1/144 "Harrier Carrier"

robotski · Post by **robotski** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 2:18 am

Hi Guys

I have tried sticking the balsa sheet to the polystyrene, and while it does work, getting it to stat in position while the glue goes off is a real pain, firstly it takes forever for PVA to set on polystyrene, and second, as soon as you coat the balsa with glue, it wants to curl, the solution was not very scientific, I stuck it in place with sticky tape.

Another new technique I tried was a hot glue gun, I gather this would not produce a water proof connection, but for sticking large parts onto vertical surfaces which will later be glassed it is idea, again there where some lessons learned, once you start, the glue just keeps on flowing, using almost the complete stick each time, so not a system to use unless you have to, also, keep it away from polystyrene, it just melts the stuff and you end up having to make repairs.

So here is the picture so far, quite a lot of the starbourd side and stern have been strenghend with plywood panels.

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MechTech · Post by **MechTech** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 4:17 am

Hey robotski,
It's looking good so far. I always wanted to do something like that, so I'm glad someone else is! I actually started on a SWATH hull instead of the catamaran. I just had space and styrene supply issues; so I called it quits. Keep it up, you might even start a new naval trend! - MT

robotski · Post by **robotski** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:03 am

Hi Mech Tech

I am sure this design could work as a SWATH ship, but the cats are bigger at the moment.

For anyone not sure of how big this thing works out, check out the crewman in the middle of the hanger deck.

[img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v468/robotski/Picture006.jpg[/img]
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middle_watch · Post by **middle_watch** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:37 pm

Whew, complex! Set yourself a task and a half there, looking very interesting.

I wish I could say the reason for going for conventional carriers was practical, but more likely it is political, much like the race to get a UK H bomb detonated before the test ban treaty back on Christmas Island. It will have more to do with private chats in Camp David and Chequers than common sense.

One practical problem with your concept perhaps: I came across a report of a British carrier in the 50's having to reduce speed to allow an old turbo prop aircraft to catch up, the combined speed of the carrier and the headwind meant the thing was falling behind while trying to land on!

robotski · Post by **robotski** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:31 am

O/K guys

A change of perspective, with work commencing on the bow and port side, the hanger roof is in, though this is a temp fit as detail will have to be added later, and the first look at the full deck, again this is not fitted yet as there is some amount of work to do before that can be done.

I also had some thought about the radio control aspect, and the solution may be a little radical, I am going to mount a submarine between the hulls, a tube containing motor, radio, batteries and steering gear that will be mounted below the water line on adjustable brackets, this will allow me to adjust the centre of balance, and remove the whole drive section in a few moments, for a fast change of running gear on site, the drive unit could also be used on another ship at a later date, what do you think guys?

[img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v468/robotski/_MG_9558.jpg[/img]
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Avery Boyer · Post by **Avery Boyer** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:51 am

Looking great.

Very complicated hull shape.

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:31 am

robotski wrote:I also had some thought about the radio control aspect, and the solution may be a little radical, I am going to mount a submarine between the hulls, a tube containing motor, radio, batteries and steering gear that will be mounted below the water line on adjustable brackets...

The radio under water? Well, it'd work, but I'd sooner be running that aerial around my top deck, if I were you.

I'm a little surprised you aren't going for power in each hull - the manouevrability with such a wide beam would be excellent, if you went for a "tank-driving" method of control. You probably wouldn't even need working rudders.

Looking good, though!

Andy

robotski · Post by **robotski** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 12:53 pm

Andy G wrote:
I'm a little surprised you aren't going for power in each hull - the manouevrability with such a wide beam would be excellent, if you went for a "tank-driving" method of control. You probably wouldn't even need working rudders.

Andy

You are quite correct, and before talking to my local radio control shop, the proposel was to use two internal motors.

part of the problem was that radio control was an after thought, as everything in the photographs is above waterline, the submerged sections will have to be added, and access has been almost completly cut off from above by the hanger deck arrangements, installing the servos, radio gear and batteries could still be done, but if somthing went wrong later, repairs would only be possible by cutting through the decks.

the other proposel was to build the submerged hulls with a 4 inch tube running through thier lenght, this could take the same plug in drive system in each hull, if the aerial and radio gear were installed in the upper decks, all that would be needed would be a couple of waterproof connectors on the stern to connect the servos to, this is where experiance pays, and I could use the help of the local club, who I had been unable to contact.

If you guys have any simple solutions, I could use any help here as this is way out of my depth.

regards

Mike.

MechTech · Post by **MechTech** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:49 pm

Hey robotski,
It looks great so far. Don't be afraid to cut holes in your bulkheads to install equipment or make access panels. I would also second the suggestion of putting running gear in both hull sponsons. It will give you superior handling and more capability for power and battery run time. I would build your sponsons as part of the main hull and just cut or modify your exhisting skeleton. Even as stable as a catamaran is, your heaviest of items (that need to be removable) are your batteries, motors, and maybe some electronic gear. You of course want them at the lowest part of the hull, the part you haven't made yet. You still have plenty of time to engineer in and room to work with. Don't be afraid to modify what you have done. It might seem like two steps backwards, but I've done it several times myself. Take your time and think out what you will want to do in the future. You'll find it's well worth it! Take care! - MT

robotski · Post by **robotski** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:03 pm

O/K guys

Time to start looking at this sponson problem, with this in mind I have turned the ship upside down to begin the construction.

Unfortunely my scroll saw has died on me so there will be a delay while it is replaced, it is still under warrenty so that will not be a problem.

In the mean time I have decided to get on with the foam filling, some of this will get a balsa skin, but the shape of the bow looks to be to complex to cover with the balsa, I was thinking of applying filler directly on the foam, does anyone know a safe filler to use on foam?

Progress so far
[img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v468/robotski/IMG_9561.jpg[/img]
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Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:49 am

robotski wrote: Time to start looking at this sponson problem, with this in mind I have turned the ship upside down to begin the construction.

Thanks for this shot. What a sight...I'm so used to curvy monohulls.

I'm not sure it would be "two steps backwards" at all, to mount drives in the sponsons at this point.

My personal take would be to fit the running gear now, benefitting from those horizontal ribs, and build the sponsons over them. Run the wiring up ("down", here) into the main body of the hull. Distribute the ESCs and batteries over the deck between the sponsons. There's loads of room.

For (the inevitable) future maintenance it wouldn't be outrageous to provide watertight covers on the bottom of the sponsons at the motor/coupling point. Perhaps semi-permanent covers mastic'd and bolted in place.

...the shape of the bow looks to be to complex to cover with the balsa, I was thinking of applying filler directly on the foam, does anyone know a safe filler to use on foam?

Thin balsa can take some amazing curves if it's soaked first...or you could build up the curve with lots of thinner strips. But the filler idea is a quick and easy one. I'd protect the foam with a barrier of some sort. Polythene sheet (stapled to the foam?), or just duct tape...

Lovely build!

Andy G

robotski · Post by **robotski** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 4:26 am

I have had a suggestion made to me by a friend who is a carpet fitter, as the polystyrene and wood parts both accept PVA glue, why not paint the entire hull with PVA! carpet fitters use it on concrete floors to seal them before fitting the underlay, it comes in large tins and is quite cheap, seems like a good idea.