Fairey Huntsman 28

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

I mentioned previously that I was going to have to do a bit of fettling of the alloy motor mounts. Of course they would do the job as supplied but no way was I going to mount lovely engineered brushless motors onto them as they were with sharp edges and the jaw imprint from where they were bent.

So today I spent a restful hour or so with file, emery paper and Brasso to make them more presentable to be fitted into Fairey models. I didn't remove the jaw marks completely as there were pretty deep, but improved nevertheless.

Chris

[Tim RoweParticipant @timrowe83142]

Hi Chris

An hour or two very well spent. You will enjoy them even more now. I do, just looking at them.

Well done

Tim R

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Thanks Tim.

Ready to install the prop shaft and motor mount now but delayed as had to order a 4/5mm coupling and a solid alignment coupling. I've fitted the rudder tube though. I mentioned before that when drilling the hole for the tube it went off centre and at a slight angle and so I had to set to with a file with the result that the hole was now oversize and the tube a sloppy fit. I ordered some Deluxe Materials Eze Epoxy Putty and it was just the job for holding the tube in the correct position, having wrapped a strip around the tube and pushing into position, and for fairing in between the tube and the hull. I had to do this as I filed a flat across the pronounced vee to provide a good bed for the base of the tube and there is always going to be gaps unless you've got a pretty much flat keel.

Once the putty had gone off, it says 10 – 15 mins but I left it an hour, I removed the securing nut and pressed some putty down the hole and around the tube inside the hull and refitted the nut whilst the putty sets hard.

When I fitted the birch ply deck I gave it a couple of coats of varnish to protect from marks and knocks. Having fitted the mahogany rubbing strips a little while ago and now sanded them to a rounder profile I thought I'd apply some more varnish. The varnish used is International Paints Schooner and on the birch ply gives a lovely honey colour which is similar to the full sized boats. I know the high gloss finish isn't though but like many I love the look of gloss varnish against a painted hull etc. so thought I'd go for that look on this model.

Chris

 

 

Edited By Chris Fellows on 08/10/2019 19:38:15

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Parts for the prop shaft have arrived now but thought I'd do some work on the cockpit area. I bought some laser etched planking from SLEC a while ago in readiness for this.

First I made a card template of the floor and then traced around this onto the planking ply, selecting an area where the grain isn't too prominent, and then cut to size with the scroll saw and sanded with the trusty PermaGrit block. After a little work it was an almost perfect fit – pity that quite a bit of it is going to be covered by the engine cover! Then partly with reference to my drawing and partly to photos of full sized boats I sketched out and dimensioned the engine cover and then drew on ply to give the front, back and top. Again these were cut to size with the scroll saw and PermaGrit. A timber was then glued to the planking followed by the rear of the cover. The rest of the boxing was then dry assembled. The boxing certainly breaks up the long cockpit and gives it better proportion.

Chris

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

Hi.Chris, both boats looking good, I do like the high gloss finish on the deck, even if it is not typical of the prototype.

I am getting a feeling that I might have to put a Fairey on my build list.

Regards.

Eddie.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

I am getting a feeling that I might have to put a Fairey on my build list.

DM

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Good man Eddie. We can never have too many Faireys on here!

The gloss finish does look very good. With the other builds and future ones I shall be sticking with something more realistic, particularly the River Cruiser, with it being a one off prototype and having a painted deck.

Chris

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

The Fairey will have to be after the Cossack and the IOM yaght that is next onto the dining room table!

Eddie.

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Any thoughts on which Fairey you fancy building?

Today's job was to glue together the rest of the engine cover and add the "planking" to the top. The upright panels will be painted white as per some full sized examples. The planked areas will then be given a couple of coats of Schooner varnish and put to one side until the superstructure has been painted.

My fear is that if I glue the planked floor down that even if I mask it with Tamiya tape there is a chance that paint could bleed into the grooves of the planking and look a right mess. Not worth the risk.

Chris

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

I think it will have to be the Huntsman 28. and I agree with your thoughts that the paint would bleed into the grooves.

Eddie.

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Good choice, you don't see many.

Yes, on the engine cover I'm going to have to hand paint the uprights rather than spray.

Chris

[Tim RoweParticipant @timrowe83142]

Hi Chris

With the gloss you achieved on the fore deck you should be fine with a bit of hand painting.

I often think a bit of nicely done hand painting brings depth and character to a model that stops it looking factory made.

Always looking out for you next episodes and I repeat, lots of neat work to be proud of.

