airwalk

I thought That I would start a building thread on the 80 inch seaview.This is to show how to put the 80 inch seaview together for other people can follow the progress with there boats. Anyway I will start with the Epoxy hull.This is made from aircraft quality Epoxy resin.It does not shrink or lose its shape.I will take more pictures as time allows.Hope you viewers enjoy them.

airwalk

Okey lets get started! First lets be clear about this Seaview,this model was modeled after the 8 1/2 foot miniature used in the underwater shots.It was also known as the hero,or work horse of the underwater filming.I won,t get into telling everone about the different models used in Voyage,and how they are different in looks,that can be found by going on the internet and typing in (Voyage to the bottom of the sea) THere you will find tons of information on the different models used.This is just a fun build for myself,and to share imformation with others.I would like to build this model up ,so it can be used for rc control.Just a idea for now!

airwalk

Today I started with cutting out the windrows,I first toke a dremel tool with a small drill bit and cut around the inside of the windrow frames.I then take the drill bit and open up the areas between the holes. After that I take a popsickle stick,and put 80 grit sandpaper on it. Clean up the windrow areas was easy.I left the center brace in the frames to show were the windrow beams will go later.These center frames will then be removed.

airwalk

The flying sub launching lights were cut out next,by using the same method as I used on the windrows.I first marked out the molded in circles with a pencil,and then cut them out.

airwalk

The top deck ballast vents were the next thing to attack! First photo shows the tools used in this process.First I used the dremel with a small bit to make the holes etc.I used a variety of different needle files to clear up the vents.It was not that hard of a job,as I now vacuum bag the top deck.This makes for a super strong and light deck.A little more work with the vacuum machine but its with it.

airwalk

The completed deck with all of the ballast vents cut out,next we will begin building the sail assembly.

airwalk

The 80 inch seaview sail,is a two step process.First we will show how to cut out the bridge and radar well.I first mark out the areas of the bridge and radar well with a pencil. These areas have molded in marks on the top of the sail Then these ares are cut out by using the drill bit,and file process.After these areas are cut out,we can now try and fit the bridge and radar well into there holes.When will slip down into the cutouts with ease,you can now remove them from there locations. They will be installed later.

airwalk

Take the sail,and mark the sail diving plane holes with a pencil.Next dill out the center of the shaft holes with a small drill bit.This is to make a pilot hole for the larger 3/16 drill bit.Drill out both sides of the sail with the 3/16 bit.These holes are for the 3/16 diving planes shafts bushings.

airwalk

Two 3/16 brass brushing are furnished for the diving plane shafts.First cut a piece of 3/16 brass tube,just long enought so that it goes from one side of the sail to the other.Put the two diving planes into the brass tube.Chech to see if the diving planes are even and level.If the are not you can cut a little material from one hole or the other to make the diving planes level. When they look good remove the diving planes and 3/16 brass tube. Put the two bushings on a brass shaft the same size as the diving planes shafts. Insall the brushings thru the holes in each side of the sail.Put a little super glue on each side of the bushings.when dry remove the brass shaft tube out from the bushings.Next put the two diving planes into the sides of the sail.If they look level you can now glue the brushings from the inside of the sail.(see pictures)

airwalk

These pictures show the diving planes mounted to the sail. When they are in the right locations,glue the bushings from the inside of the sail.(Last pictures) You can also bend the diving planes shafts if you need to with a pliers. Do this very carefully.

airwalk

If you need to bend the planes shafts,grab the shaft close to the plane.this way the shaft stays straight.

airwalk

Had a little extra time today,in between work,to get a little more done on the sail.I toke fiberglass cloth,and layed up eight layers with resin to the front and back of the bottom of the sail.This will hold the nuts for attaching the deck screws.I then put the sail down on the deck,and made sure that it was centered on the deck.A mark was made with a pencil.to out line the sail on the deck.

airwalk

I then drilled 8-32 holes in the top deck,making sure holes were centered inbetween outline of sail.The sail is then put back on deck,making sure sail is again centered.The sail is taped down to deck so sail will not move on deck.The sail and deck are now turned upside down,so holes can now be drilled thru the holes in deck,and now in the sail.

airwalk

The holes are then made for attaching the sail to the deck.You can use regular screws if you want,but I used 8-32 screws to mount the sail to the deck.I soldered flat washers to the 8-32 nuts and glued them to the inside the sail.After the glue dried the sail was attached to the deck.

airwalk

The sail and deck are now a one unit , and can can be put back on the main hull.

airwalk

Back to the seaview.I decided to attach the rear fins.To do this you drill out the marked dimples in the stearn.Drill out the six 8-32 bolt holes you will also have to drill out the areas for the wiring tubes. Place the fin on the stearn,and mark the area around the fin on the stearn with a pencil.Make sure fin goes all the way to the rear of the stearn.Also the points of fins should be 3/16 or a quarter of a inch from the sides of the deck when the deck is center on the main hull.You may have to file out the holes to move the fin in the right location.Remove the fins and sand the ares were the fins were marked,with 80 grit sandpaper.

airwalk

Well I had a few more pictures to post tonight,But I get a message when I try to post pictures that says (500 Internal server error) So I will try again tomorrow.

airwalk

Well got the computer back to working! So I will try it again.First picture shows to level up thr skeg,to make sure the boat is straight up and down. Tape bdown the boat so it can,t turn in the stand. Install the 8-32 nuts to the fins from the inside of the hull.Measure so that the fins are 8 1/2 apart,from the center of each light socket. Level up fins by placing a small level across the top of the fins. Turn 8-32 nuts to ajust the height of each fin.When fins are even and level,place deck back on hull.Measure so thet distance from deck to fin tips are aroud 3/16 or a quarter apart.

airwalk

Checking rear fins.

airwalk

Next apply 30 minute epoxy glue to the bottom of each fin, to fill gap of seam betweem fin and hull.I thicken up my epoxy some so it will fill a little better.When epoxy has harden,around two hours or so,turn boat on its side and do the same thing to the outsides of the fins,letting one side dry at a time.When dry, snug up bolt boat fins a little from inside of hull. Fin are now installed.

airwalk

Seaview with rear tail fin installed!

airwalk

I said that the rear fins should be 8 1/2 it should be 8 1/25 apart!!! thats what I get for posting 3:00 in the morning! Time to get back to bed!

airwalk

My god! thats even wrong! its 8 1/8 between light sockets! Just look at the picture. Good night!

airwalk

The rear turbine tubes are the next thing to start work on.For today im just going to rough fit them on the stearn.I started to trial fit each tube on,and sanding any high spots were the tube fits on the stearn. When the tubes look level from the back,and the side fins look to line up level with the side hull fins,I taped the tubes on to the stearn.Next I will show how to attach them to the main hull. It will be a few days for the next posting.

airwalk

Got a little extra time to work on the rear turbine tubes this afternoon.Before I mounted the rear tubes,I first cut out the two prop shafts holes.I measured from the edge of the hull prop strut,to the inside edge of 5/16 .Drill out the holes so they are large enough to fit your stuffing boxs.I then marked out the water intakes on the two rear turbine tubes.Pictures show before and after pictures.Cut out the holes the same way you cut out the nose windrows.