Riva Aquarama by aydingocer - FINISHED - Amati - RADIO - A new challenge for a so-far static ship builder

[aydingocer]

Hello dear fellow forum folks,

 

I joined this forum yesterday with an introduction followed by my first build log of hobbyzone build slip where I mentioned my plans to build a great looking model of Riva Aquarama from Amati.

 

Having built several static models in the past, this time I decided to take a different challenge but was not sure exactly what that would be. Surfing in various ship model forums I got struck by a few build logs of a beautiful radio model from Amati, namely Riva Aquarama and then it was not hard for me to decide to go with this model.

 

I ordered the kit from euromodels.co.uk since I had done shopping with them in the past and they have reasonable prices. Payment and shipment was swift and no problems at all. Only thing is that they are not very good at answering your emails: I asked a question about the several options of this kit which are sold separately before I ordered but did not get any reply. Earlier, I had asked also another question about HMS Fly concerning the availability of their photo-etched extension kit but did not get any response either. Anyway, no real complaints here, maybe their email providers are not working properly.

 

Back to the kit: Amati offers several options for dudes like us who want to build it:

 

- The boat itself. This is a big scale kit (1:10) at 86cm length which makes a great deal of details 

- Radio control kit (includes motor, rods, cables, electronic speed control etc...)

- Accesory kit (this was what I was not sure whether the standard kit includes it already or not, for which I did not get a reply from the shop. I asked it to Amati and no reply from there either). The reason of my confusion is that Amati also sells other parts for those who want to scratch build, therefore I wanted to make sure whether the accessory kit contains for example better replacement parts than what comes with the standard kit, or just the same parts for those who want to scratch build. This kit alone costs around 140€ so it is not something you want to buy before making sure. At this moment I still don't know the answer but I will figure out before I come to the upholstery stage. In brief, this is what I am talking about: http://www.amatimodel.com/en/models/naval/classic/amati/runabout-upholstery-and-windshield-kit  

 

Overall, after unboxing and initial inspection, I have to say that

 

• the part quality is very very good. Especially the wooden strips are the best so far I have worked with. Each of them look straight, smooth like soap with no chips and splinters at all.
• Plans are clear and print quality is excellent
• Instruction manual is clear with lots and lots of photos, descriptions and tips, both in English and Italian.
• Spacious packaging, easy to place the parts back in to the box after unboxing, as opposed to some kits boxes where it feels like opening a can of worms you cannot pack back 

Alright, today's posts will be about unboxing and of the parts and package in general. I hope to start the build by tomorrow.

 

Regards,

 

Aydin

 

 

 

 

 

 

[aydingocer]

Package received. Well packed by euromodels.co.uk shop. 

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

I ordered the standard kit + the radio control module. At this moment I am not sure if I just want to make it a semi-static model (i.e. fully operating radio functionality but not for swimming) or go the full measure and make it a swimming model. It will all depend on how I succeed with  my test runs of applying water insulation (e.g. glass fibre coating , epoxy etc). Something I have not done before, but let's see.

 

The first box which came out of the delivery package is the radio control pack. I have included a 30cm ruler in some photos and placed the parts on a cutting mat to let you compare the size. 

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

Now the kit box. Inspiring cover carton with glossy finish and very good quality photos.

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

Lots of plans, in very nice details.

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

State-of-the-art instruction manual. I took a photo of a random page just to give you guys an idea of the instructions and photo descriptions (I hope I won't be  violating any copyright issues in which case I would kindly like to be informed and delete it).

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

Photo etched brass accessories:

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

Wooden sheets of plywood. Quite many. I don't put all of the photos here but see the second photo to have an idea of their amount.

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[AntonyUK]

Hi Aydin.

Nice looking kit in a huge box.

Will be following you with this one.

 

Regards Antony.

[aydingocer]

Strips. Allow me to mention once again that they are really top quality.

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

And last but not the least, the accessories and ornaments. The box had obviously been shaken quite a bit during transport, the pieces were scattered all around the box, but luckily they were contined in their own box so that they did not get any damage. They should've otherwise been sitting calmly in their white plastic containers . Also it seemed to help that they are further protected in small plastic bags.

 

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

That's all for now.

 

Next step will be commencing the build. Regretfully won't happen today due to other plans. 

 

Thanks for watching and meet you soon!

 

Aydin

[AntonyUK]

Hi Aydin.

Were are you from ?

Just being nosey

Regards Antony.

