Huntsman 31 in 1:48 scale

The contents of the package - a moulded ABS hull, some laser cut sheets, strip and rod etc. Also the brushless motor, ESC and a minute servo. I have put the electric components together.


After cutting the hull from the moulding and cleaning the edges, the next job was the chine and spray rails from very fine plastic strip, although the instruction said wooden strip for the chine rails, plastic was supplied. This is quite delicate work to avoid swamping the hull with glue.  For this I was grateful for this tool that I bought a while ago. It seemed expensive when I bought it, but is the easiest way I have found of applying small amounts of plastic glue to exactly the right place. The front tool is for plastic and is used with the squeezy bottle to suck up glue into the glass tube. The other tool is for superglue, again for precision placement of the glue.

After this has dried overnight, the rails will be faired in to the hull.

Barrie

I'm going to enjoy this build, and then probably buy one 

There is also a twin motor option - I thought one would be quick enough for me, and also I wasn't sure there would be room for my fingers as well as two motors in that hull

Barrie

Well - I'm pleased I only have one motor to squeeze in



The rudder has been assembled and installed. The motor mount is not fixed in as yet. There are no plans as such with this kit which makes sorting out some of the parts a little tricky, especially as there are two sets of dome for the single and twin motor versions.

Barrie

The motor mount is now fixed in place and the bolts have been cropped and sealed with thread lock. The platform for the servo has been created. I am a little surprised that the bulkheads do not meet the sides of the hull. Without any drawings it is difficult to know if they are in the correct positions.The next job is to fit the sub-deck which is supplied die cut from balsa - but again it is too small width ways. I am unsure whether to pull the sides in to meet it, or try to cut a new one. The printed deck does appear to be the correct size.

Barrie

No more progress on this model, but the battery I ordered has arrived.

This is the one recommended by the designer. Its 7.4 volts and 300ma - which is supposed to give 10 minutes running
I should have no problem finding space for it

Barrie

Is this the one Adrian of Speedline was selling at the international Modle Boat show and is also for sale on Ebay

Dave

Dave - yes, or at least it was on ebay, not sure it still is, but it is now on his web site.

Barrie

OK, so I wont be having my new knee tomorrow. Got a call just after lunch to say they have had to cancel it due to an influx of trauma victims

So as the Coastguard tug is awaiting parts, I returned to the mini Huntsman. I have fitted the sub deck. the supplied one seemed too small and I thought that pulling in the sides would leave them wrinkled, so I cut a new slightly larger one. Not sure this is a good idea as the printed overlay now doesn't cover the whole subdeck
I will have to have another think tomorrow and decide what to do. I can't do anything about the printed deck, so it looks as though I will have to go back to the original sub deck, but when the glue has dried it will be easier to handle and make a decision.

Barrie

I decided that I did need to do something to bring the sub deck to the size of the printed overlay, so I carefully cut back the sides and re-glued them.

When the glue had dried I filled a few gaps, then fitted the overlay.

Barrie

I am not getting on with this model! Its very small, and the instructions are pretty vague. Its taken me about three days to get the bumper strip round the hull. It was supplied pre-formed, but getting it to stick was a nightmare - to the hull that is, it stuck to me quite easily  Two layers have now been fitted. They need sanding to shape.
Part of the problem is the laser cut wood. The burned edge doesn't take glue very easily, and its quite tricky to sand back to clean wood without removing too much.

I may give it a rest for a while - depends on the weather. Because of my delayed op I have been doing some of the house maintenance I thought would have to wait until June or so.

Barrie
First layer


Second layer

Well, I'm still not sure I know what I'm doing, but I have joined the sides to the well deck, which is the first stage in constructing the cabin.

Barrie

Loving this little build 

Still working on guess work, but the remainder of the cabin framework has now been completed. After some sanding to adjust the fit, the two roofs will be fitted, and painting can begin.

Barrie

It was raining this morning so no sailing, which meant another session on the Hunstman  I fitted the roofs and trimmed them. After sanding, the deck and bump strip were given two coats of Humbrol Satincote, the wood was treated to a coat of sanding sealer before painting. I have painted the hull all white at the moment, but I think I will paint below the chine the same blue as the roofs. This will more or less match my other two Huntsman models. The white wood will require another coat. Humbrol paint does vary in consistency - the last tin of satin white was like honey, this one is like water - easier to apply, but doesn't cover as well

Barrie

All the wood has had a second coat of paint, and the roof edges have been painted blue. I've also painted the hull below the chine rail blue. The windscreen has been cut out from the vac formed moulding. Next big challenge is to paint a 1 mm silver frame round it  Not sure how I am going to manage that. I tied masking tape, but its too complex a shape. Whilst pondering that I'll try the slightly easier task of making the pulpit rail and some handrails.  
The windows are represented by black vinyl shapes which are supplied diecut

Barrie

After some thought I realised I had a way of creating a mask to allow me to paint the edges of the windscreen. I scanned the template for the windscreen and reduced it by 2 mm, then cut a vinyl mask and fitted it to the screen.


Whilst waiting for the paint to dry, I fitted all the cut vinyl items - flags, racing numbers, and the windows. I also fitted the console and seats. I have started on the pulpit rail, and the two hatches and air intakes have been painted with one coat.

Barrie

A really smart looking model Barrie. WELL DONE. 

Nice work Barrie

Thanks everyone. Just had a call asking me to report to the hospital this afternoon to secure my bed for my op tomorrow! This means I haven't quite finished the build. Before the call, I had fitted the side air intakes and the two hatches, finished painting the 'frame' on the windscreen and trimmed it to a better fit. Its ready for gluing, but I didn't want to rush it. Finally I completed the pulpit rail with its supports.
Not sure when I will get to finish  this now - hopefully I wont have to wait too long .

Barrie

Finally felt like modelling again over the last two days.
The Huntsman is almost finished now. I just have to fit a mast and then apply some varnish, before fitting all the gear. The windscreen has been fitted - not quite as good as I thought it was, but wont be noticeable on the water  .

Barrie

Any nit pickers are standing way to close.

only question is, does she preform as good as she looks?

Don't know yet RR   I fitted all the bits inside today, but it is likely to be a few weeks before I can give it a try. I need to get a bit steadier on my new knee before I start playing with this one. 

Barrie

It all fits - just

The ESC and battery are not fixed until I see how it sits in the water. Once everything is settled, then I think I need to provide a method of fixing the top to the hull. Its fairly tight, but better safe than sorry 

I gave it all two coats of thinned down Humbrol Satincote today. I may try to float it in the small test tank (washing up bowl) tomorrow - depends how I feel.

Barrie