Cheap RC Russian Navy ships.. good for conversion??

[TachyonDriver]

Perhpas this should go in Scale boats, but then again it's just a general question I think..

I'm not sure who makes them but these ships are all over ebay (typical links):-
torpedo boat - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HT-RADIO-CONTROL-WARSHIP_W0QQitemZ290134792898QQihZ019QQcategoryZ14 0971QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Destroyer - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Radio-Control-Warship-Boat-Ship-Smasher-Large-Scale_W0QQitemZ270137473656QQihZ017QQcategoryZ1409 71QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Aircraft carrier - (Kiev class?) - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RADIO-CONTROL-MILITARY-AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-CHALLENGER_W0QQitemZ270139260386QQihZ017QQcategory Z140971QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The hulls do look quite nice - even better with correct paint jobs! However, would it be an easy task to convert them from vector push to porportional radio gear?

Cheers,
Tach.

[pompebled]

Hi Tach,

If you dig a little deeper on the net, you'll find all these boats are made in China.
They look stunning, certainly for the price, but the vector steering with its submerged motors will rust solid within a relative short period (been there, removed that...) and need replacing with a 'normal' shaft and motor inside the hull.(+ rudder)

I'm working on a 'Pelican', which had the pods removed, i'm converting it to a standard motor and rudder configuration.

Regards, Jan.

[mfr02]

Provided that you can get the lid off to replace the appropriate bits 'n pieces, they should be a good start.
I agree about the submerged motors. They will leak and rust. They are also a horrible hydrodynamic shape. If there is room inside, replacing with a single speed 400 and a rudder should give good results.
The link to the patrol boat is a bit shy about giving the size, so some guesswork is involved.
Having seen other RTS products, for appearance, better handrails will transform the appearance, and the superstructures need a complete re-paint. Not necessarily for the colour, but because they are self-coloured plastic, and light shines right through.
The lifeboat conversion that I had a good look at replaced the existing steering/power with two ESCs and a mixer. Mechanically simple and much more controllable when done. THe radio was replaced with a "proper" one as well, which enabled use when others were using the band.

[Ghost 2501]

those look like the PT15, Japanese

[Hoghappy]

Captain Slick

[MUG1982]

I bought one of the smasher destroyers from towerhobbies.com or something like that...as far as my opinion goes...i was borderline satisfied and unsatisfied with it...when i got it and tested it my starboard motor did not work so i was only running on my port...and with no rudder i couldnt counter the turn. I am in the means of fixing it and planning to do some conversions of my own with it. planning to put in a rudder and a couple of servos to rotate the turrets. because the real sovremeny class destroyers were steam turbine i might get a means of making smoke for it.

[Stu :)]

If anybody is interested they are flogging off what appears to be a copy of AquaCraft's Kings Ransom Pirate Ship down here in NZ, using vector steering though for $60NZ.
I've got to remember the wording on the side of the box, it's classic example of 'lost in translation'.

Stu :)