Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boating => Topic started by: Patrick Henry on April 16, 2010, 03:21:48 pm
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Any of you fellas know anything about air boats? I'm building one as a bit of light relief from the Enterprise, it's 18" x 8", made entirely from styrene sheet, something like the one in the attached image. I'm wondering what motor would be best for it and what cells I need?
I have either a Tamiya 540 with a 7.2 volt 3800a/h nicad pack, or a 380 with a 9.6 volt 1000a/h pack(this one is made up of AA sized cells)...any ideas as to which one to use?
One more question...what prop size do I get, and do I get a 2 blade or a 3 blade?
Ta,
Rich
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This has a similar requirement to a hovercraft I built. I went brushless (Over-tec Bluebell Medium). Forward only ESC are inexpensive and you don't need reverse. A 6x5 prop would probably do the job. My hovercraft has a 6.5x5 prop (cut down from a 7") and it has to do the job of lifting the craft and propelling it which it does comfortably from a 7.2v NiMh battery pack.
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I'd go for the 540, I'm using a 380 on a 10"x7"
I have a suitable prop for a 540 if you resend me your address. You'll need a prop adaptor.
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Ah, right Des, that's a good start point. I don't want to go brushless, it's something to play with on the small lake whilst I carry on with Enterprise, so a basic set up I'll be happy with.
Ok..so, the 540, six cells and just a micro switch for on/off then, you reckon?
Rich
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I'd go for the 540, I'm using a 380 on a 10"x7"
I have a suitable prop for a 540 if you resend me your address. You'll need a prop adaptor.
Great Andy, thanks for that...I'll pm you my ad.
Thanks again...
Rich
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It's a 6x6 prop, you get the prop much closer down to the hull thus reducing CoG, plus the huge pitch makes it go wheeeee...............
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Wheee? I worry about you, I really do...
Here's a pic of the beast so far...
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{-)
Looks good, that
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Here is a design I did last year, it works well,
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18260.0
Ian
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That's the one I read about Ian, and that's what mine is based upon %) (hope you don't mind)
I'm hoping it'll be a bit of fun to play about with, just hope the 540 and six cells will enough to make it move without making it too heavy.
Rich
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If not, I've got some Li-pos for sale ;)
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Hi,
If I have posted the right Photo then it is my latest Air Boat made of Styrene built around the Action Man.
Please put a gaurd around the Prop.
Len.
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If not, I've got some Li-pos for sale ;)
Thanks Andy, might take you up on that offer...got a charger as well?
Hi,
If I have posted the right Photo then it is my latest Air Boat made of Styrene built around the Action Man.
Please put a gaurd around the Prop.
Len.
Len, that looks terrific mate...I'll put a prop guard on, fear not. I bought some brass wire especially for the job.
Rich
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Sorry that was my 1st one.
Fingers crossed 2 Photos of Action Skimmer with Speed 600 motor.
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Via email to Mayhem....
Hi Martin
Just finished my model of a Florida swamp boat, all in 1/8th plywood, motor is Emax 2815/9 with 80 amp brushless ESC, this is powered by a 11.1v Lipo battery.
The prop is a 9 x 6 fast electric and is protected by a desk fan guard.
My first rough prototype was insane and I couldn't use more than 1/3rd throttle because it wanted to become a plane and take to the skies. I therefore made this model slightly heavier and placed running strakes on the underside of the hull.
Plans for this model can be downloaded for free from www.cajungatorairboats.com (http://www.cajungatorairboats.com)
I really enjoy Mayhem and the forums have been a great help in my previous builds.
Thanks for all the work you do on Mayhem
Regards
Alan
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Even better...I never thought there would be this level of interest in airboats, it's quite surprising. What cells do you have in that second one, Len?
Rich
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Hello Rich
If you do a search for Somesay on the forum you'll see my attempt at an airboat with a link to utube for it's maiden voyage on the boating lake at Alexandra park Hastings very lively with brushless motor and lipo's.
