I am not surprised that two primer coats won’t hide much of a 3D print’s issues. A heavier sandable automotive primer is next.
Oh brother!
🤨

As per the notes from the Bluebird Supporters Club here is the first go at their chosen color. Well, she's coming along...bit by bit. It feels a bit dark, but it's certainly eye-catching!
😉

Donald Campbell’s nephew Donald Wales and the Bluebird Supporters president David with the restored K7 painted in RAL 5009 Azure Blue. And my K7 for grins…again. I think David was trying to drive home his point.
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Hello Me Hearties!!!

Well, after multiple tests, endless recriminations, bitching, sleepless nights, and too much booze I decided to paint my new K7 the same color I used on my lost Touchwood Models K7. I know the folks at Coniston Water won't approve, but the RAL coded paint they used was just too dark for my taste. I suspect there is a mixing mis-match between here and there...I hope you guys like it!

Then I powered up the Lipos and much to my horror found that the ESC that was in the drivetrain I pirated from a busted up Traxxas Spartan was toast. But the good folks at Traxxas tested and replaced the ESC and bench tested it too. It's due back today or tomorrow.

Then I had an absolute brawl properly vacuum-forming a scale canopy for the beast. The 3D printed canopy was opaque so I made a mold and made a plaster casting. A good idea for a while, but didn't use an adequate release agent and trashed the plaster casting. Fortunately, the mold was still good, so I used Hydrocal (dries like stone!) for my next casting and ordered a proper silicone release agent designed for high temperature vacuum-forming. Finding just the right temperature to soften the clear PETG plastic was not a walk in the park, but through trial and error I managed to get it done. I have to clean the oven now or it's a one way ticket to divorce court. Just kidding, Whew!

When the drivetrain goes back in with the new ESC and all that, I'll get this K7 back in the water for leak tests and ballast adjustments before a full maiden voyage. Which won't amount to much as fully loaded she's going to weigh over 8 pounds!!! That will mean a ton a performance parts to get her to plane.

Sheesh, what have I gotten myself into?
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Happy New Year Gang!
Today I finally had some time and got back to work on the Bluebird project. Powertrain, linkage, and cooling lines were installed in a huge rush of enthusiasm. All is working as it should even though it's not a turbine 😔.
The next step is to get this monster into a tank again for final ballast and water adjustments. Donald and his cockpit are being actively planned. Thats the good news.

Now back to reality and the bad news
Fully laden she's coming in at 8 pounds 12 ounces with a standard Traxxas Spartan set up. As this is almost exactly double what a stock Spartan weighs I seriously doubt she'll plane let alone hit a scale speed of a shade over 80 miles per hour. No worries as I anticipated this and will look for motor, esc, and lipo upgrades down the road.
The grand experiment continues...👍😉

I touched up the "business end" mechanicals with a matching paint that makes it seem less offensive to me. Water tests soon.😉

Not exactly RAF kit, but close enough. Early 1960's American gear will have to do. A more complete cockpit is still in the works, then have to add some additional flotation foam in the nose...just in case.
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p.s. still trying to sort his green eye (blast) shield glass, I've already failed a few times...but, we'll see.

Hey gang!
Always a huge part of the process, the dreaded "tub test" for ballast and leaks.
Thank fully no leaks! But the K-7 is a bit tail heavy so Lipos were moved as far forward as the could go (just behind the cockpit) and finally got a nice balance fore and aft.

As much as I love this process and this historical subject I don't think I'll ever go with a fully printed boat again. The weight is too much of a problem. Someday, I will get a pattern set so I can build super light K7 and run a ducted fan set-up.

However, the quest continues.
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Finished up on Donald and his cockpit. Pretty satisfied with the result.
The gentleman who created this 3D printing has engaged a vacu-form maker to create a canopy. It should be here in a few days and I will compare it with my vacu-formed canopy. Should be interesting as we both used proper PETG sheet plastic. Will do a side by side soon. Stay tuned.
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ps: Harkening back to a couple of my earlier complaints of this whole "experiment"...
-- if you zoom in you can see the printer's registration marks on the K-7
-- the jet engine inlets on either side of the cockpit (now sealed with plywood) in no way came close to equaling the demands of a 90mm EDF. I estimated them to be barely 40mm combined in surface area.

C'est la guerre

While Donald waits for a new canopy as some of you know I jumped into an ancient Dumas Pay 'N Pak Hydroplane to keep my mind working amidst all the snow outside. It's an all plywood kit and a terrible hand full. But, after a 3 day slash and knife fight I managed to straighten all the old plywood (with the help of some bricks) and get this far...I am definitely a glutton for punishment, but it has a very sci-fi look to it.
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