Unique SF scratch build

[elec_tech]

Hello All,

It is time to show my SF unique scratch build here on the SC. Many of you have read this thread on the RC Groups forum so this will be a repeat but for those who haven't seen it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. To get up to speed here, I am going to be very brief in some areas. to view more pictures see my member homepage (link in signature) which has all of my pictures loaded up to date.

I started out building some components and ordering and asembling others but I'll get into those when I start installing them when the hull is finished. For now, just know that most of my decisions were based on these systems of parts.

After a couple(3) failed attempts at designing my own hull with sewer pipes and blocks of foam I decided to follow Steve's(U812) type XVII build and start off with a set of plans. Thus my concept designing started. I developed this set of concept drawings in CAD and worked my way from there.


From there I sectioned off parts of the CAD and plotted my cross sections to cut out the forms for my foam cutting. Glueing the sections to 1/4" MDF and cutting them out was my next step. A couple pictures here to show the forms laid out in their order to show the profile of the hull to come.





Using 1.5" blue closed cell foam (DOW Styrospan) I foam shaped the first half, glued it together and laid a thick coat of spackle on it.

[elec_tech]

http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/IM002180.jpg

The second half pretty much



The second half pretty much followed the same assembly line. Once I had that all together I glued the two halves together and got ready for the addition of the drive pods. Overall the cutting, assembly and spackling of the main hull took me about 4 weeks.

here are some pics of the main hull together.





Next up, I cut out the two drive pods that are mounted to the rear of the main hull. I had originally decided to keep these separate and mount them later but decided against that and mounted them permanently to the main hull. Makes for more space for the motor WTCs and easier access to the jets (discuss those later).

Here are pictures of the mounting and spackling of the drive pods. cutting and mounting these didn't take nearly as long as the main hull - smaller and easier for sure!

[elec_tech]

Sanding down and glassing it

Sanding down and glassing it was certianly fun! I have laid 2 layers of 6 oz loose weave fiberglass over it. working one side at a time it took me two days to get to a point where I can preen it and get it ready for the next 2 layers. It has been recommended to me that I apply another layer of 10 oz and then a final layer of 6 oz for added strength.











This is where I am today. I have a lot of sanding and filling to do to preen it and get it ready for the final layers of glass but i feel it's starting to take shape nicely!

Do note that this is a one off and my plans are dependant on using the lost foam method. I will be more detailed in futher posts as I continue to press on and complete this unique one-off sub. I have developed a lot of my systems already for this and as I install them I will provide a detailed explaination of them.

You're advice, constructive criticizm, questions and comments are most welcome in this thread.

Glad to be building with you all.
Dan

[himszy]

Dan,

I see you've made to

Dan,

I see you've made to transition to the SC from Rcgroups....

When do you expect to finish it by?

You say you have developed the systems.....to what stage, are they ready to be installed?

Michael

[elec_tech]

Michael,

Yes indeed, I have gained

[color=#000000]Michael,

Yes indeed, I have gained dual citizenship. I signed up for membership last month]

[gerwalk]

Very interesting! This design looks

Very interesting! This design looks a lot like the Zentradi or Zentran spaceships in Macross.

[elec_tech]

LOL. The association was not

LOL. The association was not intentional. I don't even know what the Zentradi or Macross are
Maybe email me a pic of the ship you are thinking of.

Dan

[KevinMC]

Dan,

It's great to see your

Dan,

It's great to see your continued use of the tried-and-true foam prototyping construction method. I notice that your "spackled" plug has a real shine to it- what product are you using?

[elec_tech]

Kevin,
I used Bondex Ready-to-Use Patching

Kevin,
I used Bondex Ready-to-Use Patching Plaster from RONA as my spackle... it spread nicely with a brush and squeege and dried overnight. I only put one thick layer one as I sanded most of it down. I'll be filling most of the little divits on the hull now with either a putty or a mixture of epoxy and bubbles before the next layers go on.

The plug didn't have so much of a shine. Rather, my camera flash was relativly bright in my poorly lit apartment.

Thanks for your interest
Dan

[gerwalk]

LOL. The association was not

LOL. The association was not intentional. I don't even know what the Zentradi or Macross are
Maybe email me a pic of the ship you are thinking of.

Dan

[color=#000000]]http://midnightanimation.com/gallery/robotech/zentraedi/ships/rt4211.jpg[/img]
Fleet]http://robotechresearch.com/picture_archive/Macross/Ships/Zentraedi/large/Zentraedi_11_large.jpg[/img]



BTW]

[gerwalk]

I think your design is

I think your design is similar to the Zentraedi Landing ship (first color photo) and second (right side) B&w drawing.

[elec_tech]

Pablo,

I do see some similarities.

Pablo,

I do see some similarities. Nifty, though I don't think green is my favorite color. I'll have to see.

Thanks,

Dan

[elec_tech]

Wow, Almost a month has

Wow, Almost a month has gone by since my last update.... yeeesh... sorry about that guys. However, even more dissappointing (to me anyway) is my lack of progress. Work has hit me with quite the deadline so my extra hours have been at the office instead of my shop.

I've managed to fix and glass the piece rear pod that broke off when I originally laid my glass on so that's an accomplishment. on the other hand, I've done a lot, and I mean a LOT of sanding over the last little while. Trying to get out the bumps and lumps of the extra resin down and trying to fair out the seams between layers. I still have a lot to do to perfect that but I laid down some red primer today. In doing so revealed so many more imperfections and divits and bumps. not only that but I am seriously noticing some pod/hull mis-alignment. I'm not sure how to fix that but we'll see how she goes. I might just leave it and chock it up to being my first build. Next time better. I am however going to keep progressing on it. I want to complete this one and see how it runs.

I'll be uploading pics tomorrow from the painting I did. Not much to see I am waiting for the paint to cure now before I start laying filler so I can true out the shape. Then another 2 layers of glass and then I should be able to hollow out the foam.

I have 5 days off at the end of this week before heading off to see family for Christmas so plans are to work like mad on it then. I want the foam out by mid-Jan if not sooner. I want to start mounting jets and equipment for testing. Lofty goals I know, but I'm trying and that's what counts.

Later,
Dan

[elec_tech]

Here are the pics that

Here are the pics that I promised. It's funny, looking at it, my sub looks like a side of beef hanging there.

As you can see, I have some real filling to do and more sanding to do to try and smooth everything out before the next layers of glass.

Enjoy. Suggestions are welcome!

Dan

[gotland]

Hi Dan,

looks more and more

Hi Dan,

looks more and more impressive this "half pig between toast"

But a question must be allowed: As I understood, You bild this sub as a "lost form", right? Why do You sand and fill before the next layer of glas? I think for the next layers it would be better to put them all "wet in wet" on the hull, that You get a stabil hull. The bounding between the layers, can noot be good, when there is filler and colour in between the layers.

I would make a complete filling and sanding after I have made all layers on one day.

Please correct me, when I am wrong.

Best regards

Lothar