Dave
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Just tried a search Dave, nothing comes up?
Here's mine so far...top cut out roughly and radio hatch marked out.
Rich
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That's the one I read about Ian, and that's what mine is based upon %) (hope you don't mind)
I'm hoping it'll be a bit of fun to play about with, just hope the 540 and six cells will enough to make it move without making it too heavy.
Rich
Course I dont mind, thats why I posted it - they are great fun....
Now, about royalties............ %%
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Youi might like to read the thread at http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1989.msg21169;topicseen#msg21169
Saves me repeating all my previous photos and descriptions ;)
Don B.
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Don, I read that one earlier, full of information...many thanks for that.
Ian...hmm, royalties, eh? Five bob and bent washer?
Radio hatch cut out, now for some sanding and filling.
Rich
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I've noticed that on a lot of airboats the rudder servo is mounted externally...is there a reason why? I was going to mount mine inside the hull and run the linkage out through a rubber bellow to the rudders...is that going to be ok?
Rich
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I would never entrust a servo to the open air. Plus water will most likely find its way down the sides and into the hull.
Anyone got plans for an airboat big enough for a 23cc Zenoah?
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Getting worried now...what sort of all up weight should I be looking at?
Rich
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Not too light, with weight as low down as possible, thats why I sent the prop I did.
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I'll try and borrow my neighbours scales tomorrow and weigh it...
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Having built one myself, I'd say you don't want all the weight too low: you want it to heel out of the corner so that the sharp fwd chine digs in, and the round bilge aft can skid round to give fast tight turns. If you want to see the proper bottom shape for these things look at the gallery on Canadian-airboats.com.
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Will do...thanks for that.
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Even better...I never thought there would be this level of interest in airboats, it's quite surprising. What cells do you have in that second one, Len?
Rich
7.2v 3300 nicads.
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Getting worried now...what sort of all up weight should I be looking at?
Rich
Dont get hung up on weight, if its heavy enough its an Air Boat if its too light its a PLANE!!
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I would never entrust a servo to the open air. Plus water will most likely find its way down the sides and into the hull.
Anyone got plans for an airboat big enough for a 23cc Zenoah?
These Airboat dont get that wet so servos in mine are ok and in the small one the drivers arm works with the turn of the servo.
Re plan, If it looks right it is, mine I made up as I went along.
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I have had no problem with the servo set up on the deck, mind you, I sealed everything with silicone sealant. :-))
Re plan for a zenoah, just scale up existing dimensions until it looks right, and as Big Ada says, it will be right! These things arent critical.
One of our club members turned his over and drove it back to the shore upside down, it was ok once dried out.
Ian
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I doubt that'll work with something that needs air to work ;)
I've had this Zen aero engine sitting staring at me for some time now. It'll need a new carb and prop assembly, but they're cheap enough. Problem is I'll need to make the hull stable enough to fit the engine high enough to swing a 17" prop...
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Thanks guys, much appreciated...I'll crack on with mine later, trying to get Enterprise operational and into full battle readiness for tomorrow.
Rich
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It's not necessary to put the radio gear in a watertight box, is it? My hatch cover will be taped down and will sit on an internal coaming, so it should as waterproof as possible...I notice a lot of you guys haven't used a separate box.
Rich
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Airboat so far...
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You'll be needing one of these:
http://www.overlander.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=2439&category_id=188&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53&vmcchk=1&Itemid=53
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Thanks Andy...good man.
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It's not necessary to put the radio gear in a watertight box, is it?
Rich, not absolutely, no. But I have seen good examples of watertight boxes fabricated from Tupperwear containers and suchlike (read dirt cheap) if you find that your ship is indeed taking on water.
Or, for the sake of a couple quid, pop down to your local electrical supplier (CEF, Wilks, etc) and try one of their plastic enclosures, preferably one with an IP rating suitable for all weather conditions, such as this, perhaps...
http://www.cefonline.co.uk/catalogue/product/11934/43562/plastic_enclosure_150x110x70
Good luck with the build. It's looking pretty damn sleek thus far.
