Fast Build Scale Model

[rwatson]

Pulled it off the 'nest' yesterday, and started adding side panels on the cockpit.

Balsa is hard to beat as a lightweight, self fairing material.

Model weight around 8 kg, so its looking good for the final test weight of ~19kg


http://schoolroad.weebly.com/model-dev-page-4.html

[rwatson]

Moving house, shed renovations have slowed me down considerably, but some progress has been made.

Fairing of topsides has commenced, and completing the removable cabin is underway

[rwatson]

After all this time, I have to report that the concept of plain FG panels makes keeping the scale weight down extremely difficult. If you build them thick enough to the self fairing and self supporting, they are just too heavy.

I am currently working on version 2 of the scale model, and having vastly more success using 2mm hi-density foam with FGlass on both side.

The weight saving with greater stiffness is extraordinary.

[Fanie]

Elementary my dear Watson

That's one hell of a big "model" unless the chairs and ladders I observe are also models ?

Awesome job, would have liked to be able to give you some more rep points there.


If you're already working on the next model.... is this what you do, model making, or what's the idea ?

[rwatson]

No, the model making is a means to an end.

The first one was of a hull shape that got superseded by a new version of the full size design, and I have that 'on hold' for the moment.

The second one is of the Version 2 full scale design in foam, to see if we can derive any performance hints from it. One thing we found was that the curves on the forefoot are very tight.

[Fanie]

Hulls have feet now

Neatly done. Do you actually put these to water and test them ?

[rwatson]

Originally Posted by Fanie

... Do you actually put these to water and test them ?

Please God - eventually. I have the scale model size outboard, Radio Control, servos etc. sitting in the cupboard for the last 12 months

I also have GPS camera to record the wake patterns, records hull speed during power and sailing.

So many plans .... so little done.

[Fanie]

LOL.

What's the radio control for, don't you take them out yourself ?
Certainly looks big enough ?

[rwatson]

I could one on each foot.

Seriously though - 1:5 scale is the smallest you can go (1.5 metres) if you want any semblance of reality between the model and the full scale.

With the amount of work it takes on the small one, building a full size 28fter is the next stage, just for testing.