Ok, I changed my mind. I had a working boat with minor motor issues, and I don't need to be making major changes with three weekends before the next battle. I will re-install the torpedoes and put in new motors for the next battle. The speed 280's drew 3.4A with no load--not an option with my 4.6Ah battery. I am also working on a another project for Treaty, and there is just not enough time.
I reserve my right to change my mind and have done so. The Mogador now has fixed dual stern guns--75 round fast gun cannons. She is battle ready, and after some post-refit sea trials tomorrow after work, I should be able to dial everything in nice and tight. I just need an hour's worth of cosmetic touch-up where the torpedoes were. No turret covers yet, but they were really frustrating me today, and since the local guys don't mind, I am holding off for next weekends battle.
Well, I burned off some contacts on my motors during sea trials--I think the choice of motors (Speed 280s) combined with the props were the cause. I am trying to get some smaller props and find some 280s that will work. I tried 380s, but my motor mounts were installed for the Maxons, so the alignment was way off. Going to focus on the Emile Bertin for he next couple of nights and see what I can chase up in the meantime. Four nights remaining!
Well, I realized that I never posted a followup for the October battle. I burned out another set of motors, so I shelved the project for awhile out of pure frustration. Got some shop time in over the weekend. New motors in the 365 size range were installed. I realy, really hope these will work without the burnout issues i was having with the various 280s. They should but I will not know until the weather warms up enough for sea trials. I was hesitant about the 360-380 sized because of dogbone angles, but these seem to lay in pretty nicely. I have realized I will have to cut down the forward barrels about 1/2" each to lower them enough for turret covers. In addition, I am going to see what I can do about cleaning up the wiring/plumbing a bit. It is not bad, but it could still be better.
After much debate I have pulled out the forward twin rotating duals. I would not be able to keep the turret heights within anything reasonably scale. The turrets are 1" tall in scale and my A turret would have to be a minimum of 1 7/8" tall. The B turret would have to almost as tall to clear the A turret. I will be arming the forward guns with two fixed fast guns cannons. My total armament will be 2 linked 75 round fixed sterns and 2 linked 75 round fixed bow guns. I thought about putting the torpedoes back in but I would still have the same issues I had before with getting everything to fit. In the meantime, I will replace the forward deck and start work on the turrets until the new guns come in.
