Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length.

[raflaunches]

Hi everyone


Some more pictures from the works this afternoon. Water tanks have been made (or backsides of elephants as we have nicknamed them!)
anchor winch painted, and most of the tie-down points for all the rigging.
The prop shafts, props, and rudders are now permanently in position, and the motors are attached with home made mounting brackets.

[Yarpie]

Grand job Nick and Steve.

What size are your propellers? T'other TF3 is running on 50mm dia propellers (via 6 Volt system) and runs well in that configuration.

However, as a poor cousin, t'other TF3 only sports ONE rudder so consequently steerageway is sluggish but functional.

Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to keep us up to date with your build, all credit to you both.

Kind regards,

Sandy and Robbie.

[unbuiltnautilus]

What they said, keep up the good work


But...I see Vision 600 type motors. Now not everyone ( ) on the forum are fans of these motors. However, if you keep to about 6v, they should be fine. 12v they get proper aggressive and may bite back! Usually pulling many amps and with your double couplings, could be quite noisy. Just a bit of friendly advice.

[raflaunches]

Hi unbuiltnautilus


Many thanks for the advice - I learnt that mistake on my Dreadnought being powered by 12v running these motors and my God, what a vicious little buggers they were ripping the motors from the mounts!
Steve had some common sense deciding early on to use 6v SLA and has stuck to this plan.
Speed controllers should be here by Friday ready for sea trials hopefully this weekend 


Hi Sandy


I'll get the measuring stick out later and measure them but I think they are either 35 or 40mm diameter.
I'm sure your beauty is realistic enough as I can't imagine that the TF's were particularly fast or brilliantly manoeuvrable.

[Bob K]

..... ready for sea trials hopefully this weekend.

Could that possibly be in the general area of Peterborough ? 
If so I look forward seeing all the new detail work.  Superb stuff 

[raflaunches]

It might be...


Hopefully the ESC's turn up today or tomorrow.

[ballastanksian]

Fingers crossed they will! I was worried about the moped like noise of the motors running in the destroyer but this was only whilst bench testing. Once in the water the noise was minimal, but then we are not talking 600s, which sound lethal!

[raflaunches]

Speed controllers still on their way but hopefully first voyage will be Thursday!!!


More and more cowl vents are being added every time I turn around from my build- occasionally I hear a few words of displeasure that I won't repeat on the forum but the amount of them really changes the appearance of the ferry. Once he has finished adding them (and swearing) I'll upload the pictures of everything together!

[Yarpie]

Speed controllers still on their way but hopefully first voyage will be Thursday!!!


More and more cowl vents are being added every time I turn around from my build- occasionally I hear a few words of displeasure that I won't repeat on the forum but the amount of them really changes the appearance of the ferry. Once he has finished adding them (and swearing) I'll upload the pictures of everything together!

In excess of 45 of the blighters Nick!

Sandy.

[raflaunches]

They're here and now she's alive. Table top trials complete ready for maiden voyage tomorrow morning!
Almost everything painted so Steve can start planking and setting up hand rails next week.

[Yarpie]

Good luck for tomorrow's trials Nick and Steve.


Hope you have calm waters because that freeboard is alarmingly shallow.   And no going astern at 20 knots mind or you'll ship tons of 'oggin!.


Kind regards,


Sandy and Robbie (been there and got the soggy "T" shirt).

[raflaunches]

Here's fingers crossed 

[Yarpie]

 

[raflaunches]

Breaking News!


Some where at sea-possibly in the English Channel...


At 1000am GMT with the Wicksteed Park MBC Dockyard Build Supervisor looking on, a strange looking craft took to the water under her own power for the first time. Train Ferry Number 3, or TF3 as she is known, entered the less than favourable water conditions with a Northernly wind blowing making the sea state rather rough but not entirely un-useable. On con was an experienced helmsman under guidance from the Builder engaged the engines and turned the ship to starboard before completing a full 180 degree return to port. The rudder manoeuvrability was surprisingly good and reversing was very acceptable. She managed to ship some water but not where expected- the anchor chain hausers managed to dump some 'oggin' on to the fore deck but not much. As was feared, the motors were rather noisy past 50% power in both forward and reverse selections but all is good. Apart from some re-adjustment of ballast from fore to aft compartments the engine choice will be the only items to change.
Enjoy...

[Netleyned]

Great to see TF3
Afloat on the great lakes
of Wicksteed
Wicky has a Northerly Wind
while the rest of the country
have Southwesterly gales.
Must be the reason Gazebos
fly 
Great  model  looks good wherever
the wind blows Nick.
Ned

[unbuiltnautilus]

Ugly...Congratulations

[raflaunches]

Update...


TF3 is in dry dock under going an engine replacement as we speak. The agricultural sounding 600's are being replaced with some smooth running MFA Torpedo 500's. Forecastle superstructure has received its last bit of paint work ready to be glued into its final position.


Thanks for the comments so far, we had some fun for about 30minutes before Storm Barbara hit the lake!

[Bob K]

Looks even nicer on the water than it did at Dean's last week. Ships should be seen in their natural environment IMO.  Good luck with the changer of motors.   

[Yarpie]

Well done to you both, we're delighted for you. Must have felt like Christmas has come early eh?


She's looking great on her natural environment too.


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours,


Sandy and Robbie.

[raflaunches]

Thanks Bob, Sandy & Robbie


Paint work is looking good and looks like it works for real on the water- at times it was really difficult to see her and which direction she was traveling.


Dad is pleased as punch and has tried one MFA Torpedo 500 motor in place of the 600 and it's amazing how quiet it runs in comparison. He changed the angle of the motor mount too. He might be starting the funnel girder work next week!

[Bob K]

 He might be starting the funnel girder work next week!

Now that I will be looking forward to, as I mentioned to you both last week.

[raflaunches]

I must admit that I'm looking forward to it too, he has even bought a new soldering iron especially for this task. How many attempts do we all think it'll take him to get right?

[Yarpie]

.........  Dad is pleased as punch and has tried one MFA Torpedo 500 motor in place of the 600 and it's amazing how quiet it runs in comparison. He changed the angle of the motor mount too. He might be starting the funnel girder work next week!

Dare I say it Nick, but changing the angle of the motor mount is an excellent idea.

It is always preferential to keep the propeller shaft, couplings and motor shafts as much "inline" as possible, thereby reducing "throw" and consequently ....... noise.

I agree, it's not always possible.

Kind regards,

Sandy.

[Yarpie]

I must admit that I'm looking forward to it too, he has even bought a new soldering iron especially for this task. How many attempts do we all think it'll take him to get right?

Quite simply ... ONE.


Sandy and Robbie.

[raflaunches]

We shall see- however you're probably right- he is getting rather good as his first attempts