Topic: Choupette (Read 31857 times)

Aeronut4 · « **Reply #75 on:** February 26, 2011, 05:55:42 pm »

Sandy - Boiler delivery is now promised 'mid-March', but I'm think it'll probably be near the end of the month before I see it. The interior work looks good so far - have you considered building some sort of cover over the prop shaft and coupling?

kno3 - The regulator on the Venus is that round brass 'lump' at the top, so I'm guessing it is a disc type. I'll consider doing what you said, but I'm slightly reluctant to dismantle the engine in case it needs to be returned at any time.

Sandy · « **Reply #76 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:48:57 pm »

It may be finished ....

A bit more varnishing, another couple of figures (anyone now where I can get someone to stand at the wheel?), some little bits and bobs.

The deckhouse looks a bit untilitarian (at least in comparison with a nice brass steam engine) and should maybe have been more curved (top), and it could proabably do with some fittings and stuff on the deck, but ...

Connected up the radio gear. Rudder needs more throw, and then the new motor would barely turn the prop. Being a first attempt at electrics, hot foot it to Paisley Model Centre where a flat battery was diagnosed, despite the charger saying it was 'charged'. Thanks to them for the re-assurance and assistance over the weeks.

So, battery back on the charger, rudder adjusted ... and, when these gales pass, maybe a chance to try it on Saturday or Sunday.

Quite chuffed.

All the best

Aeronut4 · « **Reply #77 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:06:33 pm »

Nice! Well done on getting it 'finished'! You could always fabricate some sort of dummy steam engine and boiler, if that's what you wanted. I have to say that I feel your figure looks a bit on the small side, but I guess that's probably down to the picture I have in my mind's eye of the dimensions of a full-sized one, if it existed. I bought a figure for mine from Ebay that's 6" tall - see pic - when in my Choupette, even that looks a bit too small to me (and wifey agrees!), so now I'm hunting for a suitable figure that's around 7" tall. I note that your model doesn't have a name - surely every boat has to have a name? If you'd like a decal for yours, then please PM me and I'll see what we can do.

Sandy · « **Reply #78 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:32:58 pm »

The figure is, supposedly, 1/12th scale and, although sitting, does work out to be about 6 inch tall.

I wasn't sure of the 'scale' of the Choupette, but at about 38 inches in length, I sort of assumed that a steam launch would be 38 or so feet long.

Without getting weird about it, if you stand a six inch figure on the upper deck, it does look about 'right'.

Hmm, I do have a Neo figure from the Matrix in the loft, plus a Mad Max and Warrior Woman ... (don't ask), so it could become the last of the V8 Interceptor steam launches .... pray that he's out there.

All the best

Aeronut4 · « **Reply #79 on:** March 11, 2011, 09:14:10 am »

Yes, very difficult to estimate the correct scale when there's no fullsize. I've looked at what must be hundreds of photos of steam launches over the past few months and had 'guesstimated' length at around 30 feet, which makes it around 1/10 scale. Neo, Mad Max? You'll have to add some sci-fi touches if you're going to use those! I'd found a figure of Arnie as Terminator, but I can't find out if it's articulated or not. Going to Toys-R-Us later today, so will let you know if I find anything. Do let me know if you'd like a name decal for yours.

Sandy · « **Reply #80 on:** March 11, 2011, 01:12:31 pm »

Sorry, I forgot about the name decal. We haven't decided yet, although we are actually partial to Choupette, or changing it slightly to Choupetta.

Good luck in Toys'r

ATB
Sandy

Aeronut4 · « **Reply #81 on:** March 12, 2011, 01:27:05 pm »

Not a terribly productive search in Toys-r-Us yesterday. The only figure about the 'right' height that I could find was in some show jumping accessory set, comprising two female dolls and some relevant extras for £9.95. I did buy a set, figuring that, if all else failed, they could end up as passengers. Here's a picture of one, 'sitting' in my boat and I have to say that she looks a bit too big! This is more frustrating than building the whole of the rest of the boat and it's beginning to annoy me! I'm currently building the seating at the rear, so will wait until that's completed before I do anything further regarding figures. I've also attached a photo of the bow of my boat, showing the name decal, just to give you an idea.

Sandy · « **Reply #82 on:** March 13, 2011, 07:16:03 pm »

It floats .... it sails (okay, motors).

Bath tests made it looks like it was going to be a 'Miss America', but, while it is way too fast for 'scale' it isn't outrageously fast, and, while, as you can see, it wasn't windy or choppy, it does 'ride' well and stays pretty dry.

Some figures, a couple of bits and bobs and ,well, on to something else.

Thanks to PMC and the Richmond guys for all their help, encouragement and advice today and earlier.

Not finalised the name yet

pioneer · « **Reply #83 on:** March 13, 2011, 08:24:51 pm »

Hi Sandy

Beautiful work! She looks the part stretching her legs in open water.

Somehow I had missed this thread, been catching up with it now though.

Regards

Andrew

Sandy · « **Reply #84 on:** March 13, 2011, 11:42:35 pm »

Thanks, Andrew,

I was all set to head up to Rouken Glen on Saturday, but the snow and 0C put me off a bit.

I am away next weekend but, hopefully, I will try and get up towards the end of March.

Any progress on the Caledonia?

