K7 Bluebird plans.

[785boats]

Hi guys.
I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction for some plans for the K7 Blue bird. Even very basic line drawings.
Can't find much by Googling on the wide wide world of web. Just a couple of isometric cutaway views & some basic measurements & statistics.
I could draw something up from them & the photos available but I would like to build it as close to scale as possible. Especially the underside & running surfaces. Can't find any details on them.
Any & all help would be greatly appreciated.
Paul.

[lomdel]

These guys sell the complete hull : http://www.touchwoodmodels.com/water-speed-record-models/bluebird-k7.html . But thats not what you want, eh? You wanna build from scratch...

[785boats]

Thanks Lomdel.
That's right. I'm a scale/semiscale scratch builder mainly. Plus that's not big enough for me. And the price!!! That's too big for me.
Every bit of info helps though.
Thanks again.
Paul.

[785boats]

Well I've managed to track down some plans. a kind gentleman on this site is sending me some on disk.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BluebirdModellersGroup/messages

Although the K7 is basically a rigger with a jet engine on it's back, my skills or wallet don't come close to doing it justice in that respect so I intend to run my faithful 8XL in it set up as a normal surface drive. It will be running on 4s with the HiModel 200A ESC. It will be built light & strong from balsa, foam, ply & F/G.

So my question to the builders of riggers out there is, what would be the biggest size (length) I could build it, & still run in the high 40's or low 50's do you think?
I've not run a rigger before so I don't have a clue.
The 8XL can move my 32" cat to 50mph so I was hoping for a 34" or 36" rigger
As always, any & all advice is much appreciated.
Here's a couple of images of the boat & a top video of a jet propelled model by the great Ernie Lazenby.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNBRa3oKit8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNBRa3oKit8)
Cheers.
Paul.

[ozzie-crawl]

always wondered on somthing like that if a ducted fan system would work as out runners are cheap power?

[785boats]

Hi Ozzie.
From what I've read on the Bluebird site (link in the previous post) EDF's can't deliver enough thrust to overcome the 'stickiness' of the water because of the small air intakes. I wonder if two EDF's in line would work? I wanted to use an EDF but have been dissuaded by those that know. That's why it will be a prop driven version.
Can't wait 'till the plans arrive.
Cheers.
Paul

[AndyKunz]

When you can't get enough air thru a scale intake, there are two common changes made:

1) Increase the inlet size. (The ideal inlet size is about 110% the area swept by the fan)

2) Add "cheater holes" - non-scale openings into the duct. They allow air to be drawn in from the sides or (in the case of aircraft) the bottom of the plane, ensuring adequate flow.

Sounds like a fun project. Good luck!

Andy

[785boats]

Thanks Andy.
Those options had crossed my mind but I didn't want to spoil the scale appearance of the boat. I know, having a strut hanging off the back does that anyway.
But from what I've seen & read so far the rooster tail looks very similar to the plume kicked up by the jet.
I'll see how it runs like that first & maybe make a different cowl & fit a fan at a later date. Depends on what size the boat ends up at for the 8XL motor.
Cheers.
Paul.

[785boats]

Good news.
The disc arrived today with the drawings. So it's off to the copy shop to get them enlarged.
Can anyone advise if the 580 9L (1426kv) on 6s would get a 34"- 36" model of this rigger into the mid to high 40's
http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=fei-580-L&cat=116
I realise that there's a bit more wind resistance than on your a standard rigger configuration with the large cowl, but I intend to make it a flow through cowl with everything sealed inside the tub.
Cheers.
Paul.

[SLAUGHTER_AUS]

Pauly, the ducted fan idea is a pearler, you already have the gear to do it aswell... should be an interesting build, my old boy has some photos of the real deal i will try and find and get them to you.

[785boats]

Ben, old mate.
Where the hell have you & your old man been. Haven't seen you at the club in yonks.
I trust that all is well. How's the land speed record car coming along? Hang on I'll take a look at your site & answer that for myself................

http://www.slaughtermotorsport.com/

Back again. That looks fantastic, as you say, with a few body panels on the frame.
Man that's a piece of work. I guess that's what keeps you away from the boats eh?
As for the Bluebird I'll go with the surface drive first To see how it goes.
By all means post the pic that Old Man Trevor has. Would love to see them.
Cheers.
Paul.

[SLAUGHTER_AUS]

Ben, old mate.
Where the hell have you & your old man been. Haven't seen you at the club in yonks.
I trust that all is well. How's the land speed record car coming along? Hang on I'll take a look at your site & answer that for myself................

http://www.slaughtermotorsport.com/

Back again. That looks fantastic, as you say, with a few body panels on the frame.
Man that's a piece of work. I guess that's what keeps you away from the boats eh?
As for the Bluebird I'll go with the surface drive first To see how it goes.
By all means post the pic that Old Man Trevor has. Would love to see them.
Cheers.
Paul.

lol, well you are right on that, just assembling the fleet cause im coming back to the pond, im working saturdays at the moment though so im only gonna be racing at lakeside, but i will try and shoot down and see you all when i can.....

[785boats]

Ben.
Don't forget that 'Thunder Downunder' is on this weekend at Lakeside. I'll probably miss it all as I have to work Saturday & Sunday.
There's gonna be some fast ones there I reckon.
Would be good to see you again & the best of luck with the racing to you.
Cheers.
Paul.

[SLAUGHTER_AUS]

yeah im going on sunday, but not racing :(

[Gerwin Brommer]

http://www.gianhien.net/retail/all/bluebird-k7_set2.htm

Some other nice boats on that site aswell.

[785boats]

Thanks for that Gerwin.
Very nice. Good looking models.
Paul.