RC India

RC Models => Boats => Topic started by: VC on March 12, 2011, 09:15:21 PM



Title: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on March 12, 2011, 09:15:21 PM
Finally, completed the stablemate for the earlier Griffon 2000.

As I type this, we are making final adjustments to the skirt and fabricating the rudder servo arm.

We have been working on this project flat out 15 hours a day for the last week. Mustafa Sir has been going home at 2am/3am every day. I've taken a sabbatical from my profession. We are dead beat tired. Hope it is worth it. We will maiden her tomorrow.

I do have some horror stories to share about this build..... :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Will be posting all details and videos soon.



Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on March 12, 2011, 09:18:34 PM
Some more................


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: rohitgupta322 on March 12, 2011, 09:23:46 PM
It is just absolutely stunning. The result truly reflects the effort that your team has put into building it. Waiting for the videos.


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: Akshayb on March 12, 2011, 09:31:47 PM
That's a nice build, Congratulations.


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: anwar on March 12, 2011, 09:33:35 PM
 :goodjob:


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: spitfire on March 12, 2011, 09:48:55 PM
It is looking really nice. Waiting for video..!   :thumbsup:


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: rcpilotacro on March 12, 2011, 10:00:41 PM
Eager to know, how you solved the motor issue, ..


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: sundaram on March 13, 2011, 12:18:46 AM
 {:)} {:)}  {:)}  :thumbsup: it is absolutely realistic. The camoflage scheme of painting is also very real. The details are perfect. The  motor mounts are live real. Eagerly waiting for video.

Is it having differential thrust of the two motor for steering?.




Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: vksingh on March 13, 2011, 02:21:29 AM
No words comming out  {:)}
amazing Sir :salute: :salute: :salute: :bow: :bow: :bow: the great way to express


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on March 13, 2011, 11:09:16 AM
Thanks everybody! Especially to VK Singh and Anam without whose invaluable help this project wouldn't have been successful.

WingCo, major lesson learnt about the motor. There was nothing wrong with it. The mount is made out of aluminium and the motor mount screws were one mm too long. They went through the mounting holes and touched the coils inside, causing the motor to malfunction. Will post detailed pictures to explain. Thanks for standing by.

Sandy, at the moment we are not using differential steering, but we plan to modify that today.

Regards,

VC


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: ankitbaid on March 13, 2011, 11:46:57 AM
absolutely wonderful.....awesome.......w8ing for the vids bhaiya


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on March 14, 2011, 01:01:20 AM
12:55 am, 14th. March 2011. just finished the finer details. Couldn't maiden her today due to family exigencies. The lifter motor is now a combination of 2 props 6X4 mounted on the same shaft (Thus it is a 6 blade prop 6X 4).

Taken some snaps and hope to share them soon.

Land trials show that the motor and ESC remain comfortably warm after a 5 min run at full throttle. Maiden later this day at about 9am.

Please wish us luck.

VC


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: foamybuilder on March 14, 2011, 11:28:04 AM
What is that paint. The paint work is natural and stunning  {:)}


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on March 14, 2011, 05:58:17 PM
Lifter motor needs to be upgraded. Not generating enough cushion on water for the model to go over the hump speed. However, everything else worked fine. Judge for yourself.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bt15xJvzKg

The Horror Story continues.


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: rohitgupta322 on March 14, 2011, 06:57:54 PM
Wow, this looks so real in water. VC bhaiya how can you call this a horror story? You have come so far from your first prototype and are very close on achieving the goal.


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on March 14, 2011, 07:23:18 PM
Dear Rohit, Faoamybuilder,

Thanks a ton. The paint is just normal enamel paint (Black and White) mixed in varying proportions to arrive at Battleship Grey, Smoke Grey and Dark Grey shades. It was tricky but I am happy with the results.

Here are some more shots. Rohit, you are right, she does look rather realistic..... :giggle:

Regards,

VC


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on March 25, 2011, 11:33:37 PM
It is always difficult to bid Goodbye to a model that you have painstakingly built over the days. As she is being packed into a crate for transportation to a far off destination, and you catch the last fleeting glimpse of her, you can't help feeling nostalgic. All the frustration, the challenges, the long hours, the agony and and the ecstasy of the build flashes through your mind as the last nail is driven into the crate.

The Griffon 8100TD went today. Carrying with it a myriad of emotions. For a brief moment, we enjoyed the company of our earlier build (the Griffon 2000). Here are a few pictures of the epic rendezvous. While the 2000 at 3.5 Kgs and driven by a 6X4 prop is impetuous like a teenager, the 8100TD ( 7.2 Kgs), driven by 2 X 5/3 props, is the more sedate adult. It is like comparing a Lamborghini with a Mercedes!

