Airfix rc help

[Guest]

Hi,

I want to start a new project to do because im getting a bit bored waching TV all day. i was wandering is there any way that i can convert an aifix severn class lifeboat model to RC. Im new to RC so i dont know a lot. I know about motors but i dont know anything about servo motors.Im willing to spend anything between £0.00 and £50.00.

Thanks

[Guest]

Although I am not over-familiar with the kit, there is no reason why it cannot be converted to RC. However, if you need to buy everything to do it - running gear, motor, batteries, two-channel TX/RX, servo and ESC - it's going to stretch your £50 budget.

Rick

[Guest]

Hi RAF,

I am also in Llandudno and I will certainly agree with Rick above, you will need to expand the budget a bit more to say maybe £100 and then you will certainly have a very useable model on your hands including the radio, batteries etc.

There are some nice kits that can be converted - The Old Matchbox Flowerclass Corvette was and still is a popular kit. It is produced by Revell these days and costs £50 just for the kit alone. (Not a lifeboat but a popular kit)

Aim your budget a little higher as per above, cheap 2 channel radio can certainly be found on ebay - even brand new at half the shop prices. The next biggest expense is the speed controller depending on what type you want, Again check ebay if you are on a limited budget.

Regards........Mark.

[Guest]

Hi RAF and a warm welcome to the Scale Models forum. Converting the Airfix lifeboat should be a relatively straightforward task but the defining criteria with most of these conversions is the inherent stability of the model. Unfortunately you simply won't know if this will work without buying the kit and doing some ballast trials in the bath.

It's all to do with weights in scale but put very simply if the upper structure of the kit is too heavy as a result of the thickness of the plastic and the weight of the fittings then it will not be stable when you put the running gear in. Another consideration is the weight of ballast you need to get it down to it's marks, therefore defining how much available weight you have for the propulsion system. Imagine for instance if the model is so heavy that when you put it in the water it is already at it's normal water level than you can't add any more weight.

My gut feeling with this model is that it will be too top heavy but ultimately you will have to buy one, do some tests with the open hull and make your own decision. Another possibility is that you could remake a lot of the upper structures from scratch in a much lighter material than the original but you won't know if this is necessary until you do some tests in the bath.

As for running gear, I would go for a servo motor, which come in at about 16mm diameter, with 2mm shafts and 4mm shaft tubes, all of which are available from SHG models. I would also use the Robbe rubber tube type of coupling which are a lot lighter and smoother running than any of the available UV joints.

Have a read through my and Tiger's U-Boat conversion build threads which may give you some ideas:

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/submarines/5500-revell-1-72-viic-u-boat-static-surface-runner-build.html

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/under-construction/2410-revell-1-72nd-type-vii-u-boat.html

[Guest]

Hi

Thanks for the responce. In fact i could actualy strech my budget because i found some extra cash in one of my dawers:grinball2: so im going to strech it to around £125

Thanks

[Guest]

Hi

yesterday i left my window open and unfortunately the wind knoked my model off the window sill and it was in bits on the floor and there is no way i can repair it so it has to go in the bin:sobbing:. Thanks to everyone who posted.

[Guest]

Hiyesterday i left my window open and unfortunately the wind knoked my model off the window sill and it was in bits on the floor and there is no way i can repair it so it has to go in the bin:sobbing:. Thanks to everyone who posted.

Thats very sad!! Dont give up hope. Find some plans and scratch build one from wood. It would probably work out cheaper and be more fun to build. Someone on here might have some plans of a simple boat you could build. I am an aircraft man myself or i would have given you some of mine if i had some.

Andy

[Guest]

Hiyesterday i left my window open and unfortunately the wind knoked my model off the window sill and it was in bits on the floor and there is no way i can repair it so it has to go in the bin:sobbing:. Thanks to everyone who posted.

I have a boat that needs finishing, its about 36 inch,s long, plastic hull , 3 motors fitted with shafts, decks on superstructure built, needs painting, I think the rudders are fitted, its yours if you want it, free. ron h

[Guest]

Is that a NO then.

[Guest]

Is that a NO then.

What an offer, i'm suprised our freind hasnt got back to you. You kind fellow.

Well done, at least you tried.

Andy

[Guest]

This was my offer, It is 42 inches long ,not 36,

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[Guest]

This was my offer, It is 42 inches long ,not 36,

What a give away Ron. You must have put hours into that project, why did you decide not to finish it. Its a shame to leave it like that. If i was a boat man i would make you a generous offer mate. Looks like our freind who fell at the first fence has given up completely. I would have snatched your hand off!!!!!

Nice work mate.

Andy

[Guest]

Skyraider, I was given the kit many years a go, from a guy that had lost his wife , then lost an arm and a leg, he could not build any more and wanted it to go to a good home.

I started to build it to a point where I could show young modellers how it was done and all the things needed to build a model, it is a comple model with all its parts, cost many many 100,s of pounds.

I thought it was time I passed it on to a deserving cause, he sounded just the guy

[Guest]

Skyraider, I was given the kit many years a go, from a guy that had lost his wife , then lost an arm and a leg, he could not build any more and wanted it to go to a good home. I started to build it to a point where I could show young modellers how it was done and all the things needed to build a model, it is a comple model with all its parts, cost many many 100,s of pounds.

I thought it was time I passed it on to a deserving cause, he sounded just the guy

Hi ron,

Sounds like this model has some history. It certainly has a air of bad luck around it or its just not destined to make that made voyage.

Andy

[Guest]

Well it seems RAF had gone on his holidays, he contacted me when he came back, his wife and son picked up the model.