Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: JaS on November 04, 2014, 08:34:11 pm
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Hello
I have been offered to buy a Graupner Condor 9 here in Sweden, its a kit that are partly started but that doesn't matter from mine side, i like the jet propulsion and thats its a ferry, have anyone experience from this kit, some years ago I started do build a Moonraker but got tired at the boat type and sold it, is it the same jet propulsion on the Condor as the Moonraker?.
Looking forward to this build.
Br
Jack
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Hi there,
I ´ve had Condor 9 now for over 10 years.
Building wasn´t too easy. I remember that getting the underwater hull and the upper structure neatly together took a very long time. It´s mainly quite thin ABS, and hull tends to wobble in many directions, so several stiffeners and additional supports vere required. And this led to problems - because her overall weight should be around 5,8kg. And that is not much for a boat this size. Specially narrow bow area is critical, and cannot take much extra weight.
Waterjets are basically the same type that Moonraker had (or slightly different size but basic model was the same). She´s powered by twin Speed 700 BB Turbo 8,4Vs, and these take power from a single 6-cell 5000mAh NiMh, trough a single speed controller. Jet buckets are independently controllable. Also I fitted mine with a twin Graupner bow thrusters. Today I would most likely switch original Jets to Kehrer´s units.... http://www.kehrer-modellbau.de/kmb-jet28/antriebe/kmb-jet28-nach-kamewa (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/Today I would most likely switch to Kehrer´s units.... http://www.kehrer-modellbau.de/kmb-jet28/antriebe/kmb-jet28-nach-kamewa) Also brushless motors and lipos would save quite a lot of weight.
With this setup she´s not overpowered, and does nice and good-looking scale speed. However turning radius is huge, due to limited movement of the steering nozzles. And manouvering is quite difficult. While reversing, when nozzles are set straight, most of the water hits stern and is being sucked back into the intake. And the result is very sluggish backwad movement....until touching the steering stick - she suddendly accelerates very aggressively (but does not turn!). Bow thrusters help somewhat, but sailing is not allways just pure enjoyment.
Due to many set-backs in building (and sailing) I lost my motivation several times and moved to other projects, therefore she´s still somewhat unfinished - several details still missing. I never had the Graupner´s own fittings set (did not look too good when comparing to the price). I obtained parts from here and there, and also have scratch build some. I also replaced the window, door etc. stickers with real parts. She´s painted as Viking Express - as the real thing was in summer 1994, when in service for Viking Line between Helsinki and Tallinn.
So I don´t want to kill your motivation - despite all this she´s still in many ways an interesting and quite special model, so if you can get the kit in decent price, go for it, but be prepared for challenges :)
Regards,
- Mikko
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Thanks Mikko for yours report, i have picked up mine kit but not gone start to build it yet since for now the Aziz is taking time and then mine Dusseldorf gone hit the water also, I'm grateful for yours info about the hull and also about the manoeuvring, my intend is to run dubble esc´s and been able to control jets independly, maybe this gone improve the turning radius somewhat, just a thought from mine side.
Best R
Jack
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Hi there,
I ´ve had Condor 9 now for over 10 years.
Building wasn´t too easy. I remember that getting the underwater hull and the upper structure neatly together took a very long time. It´s mainly quite thin ABS, and hull tends to wobble in many directions, so several stiffeners and additional supports vere required. And this led to problems - because her overall weight should be around 5,8kg. And that is not much for a boat this size. Specially narrow bow area is critical, and cannot take much extra weight.
Waterjets are basically the same type that Moonraker had (or slightly different size but basic model was the same). She´s powered by twin Speed 700 BB Turbo 8,4Vs, and these take power from a single 6-cell 5000mAh NiMh, trough a single speed controller. Jet buckets are independently controllable. Also I fitted mine with a twin Graupner bow thrusters. Today I would most likely switch original Jets to Kehrer´s units.... http://www.kehrer-modellbau.de/kmb-jet28/antriebe/kmb-jet28-nach-kamewa (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/Today I would most likely switch to Kehrer´s units.... http://www.kehrer-modellbau.de/kmb-jet28/antriebe/kmb-jet28-nach-kamewa) Also brushless motors and lipos would save quite a lot of weight.
With this setup she´s not overpowered, and does nice and good-looking scale speed. However turning radius is huge, due to limited movement of the steering nozzles. And manouvering is quite difficult. While reversing, when nozzles are set straight, most of the water hits stern and is being sucked back into the intake. And the result is very sluggish backwad movement....until touching the steering stick - she suddendly accelerates very aggressively (but does not turn!). Bow thrusters help somewhat, but sailing is not allways just pure enjoyment.
Due to many set-backs in building (and sailing) I lost my motivation several times and moved to other projects, therefore she´s still somewhat unfinished - several details still missing. I never had the Graupner´s own fittings set (did not look too good when comparing to the price). I obtained parts from here and there, and also have scratch build some. I also replaced the window, door etc. stickers with real parts. She´s painted as Viking Express - as the real thing was in summer 1994, when in service for Viking Line between Helsinki and Tallinn.
So I don´t want to kill your motivation - despite all this she´s still in many ways an interesting and quite special model, so if you can get the kit in decent price, go for it, but be prepared for challenges :)
Regards,
- Mikko
Hello Mikko!
Would you care to show some pictures of your Condor 9 in Viking Line livery, either here if ok or in a new thread? At least I am curious.
All the best!
Hama