Japanese Class A 1/16

[MFR1964]

As you guys know, the front of the Ko Hyoteki is a eyecatcher, it was a bit of a challence to get it right, mainly because of those curved metal strips that form the netcutter itself.



First i had to make this, a kind of a endcap which slides onto the nose of the foam plug kept at it's place with a threaded bar and nut, went the easy way with adding the rivets on the reinforcement ring.



Next step was to make those strips which hold the netcutter at it's place, Von warned me to keep them all straight.



By using small strips soldered to the reinforcement-ring on the inside i could solder the strips on the outside, also made those constructions at the top and bottom complete with their big rivets.



First it was time to connect the frontwire to the nose, used some home made mini shackels and locked them with bolts, there are no clear pictures present, so i went the artistic way.



Made that rod which supports the netcutter, it's too big for now, have to rework it later on, the little strip in front was used to give me a big spot to solder the netcutters.



Finally after some fiddling the front top cutter was soldered to it's place, one hurdle taken.



Playing around with the lower cutter, there is more curve on this one, so it took me a few attempts to get it right.



You tell me Von, it think i nailed her.



For now she is ready to be tinkered, i only spot soldered her, have to alter some things like that pyramid shape of the middle bar, it's way too big compared to the pictures i have.



The overal view of my progress sofar, i'm eager to get that plug ready for weldinglines , hatches and rivets, but first finish the frontpart for details.

Manfred.

[MFR1964]

Thanks Von,

First i'll snoop around to see what i can find, artistic license will be a good second option.

Manfred.

[Von Hilde]

Not to worry, Manfred. The only big discrepancy with the bow diflector as the boat was restored at Mare Island, is the lower part of the cage around the torpedo bore was all twisted and bent from being dragged up on Waimanlo beach across the reef for about 50 meters. When the Sandcrabs, (yard workers) in San Francisco rebuilt the front cage, they neglected to streighten the two lower horizontal brace bars. Thet are bent down slightly on the display pictures. they did a terrible job on keeping the round rings concentric as well. One other place on the display that was incorrect was the attachment point of the jumper cable. Finding a good picture of one that is correct, may be harder than finding out about the hatches. A picture of any of the boats post war may be misleading. A good picture taken by the Japanese during the war would be unlikely because it was a well guarded secret. You may have to use "artistic license"and wing it.

[MFR1964]

The rearpart is done, only have to make the rudders and divingplanes.
Von and me had a discussion by Email about what kind of cage was placed at the Pearl Harbour Boats, to make things short, i stay with the single band cage, if there is other evidence i'll modify it to the dual band cage.
Pictures,



The ring is soldered and i added the antifauling bars both on top and on the bottom, also made a start with those bulges representing the hinges for both divingplanes and rudders.



Both horizontal stabilisers have bars at the front of the fins, mainly for the same reason as on the cage, the top fin has the antifauling cable attached, so no bar there.



The lower fin has also a bar, for now it's not attached to the hull because i only have the plug for fitting those items.



Made the attachmentpoint for the rear cable, the cable tensioner is different to the one used at the front of the conningtower, yet again had to made some shackels with bolts for securing the cable and tensioner.



This is the view towards the tower, to get the cable under tension i used elastic cord, so no worries for slack on the cable.

Now this thing is done i can put my attention to the front part, it's not that much work but i have to make certain provisions since i only have the plug, making new parts will be the main focus, and yet again roaming the net for more and better info about the construction at the bow.
There is a catch, Von warned me that the boat, Ha19, was not restored properly before it went on tour on the mainland, so i have some digging to do for more accurate pictures from before the restauration.


Manfred.

[MFR1964]

Thanks Von, email has arrived, have to digg in for more details on the cage.<br />
<br />
Manfred.

[Von Hilde]

Detail nut of the First Order, "Mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern,und Brillanten" sent some pictures that wont load here for some reason.

[MFR1964]

Thanks Von,

I'll stay with the single cage as placed on the Ha 19, which is the boat i want to replicate.

Manfred.

[Von Hilde]

Excelent work Manfred. Will you be building the full cage, like on the Louden boat Ha8?

[MFR1964]

It's done!!, steaming ahead to the next step.



The stabilisors are placed, had to use some small rods to get it stable.



First step in making the propellor protector, used copperplate 0,3 x 5 mm, when placed it will give some strenght to the stabilisors.



This is the more tedious part, dryfitting each part of the ring, made some notches, which will be glued in after soldering all loose parts.



This is where i stand now, all parts dryfitted, clamped them with wooden clamps for now, first have to make some small reinforcement strips before i can solder everything.

Manfred.

[MFR1964]

All the fins are cured and ready to be placed,



They are sanded down for the first stage, the piece to line them out has the notches.



Dryfitting all parts, using the threaded bar to keep the rearpiece tight.



Got the jigg from the attic and placed the plug inside, by using this part of the jigg all fins will be placed at the same distance.



You can use a laser or go oldfashion with a wire, tomorrow solderingtime!!!!, to be continued.


Manfred.

[MFR1964]

More news from the Cave,



First i made some drawings of the stabilisor fins, i´m going to make them from laminated CPB board, had to cut 12 pieces.



Took a small cutting disk and made all pieces, that circel will be used as a tool to get them straight on the hull, still have to cut out the notches.



Ready with sanding the insides, both outsides are staying copper for now.



This is where i stand now, glued down with epoxyglue, it has to cure for some days, pressing them down with a roll of sheetlead, when cured i can rework them.

Manfred.

[MFR1964]

Excellent Von, let's see what they can find, it would be a big plus if you can contribute to their help, half the world is rusting away, some things need help to be conserved.

Manfred

[Von Hilde]

Good news Manfred. I got a reply frm Mike Lebons, the curator, and he will see what he can do about taking pictures and measurements. It's quite possible the bottom hatch was welded shut from the outside and still has the handles and hinge assembly visible. I have his phone number now and we can communicate while he is taking pictures. Maybe he could take some of other details on the hull as well. I inquired as to restoration of the display and future plans, so perhaps I may be of some help. The organization has a voluntary staff, and could use a good historian, perhaps trchnicle advisor.

[Von Hilde]

Sent the an e mail requesting fotos and measurements just now. We will see what happens. I have an invitation from the display curator to go after hours or before they open to take pictures and measurements. I just haven had the opertunity to go to Texas yet. I would love to have you and Dave along when I go. Just waiting for the Power Ball to hit, and just buy the thing and get It running.

[MFR1964]

Von,

Contacting the museum is a good idea, give it a go please, a picture from the hatch underneat would be great, and maybe some measurements for size and location.

Manfred.