New build started Bluebird K7 1/4 scale
#1
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Hi there, I am just starting a scratch build of the Bluebird K7 hydroplane jet boat. The scale is approx 1/4 scale and will be powered by rc jet turbine.
Pics to follow......
Cheers,
Nigel![Big Grin](https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Pics to follow......
Cheers,
Nigel
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Enlarged plans to start with......
![](http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9189/p1941020709.jpg)
Printed out former templates and cut out using scroll saw. Using two alloy tubes for former support and alignment......
![](http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/94/p2143220709.jpg)
Going to be using blue foam to fill the gaps between former templates..........this is going to be the plug ready to make composite moulds so a long way to go yet!!!
Cheers,
Nigel
![](http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9189/p1941020709.jpg)
Printed out former templates and cut out using scroll saw. Using two alloy tubes for former support and alignment......
![](http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/94/p2143220709.jpg)
Going to be using blue foam to fill the gaps between former templates..........this is going to be the plug ready to make composite moulds so a long way to go yet!!!
Cheers,
Nigel
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Wow. Can't wait to see how this turns out.
A thought.... if it were me, I'd be testing the prototype with a gas engine before I risked 5 grand in a hull that's not proven. Just a thought.
Thanks for posting on something that is new and different.
A thought.... if it were me, I'd be testing the prototype with a gas engine before I risked 5 grand in a hull that's not proven. Just a thought.
Thanks for posting on something that is new and different.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bv4x...eature=related
here u go if u search a bit theres another of it on the wet stuff
here u go if u search a bit theres another of it on the wet stuff
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Should be nice when it is done.
If you need practical help with your setup then check [link=http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=14803.0]Mayhem UK[/link].
Cool video [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=JNBRa3oKit8]here.[/link]
If you need practical help with your setup then check [link=http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=14803.0]Mayhem UK[/link].
Cool video [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=JNBRa3oKit8]here.[/link]
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Thanks for the kind words guys. I'm really enthusiastic about this project at the moment but know it's gonna throw a fair few headaches as it progresses.................no pain, no gain as they say!
Will post some more progress pics after work today..........got some former cutting to do today for the front section, the rear section has foam fitted and has been hot wire cut and is taking shape nicely.
Cheers,
Nigel
Will post some more progress pics after work today..........got some former cutting to do today for the front section, the rear section has foam fitted and has been hot wire cut and is taking shape nicely.
Cheers,
Nigel
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Hi there,
Managed to get some of the front end started tonight. I just need to get the canopy and nose section sorted and the sanding and filling can begin!
Here are some progress pics from today -
Rear section foamed and hot wire cut..............
![](http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1066/p2018280709.jpg)
Going to need a large dose of filler and elbow grease to get the shape how I want it.
![](http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7933/p201903280709.jpg)
Note the 1/24 scale version sitting on top of big brother!![Smile](https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![](http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8273/p2019280709.jpg)
Front section roughed out and test fitted to rear hull........lots of shaping to do yet but the basic shape is starting to show through!
![](http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/1143/p211901290709.jpg)
Ignore the front former................it's just there to get the basic shape cut.
Can't beleive how big this thing is getting! Need a bigger table![Wink](https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
![](http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1579/p212201290709.jpg)
Hope to get the nose section cut tomorrow and then the canopy shaped over the weekend.
Should have some more pics in a day or so.
Cheers,
Nigel
Managed to get some of the front end started tonight. I just need to get the canopy and nose section sorted and the sanding and filling can begin!
Here are some progress pics from today -
Rear section foamed and hot wire cut..............
![](http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1066/p2018280709.jpg)
Going to need a large dose of filler and elbow grease to get the shape how I want it.
![](http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7933/p201903280709.jpg)
Note the 1/24 scale version sitting on top of big brother!
![Smile](https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![](http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8273/p2019280709.jpg)
Front section roughed out and test fitted to rear hull........lots of shaping to do yet but the basic shape is starting to show through!
![](http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/1143/p211901290709.jpg)
Ignore the front former................it's just there to get the basic shape cut.
Can't beleive how big this thing is getting! Need a bigger table
![Wink](https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
![](http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1579/p212201290709.jpg)
Hope to get the nose section cut tomorrow and then the canopy shaped over the weekend.
Should have some more pics in a day or so.
Cheers,
Nigel
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Just a quick update...managed to get most of the front section rough cut leaving just the tip of the nose to fit. Some of the lines need to be worked over until I am 100% happy with the shape but it's getting there slowly. I have the templates made for my canopy as you can see in the latest pic...........hope to get this cut this week. I am finding a distinct lack of quality pictures of this boat, may have to visit the replica K7 to get some good pictures............
Just been out and bought a new sander as I will start the sanding and shaping process pretty soon. It should start to resemble the real boat a whole lot more then.
Dust mask at the ready! [sm=lol.gif]
Here's a pic from today -
![](http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/8831/p1328020809.jpg)
Hopefully get some good progress during this week so will post up some more pics as things take shape.
Cheers,
Nigel
Just been out and bought a new sander as I will start the sanding and shaping process pretty soon. It should start to resemble the real boat a whole lot more then.
![Big Grin](https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Here's a pic from today -
![](http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/8831/p1328020809.jpg)
Hopefully get some good progress during this week so will post up some more pics as things take shape.
Cheers,
Nigel
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Some up to date progress pics - lots of sanding to do now to get the shape right but getting there......................
![](http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3246/p203501120809.jpg)
![](http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/114/p2035120809.jpg)
Super-imposed a pic of the real K7 with my picture above to see how the outline compares..............and it's looking nice! Very pleased so far.
See below............
