My Italian Job - RC Vaporetto Motobattello Veneziano

Last edited by Gogs on Sun Jul 09, 2006 4:19 pm; edited 3 times in total

I have only been to Venice , Italy once, and a memorable trip was on a Venice Water Bus..... the Vaporetto Veneziano.

Having only ever built r/c models, I have been " motivated and captivated " by the high quality builds, you static modellers have displayed on MSW Very Happy

So much Inspiration, have your models been, that I have started to look into the wonderful world of wooden models !

I purchased the kit for around Â£150 from Barry @ Westbourne Models in Bournemouth, whilst on holiday recently.

I am used to working with plastic, and glassfibre..... have dabbled with wood /timber as cosmetics on r/c models..... but never as the MAIN Construction material.

So this is to be a FIRST for me.... a wooden model..... that will be a fully working r/c model,from the PANART side of the MANTUA MODELS stable.....

Thanks to Jims ( Capn Pugwash's) encouragement and advice....
( though my wallet won't thank him) I have taken the plunge and bought the kit.....

With his advice and input from forum members, I plan to plot the build through this thread.

I shall use smaller res pics within the thread with larger ones in the GALLERY ALBUM.

This is a "diversion" from my Atlantis.......and I shall work on either or, as the whim takes me....

Its not likely to be perfect..... but it will be ENJOYABLE ! 8)

so watch this space for the progress.

Cheers

Steve

Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:22 pm • Post subject: First Impressions

I am pleasantly suprised at the size of the box ( and the weight! ) Smile

The Venetian Motor Boat is an accurate reproduciton of a typical "VAPORETTO VENEZIANO" made in 1963. These passenger boats were first made before World War II and produced until the mid 1960's.

This brand new and uniquely different model from Mantua Panart is outstanding. Not only an exquisite model by one of the best manufacturers, this radio control beauty is very unlikley to meet anything remotely like it coming down the pond.

The kit contains all laser cut parts and accessories. Construction is single plank-on-bulkhead which is then painted with a coat of aliphatic glue, sanded and then covered with modelspan tissue (included) applied with very thin white glue to insure a good watertight seal. Prop, and shaft, decals, liferings, copper and brass fittings, 4 sheets of full size plans and English instructions are included.

Scale 1:28. Length 830mm, Width 180mm, Height 180mm

Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:47 pm • Post subject: First Impressions ?

Are pretty good..... the kit contents do have a quality feel about them, I am pleased to say. The laser cutting appears superb..... (dont get this when working with plasticard..... usually die-cut efforts ! ) The fittings are first class, as are the fullsize plans..... they will be a great help to this "wooden virgin " ! Laughing

However, as an experienced r/c modeller, the propellor does give me cause for concern. Sad

It appears to be tapped with an M4 thread for the shaft, but the casting itself is distorted, giving a pronounced "wobble" when rotated on the shaft.

I have emailed Mantua UK to see if they will examine and exchange it, the least vibration one gets in the drive train the better.

I shall post their comments, when I receive them.......

( thats why MSW is so cool...... It's INDEPENDANT /UNBIASED) Laughing

Panart also suggest their "motorising kit" accessory...... this is expensive for what it is.... My advice is to buy a quality 380 size motor, mounting screws & a rubber push on coupling... you will get change out of Â£8 !! Laughing

Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:47 pm • Post subject:

Steve hi,

It will be very interesting to see your progress on this beautiful ship.

I'm looking forward to your photos.

Vasilis

Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 8:23 pm • Post subject: Okay so we're off

Having read, re read the "destructions" and had mega advice from Capn Pugwash, today I made a start Surprised

I followed the plans and numbered all the laser cut parts ( while still in their frames) with a soft lead pencil.

I then separated with a sharp blade, the remaining tags on the parts withing their outer frames.... Then I went and dropped a part #7 on the floor and a piece broke.....woops ! Embarassed

It is fortunately repairable.... however.... do take care.....specially the parts #5,6,7. there are laser cut holes for the handrails , these are very very close to the part edges.... Its one of these I broke Crying or Very sad

Anyway.....1st job is to assemble the main keel part and the stern part with the prop tube "sandwiched " between at the correct angle.

Part 3 is then added with Aliphatic Glue and clamped into position.

BE CAREFUL WITH THE PROP TUBE !! YOU DONT WANT TO GLUE IT IN JUST YET !! Don't over do the glue !

Clamp them up and wait for them to dry....... then repeat on the opposite side.

Next, I added the stern formers...... which are more or less a perfect fit... these fit deep within their "slots" and are held in place by the other parts just fitted. ( DO dry fit /test them BEFORE Gluing !)

Just to be sure that all parts are square with each other....
( Unless you want your boat to turn in never ending circles ) Laughing

Finally , to end my days work I dry fitted the remaining formers along the keel.....

Till Next time

Steve

Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 8:26 pm • Post subject:

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:57 pm • Post subject: Excellent

The very day after emailing Mantua UK about my "naff" propellor , they have already responded, thus:

"Dear Sir,
yes send us the prop so we can sort out the problem. Our address is
on the front page of our web site.
Mantua model uk"

Cannot ask for better than that..... they are now on my "quality supplier list" Smile

Steve

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 4:04 pm • Post subject: The prototype

A little more modern than the Panart /Mantua version I am building, but the model is fairly accurate...... so I may well bring the kit up to date also.

and a bow shot...... note the Vent and the LED destination board... just a few of the "modern additions" to the prototype.

All ideal for research though Very Happy

Steve

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:46 pm • Post subject: OOPS

As stated earlier, a mishap drop of one of the formers onto the wooden floor of my workshop, the ply being brittle resulted in a breakage......

accidents happen Embarassed

Fortunately, I shall be able to "fix this" as it will be butted up against a superstructure wall, which will add to its repair strength later in the build.

Today I fixed the deck on to the formers..... ( as per the building stage at this point) this has all the holes / orifices pre-cut by laser..... simply add the glue to all the horizontal surfaces and add ( gently) the deck part pushdown firmly.

Now here I found a problem..... I thought the deck was flat, it clearly wasn't ! as it wouldnt comfortably meet the horizontal surfaces of all the formers..... Now my dilemma ..... I haven't any clamps with a deep enough jaw to fit across the deck to apply the necessary pressure while the glue starts to tack.

A mixture of several hands.....what clamps could fit & elastic bands..... started the process.

Eventually, I decided, the stern deck needed much more "beef" to secure. so ( as I am still awaiting delivery of my pin pusher ) I simply used some map pins, pushed into the stern keel "spine" ....... this seems to have done the trick.......we now have the deck in situ Smile

Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:46 am • Post subject: Re: Excellent

Excellent Service from Mantua UK.... within 48 hours they have replaced my duff propellor with a nice brass one. I am well happy with this.

Now this IS Top Notch Service...

Thank you Mantua UK Very Happy

Steve