The Ship Model Forum

PetrolGator wrote:This is looking awesome, man. Thanks again for the plans!

It was my pleasure my friend!!!!!!!

Roger DD-473/DD-555

Hi Everyone,
I finally finished making the rudder and I installed it yesterday. This is a post WW-II Fletcher Class rudder refit to help make the turning radius tighter. The Scale Shipyard rudder is next to the one I made. I was going to use direct drive couplings for the motors. After I made the couplings I noticed that the prop shafts ran out a few thousandths. Had I used the couplings, I would have prematurely worn out the motors and probably had some vibration as well. I got two Dumas Dog Bone type universals. I used the couplings I made as bushings for the motor side of the universal and shaft collars for the prop shafts incase the universal gets loose. I wouldn't want to loose a prop shaft and prop.

The motors will be completely installed by the end of the week. Then the electronics will be installed and you all know what's after that!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roger DD-473/DD-555

Hi Everyone,
I made a motor platform at the proper angle and the motors are mounted. I also was able to get the servo mounted today as well. I'm making my own shaft collar/tiller arm for the rudder and when it's finished I can hook up the link from the servo to the rudder. The ESC and RC reciever will be installed next. I'm getting very close to launching the Bennett for it's shake down cruise, I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check back soon for more on the Bennett!!!!!!!!!!!
Roger DD-473/DD-555

Hi Everyone,
It's been a while since I posted anything on the Bennett. I was successful in performing RC bench testing and I am happy to say that the Bennett will make its maiden voyage very soon.

Take a look at this short video to see the bench test. My 7 year old daughter was at the helm while I was operating the camera. She's very excited to pilot the Bennett and Haggard during their maiden voyages, but I'm not sure if she's ready for that just yet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyD3A3Xmga4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXqPeRqNZ4g

As an added bonus, the DD-555 was bench tested the same day. Both of my Fletcher's are in the same stages of completion. Maybe they will have their maiden voyage the same day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMpe6Fjom4U

As always, check back soon for more on the USS Bennett DD-473!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roger DD-555/DD-473

Hi Everyone,
Its hard to believe that its been more than 2 years since I've posted anything here about my USS Bennett. As with my DD-555 USS Haggard build, this build has been moved to the RC Groups Scale Boats page. I combined both the DD-555 and DD-473 into one build thread.

The plan is to build the same parts on each ship one after the other. That way they'll both get finished and working on one will give idea's for the other. As I mentioned in my DD-555 build here, uploading photos to RC Groups is so much easier than at this site. All you have to do is drag and drop your images from your computer into the comment your posting. Its very simple and you can also add captions to each photo as well.

I haven't done a lot on the DD-473 lately. The last thing I built for it was the ECM Mast and it came out great and I made one for my Bro Jerry for his 1/96 scale DD-661 USS Kidd.

Here's the link to the continuation of my DD's, the last few pages cover the ECM Masts I built: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2364571

The build thread title doesn't mention the DD-473 but it has become a thread for both of the DD's I'm building. I guess I should edit the title if its possible. Anyway, thanks for everyone that's commented on my DD-473 build. I appreciate it very much and I have to say that I've learned so much from this site. I'll be back now and then to check up on what happening here.

Cheers!!!
Roger DD-473 (DD-555)!!!