Properchopper's Herb Stewart Tunnel Hull build

[properchopper]

I bought this hull almost two years ago and I've stared at it on the shelf all this time wondering how to go forward ; P-Spec OPC or P-OPC NAMBA SAW record challenger. Turns out that Mr. Stewart, who unfortunately left us a while ago, still holds IMPBA 1/16 mile S and T SAW records with a similar hull, and a certain Mr. Smock tells me that he's kicking butt with his. Sooo, with both applications in mind coupled with the knowledge that P-Spec OPC's are graduating from the rather fast, but racewater challanged VS-1 sized hulls [like my avatar boat] to bigger platforms , the decision was to first rig it for P-Spec OPC in AZ this coming February, than bolt on a biggie from my SAW motor stash for the next NAMBA straightlines. Here's the raw hull - an interesting design, 29.5", with asymmetrical sponsons and solidly crafted :

[properchopper]

First I built a setup board. A necessary step to line up the lower unit. Building the box was tricky; the sides were curved. Evercoat Formula 27 made great fillets. For good measure, I epoxied the seams.

[Rumdog]

i like it tony. what will you use for a canopy?

[properchopper]

A Stiletto cowl was a direct fit, but I filled in the antenna slot. To allow clearance for the motor wires, I opened up the port in the back and reinforced the opening with some ply. ( This was to bite me in the butt later )

[Rumdog]

Too cool. so, what are the S&T saw records?
did you offset the lower at all/

[properchopper]

Getting the steering linkage perfectly lined up [ I'm from the "servo in the back" school of steering linkage] was a beeatch; turns out the box was not centered on the sponsons by a tad; but to use solid linkage rods the pass-throughs and servo alignment has to be perfect and preferably with the rods stone parallel and well centered on the pass-through tubes. I used a Turnigy digital coreless metal gear ball bearing 165 oz/in servo with a re-worked heavy duty servo arm from Tower Hobbies. Took a looong time & a few transom pieces to get it right. On the third try my CF steering arm lined up & I had to countersink the rod clamps for perfect alignment. The transom piece has stainless blind nuts secured with screws ( I hate it when the bolts rust to the blind nuts and the whole tamale rotates after they're buried in the back.) Then siliconed to keep water from seeping through. The blue anodized wire pass-through tubes were made from the tail boom of an E-Flite Blade SR - (don't ask !) 5.5's just pass through & then wires sealed with shrink.

[properchopper]

Since I wanted to use a speed control capable of handling a bigger motor in the future, I came up with a simple [but brilliant if I must say-] way to squeeze a T-180 in - check it out - no more wires front-to back and cooling lines sticking out sideways Some 90 deg fittings from Kintec and viola !! ( rigger builders take note !!)

Since I intend to use a Futaba radio after testing, the Rx box is isolated from the battery compartment with labeled servo extensions siliconed through a bulkhead, hopefully keeping water from kaboshing the $89 Rx. I made an antenna mount from plexi & tapped it so the antenna screws in. The Rx antenna feeds easily into the tube. Epoxied some wire holders to route the wires away from the battery.

Finding a spot to rout the SC cooling line in was challanging ; I wanted to keep things short & neat. The outside return line goes through the side of the box & out the cowl (pictured later). The O.S. lower has two water pickups- I got it from Mike L. (Cybercrxt) that way & kind'a like the idea.

Added sponson drain plugs on either side just in case ( last picture, lower right of photo). Inserted aluminum tubes for tight plug fit (UL-1 plugs). The sponsons were stuffed with pool noodle flotation; 'Ya never know !

[properchopper]

Another picture of the servo/Sc. Tight fit - I truly sympathyze with rigger builders

Oh, I was feeling "decorative" that day so I put some red shrink on the servo rods; Whatever !

[properchopper]

A couple of hours in my improvised spray booth { my landlady's garden shed } and some nice silver metalflake paint and a little clearcoat. {I hope she'll like her "sparkle-in-the-dark" lawnmower caused from the overspray}
And any old Disco devotees will love the way my beard sparkles in the moonlight

As a tribute to Mr. Jordan , the appropriate driver decal . (OK, it was just for the picture, not to worry , Darin)

Oh, the number Five is to commemorate this as my fifth tunnel build. Not an easy one at all [ which is an intense understatement], and as a result of the duress I suffered getting this critter nailed you can address all correspondance to the SoCal Home For Terminally Bewildered Tunnel Fabricators. I'll answer all inquiries when they cut back on my meds and remove the restraints !!!

[Rumdog]

Me likey!!

[hazegry]

lol how much silver paint do you have I polished this old warship up for the upcoming season

[properchopper]

Me likey!!

Thanks, Ryan. Should be a good boat. And yup, I did get her wet at Joe's yesterday. He may post a short vid. Short, because, while all signs indicated a nice handling rig with great potential, the motor wires on the old test motor had too radical a bend to duck under the canopy and I was encouraged by the one lap I did, and have some more motors (UL-1's) on the way.
Stay tuned

[properchopper]

lol how much silver paint do you have I polished this old warship up for the upcoming season

Nice !!! Glad to see my old "Jetstar" is in good hands

That tunnel has quite a pedigree : Originally UbHauled Jan's, then Darin got it & started the sponson mod, then on to SJFE, then to me to finish the sponsons, I raced it at the '08 FE Nat's, then on to I forgot who, then You !! Two anomalies in the graphics : One star accidentally upside down, and the Japanese kill flags under the canopy are WW II, but the Star with the red-striped side bars didn't appear until the Korean war. Quite some history. Still a capable winner !!!

[Ub Hauled]

SHe is a good hull... I had loads of fun with her...

[hazegry]

and now a navy squid owns her. I was going to repaint her in red and white as I am not much for the military theme on my boats (makes me think of work lol) But I thought it added character to it shes gonna have a go at the oval record next year and after that we will see what happens from there. I think Chucky Cheese had her I know she was in HI