Making a start

As usual, the first job is to make the working stand.

This was built up with materials that just happened to be to hand.

Making a start on the hull: marking out the position of bulkheads, prop shafts and A frames, and also rudder tubes.

Starting with the bulkheads, the picture shows the first two going in midships.

These are held in place with G clamps and quick release sash cramps.

Moving along, we work out toward the stern and the bow, fitting the bulkheads and bringing the hull slowly to shape.

Bulkheads in place now to the bow, and also strengthening fitted to the top of the hull.

Before we fit the aft bulkheads, the author always fits the propeller shafts and A frames.

Here we see the starboard prop shaft and A frames in place, ready for the application of adhesives and filler.

Both prop shafts and rudder tubes in place.

We can now progress with fitting the bulkheads to the stern section.

This picture shows the equipment platform fitted below the midships bulkheads, ready for the installation of batteries, receiver and motors

The next picture shows the installation of the motors and gearboxes, and flexible drive couplings.

Here we see the installation of the rudder servo box, complete with servo and the speed control module complete with its accompanying heat sink.

With these in place we can now proceed with the bulkheads.

We now see in this picture the remaining bulkheads and hull strengthing in place.

An overhead view this time, showing progress being made with the installation of the wiring harness, batteries, receiver and associated electronics.

The wiring harness in, and complete.

The rudder linkages in place - we now move under the hull to fit the stabilisers.

The starboard side stabilisers in place; the two larger ones are laminated from veneer plywood and shaped as required.

Here we see the starboard exterior hull strengthing strip being fitted.

This was formed from laminated hardwood and shaped as required.

On this hull no anchor recess was molded, so one has to be made up from scratch and fitted.

Here we see the hull, with the anchor recess marked out; this was carefully cut out using a 1mm milling cutter in the flexible drive shaft.

The anchor recess in place, with a coat of filler primer applied, prior to final filling and painting.

With the hull construction complete, we can start and apply paint.

Here we see the first of several coats of red primer being applied.

After a successful waterline test, the last job on the hull prior to final painting is the cutting out of the hull sides and back, to form the sonar deck.

This is a tricky job and requires a steady hand and patience!

Again, the flexible drive shaft and milling cutter are used, along with some careful filing.

This picture shows the Sonar deck cutout completed.

Care has to be taken to avoid damaging the molding around the edge of the cut-out.

On completion, a coat of grey primer was applied to check the validity of the filling process.

Here we see the Sonar flat, under construction.

A slightly different perspective on the Sonar flat.

Here we see the completed Sonar flat, with the first of several coats of filler primer applied.

This picture shows the completed Sonar flat with illumination (not active in this shot).

An "on the water" shot, showing the completed hull undergoing buoyancy and leak testing, prior to the commencement of fitting the decks.