After many years of pondering the idea of making a radio controlled model ship, I finally decided in October of 2010 to pull the trigger. The historical ship I chose was the HMS Beagle, the survey ship that made three extensive ocean voyages, the most famous being the second voyage with Charles Darwin onboard. The Beagle was one of over a hundred "Cherokee class" brigs commissioned by the Royal Navy.
The goal was to make a fun, working model of the Beagle, with radio controls for her rudder, sails and some cool extras, and sail her like a proper square rig sailing ship. After eight months of research and building, and more than a few setbacks, my Beagle finally made her maiden voyage on July 2, 2011.
Here are a few pics from her first deep water sail (meaning if she sunk I probably couldn't get her back) at a place just north of Indianapolis called the Hourglass Pond:
I've been updating my build every week or so on my website if you want to take a look at the step by step build up to this point:
http://www.andrewaasmith.com/HMSBeagle/Intro.phpRight now I'm working on several things. First is installing a bilge pump and getting her fore and main course sails more functional before her next sail. Obviously there are still tons of details to be done, the most fun will probably be a firing cannon for her forecastle. I'm hoping to have one working sometime in October with help.
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Topic: HMS Beagle 1:36 scratch r/c (Read 2655 times)