Princess Elizabeth build...

[PeeWee]

i kept looking and could not work it out until your post.  your option 1 then 4 is pragmatic till you find the items you need. 

[djcf]

Hi Mick,
I would do as you intend, I'm sure the right materials will turn up...the vents you have made look smashing though 

Clark

[Stuart Badger]

Mick!

If you tell me what size you want I can turn down and drill out some PVC for you?

All the best

Stuart

[mjt60a]

I take you mean the down tubes are too big in diameter Mick?

I have quite a few various size styrene tubes here, mostly offcuts, so if you let me know what diameter and length you need I'll see if I have something suitable....

Regards
Eddy

Mick!

If you tell me what size you want I can turn down and drill out some PVC for you?

All the best

Stuart

Thanks, that's very generous. I'll see at the weekend if I can get the styrene domes to use for the cowls first, I have a feeling the next size down will be too small though and the thinner tube (as I wanted to use) will look too thin with these relatively large ones... but I'll see at the weekend.
Thanks again 

[mjt60a]

Made a start on the motor/gearbox mountings this morning, photos later if it works!
...this is what I have in mind....

[mjt60a]

....bit by bit, it becomes reality!
...though I have no real idea yet how I'm going to make the silicon parts 

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's .....Mick ....if you were to take your balsa framed setup as below....added ends to each.....then an injection hole and an air escape......you could inject silastic which may provide the resiliant mount that you describe..... ....Derek

[mjt60a]

Here's what I eventually did....
constructed the sides, ends and base from balsa sheet (planned to use a rectangular 'bar' and cut a groove in it but didn't have any left) also cut a piece to fit into the hole in the base, covered it with cling film and secured with pins.
spread bath sealant in a thinnish layer into the thing working it into the corners wih a bit of styrene and let it set.
removed the pins and centre block from the base - surprisingly, the cling film came out easily, I thought it would stick! filled the casing to about half way and sank the meccano strips into it, still attached to the motor/gearbox piece to ensure they'd be level, let that set.
removed the plate with the motors/gearbox from its legs and filled the casings to the top, allow to set.
cut the top pieces from 1/8th ply, roughened the top edges of the casings then glued and clamped over night (forgot to take a picture) this is in case the silicon should detach from the balsa
It all seems good and is exactly what I was after so re-attached the motors and have just 'araldited' the whole lot into the hull, should be set in about 20 hours?
 

[mjt60a]

this is how it all looks in the hull....

[mjt60a]

....and this is how it looks connected to a battery - http://s185.photobucket.com/albums/x66/mjt60a/new%20project/?action=view&current=princess_elizabeth_model_motors01.mp4 - might be a bit fast but I have various different pulleys to try on it if need be, have to wait and see how it goes in water and with a speed control!

[mjt60a]

not much to show this time, I made a frame to hold the battery in place. the wood was 'delivered' during the night last november 5th with a large firework attached and the strap is from an old suitcase, used (I think) to fix items inside the lid. the frame will be glued to the base of the hull just behind the motors....

[mjt60a]

...here it is inside with the battery in it....
...from time to time, especially when working on areas that, though essential make no difference to the appearance of the model, I like to put all the parts together just to remind myself what it's all for 

[djcf]

Hi Mick,

 Looking great in the last pic with all the pieces together. She was a nicely proportioned ship.
 Will there be a deckhouse under the bridge?

Clark

[mjt60a]

glad you like it, I've always had a liking for this ship even though I'd only seen it in a static role as a bar/restaurant, minus engines and boiler, and with one or two awful-looking additions to provide covered accomodation!
in no picture I've seen, or even in that static role, does/did the ship have a deckhouse under the bridge, instead the bridge and wheelhouse stands up on posts like those usually seen under the ends of a steamers bridge - so that's how I'll be making mine - should look good without the 'tamiya' paint pot under it 

[mjt60a]

started on the interior, all guesswork as I've never actually seen it! also cut sheets of 1mm ply for the decks.
Once I have an idea how much weight this will add I can think about ballast in the hull...