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Deck Hardware Kit #2105 is an optional deck
hardware kit with 81 cast fittings. Fittings are as follows:
1 Running light left
1 Running light right
7 Mast lights (28-115)
2 Mast lights (28-116)
1 Anchor
1 Air horn
3 Signal lights
1 Bell
1 DO Vent (where does it go?)
12 Mast lights (28-197)
1 Bobbin bollard
2 Towing lights
6 Small bit
1 Main gun
1 Radar dish (vacuum formed)
1 40MM Bofors gun
1 Mount/right
1 Mount/left
4 machine guns
2 Ammo box mounts
6 Life rings
13 Chocks/Fairhead
1 Bow Fairhead
1 Ammo elevator
4 Sea pads
2 Pelurius
1 Paper containing contents of kit
82 Total pieces
Note: The lights are
non-working solid castings only.
The total number of pieces in my kit was 92.
I had extra bollard bitts, chocks, an extra air horn, extra cleats and lights.
I had no missing pieces, and the quality of the the casting was good. Some
pieces had large quantities of "flash" that required some time to clean off.
The .50 caliber machine guns in my kit were unusable. They had misaligned mold
marks on the gun barrels. When this was cleaned up, it left them looking oval and
distorted. You can easily build replacements with brass tubing and balsa. I
will replace mine with molded plastic ones.
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Hardware: RATING 4
The Running Hardware kit #2341is the
twin screw, twin rudder running hardware kit for two 6 volt motors.
My kit was complete. Here is the contents:
2 Drive shafts
2 Stuffing boxes (with oilite bearings)
2 Rudder assembly
1 Rudder arm (metal, for 1/8" shaft)
1 Double rudder arm
2 Strut assemblies
2 Brass Drive dogs
2 Set collars
2 Thrust washers
1 Propeller, right bronze, 2" diameter 1 Propeller, left bronze, 2"
diameter
Screws, nuts, bolts and washers for assembly Instructions for assembly.
The kit includes instructions for the
alignment and installation of the rudders, struts and stuffing boxes. The same
instructions are included in the USS Crockett kit. There is no mention of filling
the stuffing boxes with grease. I used a full synthetic white marine grade grease.
This is much easier to clean up than the automotive grease you would use to pack
wheel bearings.
The bearings in the stuffing boxes
are milled to close tolerances, demanding adequate time to properly align the struts.
The first night I could not get the alignment to my satisfaction. I put the
Crockett aside to try another day. The next day, I was able to get the alignment of
the shafts and struts the first try. When aligned, the shafts will turn with very little
effort. Because of the close tolerance, any slight misalignment will cause the shaft
to bind. And I mean any slight movement. If you do not take your time, you will
cause the motors to work harder causing shorter battery run time.
The struts attach to the outside of the hull
with four small bolts and nuts. If you are building a scale model, you may want to
add a little filler around the base of the struts. This will blend them into the
hull. They will look built into the hull instead of just looking "bolted
on". As for the rudders, the modeler must trim them down to 2".
These were cut very easily with a razor saw. They contained mold markings and
flash. The rudders did clean up nicely but did required some filler.
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