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Perhaps next time it’s blowing a bit I better use the stabilised GoPro Hero 9 rather than the older Hero 4

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Aw, it wasn’t that rough.

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Thanks Gerald, I bought the last one, and what NEW plane are you hiding away ?

 

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Still beavering away on the 1/7th scale Skippercraft Archer 650 Offshore Cuddy cab.

After listening to all the rattles and other vibrations on the onboard video from last week it was time to epoxy the dashboard in place (rather than use the steering wheel to hold it together).

Also 3D printed a new rear tray to hold the steering servo & redid the steering arm geometry

After hunting high & low to find a 1/7th scale captain (no one makes 10″ Action models, only 7″ or 12″ and not much in between) I finally opted to 3D print one, a lot more work but at least I can get the scale exact.

This was the file I used, scaled up to 1.465 which came out the size I needed.

Also 3D printed a Helm chair for the Captain

and with the Captain seated

Now all the hard work is done I can start tidying up and painting the 3D prints ready for his first outing.

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Another fine report on what appears to have been another fun day @ the Duck.

Thanks Col.

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Looks like someone has been a busy boy !!

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Got a couple more bits & pieces done today, the anchor roller is now installed & the bow rail has been etch primed & undercoated ready for painting tomorrow.

I spent half the morning searching the house for the bait board from the rear of the Archer 650 only to find it exactly where I thought it should have been, just that it was in an old ice cream tub with another one stacked inside it.

Anyway, after finding it & making the mounting rail it has now been installed. This time I used the metallic silver paint straight over the sanded brass rod (rather than etch priming & undercoating) just to see how well it wears. If it doesn’t wear well it is nice & small to clean off and repaint as per the bow rail.

Also got the “Floatie” installed on the GoPro Hero 4 (shouldn’t need the stabilised Hero 9 on this boat) so not only should it save the camera should it accidentally end up in the water, it will also make identifying the camera heading when rotating at a distance.

I’ll most likely reinstall the FPV gear on this boat for remote control once everything else is finished.

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Yes, similar to the safety rails on the Mt Gay 30 but they used syringe tip covers on that.

I could get a pack of 100 of them from downtown China for a couple of bucks but I only needed 8 so decided to try and print them instead.

Syringe Tip Cover

 

Took a couple of goes to get the design right as they are only o.8 thick but now they print perfectly. I tried 0.6 but that was just too light.

3D printed version

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Looking pretty good Mr Kermit, well done.

I assume the marks down the RHS were where you hit the pontoon? Hope they polish off OK.

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Now that the A Class Wizzle Wozzle is finished (except for hull painting) and we are not flying for a few weeks due to the soggy conditions @ the field it was a perfect time to do some more work on Double Trouble, after all it’s only been a year since I fitted the now motors. (Can’t rush these things)

I’ve fitted the new 360deg pan mount for the onboard camera

 

Also made up the bow roller assembly for the anchor, its not fixed off yet but only needs a couple of screws.

and finally, got around to making & fitting the bow rail. It’s sitting a bit high at the moment but I don’t want to push it home into the sockets till it’s been painted as I suspect it will be difficult to remove once the 3d printed sockets grab. They are printed in TPU Flex and work very well.

The rails are all 1/8 (3.18mm) solid brass, silver soldered together.  First time I’ve attempted a bow rail but I’m pretty happy with the results. Get a coat of paint on them tomorrow & Double Trouble should be back in the water next weekend (if the weather is OK).

Might actually get it finished this time round.

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Absolutely perfect Shorty, there should be more of it.

Sounds like a fine day was had by all that attended. I was close to coming along today but it was white & very chilly up here this morning so I gave it a miss.

Turned out to be a nice day & with only a few short weeks to Daylight Saving again I’m hoping the weather will start to warm up.

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That’s no good at all. we were looking forward to seeing you & your A down at the Canal.

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Oh well it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one to do such silly things.

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Well Shorty, at least your mistake got you posting on the website and you did a fine job adding your updated score sheet. Well done.

Now all you need to do is remember your password for next fortnight and you will be able to do the whole lot yourself.

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G’day Chris, the Duck Pond looks a bit tight for flying, especially with all the trees around, the rice paddies look OK though.

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