KNK model boat

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KNK model boat

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30 October 2016 at 01:02 #68385
Martin Goudie
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@martingoudie88381
Hello respected Model Makers. Can anyone please help? Been looking around and I can see little about the old KNK balsa model boat kits apart from video footage of them in ponds far from the UK!. Well I have an unfinished Jupiter M401 (Chikyudo Model Co.Ltd) nearly completed by my father in 1979 for my 7th Birthday! It's a long story so I will cut to the chase. It's been dry stored inside a plastic box for over 35 years. The much missed boat builder of old sadly passed away 5 years ago and I don't want to be a have a go hero and potentially wreck the finishing/installation of R/C on it. So I'm looking for an Established professional builder to finish it off and fit a suitable engine/RC. I am in the far North of Scotland(still on the mainland just) and any advice or links on trustworthy model builders is hugely respected and appreciated. I will get photos of the boat asap.
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30 October 2016 at 01:02 #6252
Martin Goudie
Participant
@martingoudie88381
30 October 2016 at 08:25 #68386
Dave Milbourn
Participant
@davemilbourn48782
I found this **LINK**

The North of Scotland is a bit too far for me to travel, though. Shame.

DM
30 October 2016 at 15:48 #68392
Kev.W
Participant
@kev-w
Now that brings back memories, that was the first electric model boat kit that I built, bought it in 1979/80 from an advert on (I think) the inside of the back cover of this very magazine

Sadly it never did get a motor, as I left it where a small rugrat could get his hands on & it got destroyed when only at the painting stage.
30 October 2016 at 19:16 #68397
Martin Goudie
Participant
@martingoudie88381
Thanks Dave, yes that was the best site I could find on it as well. I might just do something myself yet this winter.
30 October 2016 at 19:23 #68398
Martin Goudie
Participant
@martingoudie88381
That's heart breaking Kip! I remember all the work that had to be done making it. Watching my father bending the balsa over the steam from a kettle then pinning them down with tiny nails etc. A lot of work!!! You couldn't rush it either. Luckily for me all that is done it's basically ready for an engine which is just as well as the instructions are in Japanese though their is an English sheet that came with it.
30 October 2016 at 21:32 #68401
Kev.W
Participant
@kev-w
As far as I remember (it was over 30 years ago), There wasn't any balsa, it was all pre-cut ply & yes it did take some bending, I still have the small plastic container of tiny brass nails, that I bought to pin the side & bottom hull pieces to the frames (there are thousands in those little packs)

I would think a 380 – 400 would fair make it go, don't know about the brushless route, not got to playing with those yet, but others will have a better idea, as even with a bit of ballast, I don't remember it being a heavy boat.

Edited By Kip Woods on 30/10/2016 21:36:56
31 October 2016 at 15:49 #68410
Dodgy Geezer 1
Participant
@dodgygeezer1
Well I have an unfinished Jupiter M401 (Chikyudo Model Co.Ltd) nearly completed by my father in 1979 for my 7th Birthday!

If you have the plans/instructions for the model, and can scan them, I would be very happy to put them up on my 'Old Boats' site. That way they won't be lost for ever – and maybe it may be available to some future 7 year old….
1 November 2016 at 19:59 #68425
Martin Goudie
Participant
@martingoudie88381
Yes I am Dodgy Geezer and I will try to get that done. I've just phoned my sister(who is more tech savvy) as I've only just bought this laptop and never had the internet before .Or I might try the nice girls in our office at work for help .I'll find a way. I doubt the instructions are of any use to anyone as no measurements. That said no instructions exist for that model on the internet so it's wise of you to ask me to do that. I'm not even up on how to put a pic of my face on my txts! I am a technology duffer i'm afraid but I will endeavour to improve. Like my boat I'm stuck in 1979!I can work my ZX81 better than this Windows laptop ha ha. I apologise for my ignorance and lack of knowledge about computers. But I simply had to enquire about getting this boat finished that was all. Now I need to pat the chalk off my duster and listen to some Quo!
4 October 2018 at 00:44 #79218
Martin Goudie
Participant
@martingoudie88381
I see the model Jupiter M401 for sale just now.
5 October 2018 at 18:09 #79246
Martin Field 1
Participant
@martinfield1
Martin, I'm sure with a little care you can get your boat motorised and finished. RC gear these days is VERY small, light and inexpensive.

If it's not very big or heavy the 380/400 size motor route sounds the likely one and would almost certainly what your Dad would have done with it back in the day, so keeping it all in period. RC has moved on though and you'd be well advised to use something like a FlySky 2 channel, which is around 20 quid, incredibly! Mine works a treat. Low amp ESCs (speed controls) are available very cheaply from China or Hobbyking and batteries from Component Shop and others.

There are articles on this site and many others that will give you the low down.

Good luck, I'm just finishing a Crash Tender my Dad made for me 55 years ago! So you're not alone.

Cheers,

Martin
5 October 2018 at 20:22 #79247
Martin Goudie
Participant
@martingoudie88381
Thank you so much for taking the time to post that Martin. I was finding the whole thing daunting, and with no model shop up here no one to impart what's best to do. In one post you've cleared that all up for me so many many thanks! I'll save your reply as i'll do exactly what you said now. Just moved house so loads to do first! May i wish you all the best with your Crash Tender it will be amazing of that i've no doubt. Thanks again Martin.
5 October 2018 at 20:47 #79248
Martin Field 1
Participant
@martinfield1
Oh dear! Blind leading the blind really, but I have only spoken of that which I know for a fact works. There are many who know more than I about the works, although I can always advise on the making of the boat (or rather the finishing).

I have built many a static large scale model for restaurants, architects, collectors and owners, but very few working models. So I can empathise with your fears about starting out, but there really are many good articles and build threads in various forums and magazines over the years. Much of it, once you start, is pretty much common sense.

But don't hesitate to ask if you have a problem. I never made a model boat until I ….made a model boat!

Thanks for your kind wishes for the Crash Tender. It is a very important model to me, as is it's wee sister, a Sea Urchin that is coming up to 60 years old next year! But that IS finished. In fact I completely restored it 3 years ago, but it retains its original little Kako motor, rusty shaft and twisted tinplate propellor! And of course, no RC whatever. Off white and burgundy, pure '50s.

Cheers,

Martin
14 July 2020 at 21:25 #89981
Dave Baines
Participant
@davebaines
Had this boat about 4 months as any one still have one mine is the plastic one
14 July 2020 at 21:34 #89982
Dave Baines
Participant
@davebaines
sorry my boat is a Jupiter p550
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