I recently found a 1:96th scale static kit for the Ironclad USS Monadnock and was wondering if any of you knew if it was possible to make this kit into a unique, functioning RC warship.
http://vcshobbies.com/product1126_lastcat170.ihtml
The current kit appears to contain a great deal of intricate interior detailing, which would obviously be omitted in an RC kit to save weight and lower the ships center of gravity. Additionally, the prop shafts that come in the current kit would be replaced by brass prop shafts and connected to functioning electric motors. Finally, the rudder controls would be replaced with functioning stern gear.
These modifications, coupled with a shoring up of the ships hull should allow me to convert this static model into an amazing RC model.
My concerns are focused on the weight of the existing model, the space available within the hull, and the shallow draft of the vessel.
Do any of you know if the hull of the USS Monadnock kit can support the weight of the model, the weight of the extra running gear and still remain realistically buoyant???
Furthermore, is there enough room in the Monadnocks hull to hold the necessary electronics?
Finally, what�s the smallest (and lightest) set of running gear that would operate both propellers and still give me a 30 min run time with a decent operating range.
Several years ago, I constructed an 1:96th scale RC Model of the Fletcher Class Destroyer USS Abbot. This model was nearly twice as long and had a much deeper draft (though a narrower beam) yet I was barely able to make it light enough to float at a realistic dept.
This being said, I know that other modelers have constructed much smaller RC models with much shallower drafts.
Using currently available electronics and techniques, should it be possible to convert the static kit of the USS Monadnock into a unique RC Kit???
I recently found a 1:96th scale static kit for the Ironclad USS Monadnock and was wondering if any of you knew if it was possible to make this kit into a unique, functioning RC warship.
http://vcshobbies.com/product1126_lastcat170.ihtml
The current kit appears to contain a great deal of intricate interior detailing, which would obviously be omitted in an RC kit to save weight and lower the ships center of gravity. Additionally, the prop shafts that come in the current kit would be replaced by brass prop shafts and connected to functioning electric motors. Finally, the rudder controls would be replaced with functioning stern gear.
These modifications, coupled with a shoring up of the ships hull should allow me to convert this static model into an amazing RC model.
My concerns are focused on the weight of the existing model, the space available within the hull, and the shallow draft of the vessel.
Do any of you know if the hull of the USS Monadnock kit can support the weight of the model, the weight of the extra running gear and still remain realistically buoyant???
Furthermore, is there enough room in the Monadnocks hull to hold the necessary electronics?
Finally, what�s the smallest (and lightest) set of running gear that would operate both propellers and still give me a 30 min run time with a decent operating range.
Several years ago, I constructed an 1:96th scale RC Model of the Fletcher Class Destroyer USS Abbot. This model was nearly twice as long and had a much deeper draft (though a narrower beam) yet I was barely able to make it light enough to float at a realistic dept.
This being said, I know that other modelers have constructed much smaller RC models with much shallower drafts.
Using currently available electronics and techniques, should it be possible to convert the static kit of the USS Monadnock into a unique RC Kit???