I've decided to start this thread because the previous title about using Plastic Padding to make motor mountings is a sub-topic of the build.

I've posted a few more photos in my album. I have installed 5mm plywood frames to support the deck (which will be HIPS/Styrene) – I found this quite a tricky and time consuming process as I had to make cardboard templates and get those to fit before sawing out from the plywood (although you get an excellent drawing of the boat in plan and elevation you do not get sectional views of the hull). The superstructure will be mounted on a "subdeck" which will "plug into" the rectangular hole which can be seen in the photos.

I have included a detailed photo of the steering gear as it illustrates my preference to have independent adjustment of the angular alignment of the rudders and the height of the rudder shaft. The 3mm collars that adjust the "tightness" of the rudder shafts in the tubes can be seen. The angular adjustment of the rudders is via the locking screw in the tiller arm.

Ian

Another update (more photos in my album under propeller alignment/pilot boat). The deck (1.5mm green HIPS) has now been fitted and the removeable deck has been constructed. I needed to use a few "shims" of thin HIPS sheet to get the alignment of the fixed and removeable decks correct. I am going to investigate Ashley's suggestion of using some magnetic strip to attach the removeable deck to the boat. Next steps include purchasing fender strip from Cornwall Model Boats (R7920 D Section Fender Strip 5 x 8mm x 2mtrs) and also rubbing strake (R7921 Rubbing Strake 6.5 x 2.9mm 1mtr) – I have been waiting for the fender strip for some time as they are currently out of stock – hopefully they will get new stock this month.

I cannot undertake any of the painting until I get the fender/strake material.

I am now thinking about the construction of the cabin – always worthwhile planning a task and thinking about pros and cons before commencing work – act in haste repent at leisure !

Scale figures. The boat is 1:16 scale can anyone advise me about where I can purchase suitable figures for the crew ? All I have seen on line seem unsuitable to me unless I decide to make the boat a kriegsmarine vessel and populate it with nazi stormtroopers !!

I shall be wiring up the boat in the not so distant future – I have already tested out the RC kit and motors (on dry land) and they function correctly.

Ian

Ashley – belated thanks for advice about scale crew members. Also I did use magnetic strips to secure the removeable deck but found that the magnetic pull was a bit weak – so I added a 3mm brass screw and nut fixing as well.

I have put one more photo in the album. It shows how I have constructed the cabin using styrene sheet around a metal frame (2mm brass rod and a piece of brass strip). Still a lot more work to do on it – although not readily evident from the photo the side panels containing the windows are simply lodged in place. Also the front window panels have not been constructed yet – and of course no roof yet. Work in progress.

Then there is the inside detail to do – seating for the skipper and pilots, instrument panel, cabin lighting.

Advice please. I have purchased a couple of masthead lights which are nominally 14mm x 8mm. Best match that I could find on internet – but they do look rather small and the Kingston plan indicates that the height of the light should be about 18mm. Anyone know of a good supplier of ship's lights ? Also steering wheel suitable for scale of 1:16. As a general comment, it seems more difficult to source ship's fittings for large scale boats compared with smaller scales.

Ian