bcochran Posted August 28, 2023 Author Share #91 Posted August 28, 2023 On 1/27/2023 at 10:00 AM, Ian_Grant said: Bob, glad to hear you didn't die. 😀 No, not dead, just procrastinating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 28, 2023 Author Share #92 Posted August 28, 2023 On 1/27/2023 at 8:47 AM, ccoyle said: It's only been a month -- you're gonna have to stay away for much, much longer if you want to join the ranks of the truly great procrastinators in our hobby! 😉 Ok, I have been gone for 8 months now. Do I qualify? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted August 28, 2023 Share #93 Posted August 28, 2023 11 hours ago, bcochran said: Ok, I have been gone for 8 months now. Do I qualify? Not even close! But we appreciate the effort. 😉 bcochran and Ian_Grant 2 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 28, 2023 Author Share #94 Posted August 28, 2023 Here are some folks I bought a while ago to sit on the boat. They're shouting to me, "hurry up and get this boat built so we can go for a ride on the water!" Ian_Grant and yvesvidal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 28, 2023 Author Share #95 Posted August 28, 2023 (edited) The instructions to this kit can be confusing at times. An example is the instruction on installing the mounting brackets that screws go in, to hold the rear deck piece in place. The instructions say to mount the brackets about 6 1/2 inches (16.5cm) from the stern. Since the holes in the brackets need to line up with the holes in the deck, so the screws go through both, there isn't any "about" about it. Also, there are no markings showing where the brackets should go. To get it correct, I marked the hull where the mounting bracket holes should line up without measuring the distance from the end of the deck. I didn't know where that spot was either. I glued the brackets in place and tested how they lined up with the deck using a long tooth pic. After the glue dries, I'll attempt to put the screws in. You must tap the brackets with the screws before mounting them. The instructions do not say to glue the front deck to the hull. I think you should because there is only the rear deck to hold it in place and that doesn't seem sufficient to me given all the superstructure that goes on the front deck. Also, the only access I need under it is to set the batteries in place, and I can do that with the deck glued down. Another issue is the slight warp in the front deck keeping the tip of the deck from sitting on the hull tightly. Edited August 28, 2023 by bcochran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 28, 2023 Author Share #96 Posted August 28, 2023 (edited) Something else I thought was weird. There are no raised borders at the places where the hull windows are to be glued in place. You just glue them to the inside surface of the hull, which at places does not have the same flat plane as the window. The windows are larger than the opening they cover, there is no "fit" to them. I used canopy glue, which dries clear and should hold the window and plug any gaps so that water cannot get in. If the window should fall out, it will fall inside the hull. Edited August 28, 2023 by bcochran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 28, 2023 Author Share #97 Posted August 28, 2023 On 8/17/2023 at 7:19 PM, medic12 said: Hi Bob, I just acquired the same model still complete in the box...except for instructions. Would you be able to scan your instruction sheets and email them to me as a PDF file? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Mark combatmedic2012@gmail.com I am emailing the instructions to you today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medic12 Posted August 28, 2023 Share #98 Posted August 28, 2023 Hi Bob, Thank you so much for sending those instructions to me. I greatly appreciate it. If you are still needing some help on the electronics on your boat, let me know. I've been building stuff like this on and off since the 1970's when I started with my Dad. I got back into the hobby a few years ago and brushed up on the newer computer radios and power systems. I learned electronics as an Avionics Technician in the Air Force and have continued to advance my skills as time goes on. Keep up the good work! Mark bcochran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 28, 2023 Author Share #99 Posted August 28, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, medic12 said: Hi Bob, Thank you so much for sending those instructions to me. I greatly appreciate it. If you are still needing some help on the electronics on your boat, let me know. I've been building stuff like this on and off since the 1970's when I started with my Dad. I got back into the hobby a few years ago and brushed up on the newer computer radios and power systems. I learned electronics as an Avionics Technician in the Air Force and have continued to advance my skills as time goes on. Keep up the good work! Mark Thanks Mark, I was a radar repairman in the Army in Vietnam in 1967-68 but I don’t remember much about electronics today. I can sure use your help. I am going to work on the superstructure while learning what to do with the electronics. Edited August 28, 2023 by bcochran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 28, 2023 Author Share #100 Posted August 28, 2023 Hello Ian, I am glad to reconnect with your great ideas. Ian_Grant 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 28, 2023 Author Share #101 Posted August 28, 2023 I used epoxy to fix the front deck in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share #102 Posted August 29, 2023 (edited) Well, the decks are finished and mounted to the hull. Time to give the boat a gloss coat at this stage. Also, time to go back over what everyone told me about the electronics. I bought a carry/stand to use to take the boat to the water, so I better get the motors to work. Edited August 29, 2023 by bcochran TBlack and yvesvidal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share #103 Posted August 29, 2023 Here are a couple of videos that someone made of their Lindberg Chris Craft Constellation K Sensei .... A classic that gets better with age.mp4 Lindberg Constellation....... K Sensei.mp4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share #104 Posted August 29, 2023 This is Christopher Columbus Smith, founder of Chris Craft boats. allanyed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share #105 Posted August 29, 2023 (edited) I am trying to build the cabin so that it lifts off to get at the electric components. I also want to paint the framing as one piece. There are no alignment pins, so attaching the pieces together