This has to be the worst couple of mistake making weeks of the entire build. I was going to complete the 2 flagstaffs, but changed my mind and decided to rig the funnel. Sounds simple? Not on your life! This segment of the build should really be included in the topic “What not to do when building a model”.
First of all I bimbled along to the model shop and bought the smallest rigging shackles that “rbmodel” make, plus the threaded mounting brackets. Just how they produce these superbly made things for 35p each and 22p for the mounts (at 22p) beats me. The shackles are a little oversize, but when “needs must” beggars can’t be choosers. They’re also a bit on the bright side which looks a bit “bling”…but fine when painted matte black. It also took me at least 20 minutes (each) to fit the screwed pins into the shackles. No problem for the eagle-eyed, but a pain in the tripes for me.
Then I made up some lengths of 11 stranded (5 amp fuse wire) for the guys. This has worked well for me in the past, but that was always for longer lengths of “standing” rigging on large models. Didn’t work this time because I only wanted 5” lengths, so any little “kink” was impossible to pull straight. OK, let’s try “rope” disguised as metal. When painted with “steel” Humbrol “Metalcote” and burnished I had my result. So far, so good. Then came the making of the “spliced eyes”. Being a tad over-jubilant, I simply formed an eye and wound the join with small twine. Wrong. The “splices” look crude and too heavy. What I should have done was to fray the end of the “rope” and using a bit of superglue, simply twist the 2 parts together making a better looking job of it. But I didn’t, and will now live with it. It probably would have been wiser to use a thinner material for the “splice” winding.
But at the moment I’m not going to shed any tears as I have a sneaky feeling that the funnel, although light in weight may affect stability when on the water. Height above CG etc. If that proves to be the case then I’ll have to investigate the possibility of making a duplicate in styrene/ABS. In truth, this possibility is the main reason I haven’t had the main vents plated. If I do need a “plastic” funnel, then I may as well get all 3 items done together.
Another (possible) bone of contention could be the use of “rope” instead of the more common bottlescrews. I maintain…backed up by some photos….that as the funnel needed to be regularly unshipped, this method would be quicker, easier and less “messy” than fiddling around with the bottlescrews. Pays your money and make a choice really.
Total cost now up to £740. Just approaching the 10 month mark in this build from its conception.