Rich404

Hey gang,


I have been pretty busy recently & have been unable to chime in. During that time, I have cleaned up Dauntless & put her on display in my home office until I can resume work on her. She seems to always capture my attention and begs to be worked on & it is hard to not jump in & do work..

Once the weather gets warmer I will be able to sand down some of the painting mishaps and get her properly painted. I cannot wait!

Until then, I am going to focus on finishing many of the odd & end details so that they can be painted and quickly installed on Dauntless during the spring time. As you all know, nothing happens fast on this build and I foresee another year before she will really be where I want her to be, but getting there is half the fun! Slowly but surely, she always moves forward.

Recently, I went to Florida and while there visited the local hobby shop near my best friends house. They had some 3cell 11.1 8000MAH LIPO batteries there for just under $100 each. This was great because it was not too long ago that 5000MAH was a big deal as far as LIPO’s go. Before you know it, I foresee 10,000MAH LIPO batteries hitting the market at reasonable prices. I think that 2 of these at 10,000MAH each would be really good to run those powerful Astroflight motors and give her a real decent runtime. By the time Dauntless will be ready to be slipped into water, those batt’s should hit the market by then.

Hi Rhonda,

Soon I will be in touch with your father. I cannot wait to chat about Dauntless!

WhiteWolf McBride

My Feedback: (3)

Guys:

Anyone heard from Butch lately? Been trying to e-mail, and no replies. I'm hoping he's not stuck in hospital again, as he said his pinched neck/back nerve was finally diagnosed. Also heard his disability status finally got sorted out, to his benefit.

Anyone hearing from him, lemme know if he's ok? With me AFK from the apt most weekdays now, I might miss his shipment, and Posties have been lax about leaving parcel notes.

I'm still working on the bow planking (slowly), and need to find a belt sander before I can do my epoxy-coating anyway. Not to mention a decent day outside (above zero w/ no snow, preferably w/ sun) to do it as it really stinks up an apartment. No, I'm not using the sander on the Dauntless, but her sister the AE. Its a waste to do each hull separately, when I use 45 min epoxy (thinned of course), I can use any leftovers on the other hull.

WhiteWolf

WhiteWolf McBride

My Feedback: (3)

S'ok guys.

Butch is still hanging in there, just having a hard time with health issues, like I often do.

Now that I know thats under control, I can look into that belt sander, and then begin the assorted puttying (re-puttying for the AE as the stripper pulled more than the paint and old FG off the hull!) before I am at the expoy-coating stage on the hulls.

OH... has anyone thought that those pics of the Dauntless cruising at speed can be used for door/window/vent/etc. placement, even if they are not square to the camera? Think for a sec... its all proportional, right? So just take two known reference points on the pic, and then re-align the image (up/down & bow/stern) and then stretch the image to make the fore/aft measurement match the up/down measurement scale. Example, if the image shows the up/down scale as 3 feet is 3 inches, but the fore/aft is compressed because of the angle, you just need to 'stretch' the image to match that scale factor. I'll do a before/after on one of the images, just to show you what I mean, ok?

WhiteWolf

Rich404

Rich404

Hi Rhonda & Dauntless captains;

I had put together a list of questions for Rhonda's father Don. Each time I think of a question, I add it to a word document so that I don't bombard him with several calls. Hetruly is a great resource!

So, if you haveANY questions that youwould likeansweredthat would also be good to add to the forum,letme know so that I can addit to the list.

ThanX!

-Rich.

12skipper

Hello Rich,
With Rhond's input and your dogged research this build just keeps getting better and better! May I ask if you could post your list of questions here on the forum, so we could add our questions to your list?

Thank you,
Chuck

leebart121

WhiteWolf,

I heard from Butch not long ago and he is hanging in there. things are ruff medicaly but he seems to be doing well.

WhiteWolf McBride

My Feedback: (3)

Leebart:

He 'mail'd me, caught me up. Being both disabled, we have a common bond of sorts. Only real diff is he has to wrestle with the US system, I cuss out the Canadian one (Ontario's ain't too bad)

Some things may be looking up. Looks like the weather is gonna be nice enough to do some work outside this week, if nephew leaves me some time free during the day. Still trying to make some time for pics as well.

The bad news is the 'coalition' (my dad - car owner; myself - driver; & nephew - contractor) has decided the car needs repairs ASAP, so the belt sander is on hold, and the transmission is getting fixed. Makes sense though, as with the car, I can make more dinero.

I'm still trying to arrange to 'borrow' a sander, but mebbe a friend at the pawn shop will let me 'rent' one. I'm sure as heck not gonna buy a new one for one job.

Rich:

Think Skipper there has an idea... if ya post the list, mebbe we can come up with other thoughts on other relevant questions. Of course, as you are the contact, it would be your final decision on which get asked.

WhiteWolf

Rich404

Rich404

Hi Captains,

Here is my current list of questions. I know that we all had questions from time to time, so this is a great opportunity to get them answered.

[*]Stateroom?[*]Captains stateroom?[*]Main cabin/Salon?[*]Bathrooms?[*]Corridors?[*]
What color was the carpeting in the bridge deck and rear cockpit area?
[/list]
Was there tile used? What color was used and where?
What was the height from floor to ceiling inside Dauntless?
Do you know the approximate size of the hatch over the forecastle? It was the flip hatch with the circle window. Was that hatch designed to open both ways? Do you know who made the hatch?

Inside the main cabin/salon, there was a door leading to the forecastle, was there a hatch over the door? Please describe.