I am uploading a video on youtube and will post the link here soon. In the meanwhile, enjoy the pictures. The Client has modified the Griffon 2000 with some additional sticker work, for obvious security reasons, I have blurred certain details of this craft.

I would welcome your comments.

VC


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on March 25, 2011, 11:49:30 PM
Some more pictures..........


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: sundaram on March 25, 2011, 11:54:08 PM
Congratulations VC. Both were crafted beautifully. Absolute beauties. it must been really difficult to let go of them. best wishes for many more such builds :thumbsup:


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: rohitgupta322 on March 25, 2011, 11:58:31 PM
"Wow", this is all I can say at this time. Thats the best piece of craftsmanship I have seen for a long time. Congrats VC bhaiya.


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: rcpilotacro on March 26, 2011, 12:05:25 AM
VC
I thought you have gone underground, now i know why, super stuff, you gave me too sleepless night, i even dreamt of burning ESCs and motors. I know it is difficult to say Godspeed to your baby, well that's life. did i say ? gr8 build


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: SunLikeStar on March 26, 2011, 12:17:36 AM
Good job on the crafts VC, that sure looks like lot of work. I hope you are getting some good out of giving these beauties away :thumbsup:


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on March 26, 2011, 12:46:14 AM
The Brushless lifter motor was replaced with a Brushed Type 500 motor (Supplied by Lunar Motors, Valsad, Gujarat). Anam / VK Singh supplied the Brushed ESC's rated @ 30 amps. Motor running cool after 5 minutes of full throttle burst with 3cell LiPo @ 2200mAh. Had to break in the motor under water and Mustafa Sir had to re solder the armature to improve performance and decrease sparking. Nonetheless, GREAT motor!

Gusty, thanks for suggesting a brushed motor!


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on March 26, 2011, 01:06:35 AM
The rear hatch / Lifter motor intake has been modified to accommodate a larger intake of air. Ducts and louvers have been cut out..........


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on March 26, 2011, 05:23:53 PM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lrn-1_dmJ4


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV0db8z4mY8


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: ankitbaid on March 26, 2011, 07:08:43 PM
fantabulous pieces sir...!!
hats off.....double trouble.....:P....
delighful piece of work....!!


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: sunk? on April 25, 2011, 01:58:10 AM
HI VC and co
thats a fine piece of work there.
I have the plans for these but the skirt is putting me off starting it at the moment.
they both look good.
that was a fair few hours work there then  :-)
keep up the good work.
regards
don


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on April 25, 2011, 10:57:08 AM
Thanks Mate. The final piece, the LCAC is nearing completion now.


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: asish kumar panda on February 28, 2012, 09:14:07 PM
if i can get the construction video that will be better because  we are beginners so plz some video,otherwise your is excellent.


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: Gokul ravindran on March 17, 2012, 01:03:20 PM
its amazing......super modell :hatsoff: :hatsoff: :bow: :salute:


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: laserdesignman on June 22, 2013, 02:39:49 PM
Awesome very well done


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on June 22, 2013, 03:10:51 PM
Thanks!


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on June 28, 2013, 10:26:28 PM
This is how we fitted the skirt. We first stitched the skirt (Mr. Musawir Mustafa @ Greatguns on this forum did a FANTASTIC job on it) and then we attached it to the craft using the best quality double sided tape. The pictures are self explanatory.


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: laserdesignman on June 29, 2013, 04:07:02 AM
Hope this helps

I find buy screwing the skirt on it holds a better shape and seals just as good plus easy to take skirt of

The skirt is fixed to the upper part the same way as underneath it also acts as a skid pad if you need to come of lift to stop the craft


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: VC on June 30, 2013, 03:38:18 PM
Shauviks - for you.


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: sanjayrai55 on June 30, 2013, 05:48:35 PM
Just saw this. Truly challenging, perfectly executed


Title: Re: Griffon 8100 TD Hovercraft - Scratchbuilt
Post by: laserdesignman on June 30, 2013, 06:16:30 PM
Where you have put tape I have used acrylic strips and then screwed to the hull it is a lot easier to fit the skirt a 1 man job
also easy to remove and put back on again
other positives is the heads of the screws give the hovercraft something to slide on if you need to come of hover to come to a quick stop with out damaging the skirt
also cheaper my favorite is cheap we are all on a budget of some kind
it also holds the skirt in place better
if you notice in my pictures there is tape covering part of the lift duct I found this helped lift with less power I then put holes in the skirt so air flows through the skirt