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:-)) U33...from the photographs I see you drink Nescafe 43 Beans coffee..... {-) :o...but what brand of margarine do you have on toast? %) ...Derek
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Rich,
I think you may need a bigger rudder than that, mine is about the same length as the prop diameter. Not sure if its a characteristic with these things or if mine just does it, but it turns much better in one direction than the other, probably due to the prop rotation direction?
Ian
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Rich, not absolutely, no. But I have seen good examples of watertight boxes fabricated from Tupperwear containers and suchlike (read dirt cheap) if you find that your ship is indeed taking on water.
Or, for the sake of a couple quid, pop down to your local electrical supplier (CEF, Wilks, etc) and try one of their plastic enclosures, preferably one with an IP rating suitable for all weather conditions, such as this, perhaps...
http://www.cefonline.co.uk/catalogue/product/11934/43562/plastic_enclosure_150x110x70
Good luck with the build. It's looking pretty damn sleek thus far.
Thanks PMK old chum...our workshop uses those self same boxes for putting electronic 'stuff' in on the back end of a dustcart, so I'll be checking the stores for a supply of those on Monday morning... ;)
:-)) U33...from the photographs I see you drink Nescafe 43 Beans coffee..... {-) :o...but what brand of margarine do you have on toast? %) ...Derek
Derek, you jump to the wrong conclusion...the coffee jar contains the genuine USN paint for the Enterprise, but I admit to buying Flora for my toast(other brands are available...) %)
Rich,
I think you may need a bigger rudder than that, mine is about the same length as the prop diameter. Not sure if its a characteristic with these things or if mine just does it, but it turns much better in one direction than the other, probably due to the prop rotation direction? Ian
Ok Ian, thanks for the timely warning, the blade on this one is only held on with tape at the mo, just so as I could get a picture of what goes where. I think Andyn said the prop he's sending me is a 6"x4", so I'll make up a bigger rudder today.
Thank you gentlemen, very informative replies...
Rich
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Another question chaps, if you please...what's favourite and why, pusher prop or puller prop set up?
Rich
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Another box to look at Rich are the ones sold for foodstuffs and have a snap down flap on each of the four sides. They also have a silicone rubber O-ring as a seal under the lid.
As far as prop type, mechanically a puller is also a pusher? But it's better to mount it so that the airflow is directed backwards OVER the air rudders. If it's mounted in front of the motor, it also assists in cooling.
Regards Ian.
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I have one of those boxes Ian, tried it earlier...it's about 1/2" too flippin' deep!! >>:-(
Right, got the point about prop mounting, thanks for that.
Rich
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Another question chaps, if you please...what's favourite and why, pusher prop or puller prop?
Puller, as Ian has said you get cooling, but also with the prop adaptor its less likely to undo itself and sling the prop.
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Hate to say this but a pusher prop is not a puller (tractor prop to give it it's real name) you can use a trctor prop as a pusher by putting it on backwards but it won't be as efficeint as a true pusher prop, just ask any flyer.
Having said that airboats are great fun we run a couple at our lake in guildford, and sometimes their very hairy!
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Look, you're confusing me now! :o Put it in English...prop facing the bows, or prop facing the stern?
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presuming your using a standard aircraft prop (tractor) facing the bows would be best, and as has been said will also cool the motor.
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Cheers me dear...that's a bit of luck then, 'cos that's the way I'd set the motor mount up!
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Tractor / pusher ? it really doesn't make that much difference as long as it supplies thrust in the correct direction does it?
Might make a difeerence to an airplane, an airboat? nahh!
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Hate to say this but a pusher prop is not a puller
Sorry guys, it is when fastened to a leccy motor. Reversing the direction of rotation on a PROPPER engine is difficult, Red and Black on toy propulsion motor :-)) {-)
Regards Ian.
