1/128 Moebius Seaview (Four Window Reissue)

[PaulC]

Finally finished all the superstructure limber holes in the aft hull section. No, it hasn't taken me this long to do the work -- I have a notebook full of completed home improvements to show for my time. But my thanks does go out to those of you who said, "The Astros will win a World Series before Paul gets back on this project." I couldn't be happier.



While I plodded through the limbers with my Xacto for fear of wrecking things with my Dremel, I have broken out the cutoff wheel and started opening up the propulsion nacelles and their hull access areas.



I've also started working on the stern planes and rudders.



The Nautilus Drydocks pump jet units fit perfectly in the tubes. I need to grind out the interior to clean up the access for the running gear.



Anyone have a drilling trick to line up the holes for the stern plane rod that runs through the boat from port to starboard?

[PaulC]

Smoothed out the interior of the nacelles for the pump jets. After: left. Before: right. I've been using the same Dremel since the late 90's. Good times.

[PaulC]

Took a stab at the rudder install. Cut some brass rod to approximate length for the pivot shaft, marked up some drill points and drilled the holes. It's a little stiff in there so some polishing is in order. Otherwise it should work fine. The rod will be ground to a closer tolerance prior to finish.

[PaulC]

So I'm installing LEDs in the tail fins. I don't like super bright lights so instead of having the bulb be the actual protruding light I'm going to embed the lights in the end of the tail fin and use the kit lenses. The LED will shine into the lens and illuminate it from within.

My question is this: should I paint the interior of the fin where the light is glowing something like a flat black to curtail light bleeding through the plastic? The exterior coat will go a long way to help this but I've seen others do this and was wondering if it helped. Anyone have any experience with this?

[salmon]

I usually paint interior black. Your exterior paint might be fine, but if not you will wish you had painted an extra barrier. What would it hurt?

[PaulC]

Tom, that's what I was thinking too. I don't want the fins to glow on the inside -- although I could say it represents a localized electrical charge sent through the hull to ward off pesky sea creatures. That's a thing.

[scott t]

Could you put the LED in heat shrink.

[PaulC]

Not a bad idea. The space might interfere a bit. I went ahead and painted the interior flat black. I also painted the sides of the LED as well. We'll see how it goes.

[PaulC]

So here's my process. First I ground out the end of the light housing to accept the LED. It's a 1.8mm warm white from Evan Designs. I'll be running all the lights on a 3v system. The interior of each is painted flat black along with the four sides of the LED bulb. A dab of silicone will hold them and the wires in place.



Taped together, everything fits. The kit lenses will be used on the very end. Anyone know which lenses were used on the 17 footer -- pointy Cadillac taillights or rounded style?



Finally, with the lights on inside. A little leakage on the seam and at the end but once they are glued and the exterior is painted it should look fine. Without the paint inside the whole end of the fin glowed from within. Glad that's taken care of. Now to glue the parts together and have the sub-assembly completed (almost).

[Rick Teskey]

I believe the caddy lights were on 17 foot
8 foot probly had 2 inch dia.

[PaulC]

Thanks, Rick! That's what I'll do then. I'm going for the 17 foot look.

[PaulC]

Roughed in the non-scale pump jet water inlets. Worked from just inboard of the centerline on each lower tube half so the cutouts can't be seen in profile. Does this meet your approval, Porteous?

[jefftytoo]

Yup, thumbs up, Boss. In fact, correcting for scale, I believe your “Jeffrey’s Tubes” openings are even a bit larger than those on my boat, which will allow in a larger volume of water, which will permit more or easier thrust. Good for you! Actually, nice job on everything you’ve accomplished thus far! As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I truly look forward to running our Seaviews together—preferably a night run to get them all lit up! It’ll happen. You’re also making me look forward to putting together my own Moebius version, which’ll be a static build. My r/c heart belongs to my Teskey boat!

[PaulC]

Thanks, Jeff. Sweet videos.

[Michael J]

How is your Seaview coming along?