Japanese Class A 1/16

[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.

[Von Hilde]

I have a picture of a koryu being lifted up wit a salvage crane. Both hatches open. The lower hatch appears to be hinged aft, so when open, it acts as a scoop and would flood the boat quickly, one would think. especially if in forward motion. Assuming the Ko Hyo had the same design. Actual position of the lower hatch on the A type, was just below the pilots position, most likely directly in line with the tower hatch. I had to e mail you the picture of the starboard side of ha9 with the graphics and labeling of parts of the picture. In the koryu picture the lower hatch appears to be slight more aft of the upper as well. I actually slept under the Ha 19 close to the hatch back in 62' Sleep is a kinder word than passed out from drinking warm beer in the hot tropicle sun, as an 18 yr old sailor, so the memory may be slightly fogged. I Do remember there was one though.. I could try to contact the Museum curator, and ask if we could have someone look, and possibly get a foto.

[MFR1964]

Von,

I also have the second picture with the open hatch, time to get the cuttingdisk out, gonna cut the outside wheel off !!!
That escape hatch underneath, any idea if it was present on the Class A, the picture i have is from the Koryu type, and the position on the hull, don't know if you can see that on your model.

Manfred.

[Von Hilde]

On the Ha 19' the flush hatch was welded shut for safety measures to keep people out during its display years. In 1962' the first time I saw it they were operational, and I went inside to look around.. The pictures that Dave sent me with Genes drawings were taken in the 80s with Commander Lynn Baughman's measurements for the Wings model, have a POV of the top of the tower looking aft. Hatch is welded shut at this time. Pictures of the type A ha9 recovered in the 60s open hatch with smooth top. Note the numbers and hash marks under the barnacles, and the size of thr font in scale. Almost like the display mock up but smaller.

[MFR1964]

Thanks Von,

If there was no wheel-hatch on the outside, i will remove that to be more scale accurate.
I do have a picture from the lower escape hatch in the open position, it would be logical if there is no wheel on the outside, this would pick up all sorts of rubbish instead of being part of the hull.

Mandred.

[Von Hilde]

Wonderful job on thr turnbuckle and hatch. I made a large wheel on mine, but can't remember wher I got the idea for being large. Possibly a photo, but, after reading some documents on the type A, reguarding the 5 Pearl Harbor boats. Their hatches were secured by the crew from inside, and there was no outside access. Both tower and under the hull escape hatches had large wheels on the inside, I believe because the picture I have of a lower hatch open has the large circumference wheel. I will look for the picture, but I won't be changing mine, I don't think. After looking at your tensioner, I may modify mine to look more authentic. Still haven't had much time to model yet this winter. I don't have much to do to complete the ha19, as far as detailing. Still have to redo the controls for the rudder and dive planes, and one more prop to build. That is right after I finish the guest bathroom and laundry room. Be nice working in small scale again. Big stuff takes a toll on my old body, now days, and hiring a kid to do the heavy stuff, is just ridiculous.

[greenman407]

Absolutely your Worship! When you get a moment sir.............would you check on my latest update on the 23 and give me your appraisal?