antuk

well take a look at pmbdt they have manned models not to scale ill bet but they look good and gives them gr8 fun to play with , my opinon is just go for it m8 have fun in thr build and then more with her compleate cheat or not who cares do it for yourself and be a happy chappy . goodluck

MartinH-K

This will be a complete 'sit-in' and go model. All four engines will operate. The guns will fire though not live shells! I'm going for broke.

jankers

This sounds grand, do you need a deckie?(i'm only little).

BTW, i hope the "broke" statement turns out not to be litteral!

J.

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duncan

That might be the complicated bit and expensive. Why not an electric trawl motor outboard hidden in a well at aft end(Minkota)? Four dummy shafts and props for show. Any luck with plans? Have you started cutting wood yet, or laying-up glass-fibre?

alan2525

I'm not familiar with large scale warship models but the idea of a walk through model seems pretty hilarious!

I just have images in my head of someone walking around the carpark of their local boating pond with a battleship strung around their waist by their braces and a couple of fishing wader clad legs sticking out of the bottom! Maybe a Bizmark looming large from behind the bushes...

Plus it'd be a little awkward if you got out of your depth on the water...

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MartinH-K

That does make me laugh! I hear what you say Dunc but I've done a little bit of research into an idea for 12v battery, direct drive props run from four windscreen wiper motors and using a variable resistor system to both change speed and polarity of the engines (giving reverse). I want to make it as authentic as I can (no, I'm not going to have steam turbines!). One of the unauthentic bits will be a drop keel (like a sailing dingy) to assist in stability. I'm not at the point of laying the keel yet and anticipate a start/build date of about 4 weeks time... 1st June.

MartinH-K

I'm also going to utilise the batteries as ballast. Design wise, it will be rib and plate using very thin marine ply and fibreglass.
The 'period' will be just post its 1938 refit.

MartinH-K

Bit of a blow today discovering that DeAgostini are withdrawing the issue from the newsagents and will only sell directly. I now have to wait 14 days for the next issue! Shame as I was only really interested in the hull formers.... ah well. It won't stop me... I do have my 1/400 scale Airfix kit to go by. Next stop, lets fill the Airfix hull with polystyrene foam and make formers from that!

duncan

There really is a couple of people do exactly that but not in the water, I think a husband and wife. Last time I saw them at a show they were Nelson and Lady Hamilton with HMS Victory round their waist. Got to stay in step ! I`ll try and find a pic.

MartinH-K

You've been a great help and support Dunc! Looking forward to seeing you at Whitehaven.