![](http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8218/k7combine.jpg)
Cheers,
Nigel
![](http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3246/p203501120809.jpg)
![](http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/114/p2035120809.jpg)
Super-imposed a pic of the real K7 with my picture above to see how the outline compares..............and it's looking nice! Very pleased so far.
See below............
![](http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8218/k7combine.jpg)
Cheers,
Nigel
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Update for this weekend - ![Wink](https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Sponsons made and cut to shape and now require final sanding/filling and then glassing/detailing...........re-cut the tail fin to profile. Starting to look good but still a fair bit of work to get the parachute tube looking correct. Anyway, here are a couple of pics from todays efforts (Sunday) -
![](http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/1800/p161202160809.jpg)
Plenty to go at with the new sander! LOL I won't be sanding to shape until all the pieces are made and test fitted.....then the hard work begins! [sm=drowning.gif]
![](http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/6200/p161401160809.jpg)
Next stage is to cut the sponson/hull attachment pieces which I can hopefully get draw up tonight.....[sm=75_75.gif]
![](http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/9397/p161403160809.jpg)
I must admit that the boat is starting to resemble the subject now.
Until next time..........Cheers,
Nigel
![Wink](https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Sponsons made and cut to shape and now require final sanding/filling and then glassing/detailing...........re-cut the tail fin to profile. Starting to look good but still a fair bit of work to get the parachute tube looking correct. Anyway, here are a couple of pics from todays efforts (Sunday) -
![](http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/1800/p161202160809.jpg)
Plenty to go at with the new sander! LOL I won't be sanding to shape until all the pieces are made and test fitted.....then the hard work begins! [sm=drowning.gif]
![](http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/6200/p161401160809.jpg)
Next stage is to cut the sponson/hull attachment pieces which I can hopefully get draw up tonight.....[sm=75_75.gif]
![](http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/9397/p161403160809.jpg)
I must admit that the boat is starting to resemble the subject now.
Until next time..........Cheers,
Nigel
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Hi kilr95ss,
The hull will be made using composite materials.........this is just the plug for the moulds to be made from.
Cheers,
Nigel
The hull will be made using composite materials.........this is just the plug for the moulds to be made from.
Cheers,
Nigel
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ORIGINAL: ntyhobbies
Hi there, I am just starting a scratch build of the Bluebird K7 hydroplane jet boat. The scale is approx 1/4 scale and will be powered by rc jet turbine.
Pics to follow......
Cheers,
Nigel![Big Grin](https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Hi there, I am just starting a scratch build of the Bluebird K7 hydroplane jet boat. The scale is approx 1/4 scale and will be powered by rc jet turbine.
Pics to follow......
Cheers,
Nigel
![Big Grin](https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Donald and Sir Malcolm would be impressed.
Bet the BBC will come calling.
Bob
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You should see if you can get the movie "Across the Lake" with Anthony Hopkins. Good movie. A lot of Bluebird K7's equipment was taken out of Folland Gnats.
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If you do a search on you tube, there is a jet powered version of this hull somewhere in the UK. I've seen 2 videos of it. I don't have the link any more though.
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Hi Dicko,
I know the one your talking about and have seen it.......it's a beautiful 1/6 scale example and with the turbine for power is just awesome!
Cheers,
Nigel
I know the one your talking about and have seen it.......it's a beautiful 1/6 scale example and with the turbine for power is just awesome!
Cheers,
Nigel
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Fantastic work Nigel good luck with it mate.You are right the hard work has only just begun
.
Mart
[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WElrxG8tAqM&feature=channel_page[/link]![Wink](https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNBRa3oKit8[/link]![Big Grin](https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bv4xVFjLFY&feature=related[/link]
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Mart
[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WElrxG8tAqM&feature=channel_page[/link]
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[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNBRa3oKit8[/link]
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[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bv4xVFjLFY&feature=related[/link]
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#22
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just thought i'd post the real boat/crash/resurrection
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V9r1...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZn28...eature=related
they plan on giving it a second try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V9r1...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZn28...eature=related
they plan on giving it a second try
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Amazing project and hats off for your determination and progress so far!!!
I'm also hell bent on a jet powered K7 but starting from the other end in that I have an engine (Phoenix 30.3 with about 15-20lbs thrust) but no boat yet.
I'd love to build one from scratch having done a few more conventional boats before, but spare time is too limited now so will probably end up shelling out for a set of 1/6 mouldings from Speedline.
Anyhow, well done and good luck...
Keep the pictures coming!
NigelW
I'm also hell bent on a jet powered K7 but starting from the other end in that I have an engine (Phoenix 30.3 with about 15-20lbs thrust) but no boat yet.
I'd love to build one from scratch having done a few more conventional boats before, but spare time is too limited now so will probably end up shelling out for a set of 1/6 mouldings from Speedline.
Anyhow, well done and good luck...
Keep the pictures coming!
NigelW
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NTYHOBBIES, that's impressive[sm=thumbup.gif],,hope u keep posting as the project progresses..
got a side question,,what foam filler do u use?..i'm in the process of building something from foam and using hot wire but from time to time i got some deep cut that i need to patch-up...
thanks..
ww
got a side question,,what foam filler do u use?..i'm in the process of building something from foam and using hot wire but from time to time i got some deep cut that i need to patch-up...
thanks..
ww
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Thanks for the support guys.....appreciate it! The K7 has ground to a hault over the past few weeks but I did manage to attach the nose section last week and get some more filling done. I am hoping to get some more progress in the next couple of weeks and will post some new pics.
Wave walker - I am using car body filler to fill and shape over the foam - it's a lot of work but will provide a solid base for the plug - you could use the same if weight is no issue.
More soon.
Cheers
Wave walker - I am using car body filler to fill and shape over the foam - it's a lot of work but will provide a solid base for the plug - you could use the same if weight is no issue.
More soon.
Cheers
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