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An Easy Way to Build a Fuselage or Model Boat Hull

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2020 11:44 am
by Neons
I think if I build a larger aircraft or model ship I would consider making a foam fuselage or hull that would be smoothed after framing and skinning. You could use Model Plane Foam (MPF) http://www.modelplanefoam.com/index.php/foam1/
which is available for the outer skin. You could use cheaper Z-Fold from Loews or Home Depot Loews blue foam which is smoother. They all sand easily as a prep for epoxy glassing.

After fairing the hull I would epoxy and fiberglass cloth buildup the foam skin on the fuselage or hull and sand a very smooth finish for primer and painting. The interior of a boat hull would get float tested and ballasted with lead sheet almost to the waterline specs. The interior would be partially removed for the gear and electronics on a sub deck. Then on with the structure building.

Here is how my friend Chris in New Jersey builds fuselages for his jet liners. Apply this for vessel hulls also. For a stiffener you could use aluminum tube or rod instead of carbon fiber. or a cut a hardwood spine before the framing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCP-gTB ... m-comments
com/watch?v=DCP-gTBKBxw&feature=em-uploademail
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