Hi everyone.
I have just started to build my first r/c boat. I am converting the Revell HMCS Snowberry kit into a working model and I thought the best way to keep all my questions into one place was to start a build log for the project, so here we go...
The first thing I noticed when opening the box is the sheer number of bits included in the box! The Revell kit is a re-release of the earlier Matchbox kit and has parts to build three different ships: The HMCS Snowberry, USS Saucy and the model I am building, the HMS Bluebell. The earlier Matchbox kit instructions are for the HMS Bluebell but the Revell instructions are for the HMCS Snowberry and doesn't actually show any instructions to build the Bluebell, but all the bits are still included in the kit. Luckily I managed to track down a copy of the original Matchbox instructions to help me with my Bluebell project. In my opinion the Revell instructions are actually clearer so I have been using both sets.
Anyway, the first thing I did was run a bath and washed all the sprue's. My Father taught me to do this when I was just a wee nipper as he said that sometimes there can be traces of the releasing agent on the sprue's and by washing them in some luke warm water and a bit of washing up liquid this would be cleaned off which would result in a neater paint finish. It's a habit that has stuck and that is why i still wash all my plastics as a first step.
The box..
The sprue's drying out on a beach towel..
Once everything had dried out I did some test fitting on of the hull sections. For anyone who hasn't seen this kit before the hull is actually 4 separate pieces which you can see in the picture of the sprue's on the beach towel. Once they are glued together they are definitely going to need to be sealed on the inside somehow.
As this is my first working model I have decided to keep it as simple as possible. I don't really intend to do any bashing, I just want to get it on the water. However there are still lots of little things I am going to do to improve the kit to the best of my abilities. I am also using a website called Flower Class Corvettes which has loads of information about modelling corvettes which has been really helpful.
One of the biggest inaccuracies of the kit is that all the decks on the kit have been modelled with wood decking which isn't quite correct as they only had a small wooden section at the front and a small section at the back. My plan was to sand all the decks to make them appear correct once the model is painted. This took quite a long time and in hindsight I would scrape all the decks with a sharp chisel instead.
The next thing i decided to do was build the plastic kits in several sections which I will undercoat and paint then I will glue in all together later leaving access points for the radio gear. It takes a while to put together because I have been spending quite a bit of time removing mold lines and sanding joint sections, a must in my opinion as it really enhances the look of any plastic kit once it is painted. For the most part most pieces fit together without too much cleaning which is always nice.
What it looks like with all the separate bits placed together. But still much more to assemble and add yet though!
As this is going to be a working model it is going to need some radio equipment. Here is a list of the bits:
Graupner Speed 400 (7.2v)
Mtroniks 'plug n play' Marine 20 ESC
Mtroniks 2300Mah 7.2v battery
Hitec HS-645MG servo (a bit OTT but is a spare from my nitro cars)
Spektrum DX5e radio set.
I am also using a pre-made Deans Marine prop shaft with oiler tube For the rudder I am going to use the existing plastic rudder with a brass rudder fitted inside.
Anyway, that will do for now. I will take some more pictures of my progress tomorrow and that's when i will start asking some of the questions I already have!!
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Topic: Flower Corvette conversion by jonny shoreboy. (Read 31900 times)