Tim R

[Brian White 3Participant @brianwhite3]

Hi Chris,

I had been following your build of the H28 and it looks really good. Any progress since your last post in October 19. With the present lock down I've had plenty of spare time to progress mine with some detailing. Wasn't happy with my paint job on the cabin, so I'm in the midst of repainting prior to fitting the widow frames and windows. Had a bit of a setback with the windows, which I wanted tinted, so sourced some 3mm perspex (the thinnest I could find). Cut these out and fitted, but found the slight curvature of the cabin sides didn't line up with the rigidity of the perspex. A bit of searching on You tube and found I could tint thinner clear plastic sheet using Tamiya 'TS-71 Smoke' clear spray paint. So have this on order and will be ready to complete the glazing. I still haven't had the hull in the water yet, so can't say if ballast will be needed (or where I could put it), but hey, one problem at a time. Best regards, Brian

Edited By Brian White 3 on 12/04/2020 19:03:49

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Good to hear from you Brian. I've wondered how you've been getting on with your build.

No further progress on mine. I got the H28 and the River Cruiser to the point where I was going to fit the prop shafts and then paint them but I took too long and it got too cold to paint outside. So as you might have noticed I started another build, the H31 Sport!

Once I've finished the hull I shall drop back on the other two and the Swordsman!

Chris

[Brian White 3Participant @brianwhite3]

Just thought you might want to see my progress …

This is how it is today. Rubbed down and re-primed the cabin ready for top coat.

…and this is whats under the wraps.  awaiting the Tamiya paint and 1mm clear plastic sheet for new windows.

The RC access panel fits a bit tight at the moment so sits a little proud at the moment, but you get the idea.

Edited By Brian White 3 on 13/04/2020 13:53:39

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Looking good Brian, you've certainly cracked on with it. I didn't fancy hatches which is one reason I modified mine with the superstructure coming off as one and of course with it being smaller access would have been more difficult.

Chris

[Alan BellParticipant @alanbell30496]

Hello Brian,

I’ve just started restoring my old 42” Huntsman 28 and have been admiring the work you’ve been doing on yours.

I have mine almost stripped back down to the wood now and I’m starting to think about the new paint job!

I was never happy with the original shade of blue I used, and would like to go with a darker navy blue similar to what you have used.

Could you let me know what you used please?

Thanks,

Alan

[Brian White 3Participant @brianwhite3]

Hi Alan,

The hull is Halfords spray paint 'Volkswagan Indigo Blue'. Initially the cabin was sprayed the same, but after fitting the windscreen I needed to repaint, so masked up and resprayed with my airbrush using Acrylic, 'Vallejo Azure Blue'. These colours are very similar, so you could get the same look with either.

Best of luck with your restoration, perhaps some photos before and after?

Regards, Brian

[Alan BellParticipant @alanbell30496]

Hi Brian,

Thanks very much for the info, the Halfords paint looks good.

My Huntsman is over 40 years old and in a bit of a sorry state. It was originally powered by a Merco 35 IC Engine, but I’m going electric with it and have purchased a Turnigy brushless motor, as recommended by Dave Milbourn on this Forum. Chris Fellowes has also provided me with some invaluable help.

I’m still in the early stages, removing all the old IC components and stripping off the old paint, but having fun doing it!

I’ll try and stick some ‘before’ photos on here.

Cheers,

Alan

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Alan,

Please don't throw the Merco 35 away 😯 I fancy putting it in a Huntsman of some sort 😀

We still run ic @ Mote park Maidstone, all that oil, smoke & noise ! Just like the old days, wonderful .

Please PM if it's available.

Regards Ray

[Alan BellParticipant @alanbell30496]

Hi Ray,

Good to year that you’re still running IC boats, I have fond memories of firing up mine and opening up the throttle on it. Not so fond memories of waiting until the boat drifted back to shore after the engine cut out though! I’m rather attached to the Merco 35 so have no plans to sell it I’m afraid.

Cheers,

Alan

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Alan,

No problem, I know they are becoming an endangered species, rather like model boaters 😮

They were never the most sought after engine !!

Regards Ray

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

After my first ever prop shaft and motor install in the River Cruiser now to do the H28, the prop I was waiting for having arrived along with some others for existing and future builds in different dia. and thread sizes to give me options.

Having done the trial fit last year I'd forgotten that I was going to have to reduce the length of the shaft and the tube. I did however buy at the time a mini pipe cutter to do the job rather than using a hacksaw and file. I'm going to have to do some more filing to the hole through the keel as well as the prop is sitting too far from the hull. 

I'm not using the UJ coupling shown in the last photo (that's the River Cruiser one) but one of the alloy and rubber sandwich type.

Chris

 

Edited By Chris Fellows on 05/05/2020 13:10:55

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

Blimey Chris have you cornered the market in brass props😄.

Eddie.

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Hi Eddie

Even better, bronze.

Yes, I got a bit carried away not knowing what future supply would be like! Trouble is I bought some M5 for the Huntsman 31 and I'm going to change to an M4 prop shaft. I suppose I could wear them on a chain!

Chris

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