Mostly I'm just messing around with this build for practice. heres some pics of how the hull came out...still need to do some sanding to get the shape quite right...let me know what you think: things I could do different? constructive critisim? advice? also I'm having some issues with the electronics being too heavy without the engines, prop shafts or rudders installed. when I float tested it without the electronics it floated perfectly, with the electronics it almost sank... Edit: Yeah its in 1/144. thnx for the help
Heh. That is cute. Most rule sets allow small ships under a certain length or weight to add additional hull height to help it stay afloat while loaded. For instance, I think MWC allows an extra 3/8" added to the hull depth. Perhaps you wcould do the same and get more displacement to hold the electronics.
Extra depth might help, but really what you need is ultra-light electronics. That PT boat is in 1:144 scale, right? The only person I've ever known to successfully built a 1:144 scale PT boat (not armed, just running) had years of experience with aircraft before he moved into boats. Start looking at the hardware they put in ultra-micro RC airplanes, and you'll get a better idea what you need.
I've been told (never saw it) that one of our most ingenious members managed to build an operational, armed PT boat. Apperently when the single spring-powered torp was fired, the boat flipped over backwards....this may be urban legend, of course.....
Ah! You have hit a topic close to my heart!!! Building a PT was my first desire when I found this hobby. I was picturing a floatilla of twelve PT's swarming around and sinking a Battleship! The guys talked me into building a BB first, then to work my way down to a PT. But I have the plans and I intend on using them some day! When ever someone talks about small ships, I put in a plug for Trossen Robotics We have at least two boats in our club that uses these motor controllers. http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/ ... ed=Froogle I hope that if enough of us talk to the folks at Trossen that they will build more items with us in mind. I plan on picking up a few more of these motor controllers. I intend to put one in my PT when I get around to building her. The guys in the club have said that they expect to see a PT move backwards should it fire it's torps. Myself and others have been doing R&D on light weight torps.
I saw a 1/144 British MTB with two spring-powered torpedo launchers (.177 caliber). I was informed by the owner that it had been built by the South Coast Battle Group and had successfully put two holes in a battleship and was never used again. The owner died and I don't know what happened to the boat afterward. I have also seen photos of an unarmed 1/144 PT boat by Rob Wood. This is the boat that Kotori mentioned earlier (although it seems he forgot the British boat).
Dana Graham in California built a PT boat as an unarmed convoy ship for MWC. I know it was quite a challenge for him to find systems small enough to meet volume/weight constraints.
Or, The PT gets stuck and can't back out, and the BB is dragging it around the pond for the rest of the meet!
I had made the suggestion of puting a single forward firing cannon mounted on the center line of the PT. It would be single shot, 1/4 ball bearing. Needless to say that the Tech Officer was not happy with that idea.