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Well, we'll soon know...the prop arrived this morning, so once it's attached and the tx arrives, I'll switch it all on and see what happens. %)
Rich
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don't want to offend you circlip, but if you must qoute someone please use the full qoute.
as i stated " a tractor prop can be used as a puller by putting it on backwards, but it won't be as efficient" when your talking small capacity batteries every little bit of current compsumption saved helps.
and as i said a pusher prop is not a puller, ask a flyer.
sorry to semi hi-jack your thread U33, I wish you every success with your airboat, and have hours of fun with it.
As was said to me the other day.
"A man doesn't stop playing because he grows old, a man grows old because he stops playing."
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No problem, Mr Bear...thank you, all of you, for your valuable input into my airboat project. Thanks to Andyn for the prop and the links to various bits, and thanks to Martin for his valuable server space.
Rich
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All this talk about getting the inards wet, checkout the phots above somewhere of my Action Skimmer, nothing is sealed and nothing gets wet, even the Hatch is not sealed.
Len.
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No offense taken Hollowhornbear, but the only time a tractor or pusher blade is important is when fastened to an I/C engine. If the prop is in front of the engine in direction of travel then a tractor type is required, if behind then a pusher type is required. This is because when viewed on the drive end of the engine, the rotation of the crankshaft is anti-clockwise so if using an I/C engine, yes it's important.
Looking at Richs' airboat, he's using an electric motor so a standard TRACTOR type prop can be used in BOTH cases. If the motor is behind the prop, anti-clock looking on the shaft end. If the motor is infront of the prop, CLOCK looking at the shaft end. the prop is mounted the same way round with respect to the front of the boat, the leading edge of the prop, (Blunt edge) to the front. So in this context the Quote I highlighted is the only part neccessary.
Regards Ian.
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I've tried the airboat in the bath and the attached pic shows the waterline as it is at the moment...note this minus the esc and the battery pack. What do you think guys...ok, or not?
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Looks good to me
Make sure you keep it so you can put the battery pack anywhere along the hull, thats the mistake I made on mine.
If you keep that prop like that it'll move forward faster than the boat ;)
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Cheers Andy, as soon as the adaptor arrives I can give it trial run...there's a fair amount of space for the battery to sit whilst I experiment with positioning of it.
Rich
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Airboat progress so far...
Almost ready for painting now, the battery pack and esc should be here tomorrow, just looking for a volunteer to drive it...my Action Man(no, not THAT Action M@n!!)turned down the job on Health and Safety grounds, saying he was too big... <*<
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Hi Rich,
Looking good mate, if I could make a suggestion, I would make the Rudder as tall as the prop, if you look at my Air Boats you will see that I have Twin Rudders as tall as the Prop and it will turn nearly in its own length.
Regards.
Len.
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Yup, I'm already working on a taller rudder Len, I knew I'd c*cked up when I made that one. I'm on thecase mate...thanks very much for the reminder.
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And then if youreally want it to turn well, cut a triangle out of each lower corner of the transom and fair it forward to about half the length of the chine. Then the high rudder will bank the hull and the stern can slip round while the front of the chine digs in. The top of the rudder often has a greater chord than the bottom, too.
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Hadn't thought of that one...that's certainly one to play with.
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Just connected everything up, rudder throw perfect, balance not bad, little bit of tittivating needed but nothing drastic, then gave the motor a twitch....all looked good, so went to half throttle...all looking good, so went to full power. Ye Gods...everything around my building desk disappeared into a huge whirlwind and the airboat was doing it's best to climb up the wall!!
But did I panic? Yes I did!!!!
Thank you gentlemen, for all your assistance and comments over the last couple of weeks, it's all much appreciated. Next step is to get down to the lake with it...I can't wait!!
Cheers guys...
Rich
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Told ya that prop was good ;) I definately want to see a video of this O0
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I'll do you a video Andy, fear not...
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Sounds like you will need a very fast shutter speed ok2
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New rudder and a new rudder support made up..top two pics.
Bottom pic shows the radio on/off switch concealed under the seat.
