RAF rescue launch ASR HSL

[Philip Hughes 1Participant @philiphughes1]

Hi guys – as a first model building a 'whaleback' using a set of plans – being built with my father-in-law.

Its a RAF HSL/ASR – with a 'flat bottom' – thought this plan best for my basic skills in 1/24th scale – any hints or tips please?

We are scrath building hull and superstructure from balsa with added details from 3d printed parts from ebay etc. BUT need some help sourcing 1/24th scale gun turrets x2 anyone able to help – happy to pay a fair price for them. Not happy with just shaping them out of wood and painting them white!

Help appreciated for this newbie

[Philip Hughes 1Participant @philiphughes1]

new build

[Dave Cooper 6Participant @davecooper6]

Hello Phillip and welcome to the forum.

I struggled with this one too. My boat is just 16" overall and, I couldn't find any commercial parts for the turret. In the end, I made one out of a car rear light bulb (which seemed to be the right size and shape).

The 'gunner' came from a 1/48 German aircrew set (Revell, I think). I had to do a bit of 'surgery' to get him inside the bulb once the base was removed ("ship-in-a-bottle" style !). I wrecked a few bulbs though in the process… The guns are also scratch built in balsa /dowel etc. The turret rotates, but, the gun barrels don't articulate. I have a long-term plan to use an "Arduino Uno" to rotate the turret in a randomly selected fashion…

Hope this helps – photo(s) below,

Dave

Edited By Dave Cooper 6 on 11/05/2021 08:45:23

[Dave Cooper 6Participant @davecooper6]

What I call "fun scale" (and, started by my son and a friend when they were very young…)

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Philip. I seem to remember other people struggling to find turret glass for this, as they are an awkward shape. The light bulbs are great only as far as if they are the right size!

Clear acrylic domes can be purchased on e-bay, which, if mated to some tube (same size) may make a reasonable substitute?

Ashley

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

You might find this an interesting read. Not exactly the same as yours but the scratch building of the turret might just give you some ideas:

https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,9758.0.html

The gent who built this also posts on here so he should see any questions you might have.

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Phillip,

Is your model going to be static for show or radio controlled if so the flat bottoms not a great idea, at around 35" long at 1/24th scale I don't think fittings would be that hard to find?

Regards Ray

[Philip Hughes 1Participant @philiphughes1]

thanks for tips guys – I'll be sure to feedback how this goes. Nice tip about the bulb – can I ask what bulb you used – looks good on the pictures @Dave Cooper 6

@Ray Wood the model is for radio control – but only thinking of powering the motors – not turrets etc

[Tim CooperParticipant @timcooper90034]

H

You could have a walk around the supermarket. There might be a vac forming a convenient shape or top that could be used.

Tim

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

Tim beat me to it. When I built a similar model, I went round our local cheapo shop looking at packaging. I used the plastic from small bottles, they were only 1 mm out, quite ok for me.

[John W EParticipant @johnwe]

Hi there

The method I used to create these gun turrets is fully explained on Mayhem on the build I did on there of the 63ft Whaleback launch – but here are a couple of pics to give you the idea. It was done in an oven to warm the clear plastic up and then I pushed the mould into the soft plastic to create the shape of the gun turret. It took one or two attempts but in my opinion it looks far superior than a lightbulb painted.

Going to put the pictures in my album and then I will put them on here.

 

 

 

 

Edited By John W E on 11/05/2021 15:28:16

[John W EParticipant @johnwe]

[John W EParticipant @johnwe]

Edited By John W E on 11/05/2021 15:27:41

[Dave Cooper 6Participant @davecooper6]

Posted by Philip Hughes 1 on 11/05/2021 09:53:04:

thanks for tips guys – I'll be sure to feedback how this goes. Nice tip about the bulb – can I ask what bulb you used – looks good on the pictures @Dave Cooper 6

I think it was a rear stop /tail from a VW Golf Estate. We had to get a spare set to go touring around Europe. I think mine maybe a little 'over-scale' though. I sized the gunner from the wheel-house door and then the turret from the gunner, plus some photos on the internet.

My Dad was a skipper of one of these during WW2. From his memories (and stories) plus, some modeller's licence I finished the boat from where the boys left off. It planes quite nicely as it has a shallow 'V' just before a step, approx. 1/3 back from the bows. Aft of this is flat bottom.

[Dave Cooper 6Participant @davecooper6]

This isn't the 'proper' scale shape for the bow and step, but, it's how I did it…. the 'V' section (forward of the step) is in fact a 'double-hull'.

[Dave Cooper 6Participant @davecooper6]

The step (as viewed from aft) :

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