Bluebird K7

Started by Midlife306

44 updates 58 likes 79 comments 0 followers

Bluebird K7

There is also a guy called Fred Bloor, his website is www.rainbowcoloured.co.uk
He does a plans CD that has some interesting detail. I've not seen a plan with the correct nose shape yet though.
Cheers
Wayne
Liked by John2

Sign in to comment on this update.

Bluebird K7

Cheers John👍
I'll be cutting out the inside of all the bulkheads next & then I'll glue the structure together, I'm planning on using epoxy but if anyone has any suggestions of a better glue I'm all ears.
I'm going to make the spars out of 1mm thick titanium, I'll get the bits laser cut by a mate & I know a very good welder, I just need to draw them up first...
Cheers
Wayne
Liked by John2 and BOATSHED
1 comment
  1. BOATSHED
    Captain
    I don't know if it help you but this is a very good glue. You don't have to mix it like epoxy glue's. it is waterproof I was recommended it for a boat build and found it to be fine.
    I have used all sorts in the past dating back to the 60's. Cascamite, epoxy, even with my dad as a child we used the good old fashion smelly glue bead's. I still use them here and there.
    But we all have different idea's. Hope this helps.
    Liked by John2

Sign in to comment on this update.

Bluebird K7

Thanks, I've not seen this stuff before, I'll have to do some research, sounds ideal if it does what it says on the label.
Cheers
Wayne
2 comments
  1. metalikhajoe
    Able Seaman
    Hello everyone! Just joined the group and this is my first post. I saw some pix of Tug Boats in the net and wanted to try making one from scratch. I tried looking for free plans but I could not find any. I hope some of you can share me some plans if you have any to share. I have an access to a laser cutter and I know it will help me a lot in my build. I also do graphic lay outing on CorelDraw. Hope to meet new friends here. I have also attached some of my builds.
    Liked by John2
  2. none
    Chief Petty Officer 1st Class
    Welcome to the Forum

    Loads of free plans here.

    https://model-boats.com/forum/plans

    Select the ones your interested in
    Down load to your computer.
    Then email off to your local printers.

    The printing of plans is a lot cheaper than you would think.
    Liked by John2

Sign in to comment on this update.

Bluebird K7

Been busy this weekend, managed to get all the bulkheads finished off & I've finally glued all the structure together🤓👍
More strengthening to be added this week & I'll try & tidy up the glued joints.
I'm still trying to work out how I can easily remove the engine cover yet still remain watertight but not fly off at speed. I've got a few ideas involving lots of magnets & a remotely operated latch, I've made a start by glueing a flange along the outside of the main frame. For my plan to work, I'll need to add a half bulkhead in between the air intake & the first bulkhead & another butting up against the the last bulkhead before the transom, they will be the split lines. I'll then have to find a way to strengthen up the removable section so I can cut it free.
I'll. keep you posted.
Cheers
Wayne
Liked by John2

Sign in to comment on this update.

Bluebird K7

I've finished off tidying up the glued joints & ive put a fillet of epoxy around all 4 sides of each joint.
I've also just started cutting the blue foam, as you can imagine there is dust absolutely everywhere, I may just have convinced the Mrs to let me have a shed at last!!!
I found a a few videos on YouTube comparing different foam glues, gorilla glue had good reviews so so I got some.
You apply it sparingly on one side of the joint & water (yes water) to the other side, press the joint together & leave for a couple of hours, the glue actually turns to foam & sticks like a good un!!!
Cheers
Wayne
Liked by BOATSHED and John2
1 comment
  1. Dave M
    Vice Admiral
    Hi Wayne
    There are different versions of Gorilla Glue. You can get a white Gorilla wood glue as well as the Foaming type you have. Both are very good but the foam type has a very short shelf life once opened so I suggest you use it all as quickly as possible
    Liked by BOATSHED

Sign in to comment on this update.

Bluebird K7

Cheers Dave, my finger is well & truly pulled out!!!
Thanks
Wayne
2 comments
  1. BOATSHED
    Captain
    I didn't know about the Gorilla glues shelf life. That's why when I went to use it again the whole bottle is a solid lump. Opened it back last year and went to use it again last week. Bummer. 😱
  2. BOATSHED
    Captain
    You mention magnet's for the hatch. I think they are called rare earth magnet's they are awesome. have you tried those.

Sign in to comment on this update.

Bluebird K7

I bought a load of Neodymium magnets for another project last year, they are really good. I want to use a mechanical catch to keep the lid on but I want to use the magnets to keep pressure on an o-ring to keep things nice & water tight. it's only early days yet, if I can get out of work early one day I'll pop to a local locksmith to see what he has on the catch front, nothing small enough at B&Q. I'd like to operate it remotely, there is an area at the bottom of the tail that could be used to open the catch.
Cheers
Wayne
Liked by BOATSHED
1 comment
  1. octman
    Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class
    I'm confused(normal state for me). it is the Donald Campbell K7 you are building isn't it, but you have plans for John Cobb's Crusader on the wall. Are you going to build both?

    Chris

Sign in to comment on this update.

Bluebird K7

Hi Chris, I'm on a mission with K7, I guess I won't stop building them until I'm really happy...
I've got Crusader up on the wall so I can subliminally learn the shape, when I get spare time I'll make a start on a 1/12 scale version & make my mistakes on that, then maybe build a 1/4 scale version, a few years away though.
Cheers
Wayne

Sign in to comment on this update.

Delete this post?

It will be removed from the site.

Discard this draft?

Your draft will be deleted and cannot be recovered.

You have an unfinished draft

What would you like to do with it?