Ok , well to start with this model obviously i had to order it !
and a quick search around the web ( what a wonderful thing this is !) found some in stock at pandan model boat centre, i have never used pandan before so it was with slight trepidation that i placed my order online, no worries should of encroached as from ordering to recieving the model took around 3 working days ( only held up because i inputed the wrong card details!! Doh! ) .
The model arrived in a huge box, and like many people when looking at models it`s difficult to interpret dimensions on a workbench with a tape measure, it`s not until the item is in front of you that you then realise that the wife is not going to be happy (
) . teh box was the original manufacturers packing and not the kit box put in another box for portection, "strange" i thought, then dark clouds of doubt as the worst started going through my mind ! was this a goal post? , or a reversing aid in the courier depot ? .
however opening the box found everything nice and tightly packed, lots of packing used and no damage whatsoever. great !
The instructions where promptly rooted out , they included a diagramn book, a step by step writen guide, 2 A3 drawings, and a cd rom. wondering what wa on the CD rom i quickly investigated...... on the cd are pictures of assembly stages, pictures of the real boats and copies of the manual and diagrams should anything happen to the originals , a great idea !!
i browsed the instructions to see what other equipment or consumables would be needed, i promptly ordered a mini pitch controller after asking Ajg141`s advice, but more on that item later.
After two nights going over the instructions,diagramns and pictures i felt able and willing to start the build !
stage 1 ...
the hull is hand layed fibre flass with a gel coat, the hull is assembled top and bottom halves in the factory, this leaves the seam where both parst are joined to be strengthened on the inside seams, the hull itself in the kit is split in two . about a third of the way from the stern, leaveing a forward peice and an aft peice. a bead of 1 hour epoxy was run on the inside of the forward and aft hulls, i took the good foresight to spread the epoxy around to create a wider spread rather than one big bead which could foul the internals later on.
On the outer side`s of the hull where the seams join a small seam of resin was used really as a filler between the gel coat halves. this was rubbed down with 400 and 600 grit wet and dry paper.
in the mean time another section of hull was being prepped, the MHS (missile hatch section) this moulding gets bonded down on top of the hull and gives the model the bulbous shup of the missile silo section.a hole was cut in the middle of this piece which the sail sits upon, this allows air and water to displace when diving and surfacing.
i`ll get some more pics posted when i get a them of the camera and loaded up .
more to follow
Adz..