American Civil War City Class Gunboat

by **AlwynTurner** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 5:52 pm

Just a suggestion but have you considered replacing some of those heavy metal components with 3d printed parts, I have this picture of your gunboat with it's rear deck submerged! Maybe you could place the motors at the centre of the boat with long prop shafts?

Good luck with the build :clap:

Alwyn

by **Jimster** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 6:32 pm

I have not thought about 3D printed components but I’ve seen some. I’m going to use 43” of solid insulation foam board two layers thick so hopefully it will be quite buoyant and easy to add weights to get the proper waterline. I’m definitely going to experiment with motor placement and will probably use 12” propeller shafts.
I plan to coat the hull with a Bondo type stuff or two part resin or something that’s foam compatible.

by **EAO** » Thu Feb 11, 2021 4:05 pm

Wow,

Those are some serious motors, probably strong enough to move that Civil War Gunboat along at off shore cigarette boat speed!

But, that would be silly!

Cheers,
Eric.

by **Jimster** » Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:55 pm

Sloooww progress. I have the foam hull started with the “engineering space” cut out for all the hardware. A second layer of foam board is glued to the bottom. Once carved into shape it will get a covering of Bondo or some waterproof resin of some sort. The 540 electric motors are shown in their approximate locations.

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by **Will01Capri** » Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:51 pm

oh WOW!
I never knew of the existence of this boat until i watched the film sahara and researched if indeed the ironclad was real. it is soooo coooool
You need a truck and trailer to move it to the docks hahahahahahaha
Lovely work

by **Jimster** » Fri Mar 05, 2021 9:58 pm

Thanks, man. Your creations (and creativity) have partly inspired me to tackle this project. I’m just getting spread a little thin with several projects going at once.

by **Will01Capri** » Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:51 pm

Haha, I know that feeling.

by **Snowwolflair** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 1:41 am

Good luck with this model.

I have built a lot of RC warships and you are going to need flat calm water to sail her.

Keep your weight as low as possible and centred to stop wobble and I would even recommend you mount you motors and gearboxes sideways to get the motors as low as possible.

by **Jimster** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 2:00 am

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. First ever rc boat for me so I need all the advice I can get.

by **Jimster** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 2:08 am

More like this?

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by **Snowwolflair** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 8:14 am

Yes perfect. Also a lip around the opening to keep deck wash out will be necessary.

The real thing had the seaworthiness of a plank of wood.

by **EAO** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 4:30 pm

Jim,

After your video of "Miss Leningrad" testing the water; and now this, it seems you have a thing for H2O and expensive electronics! :crazy:

I have no doubt it'll turn out well, probably with a few "oh crap" moments in between just to keep it interesting! As my Grand Dad was fond of saying "what's the worst that could happen"? :lolno:

Carry on, following along with much interest! :thumbup:

Cheers,
Eric.

by **Jimster** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 5:16 pm

You know, I have been watching some cool YouTube videos of RC Type VII submarines. Hmm.....

by **Jimster** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 1:17 am

WARNING! Images may be disturbing to some weak people. Viewer discretion is advised.
My styrene sheets arrived today! 2 pieces are 24” x 48” x .040” and one 12” x 48” piece .020” thick. I covered the foam main deck with .040” styrene tonight. Be careful when using new #11 blades. Do not drink before using sharp objects!

I’m trying to decide whether to sheath the hull with styrene sheet or use fiberglass cloth and resin to cover it. Any boat people here with recommendations?
Slow going but I thought I would post my progress such as it is. Lots of filing and blending and shaping to do on the hull of course.

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by **PainlessWolf** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 2:39 am

Jimster!
Great progress, Doc! It's definitely your model now that you've shed blood for it! ;o) Following along!
regards,
Painless

by **Rad_Schuhart** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 6:02 am

I,d say fiberglass. Easier to work, easier to fix and if it is what most people use, there must be a reason...

by **Jofaur86** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:32 pm

To reinforce EPS / EPX or Roofmate poystyrene foam, use polyester or epoxy resin? preferably use a special Plyester, otherwise the foam part will melt. It is also possible to use a fine glass cloth, or paper towel to reinforce, but then sand and apply a coating to have a smooth surface. do I allow him to intervene? it is as a former Naval model maker, has already done this kind of thing, and if I can help

by **Jimster** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:44 pm

Okay. I just ordered some 2 ounce fiberglass cloth. I already have Polycrylic and also some two part foam compatible resin. YouTube videos makes it look like a pretty straightforward job. I’ll finish the sanding and final hull shaping while I wait for the fiberglass cloth. Thanks guys!

by **jhamm** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 6:51 pm

This is the usual blood toll a model demands...
I regularly injure myself while building models

But I still have all of my ten fingers. :haha:

by **Tiger6** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 7:02 pm

All good models require a blood sacrifice at some point in the process...

American Civil War City Class Gunboat

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