I purchased a graupner kontio ice breaker and got a great deal but the good deal was because the instructions are in german. I'm progressing with the build and have installed the drive system with rare variable pitch props but would like to have more knowledge before I start the super structure. Does any one have a idea where to get the english instructions.
Thanks
TUG

Nice looking boat.
You can always type in the instructions at
http://babel.altavista.com/tr
And translate them a line at a time.[&:]
Or copy and paste the text from the online graupner PDF
http://www.graupner.com/fileadmin/do...ungen/2197.pdf
Pages 12 - 29 are actually in english, but they have an odd line through the text.[:'(]

The Kontio was also reviewed in "Model Boats Magazine", December 2000 Issue
You may be able to come up with a back issue at the library, or find a copy online.

Here is someone elses build up, it has good images that might help.
http://www.jsyrovat.d2.cz/models/002_Kontio/Kontio.html
He has fixed pitch propellers.

Another build up.
http://www.kuester-home.de/pageID_2553639.html

Where did you get your variable pitch propellers? Who made them?

Thanks very much for the info that should help. I got the variable pitch props several years ago from a company called raboesch hobby products out of zeewolde holland. If you go to my website www.jonesmountaintugworks.4t.com and check out whats new page you can see how the variable pitch are controlled by two servos, also I am using a robards air plane retract system to create a realistic under the ice bubbling system. I bored out the control valve so it can discharge the whole air resevoir in one shot, pretty cool hey.
Thanks again
TUG

TUG,

I have been looking for a Kontio for some time. Where did you find yours? Any hints on where I might get one?

Here is the website for Kontio's operators in Finland:

http://www.finstaship.fi/en/?c=1&p=3

Here is another build and ice operations pictures (both real ship and the model):

http://www.mypage.bluewin.ch/w.minas...er/kontio.html

Thanks.

Patrick LeBedis

Thanks for the great sites Patrick
I recieved my kit from a friend who owned a hobby shop and is no longer in business. Check out east coast model center {I think its called some thing else now} or the guy at harbor models might be able to help or the graupner home page.

Thanks again
TUG

TUG,

I have done all three of those suggestions and more! I have one partially built in Germany that the guy wants me to come get (eon't ship it) and maybe another still in the box in the UK. Hopefully getting close.

That interior shot on your webpage is sweet - very clean setup. Do you have any pictures of the variable pitch props themselves? I checked Raboesch and they don't seem to make them anymore. Can you get another set by any chance? I plan to install a rocking system as well. All I need is the kit!

Thanks.

Patrick

TUG,

Forgot to send you these pictures. This Swiss RC Model Boat club has some INCREDIBLE models - also tons of really good pictures from their events very well organized.

4 pictures of 2 different Kontios, the second of which is phenomenal!

http://www.askweb.ch/coppermine/thum...&search=kontio

Patrick

Patrick
Looks like I might Have a Rare kit, sorry I don't have another set or know where to get one but I will look into it for you. I need to remove some tape and take some pics of the props for you. Can you describe your rocking system for me. Thanks again and I will get back to you soon.
TUG

TUG,

I've heard the rocking system described - haven't seen it in action. Simple though. The basic idea is a sealed system of a plastic tank secured to the hull on each beam (perhaps a nitro fuel tank - good variety of sizes) connected with a reversible self-priming pump (monitor pump/fuel pump maybe). Then just a simple servo control to pump fairly rapidly back & forth to rock her - about 7 to 10 degrees in 15 second cycles is about what the real one does. Remember to use a liquid medium that won't freeze - alcohol or something not too nasty/toxic in case of a spill internal or external. Water would probably be fine unless you were in really cold conditions where the ice is too thick anyway!

My own idea would be closer to the real thing where you could ballast down with external water, rock and roll, and then discharge when through the heavy ice flows. You could draw and discharge with one pump and then rock with another. Whaddaya think?

Patrick

TUG,

Sorry - slightly off on rocking cycle - A Heeling-system can move 630 t of water in 40 seconds resulting in a list of approximately 7°.

Patrick

Thanks Patrick
Sounds really interesting, with all I have going on in my ship I dont think I have enough room. Did you try the international list of scale modelers they might have a line on the kit,
I will send pics of the props this week.
Thanks
TUG

Post Pics of the propellers here, I want to see these too.
Not just the shaft and control side, the connection at the blades too.

Patrick
I scaned the diagram and instructions for the props and uploaded them, let me know what you think.
TUG

TUG,

Wow - really neat - I guess these will be a hard to find item as well! Just to let you know what a glutton for punishment I am. I was toying with the idea of putting Voith-Schneiders into the Kontio (when I find one!). Could be cool, but I wonder if they will provide enough "dig" in the ice. Any experience with Voith-Schneiders?

Patrick

Patrick
Harbor models carries voith-schneider drives, They are a little pricey, but totally cool. I don't think they are very heavy duty and where they would be located would be too close to where you would have ice contact, but harbor models sells replacement blades, I have some diagrams from a guy that scratch built one out brass in the UK. I think the kontio would look the best with conventional drives or two 360 degree Z drives.
TUG

Nice props JMTW. Are they spring loaded in the bulb for forward thrust?
I am assuming that the servo does not act on the shaft unless you want to reverse thrust.
And that if you return the servo to forward thrust, the blades have to follow the shaft back somehow.
Wait if the shaft moves in and out of the propeller hub, why does the propeller not fall off..
Hmmm I'll have to think on that some more.

I have a pair of the [link=http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77749]Voith Schneider drives[/link], and I don't think that the Kontio has the height in the stern to clear the motors and control connections. Harbor models sells them and they can be special orderd through Hobby Lobby International.

Umi, The shaft must have a linear gear on and the prop shafts have some sort of a bevel gear on them, when the shaft is at the center or neutral position there is no pitch to the blades, when the servo is moved forward it moves the shaft and the blades move to the positive 45 degrees and in turn when reversed the props go to the negative 45 degree, the blades are treaded and must be screwed into the hub. hope that make sence.
Tug

Here are some shots of my Kontios superstructure, in progress.
JMTW