[aydingocer]

Hi Aydin.

Were are you from ?

Just being nosey

Regards Antony.

 

Hi Anthony,

Sure. I am from Turkey, moved to Finland about 15 years ago.

BR.

[AntonyUK]

 

Hi Aydin.

I do like Finland. I was in the North west neer Munnikurkkio (I think that's what's it's called) a few years back

Interesting place. You can walk for days and not find a road.. never mind people.

 

Regards Antony.

[aydingocer]

Hi Aydin.

I do like Finland. I was in the North west neer Munnikurkkio (I think that's what's it's called) a few years back

Interesting place. You can walk for days and not find a road.. never mind people.

 

Regards Antony.

 

Thanks for the good comments, Antony. I like it here, too. 

[aydingocer]

Alright, now I didn't plan to start today, but thanks to the Finnish summer, the weather forecast promised rain the whole day so I can peacefully sit home and start building this beautiful model!

 

The first plan sheet is now nailed on the wall. It won't be in immediate need, but gives a construction yard feeling and motivation (doesn't it)? And an idea to you what the plans look like.

 

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

Apparently most of the rest of the plan sheets actually 1:1 scale prints to serve as a guide for numbering. You look at the parts list, find which sheet has the part you look for, then check the plan sheet to mark that piece. 

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

Keel in place, with reinforcements. I opted to "reinforce" the reinforcements using a few nails in addition to the glue, even though I use UHU HART the "pinnacle of German chemical engineering" , adding a few nails won't hurt the German pride, I suppose  .

 

The reinforcements, as seen in the photo, as well as the others so far I have experienced, do not always sit flush with all the edges. This is sometimes important point to watch carefully while gluing them. I have one example to this issue further ahead.

 

In the last photo, the keel is now placed and tightened on my building slip.

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

One more example of un-even reinforcements.

 

Second photo: Part dry-fitted to the building slip.  

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[Keith_W]

Hello Aydin, I will be following your build log as well. I for one would love you to build it for full RC operation, swimming and all. There are a number of concerns that I would have if I was building this kit - 1) how to make it watertight, 2) how to balance it in water, and 3) how to apply a perfect gloss coat, and 4) how to avoid parts from falling off when she goes swimming.

 

I would be very interested to see how you overcome these.

[aydingocer]

I cannot pass by not pointing out how precise the laser cuts are. This photo actually belongs to a "scrap" piece. The cuts are so clean that they look like a real piece. That's why I wanted to mark them "scrap" so that I won't wonder where the heck it belongs to.  . The reason I keep some of them instead of throwing away is to use as a support or test material when needed. 

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

Hello Aydin, I will be following your build log as well. I for one would love you to build it for full RC operation, swimming and all. There are a number of concerns that I would have if I was building this kit - 1) how to make it watertight, 2) how to balance it in water, and 3) how to apply a perfect gloss coat, and 4) how to avoid parts from falling off when she goes swimming.

 

I would be very interested to see how you overcome these.

 

Thanks for the interest Keith. And who knows, with a few more encouragements like yours, I may go the full measure and face all the challenges you've mentioned   .

[aydingocer]

An interesting note. This piece is NOT symmetrical and is a good example of benefits of following the instructions closely. I added also shots from the manual.

 

Check the grids on the cutting mat to notice the asymmetry.

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

Here is the example of non-flush reinforcements I promised to show earlier. The pieces (1 each side) sit flush only with the inner part of the frame on the bottom section, leaving a gap towards the top.

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

All parts so far ripped from the sheets are dry-fitted on the keel.

 

That's all for today. Thanks for watching.

Edited May 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[Keith_W]

Those non-flush reinforcements are found in parts of the frame that should be tapered for planking. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

And please yes, make her swim.

[cog]

Nice kit, Aydin,

 

Seems you've setup nicely, and have already gathered some speed in your build ... Like that building board you are using!

 

Cheers

[gjdale]

Nice start Aydin, think I'll follow along too. I'm building a similar boat myself - the 1949 Chris Craft 19' Racing Runabout by Dumas models. Like you, this build holds many firsts for me. I'll be interested to watch your progress.

[aydingocer]

Nice kit, Aydin,

 

Seems you've setup nicely, and have already gathered some speed in your build ... Like that building board you are using!

 

Cheers

 

Hi Cog, thanks. Here is the build log of the building slip which I use: http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/13422-hobbyzone-building-slip-for-wooden-ship-models/