Vosper-Perkasa News

This is the eighteenth entry in the build log and relates to Step 18: Complete Main Dynamic System. In this step, I show the completed layout and wiring of the motors and r/c component assembly.

The following set of images show the completed view of the radio control installation. The first image shows the three main motors installed with the re-positioned battery tray across them.

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The second and third images show the servo (modified to continuously rotate) in position in the underside of the forward superstructure assembly.

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The rotating radar, and the LED navigation lamps, are powered on when the receiver power switch is switched on. The complication of making the radar transmitter switchable simply is not justified.

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This is the seventeenth entry in the build log and relates to Step 17: Main Dynamic System Assembly. In this step, I describe the installation and wiring of the motors and r/c component assembly.

The main point to note is that for three propeller shafts it is necessary to fit some sort of differential throttle control that works in alignment with the rudder operation. The boat turns very well with such a system fitted. I used two micro switches placed on top of the rudder servo, these in turn cut off the power to the inboard engine in a turn, which has a strong effect of increasing the turn rate significantly. See the images below for photo (top) and circuit diagram (bottom). The rudder was moved from its original position to the position shown in the image below, using strong wooden beams as servo bearers.

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Take note also that one shaft runs in the opposite direction to the other two (see circuit diagram).

In addition to the wiring modification, I cut the servo tray in half to allow the battery tray to fit cross-ways in the aft part of the main r/c tray, this has the effect of moving the centre of gravity of the boat rearwards to bring the model to sit accurately at the waterline.

Finally, the flash video, below, shows the end result. This layout is very effective in creating great slow speed maneuverability and control.

Click play to start the video.

This is the sixteenth entry in the build log and relates to Step 16: View of Completed Model. In this step, I describe how to fit the removable rigging and aerials to the masts. The mainmast rigging is simply rigged to the removable mainmast. The mast can be fitted and removed with all standing rigging. However as I built the masts entirely from brass, I decided much earlier to fit three small brass eyelets for the removable rigging.

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The removable rigging is (and so is the mainmast rigging) simply a representation and not a full true scale interpretation of the original rigging. It simply consists of two pieces of elastic thread tied together, the long piece being fitted with two small hooks to fit the eyelets mentioned earlier. Once this is stretched across both ends of the thread can be cyano-ed onto the hooks, then the second elastic thread (with pre attached hook) can be tied to the first piece. The tension in the second piece is set to pull the main thread down slightly. The finished result looks great.

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