Everything Ashley says, plus whether you want to use 1,2,or 4 motors. For the radio control, broadly choose whether you want simple, I.e rudder and motor control or if you want to have extra controls for gadgets in the boat.

To give you some idea, a basic set costs less than 30 quid, foir transmitter and receiver, and will allow steering and speed control via at least one ESC, ( electronic speed controller) ( 25 to 30 quid each for decent ones) the same set would allow you to have basic gun movement later with an extra servo. You'll need a servo for steering, about a tenner is a common price.

The permutations are endless, but that's a starting point.

I think everyone would recommend that you plan the motor and running gear very early in the build.

Chas

Hi Joel,

How long is Hood going to be ? Do you have a drawing ?

Regards Ray

Hi Joel,

I think you only need 380 – 400 size brushed motors, this is my 48" HMS Diamond with 2 400 size motors with 30mm props and really moves swiftly as a 1/96th scale destroyer should 😀

Regards Ray

Edited By Ray Wood 2 on 15/04/2019 20:14:23

Here's one suggestion. Scroll down the list and click on "Graupner HMS Hood – John Tew". **LINK**

I would suggest using the P94 dual ESC/mixer, which automatically reduces the speed of the two motors on the inside of a turn to assist turning. Its Mode 4 slows the two motors on the inside of the turn to just stop on full rudder command, without reversing them. You don't need to use twin battery packs; one decent capacity one will suffice – e.g. 4600 – 5000 maH – which will eliminate the need for the P103. I would add that Ashley's suggestion of using 385 motors seems an excellent one.

Dave M

hi ya there, are you building HMS Hood from the old nexus plans – now Taplett – that's about 52 – 53 inches long. If I remember rightly, she is built bread and butter construction. If you are, is there no suggestion as to what size motors you should use? What also has to be taken into account are the materials you are building with, if you are building bread and butter.

I have built several 4 shaft models, but, slightly larger than what you are contemplating – I built HMS Exeter and HMS Ajax – both are 4 shafts. They are 72 inches long and have 4 x 500 motors in them. One has a mixer combined speed controller in it, where the other one I opted for what is called tank steering – this is where one stick controls 2 motors on the port side and the opposite stick controls the other 2 motors on the starboard side.

This can give quite spectacular turning abilities – what you must also bear in mind is you will need to play around with which way the props turn. If I remember rightly, the Ajax turns better with the props turning inboard (in other words as you are looking from the stern of the model – the props turn anti-clockwise – throwing a wash onto the rudder.

Just some food for thought.

Edited By John W E on 16/04/2019 18:55:40