Topic: HMS GURKHA Build

[mikearace]

Out of interest you might like to know that there is a type 12 brass etch sheet available for type 12 frigates.  Now I know this is an 81 but it has details on that are common such as limbo handling room projectile doors etc as well as under water bilge inlet covers etc etc.  Very good detail.

[StuartMH]

Going backwards again. Now I have to relearn how to air brush.  The hull was washed, wet and dry sanded, washed again then wiped down with Meths.  The Acrylic paint and thinners was mixed 50/50.  Anyone know how many of the small Humbrol paint pots it should take to paint the hull ?

[colin]

personally I would not thin the paint down to 50/50.. more along the lines of 70/30..  but then again I do not thin my Humbrol paint down, I use a paint brush straight out of the Humbrol enamel paint tin.. to do the Hull of my Lis Terkol I used 2 tins..  to do the hull of my inflexible I used 3 tins..

mind you I have not used Acrylic paint yet..!

hope this might help.. 

[swiftdoc]

For Tamiya acrylic paint I use a ratio of 80/20 for airbrushing. Make a test using a toothpick: the drops of paint should come off like a drop of milk. Enamel paint such as Humbrol needs a bit more thinners; I use them for satin black with a ratio of about 60/40 in my airbrush. Hope this helps

[StuartMH]

Well I have gone and done it. I have now cut the hole in the transom and deck to fit the sonar well.  Now to fit the well assembly all I have to do is, Fit the deck, after I fit the rudders, only after I paint the hull, once fix the air bush.  Simple. 

[mikearace]

The rudders/tiller arms will be accessible?

[StuartMH]

No I don't think I will be able to make that work. I would need to make the well,gantry and part of the deck removable,a lot of ways for me to mess it up and lot of places for water to get in. I think I will  stick to gluing the whole thing down tight. This means getting it right first time.

Speaking of getting things right what is the opinion on battery charging?  A charging socket on the boat or just remove them to charge?

[Tjorven]

As an electrician myself I would suggest remove them because they can get hot. Very hot if something goes wrong with the charger or the batteries. Wouldn't be the first batteries I saw bursting out in flames.
But if you have enough cooling on the boat (either natural flow or forced flow) during charging I don't see a big problem.

Mine are removable.

[colin]

I have both versions on my boats...   I would say it depends on the type of battery. .
My lead acid batteries I leave in the boat and charge them..
As for lipos an nicads I would remove them to charge..

[StuartMH]

Hi there, Sorry but Summer got in the way.  I have started doing bits to the boat and a photo of progress in included.  At this point I have a question, Any suggestions on how the gantry was raised into position for lowering ?  The photos I have are not from the best angle and blown up too far play space invaders.  I assume there's is a ram  on the Fwd end of the well that pushes the gantry up but I can't see it.

I will keep working and see how I get on.

Stuart

[StuartMH]

Hi there, I have not given up but am forced to admit my skill level is not up to standard.  I see faults in the pictures I did not see with my eyes. One of the problems was that all my measurements for the sonar gear were guestimates and I now appreciate the proportions are wrong, but I will press on and hope it looks OK on the water.
However if anyone knows about these things I would appreciate any advice on how to produce the fairing for the dive cable, its all curves and I am not sure I am that good.

[StuartMH]

Well I make progress. Its not quite right but Im not doing it again.