Who wants to build a semi-scale all-wood micro hydro?

[Dr. Jet]

...........

I'm not going to produce any parts until the Atlas and the Twin Cat are finished, but I will be refining the design so I can produce a prototype kit quickly.

Unless, of course, someone else wants to volunteer to build one...

[Dr. Jet]

Oh, OK..... The enthusiasm this project is receiving is truly underwhelming. I'll build this one too.

I am having a hard time fitting everything onto the plywood sheet though. I managed to fit 2 Atlas hulls on a sheet of 12" x 24" x 1/16" ply with extra material left over. The shovelnose has taller bulkheads that eat up a lot of real estate and since I opted to make the sponson bottoms from 1/16" ply to eliminate the 1/32" ply, it just makes it worse. In the end, I may go back to 1/32" ply for the sponson bottoms if that will allow me to make the 1/16" work for everything else. I may have to get real creative with the layout to make everything work.

Here's some photos of my (uncompleted, but pending) 1/16 scale 1957 "Short Circuit" built from these plans. The 1/20 scale might not allow for "exposed engine" hulls due to the small interior space and the electric motor location.

[Dr. Jet]

Back to the Atlas

Getting back to the Atlas...... The hull is nearly done. Just a tiny bit more filling, priming, and sanding to go. I copied the wing from Garry's plans and it turned out too short. I'll have to make another, and I've modified the plans accordingly.

[JimClark]

Both look great but the Short Circuit is the willer in my opinion.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[Dr. Jet]

Thanks Jim. The Short Circuit model above is from Garry Finlay's 1/16 scale plans that I've now reduced to 1/20 scale and will use to make a 1/20 1957 Hawaii Kai III next. I have all the parts drawn up in AutoCAD, all I need to do is add retention gaps and call my friend Mike to get them laser cut. The shovelnose will be a faster build due to fewer parts and less fiddling.

[Dr. Jet]

Getting it Right

Based on Jim Clark's recommendations, I contacted Jim Stevens for some detail parts. Before I go any further, let me say Jim S. is a great guy and a pleasure with whom to work. He bent over backwards for my little project and really helped me out. While Jim S. couldn't print the 1/20 Merlin exhaust stacks with enough detail, he did print an entire 1/20 scale Merlin engine. And in addition to that, he did the one thing that held the 1/16 Short Circuit in limbo: Exhaust stacks for that too!! . Lastly, he printed a 1/20 scale "vintage" driver that is PERFECT! Thanks Jim, I will include your contact info in any kits I produce.

Although Jim couldn't print the stacks with enough detail, I think the ones I made from 3/16" tube will look just fine. Jim C. noted that my exhaust stacks didn't look right and I cut down the cowl length and they looked better. but still not 100% "Right" (I am an anal-retentive perfectionist ). In comparing my homemade stacks with the 3-D printed Merlin engine, it was instantly obvious that mine were spaced too close together. I'll re-make them in the right spacing and I think everything will be good.

I included the side scoops in the laser cutting, but upon inspection, they looked too short. Production kits will include revised scoops.

For those of you interested in a kit, please be patient. I want everything to be right; I'm getting close.

The next project (a.k.a. the Vintage Shovel) will spend a lot less time in R&D. I'll bet Jim Stevens could 3-D print an Allison too......

[Dr. Jet]

Bill is "In the Office"....

.... And his stacks look better too!

[Dr. Jet]

The fins I copied from Garry's plans look a little short. I'm not going to make new ones for this build, but I added 1/4" to the ones on the plan. I've made separate drawings for the 1/32" wire drive and watertight 1/32" wire pushrod to include with the instructions.

[Dr. Jet]

OK, paint on the Atlas and Bill is drying and I'm thinking about the next project, the vintage shovelnose. I've been thinking of doing the Hawaii Kai III instead of something more dear to my heart: The Short Circuit for one reason. When I built the Short Circuit, all I could find were black and white photos or the occasional, very grainy long-distance shots. According to Lesliefield, the Short Circuit was a yellow hull with a pink deck (later renamed to "Miss Detroit" with the same color scheme. I've seen black and white photos where the deck is lighter than the hull. I've seen a 1/10 model that was all yellow.

I finally found THE photo I've been seeking for a long time in a video. Check out some of the iterations I found.

[Dr. Jet]

Here's the color video capture I found today. I'm not certain about the year though. It might be 1957, although if it was renamed to Miss Detroit in those colors, 1959 makes sense.

[JimClark]

I can help with that Dr back when I find the answer

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[Dr. Jet]

I've finished the plans to laser cut parts for the 1/20 scale vintage shovelnose hydro. This kit will build the Hawaii Kai III, the Tempo VII, the Miss Detroit, The Short Circuit and a number of other hulls from the 1950~1960 era.

Because of the wood sizes and parts layout, I will need to make multiples of 2 kits at a time. I'll build Prototype I, does anyone here want to be a guinea pig to build Prototype II? Kit cost will be my cost only plus shipping.


UPDATE: I'm in touch with my friend Mike who has the laser. I've sent him the files and have started the process.

[Dr. Jet]

Bill got his last coat of paint today. Remember, he's a tiny 1/20 scale guy now..... He's about 3-1/4" tall and there's only about 1/3 of him in the boat.

[Dr. Jet]

Updates, Updates, and More Updates

I'm talking with my buddy Mike on cutting some mini shovelnose parts. I should be ready to pull the trigger in a few days. Still looking for a guinea pig to build one.

The Atlas plans are ready, I just need to do some testing on the hull and see if I can capture some videos. It's raining today and tomorrow, so it might be next weekend before I get the opportunity.

I think the cowl on the prototype Atlas is going to get another ride on the belt sander.

I have plenty of stock on hand to include wire drive materials in either kit plus 100% of all the wood. Just add your hardware and radio gear.

Jim Stevens (the 3-D printing guy) has successfully printed a 1/50 scale Allison (See photos). At 2.5 times the size, a 1/20 scale motor should look REALLY good in a 1/20 scale shovelnose.

Come on boys and girls, forget about NAMBA, AMPBA, or any other alphabet group with more rules, rule changes, and such than Carter has pills. Go out and have more fun than a human being should be allowed to have and do it CHEAP!! Build a semi-scale mini hydro where a motor, ESC, and a LiPo battery can be purchased for under $30.

[JimClark]

Dr Jet pm me your email I have some short circuit info to send you.