The Ship Model Forum

Hello ladies and germs, I am working on my Tamiya 1/350 USS Enterprise and I am doing it by video. I will keep posting up links as I add videos. I plan on also converting this kit into RC, and for those interested in that aspect that material is provided as well.

I would like the ship to be a three to four function system, which means I will need to merge two controllers of different frequencies into one. Up to this point I always built my ships with two functions, but for the aircraft carrier I would like to insert an additional function to control more features, mainly I would like a mechanical arm to push a switch which can toggle 50% power or 100% power to the motors.

I am presenting the USS Enterprise as she was in 1986, and I have bought two or three additional aircraft sets (which some I won't need) in order to replace the F/A-18 Hornets that came with the kit. As much as I would love to be able to control every little thing, such as rotating sparrow launchers, I don't have the time or money to go that far. I will build her in 1986 fashion, and with my best effort I would like a rotating radar dish above the island as well as a lamp that will light the superstructure (can be toggled on or off). I am debating on whether to cut into the island side to allow room for a switch- maybe not. Instead of the receiving antannae coming out of the island (it's more trouble than it's worth in that cramped island) I will have the antannae come out between the crane and island. Because the Enterprise is so large, I am considering adding an additional battery supply in parallel along with the second system. Who knows, I may be too lazy to implement more functions- because honestly I don't have qualms about taking the ship into dock and lifting up the decks to change a couple of things.

The ship will be Ipod compatible and I have been playing the role of sound engineer by putting together play packages using the program Audacity. Everything is working great so far! Once I learned how to work the program, it became a lot of fun.

My goals for the Enterprise:
+ Hour playtime (Electrical Engineers- if you know the mAh of a 6volt Nicad I would greatly appreciate it )
+ 1986 representation
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Video

Part 1- Systems Talk and Motor Modifications
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K_rVoit-6Q)

Part 2- Hull Preparation and Painting
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JIhjkbw058)

Part 3- Final Systems Checks
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6xhVFlCmVk)

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Additional Video

Solidworks- Grease Box Solution
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkYANfa_koI)

Solidworks- Speaker System Solution
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q7pDlWcoMI)

Soundtrack Test 1
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12Bp2yV05Bg).

Motor Problems
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ3gPhbiRzw).

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http://tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/search/label/Model = Model Blog Posts
http://www.maj.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=168325 = Ship Kit Instructions

Photos





























more to come soon.

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http://tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/search/label/Model = Model Blog Posts
http://www.maj.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=168325 = Ship Kit Instructions

Milestones:

6/01/08- Another Brilliant Idea. Using the same tubing to connect the motor shaft and prop shafts.

5/30/08- Came up with a brilliant solution to the screw shaft slot problem. Two pieces of evergreen stock guide the screw shafts to the motor while making sure the shaft is centered with respect to the insert. The bottom halves will be sealed with goop to minimize the chance of water intrusion. These pieces of stock will serve as the new bases for grease boxes.

5/24/08- Got a great idea to build a new box for the speaker. This box will be modified so that sound may be amplified better through the ship and over the water.

5/21/08- Got a brilliant idea for the grease box issue- I can build a box inside with a face that can be drilled out for the shaft to fit through. Will require extensive modifications because the shaft does not go through perpendicular to the face- will update.

5/20/08- The Hull has been painted Mica Red. Sanding was done with 1000 grit sandpaper to get rid of any over spray, and there was a buildup of paint on the starboard side. I will need to sand this bulk off then repaint the area. It will then be time to paint in the bootline. I have already started the installation of internal systems- namely the motors. May need a day or two to work on the Enterprise- I need to focus on Calculus! Hvae began drilling out holes in the rudder pegs for additional support and lengthening.

_________________
http://tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/search/label/Model = Model Blog Posts
http://www.maj.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=168325 = Ship Kit Instructions

Impressive . . .

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"I intend to go in harm's way, and anyone who doesn't want to go along had better get off right now." " Now that I have a fighting ship, I will never retreat from an enemy force." -CDR Ernest Evans, USN (CO USS Johnston)