Now that the hull has had time to dry, time to start on the drive train. One of the options available is for some better "quality" universal/huco joints for the prop shafts. I did opt for these and after seeing the manufacturer supplied ones, which are 2 metal couplings, loosely joing by a coil spring....I was right!
These spring couplings may be ok, IF you only "drive" them in the direction that keeps the coils compressed, but in a twin motor setup AND being as both couplings are identical [not one wound opposite], it would mean one of the coils is driven in the opposite direction to its construction, so its going to want to "UNWIND", so go slack on the coupling joints and maybe loose drive at the same time. Same goes id say if you wanted to do an emergency "full astern" to avoid a collision or worse, still......the shore bank.....drive could be easily lost...along with your bows!
So huco's it is.....but be careful, measure a couple of times here as the propeller shafts supplied are designed lengthwise for their couplings, NOT huco's. so a bit of shortening to the joint end will be needed, otherwise the propellers could hit the rudder blades...Yikes!
yes, I found all these bits out on the "test fit", so be mindful to also test install the rudders and tubes at same time to ensure prop clearance.
The kit comes with a pair of propeller shaft supports, which fit from underneath and have a nice tag which fits in to a slot already pre made in the hull. My guts told me to test fit, mark a line on the inside and then remove, drill a hold to take a piece of brass rod to act as a lock pin, so no chance of these dropping in they ever worked loose. On saying this, with the huco joints on the shafts and with them just sitting in the hull, alignment is quite good and all the pre cut slots work out well. The instructions suggest you simply wrap an elastic band around the hull, over the prop shafts and hey presto, ready to glue in place.....BUt the pressure from the elastic band pushes the shafts towards each other....So I cut a spreader guide out of one of the spare sprue o
pieces, filed a semi circular roove in either end, the same width as where the props come out of the hull, so when tagged between the shafts at the prop ends....and with the pressure from the laccy bands, all is ready to take its first dabs of stabilit.