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Ah Yes, I guess we would all like to make the SRN 1 our first model. I made that mistake and that model took me the best part of a year to build! And I
was still updating it two years later!
What the e-mails I get daily tell me is you want to get hovering quickly and with as little time spent sanding wood as possible. So my approach was to build a model out of foam board instead. It also seems from my web page feedback that the radio control and drive fan is not such a problem but the problem is the body, skirt and lift fan, they prompt the most questions. So here is the basic platform on which you can build up to be you own design or a scale craft
I have listed all the materials you need to build this model and I have given sources for US and UK readers. II have not forgotten the rest of the world but I have live in both countries and know where to get what is needed there. E mail me if you need help in finding any materials.
Keep reading and I'll tell you how I did it. In fact to make it easy I took some pictures along the way……
Kevin Jackson
June
2003
But wait...Children, yes all those school projects you write to me about. You MUST to get help from your parents or teachers. The tools are sharp, electrical items need to be treated with care and respect and the lift fan is going round very fast. I don't want any accidents. Be safe and have fun…
There's More: Even you bigger children ...adults ...need to pay attention to these things please be safe.
_________________________________________ -
UPDATE June 2003 - Good
News! You can now get the parts you need to build this model hovercraft from
HOVERCRAFTmodels.com Follow
the link in the links section below ___________________________________________
So….What do you need?
2 sheets of foam board 3ft by 2ft: This is two layers of card with a foam filler between them. Michael's or Office Depot sell it in the US and W.H. Smith or Staples in the UK.
You can also by an extruded sheet material from Hovercraftmodels.com that is 24
by 18 inches. It very robust, water proof and can be painted if required -
it is also very light weight, in fact lighter than foamboard - see their
parts store for details.
4 plastic nuts, washers (2 for each bolt) and bolts 2 1/2 inches in length. For the Europeans that a M6 size and you can find them in B and Q. For the US its also M6 ..its about time you went metric!! Only joking! Go to Home depot and look in Nuts and Bolts and they have plastic M6
or try Hovercrfatmodels.com they have packs of six bolts in their parts store
which are the ones used in this project.
4 more plastic nuts, washers and bolts: This time M4 size..same sources.
1 Sheet of builders pink foam1 1/2 to 2 inches thick: The UK call it Floor Mate and you can get it at a builders yard but not it seems in B and Q. The US readers are more in luck as Home Depot sells just about anything and you can find pink foam in the lumber department. (you can always layer thinner foam to get the right thickness)
A few feet of duct tape: Now UK readers say what's that? And US readers go, Ah yes more shopping at Home Depot. UK readers go to B and Q and buy a reel of paint masking tape..the yellow/white ish paper tape it will do the job.
One Black Plastic Trash bag: US readers are in luck here ….you guessed Home Depot/your local supermarket etc. UK readers need two of these, no its not a joke, they are bigger in the US...and stronger but we can leave that to another time. Tesco/Asda etc should have the required item. Yes I know it's a rubbish bag…..
A lift fan 4 inches in diameter: I'll tell you more about this as we go but in the US you can buy this from Tech America. In the UK you can get this from Maplin or Electrovalue. Also try MECI.com
- Update Jan 2002 - Hovercraftmodels.com have a
propeller and motor combination which is ready wired and is a perfect
replacement for this now, difficult to find fan - to go to their site and check out their RC Hovercraft Store, parts
department, part number CMA2022 - they also have a motor mount that works
with this design as well, part number CMA2233. Click here > Model
Hovercraft and go to Hovercraftmodels.com
12 volt battery or bench power supply: For testing the fan
or with the Hovercraftmodels.com motor and propeller use a 7.2 volt battery from
a radio controlled car.
Tools: A sharp modeling knife. I found the Stanley 18mm snap off blade type works best and is available all over the world. Take care its very sharp! Also a 6mm drill, a pencil, scissors and finally a ruler.
…….Click here I think we are ready……..
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