Tirpitz scale 1/350

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31 March 2017 at 15:00 #70512
dean martin 1
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@deanmartin1
hi i have just bought a tamiya version of the german boat tripitz and noticed that it has a battery compartment , can some one please advise on how i can convert this to a rc working model i have no experience so i am unsure what is need thanks
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31 March 2017 at 15:00 #2659
dean martin 1
Participant
@deanmartin1
building
31 March 2017 at 16:07 #70515
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Hello Dean

The conversion from static to full rc can be a complicated and frustrating task and the eventual success or failure rests upon your ability as a model builder.

If you are a very good builder of plastic kits then you stand a reasonable chance of undertaking the task, however if this project is one of your first builds then I would advise against trying for the rc conversion.

The actual fitting of the 'nuts and bolts' is fairly straightforward but squeezing the bits into a narrow and potentially unstable hull is complicated as the center of gravity is very difficult to fix and maintain.

I don't want to be discouraging but many people have tried this type of build but only a very few are ever successful.

Good luck

Paul
31 March 2017 at 16:19 #70516
dean martin 1
Participant
@deanmartin1
hi paul thank you for your reply i have made up cars and planes but never a boat also i have never converted any model to rc which sounds like a challenge , i have plenty of time and patience but i am unsure how to convert and what and where i would get the parts from to change my boat to a working model thanks
31 March 2017 at 16:33 #70518
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Dean

I would suggest some research into videos like this link Tirpitz conversion.

Paul
31 March 2017 at 17:16 #70520
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Also have a look through the Features section (link at top of page) which includes several 'Plastic Magic' conversions in the Kit and Product Reviews subcategory.

SHG Models **LINK** sell motors and running gear suitable for plastic kit conversions and can advise you.

You can also find references to motorising 1:350 scale battleship kits by using Google. One examole here: **LINK**

Stability is always an issue with these type of models so you do need to keep the installed weight down. However Tirpitz has a relatively wide, beamy hull so is probably more stable that some of the others.

Colin
31 March 2017 at 18:01 #70521
dean martin 1
Participant
@deanmartin1
Posted by Paul T on 31/03/2017 16:33:32:

Dean

I would suggest some research into videos like this link Tirpitz conversion.

Paul

hi paul thank you for your reply i did see the video on youtube a little while ago but i think my problem is that i dont know what actually goes into a rc model to make it run
31 March 2017 at 18:03 #70522
dean martin 1
Participant
@deanmartin1
Posted by Colin Bishop, Website Editor on 31/03/2017 17:16:57:

Also have a look through the Features section (link at top of page) which includes several 'Plastic Magic' conversions in the Kit and Product Reviews subcategory.

SHG Models **LINK** sell motors and running gear suitable for plastic kit conversions and can advise you.

You can also find references to motorising 1:350 scale battleship kits by using Google. One examole here: **LINK**

Stability is always an issue with these type of models so you do need to keep the installed weight down. However Tirpitz has a relatively wide, beamy hull so is probably more stable that some of the others.

Colin

hi colin hank you for your reply i have had a look at the links and a waiting admin permission for me to post thanks
31 March 2017 at 20:11 #70523
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
I can now report that the May 2017 issue of the magazine, on sale 13th April, includes an article on converting the Tamiya 1:350 scale RN KGV battleships by Tony Dalton and a feature by Francis MacNaughton on micro control and power for very small r/c models so I think there will plenty of relevant content for converting the Tamiya Tirpitz kit.

Colin
1 April 2017 at 12:13 #70525
dean martin 1
Participant
@deanmartin1
Posted by Colin Bishop, Website Editor on 31/03/2017 20:11:49:

I can now report that the May 2017 issue of the magazine, on sale 13th April, includes an article on converting the Tamiya 1:350 scale RN KGV battleships by Tony Dalton and a feature by Francis MacNaughton on micro control and power for very small r/c models so I think there will plenty of relevant content for converting the Tamiya Tirpitz kit.

Colin

hi colin thank you for your reply will the magazine be on sale in local shops or just on line thanks again for your help
1 April 2017 at 12:36 #70526
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
It is usually available in W.H. Smith.

Colin
2 April 2017 at 10:06 #70528
Malcolm Frary
Participant
@malcolmfrary95515
Tirpitz is probably a simpler conversion than the KGV, since it has a one island superstructure which lends itself to sitting over a coaming surrounding a nice big hole in the middle. Handy for keeping splashes on to the deck at bay and away from the insides if no holes are left under the turrets.

It might be a worthwhile exercise to get an Airfix Bismark at 1:600 to practice on. That would give relatively low cost insights into model boats and how to convert a static plastic kit into a working model. While it could be radio controlled, it doesn't have to be.

In either case, stability is not a problem with a model battleship. Not only wide, but very deep and lots of space low down to put the heavy stuff. The real problem with battleships is that the deck tends to be very close to the water for a very long length meaning that quite small waves tend to wash over easily.
2 April 2017 at 16:53 #70532
dean martin 1
Participant
@deanmartin1
Posted by Malcolm Frary on 02/04/2017 10:06:22:

Tirpitz is probably a simpler conversion than the KGV, since it has a one island superstructure which lends itself to sitting over a coaming surrounding a nice big hole in the middle. Handy for keeping splashes on to the deck at bay and away from the insides if no holes are left under the turrets.

It might be a worthwhile exercise to get an Airfix Bismark at 1:600 to practice on. That would give relatively low cost insights into model boats and how to convert a static plastic kit into a working model. While it could be radio controlled, it doesn't have to be.

In either case, stability is not a problem with a model battleship. Not only wide, but very deep and lots of space low down to put the heavy stuff. The real problem with battleships is that the deck tends to be very close to the water for a very long length meaning that quite small waves tend to wash over easily.

hi thank you for your reply, would i need to know what parts to put in the Airfix Bismark at 1:600 to make it a working model thanks
2 April 2017 at 21:58 #70535
Malcolm Frary
Participant
@malcolmfrary95515
When I did mine a lot of years ago I did make my own prop shaft and prop using plastic tubing, brass rod and sheet and very basic tools. Similar with the rudder. The motor was a 3 volt type that looked like it would fit (from memory, a 75p one from the Tandy shop) and a length of mains flex insulation as a coupler. Nowadays I would expect to be able to buy small shafts and use one of the small couplers now available. Bismark was capable of carrying a couple of C cells in a battery holder which would power it for a long time – with todays technology, small powerful batteries and connectors, there should be no problem.

It needs a propellor of suitable size (what fits, works), a shaft to fit it to with a sleeve to act as a bearing and seal, a coupler to connect it to the motor and a motor. Then a battery to make the motor go plus a switch for a deluxe model. And some styrene sheet to make the coaming that locates the superstructure and keeps most of the on-deck water outside.
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