1/5 Scale Bonanza
The following is being scratch built at approximately 1/5 scale,
approximately 43” with a 17” beam.
I have just finished framing, have completed some fairing work but still
need to add a doubler on the
sheer and then finalize the fairing of all
surfaces. The frames are constructed
from ¼” light plywood,
battens, chine and sheer are basswood, keel
is hard balsa and all gussets are 1/16” plywood. I will
diagonally strip plank the bottom with 3/32”
balsa and the sides and transom will be 1/8” balsa.
The complete hull will then be fiberglassed
with ½ ounce cloth.
One thing I have noticed on this size of model, is the amount of
additional work on the fairing of all
the surfaces compared to a smaller
model. It’s almost like building a full
size. The only thing I
altered from the original plans on is the
outside batten doesn’t go all the way into the chine
forward of frame #6. Everything else is
according to the blueprints. I intend to power this with
an electric motor and prop. I will keep
you posted as I progress with construction by adding photos
as I go along and a narrative.
The following photos show the decking
installed and the complete interior of the hull painted white.
Have a couple more coats for the interior of the hull to do after a small
amount of sanding, this was
Accomplished prior to installing the decking which is 1/8 balsa and will
be veneered with .60mm Zebra
Wood and the transom will be veneered with .60mm Mahogany. The complete hull and veneered deck will
be fiberglassed
with 2 oz. cloth. I do hope all of you who view these are enjoying the process
as much as
I am, the gratifying work really starts shortly
when the interior starts going together.
The following photos show the floorboards completed, upholstery
completed, front seat back completed and the exhaust
ports on the transom temporarily
installed. The boat hull and deck have
been completely glassed with 2 oz. cloth,
sanded and ready for primer on the hull
only. Deck will get clear coat. The exhaust will be actual water exhausts
from the motor cooling coil and the speed
control unit, there will be two water pickups for this feature which almost
makes the exhaust seem real. The seats were upholstered with actual marine
grade naugahyde and 1” foam
was used.
The electric motor is an 800 BB, JETI JES 600 Navy Speed Control, two 16C
5350mAh 4S1P 14.8V packs
and a X442 S&B prop. The complete
running gear package was purchased from Fast Electric RC,
LLC
Paul is an excellent individual to deal with and was very
helpful in answering all my questions.
The following photos show the motor, prop shaft, prop tube, cooling
intake tubes and all the plumbing for
the cooling system.
The following photos show the complete topside clear coated, rear deck
hardware installed minus flag staff and flag,
windshield installed, bow light installed,
front seat back and cross over behind front seat installed permanently,
all floor boards installed, engine cover
installed but not sanded or clear coated (waiting on good weather conditions)
and the rear seat installed. I installed the radio receiver power switch
just to the left of the engine cover and
into the side floorboard. Radio receiver is installed, both battery packs, motor and all the cooling plumbing. I have
the flagstaff to finish, engine cover,
bow handle for the deck, name lettering and registration numbers to install
yet.
Then the three items left for manufacturing are the spray rails that go
across the transom and up each side almost
to frame number 3. Hopefully I’ll be able to do the maiden
voyage by the end of the month, will have a short
video posted on the web-site,
Here are a few photos of the trailer being built for the Bonanza. It’s being completely constructed from brass
channel, sheeting and rod with all joints
silver soldered. When it’s finished it
be painted a gloss white with
black felt on the hull bed boards and side
panels to represent carpet. This has
been quite interesting in building
this trailer, the hardest part was trying
to find tires and wheels to represent the scale size, still about 3/4"
undersized to my liking, but no one manufactures tires and wheels for
boat trailers…..spent many hours digging
on the internet for these and found the
brand Ofna for wheels and tires…..
The following photos show the boat and trailer being 99% completed. I have to install the spray rail, name
letters on the transom and registration
numbers on the bow. I also have trailer
tail lights to install first of next
week and these will be operational.
The following photos show the boat & trailer 100% complete. The trailer was constructed without a tongue
hitch installed, the new
owner can install to suit their needs or
use the trailer strictly for show and display. The two dark photos show the
operational
trailer tail lights, The lighting kit was
purchased from Bills Custom
RC Lighting. You must visit this
site if you need any type
of lighting for your planes, boats,
trucks or cars. Great prices, fast
shipping and great communication!! My
next item on my
agenda is to locate a clean pond close to
home for the Maiden Voyage. I strongly
intend to make a short video clip
and have it posted on my web-site here
at the very beginning of this page. I do
hope everyone that has viewed the
building process has enjoyed it as much as I
have. I just wished my Father had lived
long enough to see the final
product, being that it’s a very close
resemblance to the actual boat that he built years ago.
Email
me with your Questions or Comments