Japanese Class A 1/16

[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?

[MFR1964]

You really want play that annoying mortal, don't you, Finish your XXIII !!!!!!<br />
<br />
Manfred.

[greenman407]

HA! You and David both

[MFR1964]

Watch it Mark!!, or i'll start up the lightning generator, have fresh angelwing anodes installed.<br />
<br />
Manfred.

[greenman407]

Thats why he refers to himself as a "detail NUT of the first order"

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Now, this! .... THIS is model-building!

M

[greenman407]

Attaboy Manfred! I know you love a challenge, and this boats a challenge for sure.

[MFR1964]

Hatch and cable-tensioner time!!!!



This is my version of the japanese class A cable-tensioner, i made it static, those threads are soldered tight, the shackels are functional with a M 1 bolt.



A make-shift rigg with some cable to show how it will be fastened to the hull.



Used this picture as reference for the cable-tensioner, there are more shackels, but i don't want to overcomplicate this contraption.



Also made me a boat-stand, most usefull to shove the boat around and to keep it safe from the cat.



Made the hatch the same way as my XVIIb, used CBP board as the base material, hinges are from the stock i have.



From pictures i know the hatch is slightly recessed, used a cardboard template to imitate that, found out another thing, it seems that the hatch on a Class A hinges towards the bow, and at the B Class it hinges towards the stern, have several pictures from both types and this caught my attention.
There was also a removed area on top of the tower in front of the hatch, this way allowing the hatch to open more as 90 degrees.



If you look closely you can see that removed piece, just in front of the sailor standing on the tower, it seems they removed the entire hatch during the salvage.



It can be opened, made a poor imitation of the locking device to secure the hatch, it will do untill i find a good picture from the hatch itself.

Manfred.

[MFR1964]

Thanks for the support, the hatch is proceeding well, still have to add some details, it's functional, you know i have a slight disorder for hatches, the designdrawing for the cable-tensioner is being made, hope to start with this item this week, so i can show you guys some pictures.
Manfred.

[trout]

Manfred,
You are doing a great job on this! Do not let it get to you, sit back and enjoy a beverage of your pleasure. Kick the cat. Then solutions will prevent itself to you. (Kicking the cat is optional)

[MFR1964]

Thanks Von,

Working on the hatch, still have to make that cable-tensioner, the rear-end, the front-part, aaaaarrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!, i'm loosing it!!!!


Manfred.

[Von Hilde]

I'm getting inspired to dig mine out an do some work, Manfred. Looks real good.

[MFR1964]

Stage one, adding the front anti-fauling bars.



Second stage, adding those bars which protect the peroscope housing, and punched some holes into the protector with the help of a mold.



OOPS!!, made a mistake, those bars near the peroscope housing where sitting too high, modified it accourding to the pictures i have.



Drilled out the housing and shoved the future scope in for testing.



I'm going to make a mold of this tower, so each component can be removed, used two M2 bolts for fastening the housing, will need more bolts in the future to keep the tensionwheel on it's place.
Now i can start building the hatch.

Manfred.

[MFR1964]

Thanks Von, Always nice those historical facts, i bet this is only the tip of the Iceberg.
As for me, i played around in the cave and made me something new,



Stage one, made a fourspoke wheel, not sure if they where used at the real boats, but the japs made practical things not german overcomplicated. cutted both sidewalls from copper sheet, drilled all holes in one attempt, so they center nicely.



Dryfitting all parts before soldering.



Soldered everything and used the dremel to make it shine, the wheel can be turned and there is a small groove inside the wheel to run the cable.



A dryfitt at the conningtower, now i have this part i can make the bars which where part of the anti-fauling system, those are connected between the persocope protector and the tensionwheel, to be continued.

Manfred.