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Don't you just love 2.4ghz radios in an airboat? Little tiny antennae tube instead of that great 12" monster waving about in the wind...much better.
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Hi Rich, Looking good, just needs a Prop Gaurd for Safety.
Oh and a Pilot.
Len.
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That's next on the agenda Len, I ran out of brass wire... >:-o
I'm trying to get a volunteer to drive the thing...but no takers as yet!
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Hi Rich,
I used wire mesh from a Pet Shop, and Pilots are queing up at Boot Fairs.
Len.
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I have a rather posh driver coming Len, he's awfully British, don't you know...we'll soon alter that though! Cost me a fiver from that well known auction site...
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Crikey, chocks away!
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During bath testing Cyril (as he's been named) was blown overboard and started swimming for the plughole...I never realised quite how much draught the prop would chuck out!
Needless to say I called in the Health and Safety official representative, who duly arrived with clipboard under arm and Blackberry Curve in hand, proceeded to carry out a full Risk Assessment and recommended that Cyril, or to be more precise, his seating arrangement, be fitted with a full PSRS ('personal safety restraint system') for the uninitiated.
Of course I complied instantly, and Cyril is now safely back in his seat, restrained by an ex-Post Office elastic band (which is officially compliant to H&S Rule 23.4, paragraph 12, sub section 6(D), ex-Post Office rubber bands section)
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And you said you worry about me sometimes...
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Me? %)
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And here he is in all his glory...ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls...say hello to Cyril.
Note the determined look upon his face, those blue eyes, and the delicate way he handles the control lever...what a man!
Oh, and of course the 'personal safety restraint system'...
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You could go all the way to protect him.
How about fitting the 'bands' up over his chest to the shoulders. :D
Looking good though. Excellent find.
Ken
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Steady Ken, I'd have to call in the H&S again, not to mention the postman...I only had one rubber band!!!
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What you need is a Dog. I take mine out for regular walks and have now been banned from picking them up. I have a bin full of em !! Might come in useful one day eh. :D
"She" says it makes me look a bit destitute and has stopped the practice. A friend of mine used them to make a set of Braces for his pants and when he walks they bob up and down.
Ken
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I'll have a quiet word with the postie in the morning, Cyril does need a better looking restraint than this. Maybe when I build the safety cage I can incorporate something into it...or maybe I could build him his own 'personal safety protection cage' against marauding alligators or whatever it is these swamp buggies go a'hunting.
I do think a couple of high powered floodlamps mounted somewhere maybe on the to-do list.
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Fellow club member and I made an airboat each recently just for fun and you can see how they run here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPpbxb7mFjw
21" x 5", cheap £7.10 brushless motor 30amp ESC (also cheap!) and a 3 blade pusher prop............great fun!
Cheers,
Ian.
8)
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Nice Ian, I like mine...hoping for a proper test run(flight?)on Sunday, so far it's only been in the bath.
The floodlighting problem is sorted....albeit red lights, but they don't frighten 'gators I'm told.
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Bridkid - they go well - surprised at the dimensions, though - the classic ones seem to be about 2 to 1 length to beam. However yours obviously have no stability problems! Brushless is definitely the way to go.
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Doh! Just read my post again and they actually measure 8* x 21" not 5" x 21"! Silly man! They are very light (700 grams all up and ready to go) with rudders made from depron.
Cheers,
Ian.
8)
PS. I did buy the wrong props by mistake (tractor) and no matter which way I tried them they didn't work. Just out of interest.)
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You gonna paint it in Red Bull colours Rich (Wings??). You could also consider fitting an ejector seat.
Regards Ian.
Just read the second part of your posting Ian. Perviding the straight part of the blade is nearest to the front of the boat and the direction of rotation allows for rotation that the straight edge is leading, then a tractor or "Normal" prop must work??
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Red Bull? Good lord man, no...it'll be painted in camo colours so as not to frighten them thar gators!!!