correctly is trial and error. Edited August 29, 2023 by bcochran Ian_Grant 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share #106 Posted August 29, 2023 Again, this is my prototype. I like to keep it in front of my nose for inspiration, especially when things aren't going right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share #107 Posted August 29, 2023 (edited) 1956 Chris Craft Constellation Walk-Through Live-Aboard Boa.mp4 Here is a video of the real deal. It is of a 36ft 1956 Chris Craft Constellation. The model is of a 54 ft 1956 Chris Craft Constellation. Edited August 29, 2023 by bcochran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share #108 Posted August 29, 2023 (edited) The framing of the cabin is assembled and has a first coat of paint. I ran out of my red brown. I ordered more, which should arrive in a few days. I order it from a hobby shop in Burbank, and they ship the day you order. The cabin is removable. Edited August 29, 2023 by bcochran Ian_Grant, yvesvidal, hof00 and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 30, 2023 Author Share #109 Posted August 30, 2023 Here is a disappointment. The cabin roof is full of knock out marks. I painted it yesterday and today upon examining it I saw the marks. I am going to have to sand them out and repaint it. Ian_Grant 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 30, 2023 Author Share #110 Posted August 30, 2023 The windows, blinds, curtains and some deck fittings are done. A bit of progress today. schooner, yvesvidal, bruce d and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_Grant Posted August 30, 2023 Share #111 Posted August 30, 2023 Looking really nice! You should get her onto some water this fall by the look of it! 🤞 bcochran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 31, 2023 Author Share #112 Posted August 31, 2023 1 hour ago, Ian_Grant said: Looking really nice! You should get her onto some water this fall by the look of it! 🤞 I sure am planing on it. Ian_Grant 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 31, 2023 Author Share #113 Posted August 31, 2023 (edited) I wanted to mention that this boat kit is a lot more fun to build than my Cutty Sark and Robert E Lee were. I didn’t finish the rigging on the Cutty Sark, maybe I’ll get back to it some day. There were two other Cutty Sark builds going when I did mine and both of those builders were an inspiration to me. Anyone who completes a full rigged ship has my admiration. I don’t have the stuff to deal with the fragility of a plastic sailing ship. Parts are constantly breaking do to my clumsiness and I had to find ways to recover. The Robt E Lee was easier, less fragile and I put a lot of time in researching steamboats. This model has big pieces that are easy to work with though some extra thought is needed to get it together correctly. The big pieces makes it less risky to work with. Any do overs I have with this is because of painting mistakes. BUT! This boat requires I learn R/C boat skills which I didn’t bring to the build. I am 77 years old and retired which frees me from needing to add new work skill sets to my tool kit in order to keep up with competing co-workers like I use to have to do. I can pick my battles now or leave them. I gave up on the electronics of this boat last December but now I am going to give it another try after the boat is built. Another thought is that I can fantasize about really owning a boat like this. There are old used Chris Craft boats for sale on the internet. I could afford to buy one but I am not sure about the storage, restoration or upkeep. You’d have to make it a big part of your life. I do live near several good harbors, Santa Barbara, Morrow Bay and Port San Luis. I think it will remain a fantasy. Playing with the model on the pond will be fun. Edited August 31, 2023 by bcochran Ian_Grant 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_Grant Posted August 31, 2023 Share #114 Posted August 31, 2023 On 8/28/2023 at 9:29 PM, bcochran said: Well, the decks are finished and mounted to the hull. Time to give the boat a gloss coat at this stage. Also, time to go back over what everyone told me about the electronics. I bought a carry/stand to use to take the boat to the water, so I better get the motors to work. It's always the man who wants to drive............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_Grant Posted August 31, 2023 Share #115 Posted August 31, 2023 Bob, the RC is not too difficult. Your motors and ESC should be compatible since you got them from one supplier. Same for "binding" the transmitter to the receiver. If you have problems, just take the boat to a hobby shop which sells RC and they will be able to quickly assist you. 👍 bcochran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 31, 2023 Author Share #116 Posted August 31, 2023 Well I sanded the cabin roof and repainted and it still looks like crap. There are animal hairs in the paint and some of the knockout marks are still visible. More sanding and repainting, needed. This is adding time I didn't want to take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted August 31, 2023 Author Share #117 Posted August 31, 2023 I took thinner and cleaned off the paint as much as I could, then sanded, cleaned again and repainted. The roof looks better. It takes a few days for this paint to dry well. Ian_Grant and yvesvidal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted September 1, 2023 Author Share #118 Posted September 1, 2023 (edited) I am trying to add some chrome trim like I've seen on the real boats. The model leaves off a bit of detail, and it is a judgement call whether to try and add it or not. You can go overboard if you are not real skilled. Some folks on this board are geniuses with adding the bling. Depending on your ability, you can reach a point where the law of diminishing returns kicks in. I try to get to a point where the model as a whole has balance when it comes to detail. I have gotten to the point where what I do detracts from the appearance. I hope to hell to not go there. Edited September 1, 2023 by bcochran Ian_Grant, schooner and yvesvidal 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBlack Posted September 1, 2023 Share #119 Posted September 1, 2023 Big difference! Much improved! Bravo Zulu! bcochran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcochran Posted September 2, 2023 Author Share #120 Posted September 2, 2023 (edited) Added a little more bling and deck fittings Edited September 2, 2023 by bcochran schooner and Ian_Grant 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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