Bandit Boats El Lobo II 'Re-build'.

[Jedi Master]

Well after digging up an old thread some time ago, I decided to make a start on rebuilding this boat.

(Darin Jordans original sale thread;...)

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...ht=#post268286

Here's how it looked when I first got it from Darin;



I had a bit of fun with it before selling it on to a friend;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zHFG-JDKfg

He then had a radio issue, and it ran at full speed into a concrete pond siding. The front end was completely smashed in. Anyway, another friend repaired the nose and then I bought it back again. I've finally found some time to work on it so began with stripping it down;



I ran it once on 7.2v nimhs and in the video above I think it may have been on a 9.6v nimh. I'm going to use Lipo's and attempt to run 11.1v, which should be interesting. I have one half of a saddle pack, which is the same spec as a complete set that I run so am going to run three individual cells in series. With the three cells being seperate it should help with fitting them in the small hull. The ESC can handle 3s with its BEC and I'm going to run the X438 prop so hope the set-up will handle it. The 9.6v nimh was very heavy and the motor had no water cooling (until I flipped it, lOL) so I'll add a silicaon jacket and hope that the heat stays under control.



More updates to follow....

[Jedi Master]

Filling and sanding.....

[Make-a-Wake]

Doin' it right............from the ground up! Nice little hull.

[Jedi Master]

Doin' it right............from the ground up! Nice little hull.

Thanks, but lets see how well I finish it!!

Started the first paint colour.....

[NativePaul]

Good so far, I like that colour, did you manage to salvage the Trans-Am firebird decal? Blue and gold go well and Smokey and the Bandit was too cool for school.

[Jedi Master]

Good so far, I like that colour, did you manage to salvage the Trans-Am firebird decal? Blue and gold go well and Smokey and the Bandit was too cool for school.

Unfortunately, the decal was 'toast'. Still looking for some appropriate decals, but only to give it a bit more of a racing look. Am hoping my colour scheme turns out OK.

[Jedi Master]

Well, I rushed the next colour and now I've marked the first. that'll teach me for being impatient!!

Its only a small hull so not too bothered as it won't be seen from more than 4 feet away. Have another 2 colours to add, but am liking the look so far. I never really have a plan when I'm painting so I normally keep adding colours til I'm happy....

[Boaterguy]

like it

[Make-a-Wake]

How long is this hull?

[Jedi Master]

Bare hull is just under 22 inch long.

[Jedi Master]

Colour No. 3 goes on....

Do I go with a black layer after the white and then a chrome nose tip?

[Boaterguy]

Do it!!

[Jedi Master]

Managed to clearcoat the paintwork today and also finish the nose. The 'chrome' is actually only enamel spray for the effect, so it will be interesting to see how it weathers...




The photo doesn't do it justice, but the chrome effect enamel has a really good reflective quality to it.....

[Boaterguy]

It's too late but I woulda said do a black pinstripe around the chrome stuff.

[Jedi Master]

Did some more work on the resto today....

Added some decals and also some pin-striping to the chrome. I needed to clear-coat the decals and pin-stripe but as I expected; the chrome decorative paint tuned grey from the acrylic. I still like the finish so am not too disappointed.




The paintwork ended up with a great shine;



Polished and refitted all of the rear hardware, as well as adding some new turn fins....



Fitted the electrics and checked the layout of the internal componants. It ran fine on 2S with no cooling for the motor. With the intention of running 3S I may need to add a silicon cooling jacket at a later date, but when the boat gets on the plane and up to speed the prop takes very little load. It acts more like a hydro than a mono so will carry out some test runs to check the motor temps. The 3 saddle packs fit great with the nose full of EPS foam and the help of some foam spacers;




Just need to fit the receiver and then get it on the pond!!