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So why you selling it?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/scratch-built-r-c-airboat-/250630174032?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item3a5ab8f550 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/scratch-built-r-c-airboat-/250630174032?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item3a5ab8f550)
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Raising the finances to buy another sub...
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Hi,
Have you actually tested it yet? I'm just in the process of acquiring the bits to make one :-)
Nige
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Not on open water Nige, no...it's been bath tested and that was a mistake. Tapped the throttle and it was trying to climb up the end of the bath! It cleared my desk when I tried it in here, it took me ages to find everything again.
Rich
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seems a shame to sell it before running it at least once, might be wise to fit a prop guard brfore you sell it, or you could find yourself falling foul of the sue it society, or revise your listing to include a disclaimer or the need for one.
What Sub?
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"...or you could find yourself falling foul of the sue it society.."
In which case, U33 should counter-sue the sue'ers for being too stupid in the first place. I mean, what sort of berk would put their hand anywhere near a spinning prop' anyway? (cough, cough).
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seems a shame to sell it before running it at least once, might be wise to fit a prop guard brfore you sell it, or you could find yourself falling foul of the sue it society, or revise your listing to include a disclaimer or the need for one.
What Sub?
I'd rather sell it before I run it, just in case I do some damage to it...it frightened the life out of me in the bath, let alone out on the lake!
As PMK rightly says...who'd put their hand in front of a rapidly spinning prop? (You silly, silly boy chap...must have been that last glass of zider)
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Chicken!
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So am I ...!!!!
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Just read the second part of your posting Ian. Perviding the straight part of the blade is nearest to the front of the boat and the direction of rotation allows for rotation that the straight edge is leading, then a tractor or "Normal" prop must work??
Well that's what I thought but it didn't..........much cursing and gnashing of teeth!
Cheers,
Ian.
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Thought you guys might like to see a photo of the 2 airboats in the video.
Cheers,
Ian.
8)
(http://)
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Very nice Ian...maybe I'll keep mine now! Nice paint jobs...
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Hi all,
Here's one made using the model boat magazine plans Sep 2007
Its Murdoch from the A team steering it
it runs very well at Stoke Park Guildford Sunday mornings.
Thinking of using a larger motor (maybe 450) and with two rudders as the single rudder does not quite provide symmetrical left/right steering.
click picture to view it larger size:
(http://s2.postimage.org/kwUFi.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=TskwUFi)
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This one is getting redickerous Ian (Bridkid), if you look at post 85 which shows the prop mounted on the front of the motor as we look at it, the direction of rotation to PULL the airboat forwards is anti clockwise ?? Not only is it pulling it is also pushing the air backwards. That's a standard Tractor screw.
OK, remove the slotted screw and slide the prop off the motor keeping it facing the same direction, turn the motor round so that its shaft is facing backwards and slide the prop back (Forwards) onto it and refix its mounting screw. So now the body of the motor is in front of the prop. Connect the juice so that with the motor in front of the prop, the prop STILL rotates anti clockwise. It's still a tractor screw.
Now that Tall Paul has shown his set up, wonder which way the prop rotates looking from the front of the boat?
Regards Ian.
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This one is getting redickerous Ian (Bridkid),
It's all too complicated for me, I'm easily confused. (It's an age thing!) All I know is my setup works but I can see what you mean...I think............... {:-{
Cheers,
Ian.
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Basically Ian, it's only important if you're using an IC engine to drive an airscrew, a lekky motor is reversable so EITHER can be used, it's the direction of rotation to suit whichever. :-))
Regsrds Ian.
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Mine goes ahead with the prop revolving clockwise, thin side of the prop round, looking from the front of the boat towards the stern.. And it goes backwards as well...not quite as fast, but it does go backwards.
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a lekky motor is reversable so EITHER can be used, it's the direction of rotation to suit whichever.
Yes I know but as I'm lazy and it's a real pain to get to my ESC all I did was turn the prop round and it just howled and went nowhere. My prop rotates anticlockwise to go for'ard. Oh well, next time I have to get to the ESC I'll try a reverse rotation with one of the 'tractor' props.
