Lindberg US Coastguard Tug

Here are the contents of the box - all shiny white plastic  One or two pieces seem to have suffered a little warping with storage, but nothing too serious I hope.



I have encountered my first challenge with this build. The deck has to be fitted BEFORE the hull is stuck together  This is going to make it quite difficult to fit the motor etc. Because of this, no progress today. I am now waiting for my prop shaft etc to arrive. I plan to use a motor from a servo and an Action Pico ESC.

There is a reasonable access hole under the superstructure, so if I can fit the prop shaft and rudder tube to one half of the hull, and work out a mounting for the motor, it may still be possible. If not, I'll have a nice static model. I believe that at one time Lindberg did market some of these kits with motors, so I am hoping its still possible.

Barrie

The prop shaft arrived yesterday so today I had a go. After opening up the hole meant for the supplied rod, it fits nicely. There was what looks like a support for the shaft included, so I have fixed that to one half of the hull and enlarged the hole at the top to take my shaft. I have also glued to one side a shelf placed to take the motor, which will be fixed with silicone.
I will be using the supplied prop, as I don't have anything small enough. Its a good shape, and I was able to open out the hole to take the M2 thread.
I have also drilled out the hole for the rudder. I am making a new rudder as I couldn't see how to fit a proper shaft to the one supplied.
I think I am now in a position to stick the hull together. There should be enough access to fix the remaining items.

Barrie

The new rudder is made - its a very similar shape & size the kit one.

I have spent quite a bit of time today working out where the servo and ESC will go. I have decided I need to buy a servo like that supplied for the Hunstman

This will have to wait until after my holiday which starts next week
I have started making up some of the other structures, and can paint some of these whilst waiting for the servo.

Barrie

More building and painting today. As I need the superstructure to be removable, I have added a coaming to the the location tabs in the kit. I think this will be enough to hold it in place, if not I will add some magnets

Will keep on with the fiddly bits until I go on holiday. If I can get a good internet connection on the cruise I will order the servo to arrive when I get back. I have just found out that I am to have my second knee op on April 16th - just 12 months after it was supposed to happen - so that will take me out of action for a week or two

Barrie

this is really very interesting barrie.......as I am going down the road of eventually motorising the two little motor lifeboats available as plastic kits.......but space is even tighter.........can you please give details of where you obtain the micro electronics.

also why did you choose separate speed controller instead of utilising the board affixed to the servo motor........just interested

neil.

Neil,

The motor as you guessed is from a servo. The speed control is an Action Pico ESC - which I already had. The servo will come from Hobbyking and be the same as the one supplied by Speedline Models for the 1:48th Huntsman. If you want a link let me know.

When I built my first micro model I started out using the servo electronics, but found it very difficult to set the 'dead band', so bought the Action ESC. I have removed the case for use in the Tug, and will probably wrap it in insulating tape.

The battery, esc, receiver and a switch are designed to move between the two boats.

If you want to go really small, then brushless motors and escs, as used in the Huntsman, are even smaller, but no reverse

Barrie

cheers mate.......just as a matter of interest what's the physical size of the esc from action.

I'll check tomorrow

Barrie

Neil

The photo shows from the top, the Action Pico ESC, the brushless ESC from the 1:48 Huntsman and the receiver I will be using in both models - its Spektrum compatible.
I believe you can get brushed ESCs of similar size to the brushless if you search electric flight.
The Action measures 35 x 23mm and is approx 12mm high.

Hope this helps,

Barrie

More painting today and a little bit of construction

The porthole surrounds are supposed to be painted brass, but there is no way I can achieve a respectable finish on something that size and shape so they will stay white  Tomorrow I think I can make good progress putting it together, many bits are just waiting for the paint to harden.
That will leave the hull for which I need to get some paint, and of course the servo so I can make it work

Barrie

yes, thnks barrie........it confirms that I am going to have to use the 2"controller of a servo and find that dreaded centre as there is no way any of those will fit under the deck of the little lifeboats.....they are only about 8 - 9 inches long. but cheers, neil.

The superstructure and deck are now almost complete - just a couple of items to add. If I make another of these type of models, I will discard the railings etc and replace with proper brass rod. These look very poor, but the objective is to see how ell it works as a R/C model.

