Trumpeter 1:144 scale

[Kazzer]

I've just received a small shipment of models from Trumpeter for evaluation to see what is involved in conversion to r/c

I have both versions of the Gato, and both Chinese 33 boats.

The Gato models look very easy to convert, and I especially liked the way the superstructure saddled the hull. It makes the hull cutting easy as all the cuts would be under the superstructure and therefore invisible. The rear dive planes, and rudder looks like a challenge to get the push-rods to operate, but I'm sure The Wizard will come up with something.

The Chinese boats have very small props, about 3/8" diameter, and I'm struggling to find a ready made prop, so I guess The Wiz will be hot casting them from his white metal. These props run in a shroud and the shaft looks like it will have to run outside the hull for an inch or two - another little challenge.

I also received the Russian Destroyer Sovremenny in 1:200 scale. It looks like a lot of work, with almost 1000 pieces, and finding 5 blade props might present a problem. We're hoping to offer all the 'innards' to make these models r/c in a complete package.

A little elf told me The Wizard sliced himself up today with a Utility knife and had to have 7 stitches. Oh! Dear!

[Kazzer]

Today, I spent a little time looking at the 33 Chinese submarine, as it looked a little more difficult to deal with.

His Eminence told me he had given up using a circular Dremel type cutter to cut the hulls at the waterline, so I thought I'd try it on this model. There are two lines about 1/8" apart, running along the waterline, so I picked the higher one. I took an Exacto knife with a pointed, tapered blade and tried to run it along the line. It slid out far to often, leaving small slice marks, so that obviously wasn't the answer. I turn the knife over, stuck the point into the line groove and lightly dragged it backwards! Bingo! A thin swarf was pulled out every time I drew the blade backwards. After several draws of the blade, I flexed the hull and wiggled it, and the the section parted easily from the hull. It took me about 5 minutes on the second part of the hull, and 30 minutes on the first figuring it out. This is EASY, even I can do it!

[redboat219]

epg800 from Taiwan has converted the 1/144 Romeo to a static diver.
Check out thread at RCGroups http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1295332
and his blog http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/epg800/ar...357&l=f&fid=21

[Kazzer]

epg800 from Taiwan has converted the 1/144 Romeo to a static diver.
Check out thread at RCGroups http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1295332
and his blog http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/epg800/ar...357&l=f&fid=21

Yes, he gave me permission to use some of his photos. Note how he used the prop shroud cowls (I think that is a reasonable name for them) as rear dive planes. He also got rid of the twin props and replaced them with one central prop. I'm sure the purists would hate this, but it does give larger surface area to the original small planes, and getting those props to work out on those wings looks to be a real pain. David M. said he'd work it out, so we'll wait for his 10 cents worth.





And here is the prop -

Note the rudder has an arm outside the hull to operate it. The Wizard suggested we could use the Revell Skipjack Fittings Kit part to contain the push-rod within the hull.