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[ChrisF]

I'd add mine as well, but it's not an Aerokits!   


It does have some DNA though as I did use the drawing as a basis.


Chris

[zooma]

I'd add mine as well, but it's not an Aerokits!   

It does have some DNA though as I did use the drawing as a basis.

Chris

Yours is a 1/12 scale Swordsman that is based on the Aerokits Swordsman drawings.  The Swordsman that I am building from scratch was based on the Aerokits Swordsman too - so I guess they both share the same DNA?


Both look remarkably like an Aerokits Swordsman and share exactly the same profiles. 

[ChrisF]

Yeah, pretty close Bob, though I did change the shape of the coamings where they meet the deck to suit the raised rear cabin.


Chris

[zooma]

I have l neglected this 3/4 built project far too long and it really does deserve to be finished and performing in the water rather than gathering dust in my workshop (shed).


Why I have left this particular build so long is a mystery as it always has been my (first love) all-time favourite r/c model power boat…..but the Rapier that I restored performed so much better than expected- and then I took up the challenge of making a Sea Commander from a pair of part complete (delaminated) cabin sides that I was given…and then restored a Javelin (a Rapier without the cabin cruiser top), and …… the list goes on and on …..


With the Sea Commander now performing well each week I need to stop taking on any more restoration or new builds and finish off some of those that I have already started and left unfinished.


As the Javelin is so close to being finished, perhaps I should finish that one next, but then get one of the two Swordsman that I have part-build finished and in the water (where they will give me a lot more fun than they do in my workshop (shed)……..

[ChrisF]

Yeah, it's so easy to get distracted by other builds, which is why I have 7 Fairey builds at various stages of completion!

Funnily enough, as I'd got the paint brushes out for one of my recent builds, a few days ago I moved the Swordsman into the workroom so I could start getting some paint on the hull and take it for lake trials. Before that though I needed to rectify a couple of small lengths of strake that hadn't glued properly. I used triangular section plastic and on this and other builds used canopy glue to fix to the Eze-Kote coated hull which in the main has worked well.

I've managed to get some more glue under the strake, but despite taping it in place, success is evading me so far. Will have another go by scaping the old glue out but it is a little frustrating. I did a test piece originally using various glues and the canopy glue was the best. Might have to try something different though if I still can't get it to stick.

Compared to my other builds this one is getting to be a heavy old beast! Not a problem though as these hull types are very buoyant and I always think a bit of weight helps the boat sit well on the water, doesn't bob around as much and turns well.

Chris

[zooma]

I cut my own strakes from square section wood on my bandsaw Chris and the technique has been detailed on my various build logs on Mayhem.


This same technique was used on my Rapier and my copy Sea Commander and both have been used a fair bit now and are still secure (hope that is not the kiss of death!) - the Rapier in particular has clocked up hundreds of hours of "spirited" use!


All of the strakes that I have fitted (on several of my models now) have just been super-glued on with no additional mechanical fix (such as brass nails) as they are wood glued onto wood and have bonded well.


Although it is only the two above mentioned boats that have actually been in the water, all the others have been glued onto various hulls for at least as long as yours have and kept in my workshop (shed) for as long as yours has - and none of them have come unstuck so it is looking like a god secure method and choice of material.


You have a really good bandsaw, so it could be worth considering making some from square strip.  Once you have mastered the technique I am sure you will always use it in the future as splitting the square section wood makes two strakes per strip...........with NO WASTE. !