It has been a bit from my last build(s) …and after a short break of building other kits non-RC and not boat related I have thrown myself into another build after my efforts on the RC conversion of Lindbergh’s Blue Devil Destroyer, a Fletcher class and odd scale are proving to require much more thought to get it to run to a satisfactory to my liking …it is a very narrow hull and much to top heavy to the point where my last outing with her bring her in was more akin to beaching a fish she laid on her side ….😞😖
Enough on that ,I was able to get an Italeri S-38 kit from my local hobby shop , and looking through my reference book on schnellboots , S91 caught my eye . This is a S38 type refitted with an armored kalotte. I am disappointed in Italeri on two reasons, the first is my fault in not understanding how to get or buy extra and or replacement parts for their kits ….I am at a loss as to how to work through their system ? …second is that the S38 does not have the standard armament of the mid ship Zwillingssockel of twin MG’s for aircraft defense, but they do include the later bow tube gun …Luckily, ICM does have a 1/35 scale of this mount as a kit , very detailed , at at the very limits of my ability due to my disability and lack of feeling in my hands . …I close with a few pictures and will answer why I am building the S91 as I am …much is due to the experience I gained in the long build of my S100…

From my build of the S-100, several issues I ran into I will try to correct on this build , the first being access and fit to the bow area, I begin by cutting the side armor over the torpedo tubes , this is to give a better fit and better water proofing to the boat also to make easier fitting to the modified bridge area . Due to the design of the S-38 type it affords me better access amidships for batteries, and maintenance. The biggest issue will be fitting the after market armored kalotte to the kits current bridge lay out.
I am still not sure if I will cut the main deck just forward of the depth charge racks to give access to the rudder area ,,,it seems most likely tho ..

Well made a little progress, I have fitted the commercial propeller shafts and rudder shafts , I hope some day to have the ability to make my own better than what I can currently do. As you can see in the photos I have temporarily have the motor placement , my plan is to put a removable shelf over the drive shafts and mount the speed controls , and receiver there given the amount of hull access this model has I can easy place the largest batteries in front of the motors and still adjust for trim based on my S-100. My S-100 has 3 1100kv motors on 2 3C pack , layout and available room did not let me add the 3rd battery, tho I may also be near the hull to waterline limit …The S-91 has 3 2218 motors left over from my Vosper builds , I felt during tub testing that they were a bit to hot for the hulls and went with 1800kv motors , a much wiser choice .
I continue to work the hull fitting in decks and the armored bridge modifications and have set the torpedo tube , but in my haste and enthusiasm did not paint the inside first as planned ..I have trimmed them back and will mount torpedo heads inside and have the ends closed off water tight , with the planned operating doors you should see the torpedoes in the tube and ready for launch . The Deck it self I have decided not to cut it , if only for the fact it will make the mounting of a clean look to the railings and it will give better water tight seal and access if and when needed by letting the deck flex at the mid point. The issue being that the bridge area is more problematic with designing both access and water tightness than I currently want to attempt. I foolishly gave my local hobby shop my short? Wish list and given as they jokingly replied that they had a health insurance bill …magically came up with one off the list , …I was ok until an unexpected bill came in …so that scream you heard was the plastic being bent …😬, Ah we only live once and I can think of worst things to spend on …add another S-100 to the stash….😈
BG

It been a bit and I have made some headway but not so much in the way of getting to the water , more of detail work …

Have been more interested of late in details crude as they may be …..just have not wanted to get back into getting the running parts mounted and set …I am considering getting a sound system and found one online that I think I will like , it will depend on the sound sample I have requested and just how much it will be ,,,they offer the start , variable throttle and shut down of the 3 Mercedes diesels , and possible independent control ? of each , torpedo launch , a 20 mm burst of fire , and standard 37 mm firing , but I think they can switch that out for a 40 mm Bofers . Also along side as part of the system is a LED out put for simulated exhaust and gun flash …The wonders that money and technology can do ….
It took a bit of fitting and I went at it slowly but I finally got the refit armored kalotte, the kits original helms dash was about 1/8” to far forward to allow the kalotte to fit as required , that and the deck house needed to be trimmed back ….from that point it becomes detail work adding grab rails, and spray guards etc etc …

