RC-conversion of the 1930s river tug 1:100

**Leif Ohlsson** · #1 03-17-2008, 11:23 AM

In the Do X thread by Billy Leliveld there was a discussion about a suitable harbour tug in 1:100 to make a striking diorama. A few suitable candidates were brought forward, among them the "River and harbour tug" from Deutsches Schiffahrtsmuseum.

Very serendipitously, a thread about converting this very kit into a fully float- and stearable model just surfaced at Kartonbau.de. Since the text is in German, I'll just give a short review of the main points so far.

It seems the builder, "Lutz", will use a cheap servo for propulsion. The electronics in the servo will be used for speed regulation. He promises to show how to do this as the build progresses. Even the smallest prop available through regular sources (20mm) proved to big, so it will be modified. Also the smallest available drive shaft will be shortened.

This is about it so far. I think this thread promises to be most interesting and hopefully there will be reason to return to it as the build progresses.

Leif

PS. Re-reading the thread at Kartonbau.de I am no longer sure that the model will be stearable. Perhaps "Lutz" will just make a floating, motorized, version. But I still think it's a very interesting project, and an ingenious way of propulsion. I can just imagine how you can bend the potentiometer close to 90 degrees, and prolong it with an axis attached to some detail on top of the deck. Turning this will make the motor go backward and forward, from slow to full speed. We'll see.

I attach the cover photo of the model in build, plus two photos of the servo being dismantled; just as a teaser to bookmark the thread.

**Gharbad** · #2 03-17-2008, 06:33 PM

Since I'm pretty much studying electronics, I really want to do something like this. I just haven't done anything yet, so I won't get around to it for a long time :o

**Lex** · #3 03-18-2008, 02:06 PM

I so want to learn electronics so I could make these RC models...

**Leif Ohlsson** · #4 03-19-2008, 03:30 AM

Lutz is tugging along with his conversion. Watch it for yourself here at Kartonbau.de. And he assures us that the tug will indeed be fully stearable.

Proof of his ability to carry this through comes from previous conversions, among them a Revell Chris Craft.

I attach a couple of photos, the three first from the present paper model tug, and the three last from the conversion of the plastic Chris Craft.

**Leif Ohlsson** · #5 03-28-2008, 10:09 AM

The build has now progressed through mounting of the propeller axis and rudder servo. Both had to be shortened/modified by the builder, "Lutz", in order to fit into the small 1/100 DSM harbour tug.

The most ingenious part so far, within reach of ordinary builders, is the conversion of LEDs from spotlights to 360 degree lighting. This was accomplished by milling off the lens part of the LEDs (and then checking if they were still intact...). This is a great tip.

Lanterns were masked off to spread their lights 225° and 135° respectively. All LEDs used are white, which were painted red, green, and warm yellow (for interior lighting).

In addition, Lutz is using some advanced electronics which will make it possible to turn on the different lanters in series from the transmitter. This I do not profess to understand, but I'm happy about the LED conversion tip!

Various photos attached. Go see more for yourself:
http://www.kartonbau.de/wbb2/thread....453#post238453

Zathros · #6 03-28-2008, 02:57 PM

Instead of milling off the top of the LED lens he should try melting the top flat with a hot butter knife, you can get some interesting results that way to.

**Leif Ohlsson** · #7 03-29-2008, 03:47 AM

And that is a great tip, too! - L.

**Leif Ohlsson** · #8 04-15-2008, 04:28 AM

The little tug is progressing very steadily, nowadays at levels way beyond me as far as electronics go.

But the result certainly looks both attractive and intriguing. Watch it here.

**Don Boose** · #9 04-15-2008, 11:34 AM

A facinating model, Leif. You surely do some innovative modeling and give us a lot of food fort thought and useful techniques, for which, much thanks.

Don

**Leif Ohlsson** · #10 05-13-2008, 02:47 AM

It is only fair to report that this project, by "Lutz" over at Kartonbau.de, now has been brought to a successful end. The little tug is launched (in the bathtub for now; in a pond later on as promised in the thread), and navigates under its own electricity, with lanterns glowing.

Go see for yourselves.