Higgins P T hellcat

this is my first winter project from the june 2008 model boats free plan. the P.T. Hellcat.
i wanted some thing i could do on the kitchen table as the garage is now to cold, this build i have used balsa and ply ,the skins are 1/16 th and ply is 2 mm the stem is 1/4 inch for strength. i sarted with cutting out frames then glueing together with P.V.A. wood glue

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the next stage was to cut out all frames in balsa and assemble together with P.V.A.. once this was done and dry I started planking with balsa, I am using 1/16 thick as I had this in stock. once I had fixed one layer I then fixed second to add strength as it should have been done with 1/8 thickness. when this has dryed it will need rubbing down. that will be tomorrow. once rubbed down I will use some tissue paper and coat with resin for more strength. than I will leave a few days to harden before I do any more, so that's it for now.








more photos to follow later

david

this part is the start of fixing of  the chine in balsa to second layer.

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this is it for a few days

david

Nice build David 

It's coming along nicely David

today I have coated all balsa out side, with fiberglass tissue and given 1 coat of resin. you cant tell on photo, i also fitted rudder which is ready made which I had, I am waiting for prop shaft to arrive from cornwall models this will be 10 inches long. tried all electrics to se where it would all go and servo all seems ok .

That should be strong and light David

Barrie

hi all,

not been doing much lately but have fixed the rudder in place which I had already so used it up.






that's it for now

david

today I have fitted the prop shaft which I bought from cornwall models, came very fast good supplyers . I have also put the prop on size 45mm x m4 which was in my stock gear, will try this first, the magazine build recommends it. then I fitted the servo which I also had I used some brass rod 1.5mm I find it works ok.you might be getting the idea I am using up all my stock, you are right. I have bought stuff from showa for builds like this but had no plans at time.









this is the servo fitted



next is the deck fittings

david

Getting there David

I've been doing similar things myself

Hi David - that's an interesting servo mount. Is it home made? I usually struggle to mount my servos.

Barrie

hi barrie,

it is a simple box, made from ply glued together with super glue and clamps, you can make them thicker than mine but I find these work ok, fix in position by screws or two pack resin. I have done diagram for any new comers to building boats. I build all my boats with this method, and they can fit where you want  them








the open end is for servo cable to feed through to where you want. hope this helps others

david

Thanks David - a neat solution. Lately I have been using the miniature servos which save money & space and seem to have sufficient power for most models, including my fast ones.

Barrie

I to have been using the micro ones, just bought 4 for future builds.

david

today I made the torpedo holders from plasticard.







nothing else done today.

david

today I have spent making the deck cabin from square balsa,all stuck together with p.v.a. glue, then rubbed down to the desired shape. all the deck hatches were made from plasticard and resin to fix into place.



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well that's it for today more tomorrow

david

Progress is progress David, some jobs just take longer than you think, my friend John says "a little each day gets the job done" and how true it is.

this weekend I have made the torpedos on my mini lathe, I used 15mm dowel turned to shape with wood chisel e then smoothed of with sand paper.












the tail fins were made from plasticard super glued in place, and have turned out ok . the painting is the next big job, and the metal work for masts and the guns so plenty to do.


david

Hi David,

good to see you are near the painting stage

Torpedo's look good, nice lathe, what is the working length  I have been looking at lathes for various projects and this looks a neat little set  up. 

David - I thought you said this was your Winter project. At this rate it will be finished before the snow comes

Looking good

Barrie

hi barrie,

it is supposed to be  a winter job  cant stop , I keep saying I will have to move some of my boats on like you do at auction, I have far to many now don't no if I dare build any more. even the kids are worried what to do with them when I pass away, I say they can burn me at sea on them. but love building them to much  .


david

hi paul,

the torpedo tubes are just about as big as I could go, about 8 inches but I find it does what I want, I don't use it enough I was supposed to be making couplings but keep purchasing them instead. I wouldn't be with out it though.

david

today I have made the gun turit frame work from 1,5mm copper wire soft soldered. and also made the radar frame, from plasticard and 1,5mm copper wire.







david

past few days I have made the machine guns and 1 cannon from plasticard and copper wire,





that's the 1 cannon  made

now the machine guns









well that's the guns sorted.  still painting but have decided I don't like grey boats, they look very dull to me, I like to see some colour so I think I will avoid navel boats from now on.

david

davidjt wrote:

  still painting but have decided I don't like grey boats, they look very dull to me, I like to see some colour so I think I will avoid navel boats from now on.

david

I agree with you David. I've no interest at all in warships. There are three in my 'fleet', but they two are RAF boats, and third is an auxiliary, so none are grey

The guns look very good - if you like that sort of thing

Barrie

I like the armoury David, especially the cannon

well that is my build finished i cant say I am thrilled with it  but there we are.i don't no what I will do next, as I have been told no more till I get rid of some of my fleet . I must say that this build didn't last long enough, I prefer to do plank on frame builds with more detail.





there we are build complete waiting for sping now to sail it as it is now to cold and windy here.

david

Looking good David can't you sneak another in without the management knowing I don't have that problem, Barney doesn't mind what I get up to as long as he gets his daily walks he's a black Labrador

Very nice David. I know the problem of builds that don't last long enough I don't think that is going to be a problem with this one. Trying to decipher Deans' contradictory instructions ensures a slow build

Barrie