern kit. I have some great running gear now, that would do really well in the proper boat.

I'm waiting for a new charger at the moment before I can actually take it out. The batteries are far larger than anything I run in my modest squadron of R/C aircraft, so my current charger ain't gonna do it. When that gets here so I can top off the batteries, it's "off to the races". Hopefully not the submarine races...

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

is that a phenolic or aluminum rudder on your boat Jeff? I hope aluminum as some of my plastic ones were garbage. you can get longer lengths too to keep a bite in the water.

https://usa.banggood.com/Aluminium-Alloy-110mm-Water-Absorbing-Steering-Rudder-w-or-Suction-for-CAT-RC-Model-Boat-Parts-p-1597631.html?cur_warehouse=CN&rmmds=search

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

You'll be very surprised at the power you got there Jeff, Call me for your first test run and we'll bring your rescue canoe! (I've seen you apex a corner ....)

Jeff Higgins · 02-24-2022, 08:15 PM

All of the hardware is aluminum, no composite stuff at all. It's all from the Proboat hydroplane offered by Horizon Hobby. Top notch stuff all the way around. That particular boat, with a simple prop change, will touch 100 mph. There are several videos on Youtube where they are shown doing that.

So, no, power is not a problem. Or wait - yes, it is. This thing is vastly over powered for its design. There is a guy on Youtube with the same boat, similarly powered, and he has one hell of a time with it. First time he punches it, it just stands on the prop and back flips. He winds up having to really, really ease into it, but he still flips it at speed several times. It's pretty worrying to watch.