R/C Naval Combat

OK, I know this isn't really a warship because it is unarmed, but I am so pleased how it came out that I wanted to share it.

I made a 144:1 scale model of YTB-142, the Nokomis, a Woban class district tug. At 100' it comes out to just 8.3 inches long and 3.9 oz total weight. I started with a fiberglass hull and added a small brushless motor, 10 amp speed control, small servo, receiver, and 1/2 oz of ballast. It does float on its scale waterline. I took it out on Sunday and ran it around the pond a little. Anything over about 1/4 throttle just made the prop cavitate, so it was very over-powered. With the way the prop is setup and the large rudder, it will turn 180 degrees in about 2 ship lengths. I hooked up a line to my Roanoke and towed it around. It didn't tow it very fast, but this little 4 oz boat did pull an 11 pound ship. Mikey took some photos, so when he gets them posted I'll add them here.

The entire superstructure acts as a recovery float, with a winch for the line hidden inside the hollowed out back. The deck is held in the center by one super magnet. The straw that holds the superstructure on also doubles as a vent, for when I (hopefully) get the deck sealed.

The inside is tight, but not too bad. I have a two cell 300 mAh LiPo battery to supply the power. Since full throttle is about 0.3 amps, I should be able to run it for an hour or more on one charge. I did cut the windows for the penetrable area (only one 1/4" rib) and covered it with balsa so that I could run it in combat. But after running it around, I changed my mind, since any hit would probably knock it right over. Oh well.

Very cool little boat. Watch the lith/po as I think that's one of the ones that goes BOOM! More stable than lithum but not stable like lith/fe (iron)

Here's a picture of the tugboat pulling the Roanoke.  It didn't move very fast, in fact it was probably about scale speed.

Video of me just playing around. Thanks Dustin.

Mark,
She's little cutie! Were can i can find one?
Nikki

The tug is not commercially available but the plans are free.  I built the tug from original Navy plans available at http://www.hnsa.org/doc/plans/ytb142.pdf .  I drew up the plans in CAD and then cut the plug out of foam on my CNC machine.  From the plug I made a mold and then layed up a fiberglass hull. 

I'll have to check out the tug on the French website and add another couple of MB of files to my computer.  Plus, with the popularity of French ships in my area, I should be able to sell some kits if I model one them.

I would be glad to share the CAD file.  The file manager didn't like the .dxf file, so until I get my website running or think of something else, just email me if you want a copy. 

Nikki - the tug is not available as a kit, it is something I scratch built.  I do have rechargeable batteries in it, they are 2S 300 mAh lithium polymers.