IainM

Thanks for your kind comment Richard :-)
It's not that hard to build once you get your head around compound curves but there is a surprising lack of meaningful detail available and I have made much use of photographs with a degree of interpretation.
It is R/C and has working lights both navigation and signaling controlled by home made RC switchers, working radar based on a modified SD200 servo and, when I have the dosh, a sound set up from JJC.

I decided early on to go for the simple drive option with a single home made ball raced shaft and tooth belt drive that would give me the ability to tune the performance. The Motor is an MFA Torpedo 500 but I have made room to go up in size if necessary. It currently runs on 12 volt NiCad or NiMHs with a separate 3 volt pack for lighting.

The hull (GRP) dates from the early '80's and was surprisingly good vis a vis thickness and freedom from warping, all of which made life a bit easier. This pretty much set the scale at 1:35 which was fortunate since there are many plastic figure packs in that range that can be modified to add a bit more realism.

Initial 'sea' trials proved promising and she popped up on the plane no trouble at all after some modification to the transom flap to reduce the gap between the flap and the knuckle of the transom (bit like flap fairings on aircraft). However we'll have to see how that changes when all the top hamper is installed!

I have a complete set of build photographs but hesitate to post them 'cause my rate of progress is disgustingly slow these days !! I have been trying to promote some interest on the SFMBC web site with an 'under construction' article but perhaps the ether is already saturated with stuff about Perkasas.

Iain