CR Nautilus building blog

[PaulC]

Guys,

Just a heads up on a new spot on the web I've created for a personal building project]http://rc-sublog.blogspot.com/[/url]. It is a blog centered on my 1/32 Custom Replicas Nautilus project.



I've found this to be an easy, free way to post progress and images in the format I want without building my own website for the project. Sorta like Bob or Tim's sites -- but different.



Edited By PaulC on 1138891224

[anonymous]

I like it!!!

Steve

I like it!!!

Steve

[bob the builder]

Very nice, Paul. I'll be

Very nice, Paul. I'll be checking in to see what kind of progress you make on a regular basis.

I can't wait for my CR Nautilus to arrive. Jim told me that the white metal parts are delaying shipment...

[PaulC]

Thanks for the kinds words,

Thanks for the kinds words, guys!

You obviously won't be disappointed with the CR kit, Bob. Are you getting the static version or r/c (it would be hard to top the boat you already have)?

I've found using a blog as a building journal to be a great way to keep track of what I'm doing and for keeping on track with doing something on the project.

[tmsmalley]

Neat-o.
Can you tell us a

Neat-o.
Can you tell us a little more about the "CR Nautilus"? Vendor info etc?
Tim

[bob the builder]

Tim (and all),


CR is short

Tim (and all),


CR is short for Custom Replicas. They have a website at http://www.customreplicas.com. More pictures and info on this kit can be found here: http://customreplicas.com/66_Nautilus.htm

Originally, the master model of this massive kit was done up for a gentleman named Dave Simkins. Since then, Jim Key has kitted up the model and offered it for sale to the general public. The kit is in 1/32 scale, or 66" in total length. Custom Replicas offers two versions, one for static display and one set up with accesses and control surfaces set up for RC conversion. Details are immaculate, and while many may argue the finer points of rivet placement, there are few kits that can challenge its authenticity or level of detail.

Pricing was around $1500 for the kit (plus shipping), and rumors are running rampant that the molds, once done, will not be reworked, so this awesome kit may soon be no longer.

I've ordered the static display kit. Rumor has it that a complete salon interior will soon be available as well...

[jmw]

Hi Paul,

good work! I Like

Hi Paul,

good work! I Like what you did with the scoops, I will do the same to my scoops. I too, have the 66"-er and will be converting it to wet-hull R/C one. I am interested to see your solutions!
Do you also have an air-escape hole in the upper part of the wheelhouse? I am still thinking of ways to that neatly.

Bob, Jim Key from CR told me that he no longer sells the R/C version of the Nautilus; as it was apparantly quite laboursome and costly. So there is now only one version; the static one.

Cheers,
Jan Martin Wagenaar

[PaulC]

Thanks, Jan!

Just put up my

[color=#000000]Thanks, Jan!

Just put up my latest page (installing the dorsal fin). I'm going to be posting my mods to the larger scoops next. Mostly the same approach. I also thinned out the flange that surrounds the scoop. It seemed too thick to me.

How are you going to approach the access hatch? Are you having to cut it yourself?

Right now, I plan on having two wheelhouses]

[jmw]

Paul,

same here, one wheelhouse for

Paul,

same here, one wheelhouse for show, and one for the road...

And yes, I will be opening the access hatch myself. A bit of Yoga and medititation prior to the job I guess (and maybe some valium afterwards...). Ah well, it'll be okay.

I was thinking of using the camera obscura hatch too. Thing is that I expect air to go towards the croc-eyes where it will be trapped, and I am not sure how I feel about that.

Jan Martin

[Guest]

You have a couple of

You have a couple of options there.

Fill the croc eyes up with resin, and forget about them.

Or place a discrete vent, I would favour just below the 'eyebrow' of the lens. This would be hidden, unless someone is looking up into the lens.

Just depends how fussy you are, I guess.

Andy

[jmw]

Andy,
I like the eyebrow

Andy,
I like the eyebrow vent idea. Thanks for that! As I know myself I just know that I am not gonna like the resin-filling idea once the boat is done!

Thanks,
Jan Martin Wagenaar

[bob the builder]

I've got a whack of

I've got a whack of vents in my wheelhouse, actually. The obscura hatch is not vented, though it would make sense to do so. I've got two 3/32" diameter holes just below the "eyebrows", and one just behind the mounting bracket for the upper raker arch. There is actually a lot of air that gets trapped up there, and I find that the three vents work well to get the air out, though even then there is still trapped air when she first goes under for about four or five seconds. The advantage is a really cool twin stream of bubbles that emenate from the model as she dives...

[PaulC]

Hey, thanks for the correction,

Hey, thanks for the correction, Bob. I could've sworn you mentioned opening the hatch when we talked on the phone. I do now recall the hole behind the raker mounting bracket.

I understand Helmut Sodtke's Nautilus has a dry wheelhouse.