scale

[nic123]

no one's here into scale ships like container vessels rite?

[toiletfreak]

I am...I do RC WWII vessels, currently planning to build a schnellboot S-100 Klasse and maintaining a Yamato...=) Where do you boat?

[nic123]

Hi,

I haven't got anything yet.. but I intend to go into this hobby..

I like those scale container type ships and submarines..

it's cheaperto convert a plastic kit to rc type rite?

hmm.. but I dun know how to start leh.. can offer some advice to this newbie?

heh..

[toiletfreak]

Re

Hi,

I haven't got anything yet.. but I intend to go into this hobby..

I like those scale container type ships and submarines..

it's cheaperto convert a plastic kit to rc type rite?

hmm.. but I dun know how to start leh.. can offer some advice to this newbie?

heh..

Hi Nicholas,

Congrats and welcome to the singapore scale model RC community!

Generally given free hull plans its cheaper to build a scratchbuilt RC model than converting an equivalent plastic model kit..Though it takes longer to build. Heard of some guy in Europe taking 15 years to complete his KM Bismarck

Generally I have not come across any shops selling plastic kits of model tankers yet. You might want to try Stargek (near Paya Lebar MRT) if you are searching for Tamiya products (FYI, they are the SEA distributors for Tamiya stuff in this region ), though I don't recall Tamiya selling any subs large enough for conversion. Generally you can get 1/350 plastic kits of warships for about~$100. May seem quite pricey, but you get good quality stuff from Japan. Alternatively try M Workshop @ Sunshine Plaza, the vendor is a plastic modeller himself and might give you some leads .

If you are thinking of doing subs you might want to consider scratchbuilding them, gives you more freedom in customising your sub. You need hull plans though, which can be found free online; purchased online or bought from museums.

Advise you to spend a few months to research on the ship you are building so much so that you know it like the back of your hand. You would be better off in terms of planning your ship and building it.

Erm, generally you would have to decide on the boat you are going to make and your future plans on building new boats in order to decide which RC system you would need to purchase. For eg, if you are doing boats, you need 2 channels - one to control the rudder and another to control the motors. For subs it would probably be a few more channels. RC system can range from $70 to a few K -- depends on the number of channels, programmability, brand, etc. You can purchase these from hobby shops in Fook Hai Building (near Chinatown MRT). The guy at Singahobby should be more than willing to help you

Electronics wise is a bit chunky, you could google / ask the hobby shop vendors. Basically you need a Transmitter (control) and a receiver. Tx sends radio signals to Rx. Rx then inteprets these radio signals. Connected to the Rx are your servos / electronic speed controllers (ESC). Servos work by the Rx sending timed signals to it. They are basically rudder motors. ESCs control the speed of the motor by intepreting the signals and outputs the relevant current to the motors. These ESCs are also linked to the batteries. For me, AA NiMH rechargable batteries work well. I use about 8 -- 4 connected in parallel. You might want to consider using LiPo batteries, they are longer lasting. Consult the guys at Fook Hai building for advice on what to purchase, perhaps bring along the hull plans to show them what you need.

Displacement dosen't seem to be a problem for most ships. In fact, most often need to be filled with extra lead ballast to keep them at the waterline level.

Waterproofing:

I find that it is not really necessary to waterproof the deck / hatch if you are operating in calm ponds. Just ensure that you seal the vulnerable places (eg drive shaft to hull) using some gap filler. I don't use a stuffing box or some safety catch to prevent water from entering via the drive shaft or rudder, for slow model RC ships you can just grease the shaft. For submarines you need to waterproof the entire thing obviously. One thing to note though: Ensure that your Rx is properly waterproofed / sealed in some box / balloon / etc, just in case water gets in

Word of Caution: Always test your boat's seaworthiness in smaller pools before venturing to bigger ponds. You won't want to have an incident of your boat stalling in the middle (or some shortcircuit due to improper wire insulation)!


Have fun boating!

[BryanLow]

That's nice information

I'll try to scratch build 1 if I have the time. Will need you to be my Sifu if I encounter problems

[toiletfreak]

That's nice information

I'll try to scratch build 1 if I have the time. Will need you to be my Sifu if I encounter problems

lawl I am still quite noob lah..

[BryanLow]

at least you build a few le.
I'm not in it yet haha....

[windgod]

hi guys, s-boat 1/35 scale is coming up soon. it will be a good subject to convert to RC

it is around 1 meter in length.

It will be in Singapore for around S$120 by year end.

[BryanLow]

hi guys, s-boat 1/35 scale is coming up soon. it will be a good subject to convert to RC

it is around 1 meter in length.

It will be in Singapore for around S$120 by year end.

Hi Bro,
Any Pics for reference?

[nic123]

wow! so scratch build is like i buy all the materials then cut it out myself?

my arts suck man..

heh.. singapore got any shops which sell a big enough submarine kit for conversion?

heh.. can you be my shifu also..

cuz I infer I will be very lost..

hahaha..

[toiletfreak]

hi guys, s-boat 1/35 scale is coming up soon. it will be a good subject to convert to RC

it is around 1 meter in length.

It will be in Singapore for around S$120 by year end.

I am building one from scratch Managed to get free hull plans its also about 1m plus...

[toiletfreak]

wow! so scratch build is like i buy all the materials then cut it out myself?

my arts suck man..

heh.. singapore got any shops which sell a big enough submarine kit for conversion?

heh.. can you be my shifu also..

cuz I infer I will be very lost..

hahaha..

Not really art and craft lah.. More towards mechanics. Probably you can consider the airbrushing as an art You might want to check out the other forum I frequent, has lots of people who do scratchbuild, and lots of step-by-step pictures too...do check out ARH's scrachbuilt Iron Duke, its good for learning :

http://www.shipmodels.info/mwphpBB2/viewforum.php?f=13

[ric7667]

Hey Guy, Keep the scale Model RC alive. I am ones of the old member from BP
long time ago. Used to play there with other that come with anything that move in the water,tug boat, war ship, oil tanker,container ship chinese junk,submarine amph.vehicle swam,duck and duckling.I still have my old Tug and currently building a LST for my HengLong Tank so that I can beach and land my tank .

[toiletfreak]

Hey Guy, Keep the scale Model RC alive. I am ones of the old member from BP
long time ago. Used to play there with other that come with anything that move in the water,tug boat, war ship, oil tanker,container ship chinese junk,submarine amph.vehicle swam,duck and duckling.I still have my old Tug and currently building a LST for my HengLong Tank so that I can beach and land my tank .

We need a RC scale modelling group in Singapore...currently there isn't any. Anyone interested...