hi ya Joe
The thing is really; do the stabilisers really work on our scale models.?
I think this is open to a big debate. I have built a 1:48 scale Leeds Castle which does have/did have operating stabilisers.
It works on a different system to the gyro system - this one works on a swinging pendulum system.
I myself am not truly convinced that they work that well - more of a gimmick.
To make the stabilisers become affective - we would have to double the size of them; the best safety guard really with these types of models - as you will know from your last build of narrow warships - is to keep the weight down low - as low as possible in the hull. The 2 type 42 warships I have built HMS Manchester/HMS York - I powered them both with a 10 amp 6 volt gel cell battery which was laid on its side a little way past midships of the hull - and also think its about a 2 ounce slug of lead placed on the same side of the hull where the terminals are on the battery. This is to counteract the weight of the battery cos the battery is heavier at the bottom end than the top end where the terminals are and as a test of stability I was able to roll the model on its side until the water flooded onto the deck and about 1/4 inch up the main side of the superstructure & when I let go of the model it would right itself. This way, when I knew I was in the middle of the lake I could heal the model over so that the decks were awash and it would right itself.
My party piece for these models is to go full steam ahead up the lake, flicking rudders from port to starboard, thus creating a roll in the model and then when the model was healed over either on port or starboard roll keeping the rudder set at that side and watching the model squirm out of its roll
had a few scary moments though, even though I knew the model would right itself.
aye
john