Atlas Van Lines 1/20 Scale Unlimited Hydroplane

[sammyha]

I've finished my latest build of Dr. Jet's 1/20 scale mini unlimited hydroplane. Since I was a young boy I've been a fan of the Thunder Boats, so this was a project with special meaning for me.

I've always wanted to build a scale unlimited hydroplane and I put a lot of effort into this model. I think Dr. Jet has a lovely design on this one.

For me it was always going to be done up in the Atlas Van Lines livery...



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[sammyha]

Another pic...



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[sammyha]

Atlas Van Lines 1/20 Scale Unlimited Hydroplane

And some detail shots...


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[sammyha]

I documented the build on YouTube. Here's the playlist link...

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOPzmCdCpuvi5YEPfmPsE0ybuCC2ZmURB&si=E-zp9UOhrmOUw0xY

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[sammyha]

Last week my reservoir froze over, so building season has now officially started for me. I added five more scale details to a fairly small scale boat! These are things I thought of doing and then didn't. At what point do you stop with scale details, right? Now I've put every scale detail I thought of on the boat when planning this build.

I designed and 3D printed mirrors. Used shiny aluminum tape for the mirror part of them.

Also made sponson braces with u-brackets and plates...

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[sammyha]

The lifting eyes were an easy scale feature to make. Adds a nice touch. They are visible in this picture and the previous ones.

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[sammyha]

Had to add the wing bracing for sure. If you look closely, a black dot with a permanent magic marker simulates the bolts. I did that on all the scale features with brackets...

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[sammyha]

The cowling t-straps were the most challenging scale feature to make. I designed and 3D printed them too. Used a Dremel tool and a .015 drill bit for the thru hole for the .014 music wire t-handles.

Used .015 brass shim stock for the u-brackets and latch pockets.

This was tedious work with tweezers. Super glued together and super glued onto the cowling. Colored the t-handles with black magic marker.

But sure is a cool scale feature imo...

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[sammyha]

I was working from screenshots from YouTube videos for all the scale features. Here's a shot of the t-handle cowling strap on the full size boat...

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[sammyha]

I very much enjoy adding details like these to a build. At times it feels like too much work and drives me a little crazy. I think of something, then have to do it. But usually I follow thru on an idea when it comes to me.

It all adds up to a nice overall look to the finished project...

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[sammyha]

And now we've had mild weather for a few days. My reservoir is still frozen over, but I caught a couple nice calm days and got some runs in at the hot pond by the power plant in town. It's a rare day when it's calm enough to run a hydroplane there. Here's a video link to my latest running video...

https://youtu.be/kN_egc1BXOM?si=rusM5cZ_srAKEZao

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[Xrayted]

She looks great on the water Sammy!

[sammyha]

She looks great on the water Sammy!

Thank you! It needs more tuning, I think the prop diameter is too big. Haven't got to full trigger yet. She's dancing on the sponsons, can't handle the torque. This is my first experience with a mini hydroplane. And I'm in no rush to blow it off and wreck it, lol...

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[Panchothedog]

Very nice work there. And she looks real good out on the water. With something that small, you have to be real selective about the water you run in. What is the length of the hull.

[sammyha]

Very nice work there. And she looks real good out on the water. With something that small, you have to be real selective about the water you run in. What is the length of the hull.

Thank you.
Agree on the water conditions. Scale wise tiny ripples are like big waves. The hull is 17-1/4" long...

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