A request not to be refused

[Solitary Sailor]

Hi Bogs, well it took a while, but I've finally got around to taking some new interior shots of my model of the "V & W (Wair conversion)" First off, some shots of the model to get the narrative set.

This model is a semi kit from "Sirmar" models. A 1/48 scale model of an escort destroyer originally built in 1917 - 1918; converted to a convoy escort - anti submarine / anti aircraft in the thirties, prior to the start of the Second World War. The model is 78" long, with a beam of 7 3/4 beam at the max, (though most of the beam is nearer 6 1/2") ... a long, thin pencil.

Motive power is from 2 "Beuhler" LP800 motors, with a rating of approximately 2,900 rpm, drawing around 1.5 amps each. As originally built, she had 2 MFA Torpedo 850's installed, but these were just too much power, and also, more importantly, raised the centre of mass too high above the waterline, making the boat somewhat unstable in the turns...the MFAs being a larger and heavier motor.

Anyway, on to the first photos. As other photos are posted, a narrative will be attached to clarify, which will probably be nothing more than a statement of the obvious...yes, it's that  again

[Solitary Sailor]

On to the interior ... where to start, well I guess the engineroom. Here are the 2 "Beuhler motors. These push the model along at a reasonable rate of knots, giving a a pretty good scale speed.

[Solitary Sailor]

Whoops...hit the wrong button...let's try again

[Solitary Sailor]

Right in front of the motors, that would be for'ard of the engineroom, are the speed controllers. As can be seen, there are 2, one for each motor, thus allowing independent control for extra maneuverability; the model can turn in an almost static position.

These electronic speed controllers are rated at 30 amps, which is over kill for the motors fitted, however, there are 10 amp in-line fuses fitted both before and after the speed controllers, protecting both the controllers themselves, and the individual motors

The second photo shows the box housing the sound modules, which consist of "Whopper" "Steam whistle" "Main Gun" & "Sonar"

The third photo shows the main fuse box and distribution centre.  There is a auto blade type "25 amp" main fuse directly off of the batteries, which then splits off to the various circuits, 2 "10 amp" fused circuits to the speed controllers as previously mentioned, which then link back to a "10 amp"  double fuse board by "Action Electronics", which in turn feed the motors. There are 2  separate "10 amp" fused circuits for ancillary  uses, such as sound and smoke modules.. All fused circuits have warning lamps wired in to the load side to indicate any fuse failure ... makes looking for lakeside gremlins so much easier.

[sbwhart]

Hi Sailor

That a great model very intricate bit of wiring.

Thanks for showing

Stew

[Solitary Sailor]

Moving along, the next photo is the boiler room or motive power source. Originally a 12 volt Gell Cell, but this, like the original MFA motors adversely affected the centre of balance of the boat in the water ... again, too much mass, too high above the waterline ... so it had to go, to be replaced by 2 7.2 volt NiHM  batteries. These batteries, together with the "Beuhler" motors, give a reasonable length of run on the water, when not also coupled to the smoke generator.

The next photo shows the smoke generator from "Harbor Models" a company out of California. This generator really does put out a lot of smoke, so much so, that I have it controlled by its own speed controller... a little "Mitroniks Viper 10" Even so, this little smoke generator is very thirsty on the juice and as a consequence, is not often used. Maybe the addition of another pair of NiHM battery packs, dedicated to the smoke generator on its own might resolve this problem, but as it stands, the generator takes more juice than the motors, unless the motors are run flat out all the time.

The copper manifold, seen in these photos, is the smoke distributor to the funnels

[Solitary Sailor]

Hi Stew

It's nothing too complex, just a lot of it, much of which I managed to hide quite well.

[Solitary Sailor]

Moving for'ard to beneath the bridge we have the radio receiver and related controls. The radio set up is a "Robbe" F-14 Navy version, a 7/8 channel radio set up with an additional module incorporated into the set up, allowing one channel to be split up into 8 possible extra functions ... good for controlling the sound modules and the smoke generator.

Right in the bow, is the servo set-up which controls the sound modules, this of course could have been done by a digital switcher, but I already had some spare cheap servos, so this is what it ended up as.

[spuddevans]

That is a mighty fine looking piece of work there  Nice work on the wiring too.

Those "Beuhler" motor's sure are sweet runners arent they. My dad's railway (LGB stuff)  all uses them. They are super reliable, strong and smooth running. Easy to replace the bushes too.


Thanks for posting up the pics and write-ups 

Tim

[Solitary Sailor]

And finally, back to the stern, and the steering gear.

The model was originally envisaged with rotating turrets and elevating guns, and "Fire Control", controlled by some more of "Action Electronic's " wizardry, however, the original set-up was not too successful, and so was removed ... for now, will retry again when I get my hands of some different servos, as the original ones I used, (Sailing winch type), did not respond well to the commands from the "Action" servomorphs

Any questions, feel free to ask ... hopefully I can answer them in a way that makes sense to all

[Solitary Sailor]

  too bright for me own good ... once again missed posting the appropriate photo.

Thanks for the compliment Tim, and yes the "Beuhlers" are great motors, strong and powerful, which given the propeller size of the model, are a perfect match

[bogstandard]

SS,

You've been very busy importing from the UK, I recognise almost all the stuff in there. The Electronize ESC's have stood the test of time well, I was using them in the early 80's when you HAD to build them from a kit.

It was actually a friend of mine (the one I am doing the motorbike for) that introduced that size of Buhler to the modelling fraternity over here. They were originally sourced from power shower pumps. They were retailed by a few firms he supplied (Marlin was one sticker used) for about 35 to 40 squid each, but he was importing them from Germany for 7 squid, as long as he bought 24 at a time. As far as I remember they pulled about 14 amps on 12volts when loaded with a general purpose 2.5" prop.

Very nice build indeed.

Bogs

[Solitary Sailor]

Thanks Bogs,

As to the amperage draw, with the boat held static in the water, engines running flat out on 14.4 volts,  the amperage reading with a "Fluke" amprobe barely reaches 1.5 amps per leg ... partly I suspect, due to the prop wash, or the inability of the water to fill the airspace left by the rotating blade in the water at full rpm; but also I think, maybe due to these motors not being fully loaded by the resistance of the propeller as it rotates in the water.

As to the cost of the motors, don't actually remember just how much they were, but don't believe they were as much as 40 pounds. And yes, much importation of goodies from old Blighty. they do seem to have the modeling industry covered better than the US, at least for the scale modeling fraternity. That of course is the beauty of the internet, it's a very small world now, thank heavens, for the hobby shops round here only cater to the R/C planes, helicopters, cars, or buzz boats. They are also priced a bit more favourably compared to the US hobby suppliers, including the postage or freight charges, (when shipping overseas, as your own previous comments on the subject testify to).

[rleete]

I'm going to have to request that Solitary Sailor be banned.  His pictures have shattered any illusions of adequacy I had as a modeler.

[Solitary Sailor]

Hi rleete

It's only because I get more enjoyment out of the actual building of them than I do out of playing around with the finished product. Took me a while to learn that lesson I might add.

Oh, I'll let you into a little secret ... I know where all the flaws are     and no, that isn't a false modesty, they are there. Also, it helps that the semi-kit from "Sirmar" is a  well made product, although one does have to put a lot of thought into interpreting the plans ... there are NO instructions. Put simple, something that is a joy to build, can not help but come out successfully.

Thanks for the compliment ... I think 

[PTsideshow]

 

[rleete]

Thanks for the compliment ... I think 

Yes.  A bit off the wall, but it was meant as such.