Cheers,
Ian.
8)
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Its Murdoch from the A team steering it
Hi Tall Paul.....................I love it when a plan comes together!
Cheers,
Ian.
8)
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I've decided to keep mine after all (yea, I know... :o) Just been attempting to make rudimentary safety cage around the prop...looks like the Blackpool Tower, but it'll do the job.
Can you run an airboat on choppy water, or are they a calm water only vessel?
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Flat calm is the best, the flatter the better but if you want to try choppy water then don't blame me when it turns over!
................. :((
Cheers,
Ian.
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Cheers Ian..I'm a calm water sailor nowadays anyway, too old for coping with cold and windy weather.
Fingers crossed this wind drops tomorrow then...
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As a follow up to this post, I emailed Lesro and asked if they still make their airboat kit.
Back came the reply : "Yes, we still make the airboat kit, prices shown below"
Airboat I.C. £76.14
Airboat electric £128.50
Plus postage...
The electric version is a bit on the expensive side, don't you think?
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The electric version is a bit on the expensive side, don't you think?
Norrarf! That's why I made my own at the enormous cost of about £25 ready to go. Three cheers for the scrap box etc.
Cheers,
Ian.
8)
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Same as that Ian...mine cost me £11 for the styrene sheet, £10 for the new battery pack, a fiver for Cyril, and the rest I already had. Oh, and the prop was donated by AndyN.
Rich
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Same as that Ian...mine cost me £11 for the styrene sheet, £10 for the new battery pack, a fiver for Cyril, and the rest I already had. Oh, and the prop was donated by AndyN.
It's good to find another likeminded cheapskate!..............LOL....... {-)
Cheers,
Ian.
8)
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When I had an 'er indoors I was normally called a "tight fisted old git...." %)
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I emailed Lesro and asked if they still make their airboat kit.
Were a lot cheaper when Duplex made it.
Regards Ian.
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It sure was Ian, a friend of mine had one years ago, it was around the £40 mark I think. I'll be trolling 'that' auction site for a used one...
Rich
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Join the queue please {-) {-)
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Here's the beast ready to hit the water thisarvo...hopefully.
(http://s3.postimage.org/m2QSJ.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pqm2QSJ)
The propellor safety cage is a bit of a Heath Robinson design, but it'll help. The next one will be designed a whole lot better...
Rich
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Let's here how she rides Rich.
Cheers,
Ian.
8)
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If all goes well I'll try and get some video Ian...
Rich
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14.33 already and no vids?? :} :}
Seriously, all the best with the maiden....I await with trepidation as I'm building mine.... :-))
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Well chaps...it worked. It flew around the lake...for about ten minutes, until the esc cried enough. >>:-( >>:-(
Back to the drawing board...but at least it worked well when it worked!!! Never had time to get a pic of it on the water.... {:-{
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Well chaps...it worked. It flew around the lake...for about ten minutes, until the esc cried enough.
Oh dear me. What rate was the ESC? I have another airboat mnade from plasticard but it's quite heavy. I completely fried a 30amp ESC on 7.4 volts (almost burned through the hull) and ended up having to use an 80amp one. Don't use the boat anymore now.
Cheers,
Ian.
8)
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It was an Action Condor (already had the lecture from Captain Action) he thinks I've managed to weld the contacts together in the relay. It's on it's way back to him for repair as we speak.
It got a bit warmish, that warmish it melted a hole in the case...the word 'ooops' springs to mind!!
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I know it should probably go on wants but due to the theme, has anyone a scan of the destructions for the Graupner "Mini-prop" airboat??
Regards Ian.
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You've finally given up on the boat then Rich? I see it's on ebay again, I would have liked to have seen a vid, never mind, mine's coming together very slowly.
ATB
Nige
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The Mk2 is on the drawing board, Nige...lighter and less depth, and a matched motor/esc/battery pack this time. I've learned from this one, so it's onwards and upwards.
Good luck with yours, let's see some pics of it?
Rich