All the best

brianc · « **Reply #85 on:** March 14, 2011, 12:05:31 am »

You`ve made a beautiful job of her Sandy and she looked the dogs do da`s on the water today

Looking forward to your next project,it should be really interesting

pioneer · « **Reply #86 on:** March 14, 2011, 12:06:44 am »

Hi Sandy

Yes I'm afraid the weather put me off too! Caledonia coming along nicely thanks. Have just fitted bilge keels to her and hope to resin them finally in place tomorrow.

( off on leave for a week so time available

)

Have been working on the lifeboat davits too, still lots to do though.....

Hope to catch up soon.

Regards

Andrew

Aeronut4 · « **Reply #87 on:** March 14, 2011, 06:53:10 pm »

Sandy - well done on being first on the water, it looks great! It does look a bit empty though, perhaps you could help reduce my ever-growing collection of dolls!

Sandy · « **Reply #88 on:** March 15, 2011, 05:45:39 pm »

The figure thing is bursting my head. Can't decide if period or contemporary.

Mad Max and Neo is starting to look very appealing.

Saves money and give the olde Choup an 'edginess'.

Sandy · « **Reply #89 on:** March 20, 2011, 04:06:25 pm »

Sailing today with people aboard.

Aeronut4 · « **Reply #90 on:** March 20, 2011, 04:54:04 pm »

That looks a lot better! I still can't decide if they look a bit small or not. Where did you get the figures? I see you've added a mast - all you need now is a flag or pennant to fly from it!

Sandy · « **Reply #91 on:** March 20, 2011, 05:33:55 pm »

I got them from the local model shop where I have bought most of my wood and hardware from.

They have quite a large dolls house section and sell these 1/12th figures. £4.95 each, 50p for the dog. I did not want to spend a lot on them, and £15 odd so far is quite a bit. But a young child today spotted the wee dog, so that makes it worthwhile I think. I maybe need one more for the front. There was talk of a young bikini'd lady, but, it is Scotland after all. Fully Souwestered more probably.

I agree on the size. They are just 'off' being correct, but the boat doesn't have the bulk of the boiler or funnel or canopy (in fact, that is why the mast was added, to give it some vertical bulk) so the figures sort of work ... just.

I was planning a pennant ( for the 'bulk') but printing online pages from Model Boats magazine has emptied the colour cartridge.

It was a bit windier today, and there was a couple of times a fast little fire boat was out and about creating quite a wake (faintly visible in some photos) but the Choup remained stable and dry as best I could tell. Inadvertently nudging the throttle lever to full astern is not a good idea though. Some water came in the servo steering arm slot.

Due to the electric motor at full chat it was quite a bit of cavitation and, it turns much better one way than the other, probably due to propeller handedness.

However, all in all, very happy with it. Cheers for the support, and we are looking forward to seeing yours on the water ... no doubt swiftly followed by calls for our Choup to go steam

It does need some brass fittings, cleats and stuff, but I am loathe to drill holes in the nice deck.

Aeronut4 · « **Reply #92 on:** March 21, 2011, 06:40:33 pm »

OK on the figures - £4.50 each isn't too bad and 50p for the dog is a bargain! The boiler arrived today, that was the last piece of the 'puzzle that I was waiting for, so now I'm all out to get it installed and working. I'm planning a visit to central London shortly, so will be scouring any toy shops I can find! Don't forget to let me know when you've decided on a name.

Aeronut4 · « **Reply #93 on:** April 14, 2011, 01:20:16 pm »

Time for an update! I've been slaving away, trying to get the boat completed, now that the better weather is here - results shown below. All that's left to do is build a crate or two to cover the throttle and whistle servos. Maiden voyage (bath doesn't count!) is set for an afternoon next week when my official photographer (wifey) is free. It's taken a while and it's not up to the standards of some others on here, but it's all my own work! I'll post some more pics after the maiden.

kno3 · « **Reply #94 on:** April 14, 2011, 01:49:33 pm »

Looks just great, and judging by the hull lines, it could be a pretty fast boat too.

pugwash · « **Reply #95 on:** April 14, 2011, 04:07:22 pm »

It looks very elegant and should look great on the water.

Geoff

Sandy · « **Reply #96 on:** April 14, 2011, 11:37:15 pm »

Brilliant ! That looks great. Looking forward to sailing photos.

Aeronut4 · « **Reply #97 on:** April 15, 2011, 05:57:06 pm »

Thanks chaps! Watch this space!

Aeronut4 · « **Reply #98 on:** April 19, 2011, 06:47:21 pm »

It was a lovely day for the maiden voyage - hardly a ripple on the lake! The boiler seemed to run out of steam after a couple of minutes, so I need to resolve that. The turning circle could have been better, so I may need to make a larger rudder. Otherwise, very happy! I took a bit of video as well (or rather, wifey did) so I'll post a link to that when I've got it all edited and uploaded.

kno3 · « **Reply #99 on:** April 20, 2011, 10:05:13 am »

Very nice. But... where's the video?

News:

Author Topic: Choupette (Read 31857 times)

Aeronut4

Sandy

Aeronut4

Sandy

Aeronut4

Sandy

Aeronut4

Sandy

pioneer

Sandy

brianc

pioneer

Aeronut4

Sandy

Sandy

Aeronut4

Sandy

Aeronut4

Aeronut4

kno3

pugwash

Sandy

Aeronut4

Aeronut4

kno3