The trouble with closeups it shows just how bad I paint ….but at 6’ or 60 mph it will look ok ….sadly it’s the best I am able to do …oh to have my hands back …

Well things are progressing slow , life does that at times , tho a bit of procrastination can be made if honest …lol ..I have done more detailed work and finalizing things as to hull access , and component mounting/ locations …one thing I have added that was not on my original build plan is a sound board and LED muzzle flash .
I am very excited to get this in and see and hear it on the water . My only regret is where I am adding muzzle flash to the 40mm Bofors in the stern that I have reto fitted the LED . I feel if I had installed it at its build time I could have run the fine wiring better , but we do the best we can . What is nice is that the sound board has proportional Throttle Diesel engines, 20 mm bust , 40 mm Bofors bust and Torpedo launch ,with warning siren ,…as an added feature the LED out puts for the engine’s exhaust, and the weapons are synchronized to the sound of each , so you can have exhaust flash , and muzzle flash when the sound for each is activated.
Hope all are well , Good Building and Best to All
Bill. G.

It been awhile since my last update , but life is like that at times we cant always do what we want or even feel up to doing it …lol I have started to move forward to getting this to be a runner , by working on a few details and mounting hardware , running the wires and ordering bits and pieces that are needed. I have done a quick water line check and trim with more weight than what is currently required as to known parts that must still be installed . She is looking to be a bit light or very close to spec as to draft and still have room for more battery or details . I can’t wait to see and hear the sound board and muzzle flash in action…And I seemed to have new help …lol …Be Safe All
BG

I foolishly got info about a local club is have a meet, so with lack of sleep I started to rush to get S91 at least water operational ….was working on trim and final electrical/ electronics bench test still not sure what went wrong ….but plugged in main battery and smoke ….Have confirmed all 3 ESC’s are toast …still need to check radio receiver and sound board , and motors….😖😭😭😭😭😭😭$$$$$

Hoped to get an early start to this new to me Marine Modelers club based in Boston Mass. but members from all over the state and near by. …Well I loaded up my Two Vospers , check out their build blog , …and the still on going old lindberg Blue Devil Fletcher class destroyer and arrived two hours after the start time , took a quick look at some fine scale models and the paperwork to become a member . After answering many interested questions as to my builds and the models I had brought I sent out my St. Nazaire Vosper ….Only to run it into the biggest patch of weeds and have my driveshaft fail🤦‍♂️. So had the pleasure of one of the members wade out and retrieve my wreck ….Ok …Things happen no biggie will just send the other Vosper out …Handed the model and controller to my son and he took her out …for about 3 minutes only to have it go dead in the water …with a locked Prop Shaft ….😖😖😖 have yet to open the hull up to see why …but have a feeling the home made prop shaft did not get enough grease and not checking it in my rush to this event only put frosting on my cake as the new guy. 😞🤦‍♂️. Good news is I had Video of my runs from last year and the over all results is that several members are ordering kits to convert . A good day!
Back to the bench and repairs …😊👍

Well not checking before rushing off to the meet was my major mistake , my St Nazaire special , had a collet set screw that missed thread lock resulting in the loose prop shaft . I also found a few mounts that had not been glued in place well enough so fixed a possible future failure,….she is now ready to run .
My standard Vosper , had the suspected grease issue , along with a collet that was to tight running against the end of the prop shaft tube , this added drag and heated the motor which resulted in the bridge deck to start to melt . Not realizing that my deck fitted that close to my motor mount as it heated an melted it then contracted the motor adding more drag ,..more heat ….this also explains the change in sound during its short run as told to me by my son. Final failure was the motor ripping out of it mounting and binding the works up ….

I have fixed all the issues found ,hopefully this will help others too not make my mistakes and let the enthusiasm over ride better judgement and practice…

Back in the water!
Bill G.

P.S.
Still evaluating the S91….😖