This is how it will now stay for at least 2 weeks until I return from holiday. Then I need to source some paint, Decal Fix and a servo to be able to finish it .

Barrie

I had a bit of lick at the lake this morning - one of our members who is emigrating to the Philpines was giving away some servos. I got a full size one, and also a micro one. Not quite as small as the one for the Huntsman, but smaller than my miniature ones and entirely suitable for the Tug.
This means that I will be able to get on and complete the works as soon as I return from holiday and not wait for the post from the Netherlands

Barrie

enjoy your holls matey..hope the sun doesn't warm your beer before you have chance to drink it,

nhp651 wrote:

yes, thnks barrie........it confirms that I am going to have to use the 2"controller of a servo and find that dreaded centre as there is no way any of those will fit under the deck of the little lifeboats.....they are only about 8 - 9 inches long. but cheers, neil.

Neil,

Final thought before I go. This is the internals of my smallest boat yet - only 7.5 inches long. That's a 40Mhz 4 channel receiver, the Action ESC in its case and the battery holders are both 2 x AA.
So its surprising what you can get into a small space

Barrie

ahhh, that just looks like the internals of my usual builds, lol

And mine 

Well, back from hols and before I go into hospital, I am trying to finish the tug. I fitted the servo and made a linkage for it which was the only thing stopping me putting the hull together. As I expected this was a bit tricky keeping the two halves and the deck in the correct place. I ended up sticking it in stages as it was impossible to clamp it all.

I still have problems with the stern which I think is down to a warped moulding. I am hoping the tape will hold it together until it sets, if not then I will fill it.

If the paint comes tomorrow then I can get some colour on the hull - it looks a little strange in white

I also need to see if its watertight - I hope so as there isn't much room to get inside to seal it.

Barrie

The tape did its job  and the hull has now been painted. Just a few small items to add, then a few decals. Before that I plan to see if its watertight I also fixed the supplied stand to a board as it wasn't very strong.

Barrie

Looking good barriew.

Thanks. Today I put it into water A little got in, I think it was around the prop tube, but with restricted access and visibility, I am not certain. In any case I pushed as much silicone sealant in there as I could, and will hope for the best. It wasn't a massive amount anyway.
I have now added the remaining fittings, and also ballasted it. Tomorrow I will hopefully give it a coat of satin varnish so that I can apply the decals before I go into hospital on Thursday.
I have been considering the power source. I was going to use 4 x AAA batteries in a holder, but its difficult to hold it firmly in place and still be able to remove it to change the batteries, so I think I will buy a 4 x 2/3rd AAA pack instead. I've also put in a bid for a very cheap very small chinese ESC.

Barrie

Thanks Damien - I put the final touches on today. A coat of Satin Cote, then applied the decals and another coat over them. I think I have solved the fixing of the rope deck at the stern. I have tacked it in place with Copydex, so I should be able to remove it if I need access to the tiller.
I have also had another idea for battery and ESC. I have a couple of very small 2S LiPos, and have just bought a Chinese forward and reverse ESC rated at 10A (Chinese ones obviously) with a BEC, which is only about 25 mm square. It only cost me £4, so its worth a try.This will be first option when the ESC arrives, hopefully when I am mobile again after the knee op.

Barrie

I had a very pleasant surprise this morning when the postman delivered my ESC - only 7 days after I ordered it from China

Its is little bigger than one of the UK Large Letter postage stamps, so was easy to fit into the tug. Tested and it works well. The only downside (which I knew about) is that it has a brake function. This means that you have to hit reverse twice. I also think that reverse is less than 100% of forward max speed - again I knew about this and in this model its not an issue.
Here is the unit

...and installed in the tug. Can't wait until Sunday to try it out.
Barrie


Neil,

I reckon you must be able to fit one of these in your little lifeboats.

The maiden voyage went reasonably well, although one member thought it was air powered there were so many bubbles coming off the prop  More weight required in the stern. Also 7.4 volts is a bit too much, so I have to remember to go easy on the throttle.

I've adjusted the ballasting and will try again next week. I will also try to get some photos and video on the water if my daughter and grandson come with me.

Barrie