Japanese Class A 1/16

[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.

[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.