Commodores Challenge

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you Ashley, I sorta knew you would like the vents, would be nice to emit some smokey stuff eh?

I`ve just got an idea for that….And the gadget too!…… Watch this space

Got a few rolls of assorted white lining tape in the junk drawer…….Shortly

Brass scoops easy…..A slice of brass or Ali TUBING would do that nicely

Brass rails also easy

The worlds my oyster at the moment….I need to pace myself

All the best my mate

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Now planning the Cockpit fittings

Looking at the photo`s on the Web, there are no two Slippers the same

So, the world`s my Oyster, eh?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Windscreen card mock up

Slightly pedestrian. but good enough for purpose?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The seating area has a combing rim and needs the corners bending for a nice appearance

I just thought that it may be of interest if I post a photo of the operation

I like tydiness of the operation

A steel bar is gripped in the vice and supported at each end

The thin ply is soaked in water for a time, then gripped in the vice against the steel bar

Note two corners are being bent at the same time

Very carefully, bend the ply over the mandrel with the thumbs

Press the ply down over the entire bend area and don`t allow a hint of a crease to appear

The ply will surrender after a time

Weights are placed in position to maintain the bend process

It`ll be OK in the morning……Hopefully

Did any of you find this little ditty of interest?

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Yes good technique Bob.

i use a hot air gun on thin ply, applying a water spray and then heat, However it still needs holding in place until cool.

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you Ashley

An interim picture showing the Combing construction

Just for casual interest

Note the tubes keepng the curve in the corners and the start of the Slipper bling thing

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Working on the wind screen section at the moment

Having to make it up as we go along

The PVA glue takes ages to dry

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Captain Bob

I had forgotten just how idyllic the Slipper Launches are, I have spent a couple of happy hours looking at their graceful curves and how they look so elegant as they glide through the water.

No noisy engines and no plumes of exhaust smoke, which must have been very difficult to achieve from a forward mounted engine.

No 'boy racer' stripes or unnecessary additions, just the simple and very elegant lines that are the benchmark of a true craftsman.

On this example I think that the flag in an unnecessary addition as it detracts from the simple beauty of the launch itself.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

Your photo shows a very low waterline, which is probably the graceful attraction of the launch?

The Commodore originally designed the Challenge model to be 12 inches long!

Fearing that this would make installing the radio gear very difficult. he added extra depth. thus spoiling the sleekness

A bit of a shame really, but that`s life Kiddo!

The flag at the rear, seams to be quite popular, looking at the photos on the net

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Sometimes building small is not such a good idea.

Like you Bob, the larger size is preferable, and I know you are following the challenge sketch, but probably you could have made the boat 2/3 as deep as it is. Being flat and relatively empty they will or should float very “light”.

But..a bit of ballast and all will be sorted!

Ash

(great picture…note white hull!)

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Ashley

Yes, I`ve noted the white hull.Nice to see, I also note how shallow the full size craft is. makes my model look like a Liberty Ship!

Note to worry, I`m enjoying the build as is

It`s coming along in leaps and bounds now!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Work in progress

Cobbled the windscreen arrangement and looks quite nice?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Some progress made today

The black stains were caused by rust during the bending process

Not a problem really

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Still working on the cockpit

The Fablon finish is looking the Bee Knees!

The Windscreen is glazed now

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Yes looks ok, the fablon!

Just a suggestion..a wicker picnic hamper or…something.. aft of the cabin might add interest and go some way to disguise the lack of rear seating?

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you for thoughtful suggestion Ashley

A wicker basket would be quite acceptable, I`ve also got a nice little pot dog that needs a basket, a rug and would be a very suitable back seat driver

I`m working on the searing arrangement at the moment

All good fun

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Blimey, Maisie didn`t hang about…..

She`s in already……..Woof

Bob

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Looking very neat and tidy Bob. I can't believe how fast you have cracked on with this. That cockpit coaming has worked superbly and looks so much better than sharp corners would have done.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you very much Richard for your very kind words…..Much appreciated

Being retired and not much else to do, I just can`t stop building and tinkering

The thread was created for initially, for the benefit of Etherow Club Members to help out with this year`s Commodore`s Challenge

As you can see, they are none existent at the moment. perhaps, because the Comp is too far off to make a start at the moment

Thank you and all the best.

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Made up a couple of seats

Just wondering what the scale of the model is? ……Now that I need two good men

The hull is 6 " wide and would guess the scale is about 1" to 1 ft?

Can we get 5 inch men these days? don`t fancy Dolls or Spacemen!….or Teddy Bears etc

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Personally Bob I think that the seats are a bit small and make the boat look enormous.

BUT, thats just my opinion. With figures seated it might look different….?

5 inch men in short supply. I wanted some 6 inch men for the Stalwart and could only find 135mm men, which were ok, but I cant see them on e-bay any more!

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Ashley for your constructive comments, they are alway`s welcome

I don`t know about the correct width of the seats, but what I did was , I used the available space as on the plan

As they are on my model, it would be quite awkward. actually getting sat down! Due to lack of space available

At the moment, that`s the best I can do

Had your jabs yet?

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

DHad one jab Bob, second in 2 weeks.

i wouldn’t worry about the reality of getting in and out the Slipper, it is just a model and no one wonders how figures get in and out of them!

Personally I would leave the cabin area until last, then Get some figures and try them for size/fit. Any figures will do, just to get a view of “the look” of it, or at least, that’s what I do.

Obviously the cabin size is now fixed as you have made it, but the interior can still be fiddled with, in regard to accommodation for your passengers.

Ashley

Edited By ashley needham on 16/05/2021 07:30:31

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Fitted a few hand rails today…..A right fiddly job

Used bicycle spoke wire, No brass at the moment

Looking more like it now?

Still got the hull to finish off and tidy up the innards

Bob

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

looking superb Bob………lovely characteristics of the stern lovingly captured.

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