Next came another radar platform higher up the mast but needs to be angled further to the Port side.
The platform was made up from some scrap plasticard.
The radar is made from some items from the "bits box", drilled, then mounted on a mild steel framework. The radar frame was then epoxied onto the platform and put aside to harden off.
A dry fit showed it looked ok so the unit was glued in place.
Realised at this point that the upper mast has 2 supporting beams from just behind the uppermost radar.
So, the angles were worked out, 2 rods cut to size and soldered to the mast.
These will lift away when the upper mast is removed for transport / storage.
Now needed to make the uppermost signals yard. For the top, mild steel rod, then used a short length of etched-brass ladder, with every 2nd & 3rd rung removed, and mounted this horizontally onto the underside of the top bar and soldered in place.
The supporting struts (2 legs each side) were then soldered up in inverted "V" fashion and set in place on the platform.
Then, with heatsinks in place, the yard was soldered to the supports.
upper_mast.jpg
upper_yards.jpg
Consideration was now given to the layout of the ICS/2 main comms aerials.
I'll be running 4 lines between the masts with corresponding down leads which will need terminating.
1 terminal runs into the mainmast, the other to a fixture at the foot of the foremast. so these were made up and fitted now rather than when all the "wires" are strung up as that would just be asking for trouble.
Here's the one at the foot of the foremast.
foremast_link.jpg
Hoping to get the Seacat missile system sorted next
Regards,
Ray.