OTW Vanguard Build

[steveneill]

Well here's a nice new building thread for the forum. I know it's about time I built a sub again.

I'm building a OTW Vanguard for a return customer. First one I built for him was a OTW Upholder.

So the kit got here and as usual it's a clean and well made kit. Great gel coat and scribed details without a bubble in it. Just ready to go and paint.

The PJ is a site to behold. It's cast steel from the looks of it.

All the appendages in this kit are pre slotted, drilled and shafts are installed. All clean and devoid of bubbles.

The sail is just great too and the pre slotted top section is all ready to slide in all the premade masts, ants, and scopes.

Lastly it came with another one of Bob's killer modules. These things are so well made you just want to put it on display!

Tomorrow Ill start cutting the hull and off I go.

This time the customer has asked me to do a stand off paint job. Still it will be nice for sure.

Remember if anyone needs a boat built call on me.

Steve

[steveneill]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

Got a good day in on the boat today and made the dreaded cut. Bob designs his boats with a lip or flange that goes all the way around the inside edge of the two hull halves. This makes the seem line very tight and good fitting.

The top of the hull gets cut only. No Z cut. Two screws counter sunk fore and aft will hole the top down and nearly be invisible.

This gives one excellent access to the module and linkages. Easy hook up to the bow planes.

I made and placed the inside bulkheads to the cut sections with thick styrene and backed it up with epoxy resin.

Fore and aft sections are now epoxied in place. Holes drilled for the appendages. Once the epoxy sets over night I can tomorrow fill the minor areas of the seam and attack the PJ, and attach the appendages and sail.

So far this kit builds like a dream and David's improvements go a long way to making this a very fast build.

I don't usually go in for modern boats much. but I got to say this boat has beautiful lines and appeal. Very British sports car. I like it.

Steve

[sam reichart]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

very nice work Steve... that's going to be a nice model.

[Guest]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

The Vanguard is the only bomber boat I like, and I'm not biased because it's British. Large control surfaces too, which gives good control. Turns like a supertanker from feedback received from those who have one running, which is to be expected with a long thin hull and a fixed shroud, but depth control is reported to be very precise.

[steveneill]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

Thanks Sam. And Andy I couldn't agree more.

Steve

[steveneill]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

Lets see. Got the sail attached. It is removable with two screws.

All bearings, planes and their controls to attach linkages are done. Had to make those from scratch. Wheel collars and brass. They work great. Nice and solid.

Got the prop shaft bearing support installed. I made that out of Lexan sheet.

Pump jet is attached for good. Blended and ready for primer.

Next I need to add the registration pins to alight and close the top half. Final preen and drill out the drains and limber holes. Most are round thank the sub gods and not too many. Then a bit of primer and it's time to mount the module.

Steve

[petn7]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

A very beautiful boat!

[junglelord]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

Holy Cow, I want one of those....such beautiful lines, she is perfect.
Excellent work Steve, as always, and glad to see you got a make profit project.
Cheers.

[steveneill]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

Thanks guys!

Steve

[sam reichart]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

Bob Dimmack and I were talking about how this boat (on the surface) can remind you of an alligator or crocodile's snout, with the way the hull shapes up where the bow planes are located....

[steveneill]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

I agree. Or a bottle nosed dolphin. Bob is a super guy BTW. I love working with him. One of the best.

On another note you guys all need to go to your profiles and update your Avatars!

Steve

[steveneill]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

Got the brass alignment pins in today and the two halves of the hull line up perfectly.

First I place the brass pins in the lip topside. To get them aligned to the bottom half, and to know where the holes should be drilled, I used painters tape over the pins and the lip.

Used an exacto to cut the tape even with the outside of the hull and transfered it to the bottom half and marked their locations. This simple trick brought me to a near perfect alignment.

And a little drilling and filling with CA adjusted it to edge to edge. I then made epoxy putty and placed it under the holes and close the hull up. Later I pulled it apart and there's a nice thick supported epoxy hole in addition to the lip.

Tomorrow I get to drill the drains and limber holes. Then add the cradles for the WTC.

Steve









Nice detail on this model.



Shame to paint this PJ.

[steveneill]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

[bigdave]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

Nice build as usual my friend.
Great kit too!!
Truthfully I can't say I am fond of the looks though.
But hey you know what they say about opinions.
Keep up the great build. BD.

[wayne frey]

Re: OTW Vanguard Build

Dave,
It has it's pluses.
I really like the technology of a pump jet, so it it interesting. But, I agree on the looks thing. In my opinion it is not as sexy as a Russian boat. When Rita comes home she always checks what I have done that day. I can see that look in her eye. She thinks it's sexy, either that or she is thinking of smashing it to pieces and leaving the garage door up. "I don't know, maybe it was one of the neigborhood kids"...
Na, she thinks it sexy
But, I will say this. I rack myself on that dang Akula, then I come here and see Steve BLOW right by me on this build!!!! Some people got it, some don't.
You da man Steve. It is an awsome build.