Hi all
I thought I would add a few more pictures of the build so far.
The white metal rudder came out of the box bent. I straightened it as best I could, and epoxied a brass tube over the stock to add a bit of strength, but it still seemed too weak at the bend above the rudder blade. In an attempt to soften the glue and remove the brass tube, there was a loud 'pop' and I was showered with molten metal!
My wife was not impressed as we watched TV, with me picking the now hardened shards from my clothes with tweezers.
I was always worried that the kit rudder, although it looks great, could not be easily removed once fitted, so a new rudder was needed.
I wanted the new rudder to look like the kit version, so I used that as a template. A brass blade was shaped, then soldered and pinned/riveted into 4mm brass rod, top and bottom. The blade was then coated with JB Waterweld and filed to an aerofoil section.
Support for the new rudder was provided by a tube with two turned brass bearings, ( like a very short stern tube ), the uppermost bearing having a recess for a rubber 'O' ring. I also wanted to support the bottom end of the rudder so the cast white metal frame was modified by removing it's 'hinges', and a removable brass rudder bearing made.
Foremast has been made in a quiet moment, from brass tubes soldered together with the joints hidden by the mast hardware. I have extended the bottom end to allow fixing at the keel for strength.
Superstructure coamings have been fixed.
That's all for now.
Les