-Rich.

werdonmorris

My Feedback: (7)

Rich, Whitewolf, Lee
I am still here, just going through a rough time with the nerve in my back. Because it took them six years to figure out what was the real problem, they have to remove a valve.
It prevents me from peeing, and pooping at the same time. They are saying the operation will take place sometime in March, sure wish they hurry up and do it now for tired of waiting and the severe back pain.
Whitewolf-Your package was sent by USPS Air Mail this time, instead of USPS Land. Check your email for the bill, and customs number.
I will be working on my build very soon, but waiting until they get done slicing and dicing on me.

werdonmorris

My Feedback: (7)

Whitewolf, the shipping cost a little more then what I charged you, but I am not worried about, for the saw should have been to you a lot of sooner. Could help the first time, for the Canadian Customs had a field day with it. Also, I listed it as a gift, for it is a special gift to you, so you will be able to cut out the a lot better. And it makes me feel great, that I helped a friend in need.
Your friend always-Butch

werdonmorris

My Feedback: (7)

Rich my friend, please check your email.
Butch

Rich404

Hi Butch,

Thank you for the update!

Hi Captains,

For the last couple of days I was under the weather & home from work. During that time, I was checking out the hatch opening over the forecastle and decided it was an opportune time to start the hatch. I made up the bottom foundation from 1/8" bass wood strips. Then, I cut a piece of 1/8" solid mahogany that is going to become the top section of the hatch. Next I used carpenters glue and glued the wood strips to the bottom of the mahogany hatch.

After the glue dried, I began shaping the hatch using some sandpaper. I removed all the sharp corners and rounded the corners. Now, the hatch is completely smooth and took shape.

I am going to sand the top some more to make the mahogany a bit thinner so that the hatch will be a bit shorter. Once that is done, I am going to use either a half dollar or a quarter to use as a template to draw a circle over the top center of the hatch. The circle will then be cut away to make way for the round glass that will be installed in that area. The hatch will also get a coat of epoxy and sanded smooth for extra protection and strength.

I am going to use a jewlery ring box assembly for the hatch to open and close. This will enable the hatch to stay closed securely or it will be able to be opened up and stay in place.

The hatch will be painted grey to match the deck and then the glass will be installed.

To help keep water out a thin rubber gasket will be glued to the bottom of the hatch just prior to installation so that it seals nicely as it sits on deck. There will also be varnished mahogany planks outlining the inside of the hatch opening. They will rise up about 1/8" above the deck for added water protection while giving the open hatch a classic yacht look. The planks will extend down to the inside ceiling where trim will accent it from the stateroom view.

Final installation will be done when the boat is painted in the spring.

-Rich.

Rich404

Hey gang,

Here are some pictures of the forecastle hatch.I used a U.S. (Kennedy) half dollar coin to make the circle.

-Rich.

leebart121

Looking realy good Rich. Keep the photos comming. I have started to get an interest in the Dauntless.

Rich404

Thanks Leebart,

Usually in the winter, my momentum slows with work obligations & such, but in the spring/summertime I will rev up and push a ton more work into Dauntless.

Hopefully there is plenty of stuff here to hold you over until the next wave comes in.

Stay tuned!

-Rich.

flyboy4422

Guys,I just bought a Dauntless and its still in the box.I got some 970 Johnsons to power it but did not go with the upgraded stuffing boxes.Im impressed how you have managed to build such nice models with the vague instructions that they have with this kit.Ive built model planes for many years so building a plane is no problem,also have drawn my own plans for a drag boat and powered it with a backpack gas blower motor.This project on the other hand looks to be a real challenge for the average modeler!Im going to join our local modeling club next month in tigard oregon.Im a little too busy right now to get started on it due to the fact that Im doing Rc Baja shows almost every weekend till end of summer.Most of your building tips will be used in building and finishing this good lookin model.I will put as much deatail in it as possible as you guys did beings that others will be seeing it.I fly scale masters model events too with my 1/4 and 1/3 scale planes in the fall at our lacal field in mollala oregon.Will keep you updated in the progress of it,right now im just collecting parts for the build,THANKS for all your pics and advice for building it.DON

RCForever

My Feedback: (8)

I just got my Dauntless out of storage where it's been for over a year. It's just at the point of installing the ply hull sheets. I'll post pictures of my build but it could take me three years to build this boat.

There's a wealth of information in this thread, thanks Captains!

joe31hat

My Feedback: (5)

Hi Everyone!

I hate to do it but I'm thinking about selling my Dauntless kit. I have the hull done with one coat of epoxy plus I have the rest of the wood. I also have the drivetrain.

Any one interested? Don't have a clue on what to asked for it. Any ideas?

Joe

12skipper

Hello Joe,
After having read this entire forum and seeing all that the "Dauntless" has given us, How can you part with your kit?
Rich has brought us along with his project and provided so much history that this boat means much more than just another kit.

Chuck

joe31hat

My Feedback: (5)

Well Chuck,

I appreciate what your thoughts are but I still have way to many boats to build. Some I already have hulls for and some are just plans. So, I have to 'delete' stock so to speak. Something HAS to go![&o]

Joe

Rich404

joe31hat

My Feedback: (5)

Thanks for the words of wisdom Rich!!

I have 3 tug boat hulls that I could start after I finish my freighter build of the SS Alpena. I'll pick a shot that I have of the hull and post it. The Dumas drivetrain will be included but not the Astro motors or the 280D speed controls. There are great motors and the speed controls are balanced out for them. I can use them on another model.

I've got to be honest. I saw a picture of a German police boat and I was going to use the Dauntless hull for that build ( I'll enclose a shot of her too) . When I saw her I was 'smitten', I even got a gentleman in Germany to get some shots of her and rough blueprints. If, by any chance, someone wants to build the police boat, it would be 1:12 build. I'm sure someone will think I'm nuts but I just liked her lines. When I found out she had been in service since 1972 I was floored! Our boat was built in '72 also. The lines are similar.

Will take guys.

Joe

Rich404