pompebled
May 20, 2006, 03:57 PM
Some weeks ago I was asked to make a RC-duck as a prop in an open air play.
This is how it turned out.
The duck slides tightly over an underwater hull with just 30mm free board.
Inside are the electrics and underneath nearly one kilogram of ballast, to get the duck onto it's waterline.
As I needed extra runtime, the 30mm three bladed brass prop, with a runtime of an hour and capable of "ludicrous speeds", had to make room for a 29mm two bladed plastic one, giving me about two hours+ runtime.
When the current and/or the wind is strong, the family struggles to get where the director wants them, but it looks much more realistic.
In chop I have my hands full to maintain course, as the tub like duck likes to turn all over the place...
During the rehearsals last week my construction held up, even when (accidently) ran over twice by two of the real size boats used in the play, a small tug and a steel rowboat. Unlike real ducks, mine lacks the possibility of flight in situations and struggles to get out of the way.
My biggest problem is keeping out of sight of the audience, while maintaining eye contact with the ducks, which have to cross the entire set, a distance of over fifty meters.
Next week are the try-outs and the premiére, fingers crossed.
Regards, Jan.
This is how it turned out.
The duck slides tightly over an underwater hull with just 30mm free board.
Inside are the electrics and underneath nearly one kilogram of ballast, to get the duck onto it's waterline.
As I needed extra runtime, the 30mm three bladed brass prop, with a runtime of an hour and capable of "ludicrous speeds", had to make room for a 29mm two bladed plastic one, giving me about two hours+ runtime.
When the current and/or the wind is strong, the family struggles to get where the director wants them, but it looks much more realistic.
In chop I have my hands full to maintain course, as the tub like duck likes to turn all over the place...
During the rehearsals last week my construction held up, even when (accidently) ran over twice by two of the real size boats used in the play, a small tug and a steel rowboat. Unlike real ducks, mine lacks the possibility of flight in situations and struggles to get out of the way.
My biggest problem is keeping out of sight of the audience, while maintaining eye contact with the ducks, which have to cross the entire set, a distance of over fifty meters.
Next week are the try-outs and the premiére, fingers crossed.
Regards, Jan.