swift boats

[wingnut163]

some one might like this. and it may help.

http://pcf45.com/boat_tour/boattour.html

hope some one finds this helpful.

[large mike]

Very interesting, Wingnut163. One of the guys in our club has one of these, I believe it was the kit from Frank's Mosquito Boat site.
I'm considering one for a future build, so this site is helpful.
Thanks,
Large Mike

[420TEE]

We have a regular poster here, Swift 16, who commanded one of them in 'Nam.

[Swift16]

Yes, I did command one....PCF-16. My blog here has a couple of pix of my scratchbuilt model version.
Built by Sewart Seacraft of Berwick, LA, the Swift was based upon a Gulf of Mexico offshore oil rig resupply craft.

John

[sassgrunt]

Hello all. (First-time poster here). I was referred here for help by Wingnut 163. I bought the Calder Craft 1/16 PCF from Harbor Models. I wanted it because I had a friend who'd been on them, AND it was in the same scale as the model trucks I build (sorry if that counts as Blasphemy on this board)!
Anyway, I've never built a boat model before, and taking this kit to the local RC Shop, they said that the kit has no bulkheads/frames at all, (and that I should start with that). They suggested Dumas motors & running hardware, and Skip suggested the ESC's and radio for it, (I haven't got the raido yet Skip, but I'm working on it).
Tp anyone who has already build this kit; I will be humbly in your debt for any insight you can share with me. Thank you. -Mike

[frankg]

:) SWIFT16- Now your handle makes sense. I was in Danang the same time you were there, only I was on a DD, USS BIGELOW, flagship Desron 16. I remember taking liberty in Danang and then be told not to buy any souvenirs like lighters because they found some of them booby trapped. Fun place for liberty. Kept you on your toes. :)

[patmat2350]

#1 Rule of Model Boating: Don't let the guys in hobby shops tell you ANYTHING about scale model boats! Unless you go to CGBob's shop...
Otherwise, you MAY be able to trust them about ARF planes and R/C buggies...

I don't know anything much about that kit, except I'll bet that you can trust the Caldercraft design as-is for functionality. With a fiberglass hull and wood deck (and deck beams?), it will be fine with no bulkheads.

And trucks etc. are fine with me! Now, I just need to build a 1:6 scale LCM to go with my tank...

[CG Bob]

I would install at least one bulkhead - to be used as a motor mount. The motor mount bulkhead could be made from some 1/8" or 3/16" aircraft plywood; and attached to the hull with some fiberglass tape and resin. The moto mount bulkhead doesn't have to be a full bulkhead either. You could also incorporate a mount for the steering servo on the aft side. The pictures are from an Elco 80' PT I scratchbuilt, but give a general idea of the motor bulkhead.

[sassgrunt]

Those photographs help a great deal; your dual rudder hookup from one servo seems like a logical, simple, and effective way to do it; thank you. I will probably make some amount of bulkheads with a couple of stringers running down the side, (much like the balsa airplanes I built as a kid). Because although the hull is fiberglass, it's pretty flimsy.

And Pat, I also have an M5 Stuart, (just got Jack Yang's tracks in the mail for it, too). An LCM for it really WOULD be a cool idea, (whether you were joking or not)!

-Mike

[patmat2350]

The hull will stiffen up hugely when the deck is added. Of course any motor mounts/battery mounts should go in first. Motor mount needn't be a bulkhead-- clamp-down or saddle mounts are easy.

Jack's tracks-- drool, I've been afraid to ask how much for a set...
Pat's Stu: http://geocities.com/patsmodels/stuart/

[sassgrunt]

You are probably right that the hull will be sufficiently strong once the main deck is joined to it - I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, because like I said; I have NO experience with this stuff. A bulkhead to mount the motors seems like a good idea.

I paid $250 in December 2006 for a set. (After 14 months, I was begining to wonder if I was ever going to get it, though). But, he finally worked out all the bugs, and I got it last week, (he also included a set of return roller wheels, and various "plugs" that he makes for screw holes in the suspension parts. The set really is gorgeous, and I'm completely satisfied with it. I don't know how well it'll hold up to sustained running on rough terrain, but for the limited running I'm ever going to use the Stuart for; it's perfect!

[Swift16]

:) SWIFT16- Now your handle makes sense. I was in Danang the same time you were there, only I was on a DD, USS BIGELOW, flagship Desron 16. I remember taking liberty in Danang and then be told not to buy any souvenirs like lighters because they found some of them booby trapped. Fun place for liberty. Kept you on your toes. :)

Frank,
I think I sold some "souvenirs" to some tin can sailors in Danang Harbor in '66. :) That was a good business!! I enjoyed an occassional liberty at White Beach there, stayed away from Danang except to steal a minigun off the Air Farce there. Used it to break up ambushes.

I came back to WestPac in USS Rogers (DD-876) as Weps and USS Alamo as XO later.

John

[frankg]

:) SWIFT16- I thought we had it tough until some of you river rats and the coasties came along side to get some of our fresh made ice cream. Hell if we had known that it was you guys selling the lighters we would have charged you for the ice cream. :)